Sunday Prayers - Epiphany - January 3

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Everlasting God, to whom this world is just a footstool and the whole universe is a tapestry of Your making, we seek to serve You with our singing and hope to please You with our praises.

People: Almighty Lord, Your power cannot be equaled and Your ways are never thwarted; we humbly approach You as Your people, opening our hearts to Your unending love and focusing our minds upon Your gracious will.

Guide:  Merciful Father, we know our own weaknesses and past mistakes. We acknowledge our faithless ways and inconsistent devotion. We have trampled on the feelings of friends and loved ones with thoughtless words, harmful deeds, and selfish sins. Forgive us now as we humbly and sincerely confess our faults to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Gracious God, only Jesus can enrich our lives with the fountain of forgiveness that we need to cleanse our lives. Only Your Precious and Holy Son can restore us to Your Favor and reclaim our souls for Your Kingdom. In His Holy Name, we make these prayers, saying, Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ speaks to us personally through His teaching and by God’s Holy Word. He calls us to repentance and seeks to save our souls by sacrificing Himself for us. Therefore, if we freely confess our sins and sincerely depend upon Him to rescue us from God’s wrath and rejection, we will be completely forgiven and eternally saved. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung in unison): 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, show favor to Your people and restore our health through Your holy power. Forgive our fears and delete our doubts; strengthen our bodies and heal our minds.

People:                        Restore us again, O God our Savior, and place Your peace within our hearts. Show Your unfailing love to our families and friends, O Lord; grant them salvation from illness and anxiety.

Pastor: May Your love rekindle our hopes; may Your faithfulness to us restore our health. May Your righteousness speed our recovery and Your peace promote well being in our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our lives will experience healing and strength. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 85)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:           Holy Spirit, enable us to recognize and accept that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven given to us by which we must be saved. May today’s scriptures enhance our lives and advance this precious teaching. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon  & The Apostles’ Creed

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we do not fully understand all that happens in this world but we know that Your Spirit continues to motivate many people to do good, help the poor, and support the weak. May our gifts be blessed and used to advance Your ministry, life, and work throughout this church, this community, and across the world. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Hymn:

Benediction (unison):  May Christ’s light illuminate our hearts each day; may the Father’s love protect us from evil every day; and may the Holy Spirit daily guide and bless us to become effective servants of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and evermore. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Christmas Eve Devotion: Blue Christmas Candle & Poem

Christmas can be a painful and lonely time for some people. At our candlelight service, we light a Blue Christmas candle for those who are grieving, hurting, or ill during the festive season. This prayer poem is recited as the blue candle is lit. It's a very meaningful and emotional time for some members in the congregation. 


Blue Christmas Prayer 


There’s no room at Christmas for sadness, 
There’s no place for hearts that are blue. 
All the world wants to hear 
Is a word full of cheer, 
Not a sigh, not a tear, not from you. 


There’s no room at Christmas for loneliness, 
There’s no place for your emptiness and grief. 
All the world wants is peace, 
Mistletoe and Christmas trees, 
Not a heartache that mars its beliefs. 


There’s no room at Christmas for sickness, 
There’s no place or time to be ill. 
All the world wants is health, 
Prosperity and wealth, 
Not a pain that can spoil its goodwill. 


There’s no room at Christmas for Jesus, 
There’s no place for His family, too, 
All the world would not share, 
No one seems to really care, 
A stable will just have to do. 


Silence…….. 


Yes, there’s room at Christmas for sadness, 
There’s a place in God’s heart for you. 
For He knows pain and loss, 
Which He felt on the Cross, 
So this candle is lit here for you… *
For Christ knows what it’s like to be blue. 


* light a blue candle 


Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville holds its annual Candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 6.30pm. The church is located on Lockett Road, just off Kingston Pike, across from Papermill Road. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Sunday prayers: 4th Sunday in Advent - Advent 4 - December 20

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

Call to Worship:Fourth in Advent: PEACE

Advent Guide:  Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Strength of God and the Sacred Shepherd of our souls.

All:      Your greatness is amongst us and Your power reaches out to the ends of the Earth.

