Approaching God
Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude, Gathering
Acclamation Lighting of the Lent Menorah (Seven candles for the Last Seven words of Jesus)
Pastor: When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
People: O Loving Lord, You gave up Your life for us and finished Your Father's work of salvation. We are eternally indebted and entirely devoted to You, Our Sacred Savior.
(Lighting of 6 Candles)
Pastor: Jesus, Precious Lamb of God, slain for our souls and sacrificed for our sins, we praise You, both now and forever. Amen.
First Hymn:
Prayers of Confession
Guide: Almighty and Everlasting Father, on this day of praise and thanksgiving, pour out Your Spirit upon Your people, so that we may honor and glorify Your Holy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Sacred and Eternal Sovereign, we lift up our hands and hearts to ask for Your blessing and favor. We seek to please You with our words and prayers, our songs and devotions.
Guide: Most Merciful God, our lives are meant to be dedicated to You, but we have allowed ourselves to be distracted and disloyal. We have sinfully shunned Your commands and set aside Your ways.
People: Gracious Lord, we are guilty of diminishing our faith and neglecting our Christian service. We have ignored opportunities to be compassionate and caring. Instead of honoring Your words, we have glorified our own works. Instead of asking for pardon and forgiveness, we are full of pride and vanity. Hear us now as we make our confessions to You alone.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Loving Father, turn our lives around and challenge our ways. Grant us the mercies of Your Son. Help us to look to Him for guidance and forgiveness, for purpose and meaning in our lives.
People: For we make our confessions in Christ’s Name and seek to unite our spirits with Him, saying "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER” debts/debtors (Isaiah 32:15)
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Where is Christ in our lives? Is He at the center of our existence? Does He influence our choices and decisions? Can other people see Him in our acts and deeds? He is the Savior of our souls, for He alone has the power and authority to forgive our sins and restore us to God’s loving-kindness. So, let us glorify and honor Christ as our King, both now and always. Amen.
(John 9:11)
Gloria Patri: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)
Encountering God
Anthem
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: O Lord, You are our God and earnestly we seek You for health and healing.
People: Our souls thirst for Your righteousness; our bodies long for Your strength.
Pastor: Here, in this sacred sanctuary, we behold Your power and salvation.
People: Your Love, O Lord, is better than life itself; we will glorify You forevermore.
Pastor: Lord, we lift up our prayers and ask for Your grace. Help and heal us, and all our loved ones, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul.
People: Satisfy our pleas with Your peaceful presence. Hear us now as we silently pray.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Pastor: Because You are our help, O God, our souls cling to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 63)
Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close." (Choir leads this)
Prayer of Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, help us to listen to Christ’s teaching through these sacred words. Keep us from being distracted by our thoughts and concerns. Grant us the ability to take these lessons and apply them to our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Acts 7:57)
Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication: Lord Jesus, You give us the opportunity to inherit the kingdom of God. We can never repay the debt that we owe to You for our salvation. To show our gratitude, we offer our tithes and gifts. We pray that You will accept and bless them for the preaching of Your word, the work of Your church, and the saving of other souls. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 15:50)
Communion
Closing Hymn:
Benediction: May Christ make us bold witnesses of God’s Kingdom in the world today; may the Father strengthen our hopes through His amazing love; and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide and teach us, so that we may honor and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, throughout our days on earth and forevermore. Amen. (2 Corinthians 3:12)
Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Sunday Prayers - Mar 25
Approaching God
Announcements & A Word of WelcomePrelude, Gathering
Acclamation Lighting of the Lent Menorah (Seven candles for the Last Seven words of Jesus)
Pastor: Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."
People: O Lord, You know the thirst in our souls and the desires of our hearts. Fill us with Your grace and peace.
(Lighting of 5 Candles)
Pastor: Jesus, precious Lamb of God, satisfy our spirits with Your abundant love. Amen.
First Hymn:
Prayers of Confession
Guide: Gracious and Eternal God, You are the mighty fortress of our people and the haven of mercy for all sinners. Your words sustain our souls and Your ways shape our spirits.
People: Loving Father, in the midst of our busy and noisy lives, You are the source of peace that we need, and the provider of strength that we seek.
Guide: Almighty Lord, sometimes our faith deserts us and we lack the courage to be Christian. Sometimes we fail to respect Your commands and sinfully waste our lives.
People: Merciful God, forgive us for being selfish and vain, conceited and proud. Pardon our difficult and deceitful ways. Acquit us of our past mistakes and absolve our foolish decisions. Hear us now as we make our personal confessions to You.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Compassionate Lord, we look to Jesus to release us from our regrets and to bear the burden of our sins. We seek Him as our Savior to shield us from Your wrath and restore us to Your good will.
