Approaching God
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude & Gathering Song
Family: The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world (John 1:9).
People: We light these candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
( 3 purple and the pink candle are lit)
Family: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1:1–5).
Hymn:
Confessional Prayer
Guide: Eternal Foundation of Life, Immortal Creator of the Universe, we come before You as servants and seekers, disciples and devotees. We place our trust in You, for You are our Rock and refuge, our shield and salvation, our gracious leader and loving guide.
People: Heavenly Father, we have wandered from Your ways and rebelled against Your righteousness. We have chosen to cherish our pride and greed; we have decided to follow our fallen ideals and selfish sins. We have placed our confidence in our own strength and rejected Your truth. We have allowed ourselves to be swayed by our culture and misdirected by our misconceptions. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Merciful Lord, we regret our past mistakes and look to Jesus for salvation. We turn away from our guilty sins and seek Christ to renew our lives. Keep us in fellowship with Jesus and help us to be united with Him. In His Holy words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Christ was sent by our Heavenly Father to save the world from sin. He sacrificed Himself so that we might be given the opportunity to be forgiven and restored to God’s favor and grace. Without Jesus, we have no hope of avoiding the wrath of God. With Christ, we are spiritually purified and totally forgiven. We rejoice in His power and Holy Name, both now and forever. Amen.
Gloria Patri (sung) : 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
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: O Lord, in the midst of this sanctuary, our souls yearn for Your Favor, our hearts cry out for healing. Bless us, Living God, for having set our hearts on You and trusting You for strength.
People: Hear our prayers, O LORD God Almighty; listen to us, O God of Jacob. Look upon us as Your people, O God, gathered here in Your Name. Look upon us with mercy and compassion.
Pastor: For You, O LORD, fill us with hope and help us through each day. Please do not withhold Your power from us; heal our loved ones from their sickness and pain, anxiety and depression, illnesses and injuries.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Leader: O LORD Almighty, blessed are those who trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 84)
Anthem
Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, enable us to receive into our hearts through the reading of these sacred scriptures. Heal us of the past and lead us by His presence in our lives. May we experience Christ being born in our spirits this day and forevermore. Amen.
Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory:
Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You are the Perfect One and our lives are transformed by Your mercy and Grace. In return, we pledge to You our lives and dedicate our time, talents, and tithes to You alone. Take these gifts and bless them for Your work in the world and Your ministry among us. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Hymn:
Benediction (unison): May Christ enable us to love our neighbors each day; may the Father help us to support one another with mercy and grace; and may the Holy Spirit lead us to fulfill God’s law through being servants of His Kingdom and disciples of Christ, for now and always. Amen.
Doxology & Postlude
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