(Lighting of Three Purple Candles & Pink Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, let us live securely in Your peace and be blessed forever by Your Holy Name. Amen.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Eternal Lord of Life, we come before You as servants seeking Your favor, and as disciples devoted to Your Kingdom. Almighty God, 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 embrace our pride and greed; we have decided to follow our fallen ideals and selfish sins.

Guide: Loving God, we have sometimes placed our confidence in our own strength and rejected Your truth. We have frequently allowed ourselves to be swayed by our culture and misdirected by our misconceptions. Forgive us for being false and foolish, unholy and unworthy. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Merciful Lord, we regret our past mistakes and look to Jesus for our salvation. We turn away from our guilty sins and seek Christ to renew our lives. Help us to remain 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 may be given the opportunity of being 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 eternally pardoned. We rejoice in His power and Holy Name, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri(unison-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

Anthem

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 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. Do not withhold Your power from us and 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

Pastor: 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)

Singing of Jesus, Draw Me Close

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, enable us to receive Christ 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

The Message & 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         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday Prayers: 3rd Sunday in Advent - Advent 3 - December 13

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

Call to Worship: Third Sunday in Advent: JOY

Advent Guide: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Everlasting Joy of God’s Heart and the Holy Savior of the nations.

All:      You come among us to release us from our burdens and take great delight in our eternal happiness.

(Lighting of Two Purple candles and the Pink Joy Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, quieten us with Your Precious Love and fill our spirits with heavenly joy. Amen.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Almighty and Everlasting God, who sets the stars on their courses and sustains the entire universe, we praise and worship You from our hearts. We thank You for sharing Your wonders with us; we glorify You for granting us life, learning, and love.

People:  Loving Lord, we seek Your peace and yearn for the blessings of Your favor. We know that we are not worthy of Your devotion, for we are weak and sinful creatures, subject to fear and full of sin. We have neglected to help other people and have declined opportunities to witness to Your Word. Forgive us for being fearful and timid servants. Hear us now as we personally confess our failings.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Lord, keep us steadfast in our faith and loyal to Your Holy Son Jesus. He alone has provided for our salvation. He alone has the authority to forgive our sins and restore us to Your Favor. In His Holy Name, we pray saying:  “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)”

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  By accepting Jesus into our lives, we are acquitted of our sins and accepted into God’s Kingdom. By being faithful to Christ alone, we are received into His Spirit and He remains within us at all times. Let us rejoice and be glad for we are a forgiven and favored people, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung in unison): 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 our God, do not keep Your distance or remain inactive when we pray to You for healing. In the midst of our troubles, calm our souls and strengthen our hearts, O God.

People:                        When things become chaotic and fearful in our lives, be our shield and firm foundation. When we face disease and discomfort, pain and sickness, be our Comforter, Healer, and Savior.

Pastor: When fear overcomes our families and despair attacks our friends, bring them assurance, peace and love. By Your Power, Lord, heal us and all loved ones from all that harms the body, mind, heart and spirit. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: O LORD our God, You alone are the Most High over all the earth. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 83)

Singing of “Jesus, Draw Me Close.”

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:            Holy Spirit, call us into account for all that we do today. Let these sacred scriptures fill our hearts and minds, so that we can apply the challenges and lessons Christ gives to us this very day. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message  & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication(unison): Lord Jesus, we freely give of our tithes and resources to enable us to fulfill the life, and work of our church. Empower us to do everything that You require of us in ministry and mission. Help us to prayerfully and cheerfully give of ourselves and our assets to You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May Christ help us to love one another; may the Father enable us to care for one another; and may the Holy Spirit equip us to support and bless one another; in the Name of the One, Triune and Living God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday prayers: Second in Advent - Advent 2 - December 6

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song & Prelude

Advent Call to Worship

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Almighty Messenger, sent from heaven to proclaim God’s Gracious Love to the people of this planet. 

All:                  You have freely come among us to lovingly challenge our beliefs and change our ways.

(Lighting of Two Purple Advent Candles)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, sanctify our people and make us acceptable to You. Reclaim and restore us to God’s Everlasting Love. Amen.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Living Lord, whose sacred words inspire our lives and whose holy ways direct our paths, we gather before You as one people, seeking Your love and abiding in Your presence.