People: In Christ, our sins are forgiven and by His blood our misdeeds are pardoned. We place our souls into His holy hands and unite our spirits with Him, saying "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER” debts/debtors (Isaiah 32:14)
Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Christ calls to us and shows us how to obtain God’s mercy. He washes our souls in His blood and restores us to God’s Kingdom. Through Him, we recognize our sinful ways, and by Him, we experience everlasting grace. Let us proclaim Jesus as our Savior and praise Him forevermore. Amen. (John 9:11)
Gloria Patri: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)
Baptism
Encountering God
Anthem
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: Our souls find rest in God alone; our salvation and healing comes from Him.
People: God alone is our rock and salvation; He is our strength and we will never be shaken.
Pastor: At times, fears and illness, sickness and despair assault our hearts, minds and bodies. We are weak and vulnerable, unsteady and unsure, anxious and afraid.
People: We find rest and peace, healing and harmony in God alone; our hope comes from Him.
Pastor: God alone is our rock and salvation; He is our strength and we will never be shaken.
People: May healing and health be restored to us and all our loved ones. May You, O God, become our mighty rock and refuge, our source of strength and perfect help. Hear us now as we pray.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Pastor: Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 62)
Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close." (Choir leads this)
Prayer of Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, enable us to see the real Jesus in these lessons. Open our minds to the scriptures, so that He may penetrate our hearts and souls with His ways, words, and works. May we honor Him by applying His teaching in our daily lives. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen. (Acts 7:56)
Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
New Members join the church
Offering & Offertory
Dedication: Lord Jesus, we are usually selfish and sinful creatures, but You have changed us into servants of God and stewards of the Gospel. You challenge us to give freely of our time, talents, and money to Your church. Before You, we gather our tithes and gifts. We pray that You will accept and bless them for Your work in this church, and all that we seek to do in Your Holy Name. Amen. (1 Corinthians 15:49)
Closing Hymn:
Benediction: May Jesus’ love shine within us; may the Father’s glory touch our hearts; and may the Holy Spirit enlighten our souls, both now and forever. Amen. (2 Corinthians 3:11)
Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude
Announcements & A Word of WelcomePrelude, Gathering
Acclamation Lighting of the Lent Menorah (Seven candles for the Last Seven words of Jesus)
Pastor: Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."
People: O Lord, You know the thirst in our souls and the desires of our hearts. Fill us with Your grace and peace.
(Lighting of 5 Candles)
Pastor: Jesus, precious Lamb of God, satisfy our spirits with Your abundant love. Amen.
First Hymn:
Prayers of Confession
Guide: Gracious and Eternal God, You are the mighty fortress of our people and the haven of mercy for all sinners. Your words sustain our souls and Your ways shape our spirits.
People: Loving Father, in the midst of our busy and noisy lives, You are the source of peace that we need, and the provider of strength that we seek.
Guide: Almighty Lord, sometimes our faith deserts us and we lack the courage to be Christian. Sometimes we fail to respect Your commands and sinfully waste our lives.
People: Merciful God, forgive us for being selfish and vain, conceited and proud. Pardon our difficult and deceitful ways. Acquit us of our past mistakes and absolve our foolish decisions. Hear us now as we make our personal confessions to You.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Compassionate Lord, we look to Jesus to release us from our regrets and to bear the burden of our sins. We seek Him as our Savior to shield us from Your wrath and restore us to Your good will.
People: In Christ, our sins are forgiven and by His blood our misdeeds are pardoned. We place our souls into His holy hands and unite our spirits with Him, saying "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER” debts/debtors (Isaiah 32:14)
Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Christ calls to us and shows us how to obtain God’s mercy. He washes our souls in His blood and restores us to God’s Kingdom. Through Him, we recognize our sinful ways, and by Him, we experience everlasting grace. Let us proclaim Jesus as our Savior and praise Him forevermore. Amen. (John 9:11)
Gloria Patri: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)
Baptism
Encountering God
Anthem
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: Our souls find rest in God alone; our salvation and healing comes from Him.
People: God alone is our rock and salvation; He is our strength and we will never be shaken.
Pastor: At times, fears and illness, sickness and despair assault our hearts, minds and bodies. We are weak and vulnerable, unsteady and unsure, anxious and afraid.
People: We find rest and peace, healing and harmony in God alone; our hope comes from Him.
Pastor: God alone is our rock and salvation; He is our strength and we will never be shaken.
