Approaching God
Welcome, Announcements & Verse of the Day
Prelude, Gathering & First Hymn
Prayer of Approach
Guide: Sacred God, whose power formed the universe and whose creativity made our world, we gather in this place of peace and praise to honor and glorify Your wonderful Name. For generations our people have been blessed by Your loving deeds and mighty acts. Your words and works continue to amaze and inspire us throughout the ages and across the nations.
People: Heavenly Father, we are humbled by Your blessings, for we recognize that we are unworthy of Your grace. You are righteous and we are sinful. You are mighty and truthful; we are weak and deceitful. Forgive us, Lord, for allowing pride, greed, and anger to blemish our hearts and souls. Too often we are shallow and selfish, faithless and false, hurtful and unholy. Hear us now as we personally ask forgiveness of You.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Loving Lord, we thank You for Jesus who cleanses our past mistakes and restores us to Your favor. His mercy takes away our sins and allows us to become trusted servants of Your Kingdom. We are eternally indebted to Christ and we unite our spirits with Him through the saying of His words:
People: Our Father, who art in heaven….. (The Lord’s Prayer – debts/debtors)
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Jesus never said that believing in Him would be easy. He asks us to follow His ways and apply His words to our daily lives. When we fail to live up to His teaching, He is willing to forgive us if we choose to sincerely confess our faults to Him. So let us rejoice and be thankful that Christ is Our Savior, Lord, and God, both now and evermore. 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)
Anthem
Encountering God
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: Hear, O LORD, and answer us, for we are poor in spirit and in need of Your care. Guard our lives and protect us from illness, for we are devoted to You and Your ways.
People: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we call to You this day for health and healing. Bring comfort to us, O Lord, for to You alone we lift up our prayers and healing petitions.
Pastor: You are compassionate and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You. Hear our prayers, O God and listen to our cries for help. Heal us and each of our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
People: In the day of our trouble we will call to You, O Lord, for You will answer us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 86)
Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, encourage us through these sacred scriptures and open our hearts to receive God’s word. Astonish us with this teaching and enable us to take note of all that God fulfills in the life of Christ. In Jesus’ Name, we read and pray. Amen.
Scripture Readings, Sermon & the Apostles’ Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory:
Dedication: Lord Jesus, we can never repay You for the eternal blessings of salvation. We gather before You our gifts and tithes as a thanksgiving offering for the faith we share. Bless these tokens and give us guidance to use these gifts for the preaching of the gospel, the sharing of Your love, and the praising of our God. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Hymn:
Benediction (in unison): May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; One God forevermore. Amen.
Doxology & Postlude
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