People: Everlasting God, whose deeds declare Your sovereignty and whose works are glorified throughout the universe, we acknowledge You as our Heavenly Father, and we serve You as our Eternal King.

Guide: God of mercy and grace, forgive us for falling into temptation and surrendering to sin. Forgive us for damaging our souls and injuring our faith. Pardon us for being snared by our selfish ways and captured by our careless commitment. Hear us now as we confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Heavenly Father, we look to Your Son Jesus Christ to cleanse us of the past and remove the punishment due for our sins. We make our pleas in the Name of Jesus, our Savior, in whose words, we further pray, saying, Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus knows God completely, perfectly, and infinitely. He has been sent to earth to restore us to God's grace and favor. When we truly confess our sins to Him, we are totally forgiven. So let us rejoice, and be of good cheer, for Christ has sacrificially given His life, so that we may be re-accepted and welcomed by God. 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             Do good to your servants according to Your healing words, O Lord. Teach us knowledge and good judgment, for we believe all Your commands.

People:                        Where we have wandered from Your ways, O Lord, lovingly set us in the right direction, for You are good, and all that You do is good. Grant us healing and health, protection and peace.

Pastor:             When pride prevents us from praying or fear disables our faith, be near to us and teach us to depend upon Your love. May we delight in Your deeds by being delivered from all that harms us and our loved ones, in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor:             The promises of the Lord are more precious to us than the entire wealth of the whole world. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Minute for Mission: Campaign Closure

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw me Close.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, enable us to humbly accept the authority of God's Word. Keep us from diminishing the power of these holy passages over our lives. Help us to apply Christ's teaching in all that we say and do each day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication(unison):   Lord Jesus, the word of God has penetrated our hearts and minds, so that we are challenged by Your ways and inspired by Your love. In return, we want to thankfully bring to You our tithes and gifts for the continuing mission of this church, the holy ministry of God's Kingdom, and the evangelization of this community. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison):             May we all minister to one another in Christ's Holy Name; may we continue to proclaim the gospel of the Father with our daily lives; and may the Holy Spirit continue to inspire us to offer our devotion and faithfully serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology        Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; & Postlude

Sunday prayers: First in Advent - Advent 1 - Nov 29

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

Call to Worship

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Hope Bringer of the Universe, whose gracious promises strengthen our faith and brighten the spirits of our people.

All:                  You bring justice and righteousness to the Earth. You save the world from sin and free us from our fears.

(Lighting of First Purple Advent Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, Your Everlasting Light restores our eternal hopes. You are our Righteousness and Redeemer forever. Amen.

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Immortal and Almighty Lord, Most Powerful and Everlasting Majesty, we sing of Your greatness and praise Your magnificent ways. Your strength is undiminished and Your words are always fulfilled.

People:  Lord of Salvation and Grace, we adore Your Holy Presence and devote ourselves to Your Sacred Kingdom. We are sometimes sinful and selfish people. We follow our own stubborn ways and damage our faith with pride, greed, and neglect.

Guide: Merciful Majesty, come into our hearts and help us to seek forgiveness so that we may find salvation in Christ alone. Hear us now as we humbly pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Father, without Jesus we would have no hope of being forgiven. Without His sacrifice, we would have no salvation. We thank You for this opportunity to sincerely confess our sins, to declare our guilt, and be completely pardoned by Your grace and favor. In Christ’s holy words, we unite our hearts together, saying, “Our Father...” THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  When we come to the Lord and feed upon His words, He releases us from the wrath of God. When we ask Jesus to cleanse us by His blood, He restores us to God’s holiness. So let us truly rejoice and give thanks, for Christ is our Savior and we are completely forgiven, from this day forth and forevermore. 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

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Let us declare our joy to God, who is our strength; let us proclaim His great and mighty works! Gracious Lord, remove our burdens from us; release us from our deepest worries and concerns.

People:                        In the midst of our sickness and illnesses, at the time when we are weak and helpless, we look to You, O Living God to answer our prayers. Give us patience to wait for Your healing; grant us mercy for all of our requests.

Pastor: Subdue our fears and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.

Let all our loved ones be graciously touched by Your healing Hands. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: The Lord will feed us with hope and strength. By His goodness and grace, we shall experience healing, hope, and salvation. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Singing of “Jesus, Draw Me Close.”