People: May healing and health be restored to us and all our loved ones. May You, O God, become our mighty rock and refuge, our source of strength and perfect help. Hear us now as we pray.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Pastor: Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 62)
Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close." (Choir leads this)
Prayer of Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, enable us to see the real Jesus in these lessons. Open our minds to the scriptures, so that He may penetrate our hearts and souls with His ways, words, and works. May we honor Him by applying His teaching in our daily lives. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen. (Acts 7:56)
Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
New Members join the church
Offering & Offertory
Dedication: Lord Jesus, we are usually selfish and sinful creatures, but You have changed us into servants of God and stewards of the Gospel. You challenge us to give freely of our time, talents, and money to Your church. Before You, we gather our tithes and gifts. We pray that You will accept and bless them for Your work in this church, and all that we seek to do in Your Holy Name. Amen. (1 Corinthians 15:49)
Closing Hymn:
Benediction: May Jesus’ love shine within us; may the Father’s glory touch our hearts; and may the Holy Spirit enlighten our souls, both now and forever. Amen. (2 Corinthians 3:11)
Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Sunday Prayer - 18 March
Approaching God
Welcome & Church Announcements
Prelude & Gathering
Acclamation (based on Psalm 32)
Leader: The LORD instructs us and teaches us in the way we should go.
People: Our God counsels us and promises to watch over us.
Leader: Let us rejoice in the LORD and be glad. Let us sing with our hearts and voices!
Hymn:
Confessional Prayer
Guide: Lord of Life and Creator of the Universe, we proclaim You as our One, true and Holy God. We serve You as Your called and chosen people.
People: Everlasting King and Eternal God, we adore Your wonderful ways and are constantly amazed by Your powerful deeds.
Guide: Heavenly Father, we seek to please Your heart and follow Your will. Yet we allow pride and bitterness, prejudice and anger to hurt other people, to have our own way, to fulfill our selfish desires.
People: Gracious Lord, when we fall into temptation, we separate ourselves from Your Love and deaden our spirits to Your commands. Forgive us for rejecting Your words and damaging our faith by our unloving, unholy and un-Christian actions. Hear us now as we humbly confess our sins to You alone.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Merciful God, You have the power to wipe out our dreams and punish our sins. Instead, You graciously give us Your Son Jesus to die for our failures, faults and fallen ways. By His wounds, we are healed. By His sacrifice, we are forgiven and restored
People: We bring these prayers in Christ’s Name and through His own words, we unite our hearts with Him, saying, “Our Father, etc.” (Isaiah 26v14)
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Jesus saves us from sinful destruction and the eternal wrath of God. He wants us to choose life over death, faith over fear and obedience over defiance. When we sincerely come to Him for forgiveness, he grants us mercy and grace. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus our Savior rescues us forever. Amen. (John 6:67)
Gloria Patri : Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)
2nd Hymn
Encountering God
Choir Anthem
Prayers for Health and Healing
Leader: The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty and is armed with strength.
People: God establishes our world and sustains our lives.
Leader: Eternal God, we are finite and frail, in need of help, healing and wholeness.
People: We lift up our voices of prayer to You, from our pounding hearts and troubled minds.
Leader: Mighty Redeemer, have mercy upon us and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.
People: Gracious God, we also bring to You our families and friends, colleagues and neighbors who need Your Loving touch and holy healing. Hear us now as we pray.
Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit
Leader: The LORD is merciful and holy; just and faithful. He hears our prayers in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 93)
Singing of ‘Sanctuary’
Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, help us to see what Christ is doing amongst us. Enable us to hear His words from these holy passages. Teach us His ways so that we may tell others of His ministry, mission and kingdom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. (Acts 4:20)
Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory:
Dedication: Lord Jesus, we have worshipped You in song and praised You with our music. We have gathered our tithes and offerings and placed them before Your throne. Take these lifeless tokens and bless them, so that we may bring life to Your words by ministering in our congregation, across our community and throughout this country. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 14:7)
Hymn:
Benediction: May Christ remind us that our lives are not our own, but chiefly belong to Him; may the father bestow His favor upon all that we do; and may the Holy Spirit reside in our hearts so that we may die to sin and live for faith in the One, triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen. (Romans 14:7)
Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude
Welcome & Church Announcements
Prelude & Gathering
Acclamation (based on Psalm 32)
Leader: The LORD instructs us and teaches us in the way we should go.
People: Our God counsels us and promises to watch over us.
Leader: Let us rejoice in the LORD and be glad. Let us sing with our hearts and voices!
