Approaching God
Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude, Gathering
Acclamation (based on words from Psalm 3)
Pastor: You are the shield around us, O Lord; You bestow glory upon us and lift up our hearts.
People: The Lord sustains us; therefore we will not be afraid.
Pastor: From the Lord comes deliverance; may He be a blessing to all of His people. Amen.
First Hymn:
Prayers of Confession
Guide: Almighty God, whose strength sustains our faith, and whose power inspires our lives, we dedicate this time of worship to You; we devote our prayers and praises to the glorifying of Your Name.
People: Everlasting Father, whose ways display infinite wisdom, and whose deeds declare Your glorious kingdom, we seek to serve You with our hearts; we hope to please You with our lives.
Guide: Merciful Lord, we confess to being fearful instead of faithful; we acknowledge that we still make foolish mistakes and say deceitful words.
People: Gracious God, we lack conviction of our beliefs and commitment to Your Son. We allow ourselves to be persuaded by our pride and shaped by our selfish sins. Silently and personally, we seek forgiveness; hear us as we pray.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Eternal Father, without Jesus, there would be no peace in our lives. Without His pardon and mercy, we would have no hope of healing the breach between You and us.
People: Jesus is the One who saves us from our sins. To Him alone, we pledge our hearts and souls. In His words, we continue to pray, saying “Our Father... (THE LORD'S PRAYER” debts/debtors)
(Isaiah 33:7)
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: We are all held accountable to God for our personal mistakes and selfish sins. Jesus intervenes on our behalf, claiming us to be His own. In Christ, we are granted forgiveness and restored to God’s joy. Let us rejoice and be glad, for we worship the King of grace and Lord of mercy. Amen. (John 9:23)
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: We give thanks to You, O God, for You are near, and we glorify Your wonderful deeds.
People: We pray that this sacred moment will become an appointed time of holiness and healing.
Pastor: When we experience fear and confusion, anxiety and worry, You steady our hearts and bring peace to our minds.
People: Wherever we are, You are with us. Whatever we face, You support us.
Pastor: Heavenly Father, examine our hearts and minds, our bodies and souls; heal us of all that harms us.
People: Pour out the blessing of Your healing power upon us and all our loved ones. Restore to health and strength all those for whom we now silently pray.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Pastor: Let us declare the goodness of the Lord forever. May we sing and celebrate His wonderful ways. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 75)
Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close." (Choir leads this)
Prayer of Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, reveal to us the true greatness of Christ through these sacred scriptures. Open our hearts and minds to the message of His Gospel. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Acts 8:9)
Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
Dedication: Lord Jesus, You have introduced us to God and sought His approval of our lives. You have blessed us in this life, and seek to reward us in the life to come. We can never repay the everlasting debt that we owe You, but we can give to Your church, to promote the Good news, to expand God’s Kingdom, and to enrich other lives with Your ministry. Take our tithes and gifts, our lives and souls and use them for the glorifying of God in our church, across our community, and throughout the entire world. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and faithfully pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 16:3)
Closing Hymn:
Benediction: May the light of Christ brighten our lives; may the Father increase our knowledge of His words and ways; and may the Holy Spirit enable us to worship and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude
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