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, bring us into Christ’s Presence and let Him answer all our questions about life. Show us how powerful God’s love is and enable us to apply these lessons of faith in our daily lives.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication(unison): Lord Jesus, there have been many times when this church has become a sanctuary to us and we have been protected and supported by the love of Your people. We trust You to work among us each week and we hops that we serve You faithfully, diligently and sincerely. Take our tithes and offerings and bless them for the life, work and ministry of this church, to this congregation and to the wider community. In Your Name, we give and pray, both now and forever. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May we give thanks to Christ each day for all that we personally owe Him; may we respect and revere God’s work throughout today’s world; and may we honor the guidance and counsel, the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, in this life and the one to come, to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God,  both now and always. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

2009 Advent Prayers: Call to Worship & Advent Themes

November 29, 2009 - First Sunday of Advent  (purple candle, theme is Hope)
• December 6, 2009 - Second Sunday of Advent  (purple candle, theme is Love)
• December 13, 2009 - Third Sunday of Advent  (purple or pink candle, theme is Joy)
• December 20, 2009 - Fourth Sunday of Advent (purple candle, theme is Peace)

First in Advent: HOPE

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Hope Bringer of the Universe, whose gracious promises strengthen our faith and brighten the spirits of our people.

All:                  You bring justice and righteousness to the Earth. You save the world from sin and free us from our fears.

(Lighting of First Purple Advent Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, Your Everlasting Light restores our eternal hopes. You are our Righteousness and Redeemer forever. Amen.

Second in Advent: LOVE

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Almighty Messenger, sent from heaven to proclaim God’s Gracious Love to the people of this planet.

All:                  You have freely come among us to lovingly challenge our beliefs and change our ways.

(Lighting of Two Purple Advent Candles)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, sanctify our people and make us acceptable to You. Reclaim and restore us to God’s Everlasting Love. Amen.

Third in Advent: JOY

Advent Guide: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Everlasting Joy of God’s Heart and the Holy Savior of the nations.

All:      You come among us to release us from our burdens and take great delight in our eternal happiness.

(Lighting of Two Purple candles and the Pink Joy Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, quieten us with Your Precious Love and fill our spirits with heavenly joy. Amen.

Fourth in Advent: PEACE

Advent Guide:  Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Strength of God and the Sacred Shepherd of our souls.

All:      Your greatness is amongst us and Your power reaches out to the ends of the Earth.

(Lighting of Three Purple Candles & Pink Candle)

Advent Guide:              Lord Jesus, let us live securely in Your peace and be blessed forever by Your Holy Name. Amen.

Sunday prayers: Christ the King Sunday - Sun November 22

Approaching God

Announcements & Welcome

Gathering Song & Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Almighty and Everlasting God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, we gather before You as worshippers and servants, believers and disciples.

People: Eternal Sovereign of the Universe, we long to please You with our lives and hope to honor You with our praises.

Guide:  Loving Lord, we know that we are not all that we should be. We admit to making mistakes, surrendering to sin, and yielding to temptation. Pardon our pride and forgive our fallen ways. Hear us now as we silently confess our past mistakes to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Merciful God, we rely upon Jesus to save us from ourselves. We look to Him to cleanse our souls, acquit us of our sins, and restore us to Your favor. In His Holy words, we unite ourselves in prayer, saying: Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Only Jesus can give us eternal life through the forgiveness of our sins. He truly guides us each day and leads us to the point where we completely rely upon His grace. His body was broken for our mistakes; His blood was shed for our sins. He is our Lord and Redeemer, both now and for ever.  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

Anthem

Minute for Mission: PW Thank Offering

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Hear us, O Living Lord as we call upon Your Name. Be our shepherd and guide us in the midst of our troubles. Come amongst us, Gracious God, and touch us with Your Healing hands. Save us from our sickness and deliver us from despair.

People:            Restore us, O Lord, to health and strength. Look favorably upon us and grant us hope with peace. Hear our prayers, LORD God and give us patience to wait upon Your answer.

Pastor: Listen to the cries of our hearts and heal us, and all our loved ones, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit. In the midst of our discomfort and pain, grant us rest. At the time of our greatest anxieties and deepest concerns, be our strength and solid foundation. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be healed.