Hymn:
Confessional Prayer
Guide: Lord of Life and Creator of the Universe, we proclaim You as our One, true and Holy God. We serve You as Your called and chosen people.
People: Everlasting King and Eternal God, we adore Your wonderful ways and are constantly amazed by Your powerful deeds.
Guide: Heavenly Father, we seek to please Your heart and follow Your will. Yet we allow pride and bitterness, prejudice and anger to hurt other people, to have our own way, to fulfill our selfish desires.
People: Gracious Lord, when we fall into temptation, we separate ourselves from Your Love and deaden our spirits to Your commands. Forgive us for rejecting Your words and damaging our faith by our unloving, unholy and un-Christian actions. Hear us now as we humbly confess our sins to You alone.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Merciful God, You have the power to wipe out our dreams and punish our sins. Instead, You graciously give us Your Son Jesus to die for our failures, faults and fallen ways. By His wounds, we are healed. By His sacrifice, we are forgiven and restored
People: We bring these prayers in Christ’s Name and through His own words, we unite our hearts with Him, saying, “Our Father, etc.” (Isaiah 26v14)
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Jesus saves us from sinful destruction and the eternal wrath of God. He wants us to choose life over death, faith over fear and obedience over defiance. When we sincerely come to Him for forgiveness, he grants us mercy and grace. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus our Savior rescues us forever. Amen. (John 6:67)
Gloria Patri : Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)
2nd Hymn
Encountering God
Choir Anthem
Prayers for Health and Healing
Leader: The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty and is armed with strength.
People: God establishes our world and sustains our lives.
Leader: Eternal God, we are finite and frail, in need of help, healing and wholeness.
People: We lift up our voices of prayer to You, from our pounding hearts and troubled minds.
Leader: Mighty Redeemer, have mercy upon us and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.
People: Gracious God, we also bring to You our families and friends, colleagues and neighbors who need Your Loving touch and holy healing. Hear us now as we pray.
Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit
Leader: The LORD is merciful and holy; just and faithful. He hears our prayers in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 93)
Singing of ‘Sanctuary’
Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, help us to see what Christ is doing amongst us. Enable us to hear His words from these holy passages. Teach us His ways so that we may tell others of His ministry, mission and kingdom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. (Acts 4:20)
Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory:
Dedication: Lord Jesus, we have worshipped You in song and praised You with our music. We have gathered our tithes and offerings and placed them before Your throne. Take these lifeless tokens and bless them, so that we may bring life to Your words by ministering in our congregation, across our community and throughout this country. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 14:7)
Hymn:
Benediction: May Christ remind us that our lives are not our own, but chiefly belong to Him; may the father bestow His favor upon all that we do; and may the Holy Spirit reside in our hearts so that we may die to sin and live for faith in the One, triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen. (Romans 14:7)
Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude
Monday, March 5, 2007
Sunday prayers - Mar 11, 2007
Approaching God
Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude, Gathering
Lent Call to Worship
Pastor: When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."
People: O Lord, as we gather in this holy place, let us become a family of faith.
(Lighting of 3 Candles)
Pastor: Jesus, Sacred Son of God, Christ of all the world, grant us Your love. Amen.
First Hymn:
Prayers of Confession
Guide: Sovereign Lord of the Universe and Gracious God of our hearts, we praise Your glorious ways and bless Your wonderful deeds.
People: Almighty Father and King of all Creation, You are the One, True and Living God. We are honored to be called into Your Holy Presence. We feel favored to gather in Your Holy House.
Guide: Loving Lord of Life, You rule over the earth and see all of our ways. You know that we are sinful and selfish, foolish and faithless, proud and pitiless at times.
People: Merciful God, forgive our faults and pardon our past mistakes. We have neglected to do good and have inflicted hurt on other people. We have followed our own self-centered ways and allowed temptation to overwhelm our souls. Hear us now as we humbly confess our sins to You alone.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Heavenly Father, enable us to honor Your Name by placing Christ at the center of our lives. May His Passion free us from our sins. May His sacrifice restore us to Your Favor.
People: For we make our confessions in Christ’s Name and through His own words, we unite our hearts in prayer, saying, “Our Father, etc.”
Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Christ opens our eyes to the severity of our sins. By giving His life for us, He shows us how seriously God deals with our selfish and deceitful mistakes. But He also opens the gates of eternal freedom to those who come to Him sincerely seeking forgiveness, peace, and love. By the power of His blood, we receive mercy and are restored to God’s favor. Therefore, in Christ’s Name, let us rejoice and pray. Amen.
Gloria Patri: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)
Encountering God
Anthem
Prayers for Health and Healing
Leader: Hear our cries, O God; listen to our heartfelt prayers.
People: Deep within our souls, we call to You. When we are weak and our hearts are troubled, be the rock of our salvation.
Leader: You are our refuge and our strength against all things which harm us in body, mind, heart and soul.
People: We seek to dwell in Your healing presence and look to You to keep us safe from illness and injury, disease and despair, pain and suffering.
Leader: We call upon You on behalf of ourselves, our loved ones and those whom we know need Your help.
People: May Your love and faithfulness protect all of us and may our loved ones experience Your peace and blessing, Your hope and healing. Hear us now as we pray.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Leader: May we sing praise to the One True and Living God, whose compassionate healing is given and fulfilled in each of our lives this day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 61)
Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close." (Choir leads this)
Prayer of Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, lift up our hearts and help us to see the real Jesus in the midst of these scriptures. Reveal to us His teaching for our lives, and help us to apply what we learn from Him today. In Christ’s Sacred Name, we pray. Amen.
Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication: Lord Jesus, You have revealed to us Your ways through the Living Word of the scriptures. In response, we gather together our tithes and offerings, placing them into Your keeping. We ask that You will bless these tokens and enable us to use them for the many ministries and missions You have called us to pursue and fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Closing Hymn:
Benediction: May Christ help us to regard each day as special; may the Father continue to supply our needs and satisfy our souls; may the Holy Spirit teach to live our lives in thankfulness to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.
Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude
Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude, Gathering
Lent Call to Worship
Pastor: When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."
People: O Lord, as we gather in this holy place, let us become a family of faith.
(Lighting of 3 Candles)
Pastor: Jesus, Sacred Son of God, Christ of all the world, grant us Your love. Amen.
First Hymn:
Prayers of Confession
Guide: Sovereign Lord of the Universe and Gracious God of our hearts, we praise Your glorious ways and bless Your wonderful deeds.
People: Almighty Father and King of all Creation, You are the One, True and Living God. We are honored to be called into Your Holy Presence. We feel favored to gather in Your Holy House.
Guide: Loving Lord of Life, You rule over the earth and see all of our ways. You know that we are sinful and selfish, foolish and faithless, proud and pitiless at times.
People: Merciful God, forgive our faults and pardon our past mistakes. We have neglected to do good and have inflicted hurt on other people. We have followed our own self-centered ways and allowed temptation to overwhelm our souls. Hear us now as we humbly confess our sins to You alone.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Heavenly Father, enable us to honor Your Name by placing Christ at the center of our lives. May His Passion free us from our sins. May His sacrifice restore us to Your Favor.
People: For we make our confessions in Christ’s Name and through His own words, we unite our hearts in prayer, saying, “Our Father, etc.”
Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Christ opens our eyes to the severity of our sins. By giving His life for us, He shows us how seriously God deals with our selfish and deceitful mistakes. But He also opens the gates of eternal freedom to those who come to Him sincerely seeking forgiveness, peace, and love. By the power of His blood, we receive mercy and are restored to God’s favor. Therefore, in Christ’s Name, let us rejoice and pray. Amen.
Gloria Patri: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)
Encountering God
Anthem
Prayers for Health and Healing
Leader: Hear our cries, O God; listen to our heartfelt prayers.
People: Deep within our souls, we call to You. When we are weak and our hearts are troubled, be the rock of our salvation.
Leader: You are our refuge and our strength against all things which harm us in body, mind, heart and soul.
People: We seek to dwell in Your healing presence and look to You to keep us safe from illness and injury, disease and despair, pain and suffering.
Leader: We call upon You on behalf of ourselves, our loved ones and those whom we know need Your help.
People: May Your love and faithfulness protect all of us and may our loved ones experience Your peace and blessing, Your hope and healing. Hear us now as we pray.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Leader: May we sing praise to the One True and Living God, whose compassionate healing is given and fulfilled in each of our lives this day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 61)
Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close." (Choir leads this)
Prayer of Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, lift up our hearts and help us to see the real Jesus in the midst of these scriptures. Reveal to us His teaching for our lives, and help us to apply what we learn from Him today. In Christ’s Sacred Name, we pray. Amen.
Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication: Lord Jesus, You have revealed to us Your ways through the Living Word of the scriptures. In response, we gather together our tithes and offerings, placing them into Your keeping. We ask that You will bless these tokens and enable us to use them for the many ministries and missions You have called us to pursue and fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Closing Hymn:
Benediction: May Christ help us to regard each day as special; may the Father continue to supply our needs and satisfy our souls; may the Holy Spirit teach to live our lives in thankfulness to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.
Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)