In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 80)

Singing of “Jesus, Draw Me Close.”

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, no matter who we are or what we have done, You will always have a message for us each time we read the scriptures. Today, we humbly pray that You will touch our hearts and minds with God’s Word and Christ’s Teaching.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication(unison): Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your precious love and for the many ways You protect us from evil. We rejoice in Your Life, we celebrate Your Truth, and we are here to support Your Way. Take these gifts and bless them for the continuing ministry that You have ordained amongst us. May these tithes and offerings bring blessing to our community and glory to Your Most Holy Name, both now and forever. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May we serve Christ each day through our love, faith and devotion; may we worship the Father as dedicated disciples and devoted servants; and may the Holy Spirit govern our choices and guide all our decisions, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday worship prayers - 33rd Sunday in ordinary Time - November 15

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements

Gathering Song & Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Lord of bounty and blessing, God of Creation and wonder, we have come here to Your Holy house of prayer, seeking refuge and looking for hope. We lift up our hearts and voices to praise and honor You. We are called to be disciples and servants of Your Kingdom, so we rejoice in this sacred place of peace and power.

People:  Almighty Father, You know everything about us. You are aware of our sinful deeds and selfish ways. You have witnessed our bitterness and shallowness, our indifference and lack of compassion.

People: Merciful Lord, forgive our sins and pardon our foolish mistakes. Save us from temptation and rescue us from doing wrong. Hear us now as we humbly approach You with our personal confessions and individual prayers.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Everlasting God, we are eternally indebted to You. Only Your Son can heal the breach between us; only Jesus can restore us to the joy of Your Kingdom. We place our lives into His hands and seek the blessing of His forgiveness. In His words, we now pray saying:  “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  How can Jesus save us from our sins? By giving His life as a ransom for our own. By shedding His blood to cleanse us from our mistakes. By sacrificing Himself on the Cross so that we may be forgiven and restored to God’s favor and grace. So let us rejoice and be thankful, for Christ our Savior has fulfilled all that was needed to save our souls, both now and for ever.  Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung in unison): 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: How long, O LORD, must we suffer and experience discomfort? How long will our ailments continue? Do not leave us without hope. May Your mercy come quickly to us, for we are in desperate need.

People:            Help us, O God, our Savior, for the glory of Your Name; deliver us from harm and restore us to health. Send forth Your Holy Spirit to touch us and all our loved ones with Your healing touch, Your bountiful blessing, and Your compassionate love.

Pastor: May the cries of our hearts and the prayers of all our loved ones come before You; may You strengthen and preserve them, delivering them from despair and healing them from all that harms them in body, mind , heart and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: We are Your people, the sheep of Your pasture. We will praise You forever. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 79)

Update on Campaign

Singing of “Jesus, Draw Me Close.”

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, meet with us today in this sacred place and enable us to encounter Jesus through these holy words. Penetrate our hearts and minds with the true meaning of these scriptures and help us to apply these eternal truths in our daily lives. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message  & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication: Lord Jesus, from the bounty of our resources, we give back to You these gifts. You have blessed us each day and enabled us to offer our time, talents and treasures to the glory of God. We seek Your approval of our tithes and offering, praying that we may use them for the life, work and ministry of this church in Your Sacred Name, both now and forever. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May we submit to Christ’s authority each day; may the Father preserve us from evil by giving us His grace; and may the Holy Spirit keep us conscientious and faithful as Christian people, who worship glorify and adore the One, Triune God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday prayer: 32nd Sunday in ordinary Time: November 8

Approaching God

Gathering Song & Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Almighty God, whose ways are mysterious and whose works are marvelous, we humbly ask that You place Your Hand upon us that we may have rest and peace in our lives.

People: Patient Lord of Power and Love, we gather beneath Your throne and seek to please You with our praise and delight You with our devotions.

Guide:  Everlasting Father, whose justice brings joy to the oppressed and despair to the wicked, we confess our mistakes and misdeeds, our falsehoods and failures, our selfish and stubborn ways. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Immortal Majesty, Your love and grace, through Your Holy Son Jesus, save us from Your wrath and delivers us from our sins. We bow in Your Sacred Presence and unite our spirits with Christ our Lord by praying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ is our living bread and He promises us eternal life. If we accept His ways and apply His words, if we receive Him as Savior and know Him as our Lord, then His Sacrifice at Calvary pays the full price for our sins and completely pardons us of our past mistakes. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our King, both now and always.  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

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: We are called to be God’s people, to listen to His words and to apply His teaching. For generations, our people have known the bounty of hope and the blessing of healing from the LORD.

People:            O LORD, we seek to experience Your Holy touch; we pray for recovery, renewal, and restoration. We call upon You, O Living God, to show us Your wonders by healing our hearts, mending our minds, and strengthening our spirits

Pastor: Eternal Lord, let miracles of hope and health, of blessing and healing be granted to us now, and all whom we pray for, on this holy day. May all our loved ones and neighbors, our friends and colleagues trust in Your word and experience deliverance from pain, discomfort, suffering, and disease. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: May the Lord shepherd us to salvation and lead us towards an abundance of health, wholeness and healing. In Jesus’ Name, we ask and pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 78)

The Message: Part #1

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, as we read and hear this sacred message, may we fully believe and receive its teaching. Open our hearts and fill our minds with Christ’s ways so that our faith may be enhanced and our trust in God increased. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message: Part 2 & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication(unison): Lord Jesus, in response to Your loving ways, we freely give to You our pledges, tithes, and offerings. We seek to please You with these gifts and pray that You will bless them for the continuous ministry of this church. We ask that You will help us to patiently grow our faith and grant us the confidence to truly place our time, talents, and resources in to Your Hands. In Your Holy Name, give and we pray Amen. 

Gathering of the 2009 pledges – placed on the Communion table and given special prayer.

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May Christ keep us focused on serving God’s Kingdom; may the Father prevent us from diminishing our faith; and may the Holy Spirit steer us from all wrong and guide us to do good, in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday prayers - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 25 October

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song & Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Lord of the universe and Creator of life, we gather before You as people called from the comfort of our homes to this peaceful place of praise and prayer.

People: Almighty God, whose ways are beyond our imagining, and whose power is beyond our calculating, we humbly approach You, dedicating our spirits and offering our lives to You alone.

Guide:  Gracious Father, we know that we stagger and stumble throughout life; we make many mistakes; we follow faithless ways; and satisfy our selfish desires. Instead of rendering decisions worthy of Your Name, we are motivated by ambition, avarice, self-glory and greed. Hear us now, as we silently confess our sins to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Merciful Majesty, forgive our foolish deeds and fallen ways. Restore us to Your salvation through the blood of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Grant us pardon and grace, blessing and favor through Your Son's Holy and everlasting sacrifice. In His Holy words, we humbly pray, saying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  The Lord heals us of our past mistakes on this sacred Sabbath day. We have come to Him sincerely, seeking forgiveness and wholeness, mercy and salvation. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus Christ has delivered us from death, saved us from sin, and returned us to the love of God forever. Amen. (John 7: 23)

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.

Minute for Mission

Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

2^nd Minute for Mission

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O Lord, do good to your servants, and we will live. We will cherish and obey Your words of life. Open our eyes, Lord, that we may see the wonderful gifts of Your healing power.

People:            Sometimes, O Lord, our hearts are consumed with concerns; our thoughts are filled with fear. Remove from us the burden of our worries; carry and support us through our trials and tribulations.

Pastor: May we meditate on the mercy of the Lord and silently ask Him to heal us and all our loved one from all that harms us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually..

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor:  The words and promises of the Lord are our delight and blessing. He hears our prayers and restores our hopes. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Gimel)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, in the midst of our fears, grant us faith. As we read and hear these sacred scriptures, strengthen our hearts, and enable us to apply Christ's teaching in our daily lives. In His Holy name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message  & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication(unison):

Lord Jesus, reveal to us the purposes that You have planned for our personal lives. Take these gifts and bless them for the common good of our church and community. Receive our time, talents, and money and let them be used and enhanced for the ministries and missions that You would have our church accomplish and fulfill. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May we praise the Lord Jesus each and every day of our lives; may we constantly sing to the Father of His love and blessings; and may the Holy Spirit unite our hearts as one people, one church, and one community of faithful servants to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore.  Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude