Approaching God
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude & Gathering Song
Hymn:
Confessional Prayer
Guide: Everlasting Father and Almighty God, this morning our spirits long for Your love; our souls yearn for Your presence in this holy place. You have called us to be here; You have brought us to praise and magnify Your Holy Name.
People: Merciful God, when You look at our lives, we know that we are usually sinful. We have played with our faith; we have wasted our lives; we have squandered precious moments; and we have failed to do good deeds. Gracious Lord, from You alone we learn righteousness. From Your words and ways, we know what is right and what is wrong. Forgive us for being so foolish, selfish and wayward. Hear us now as we quietly confess our sins to You alone.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Almighty God, we are unworthy of Your grace and undeserving of Your mercy. Despite this, You have given Your Son as the perfect sacrifice for our mistakes, misdeeds, and misunderstandings. In Jesus, we know the joy of salvation. In Christ, we cherish the power of forgiveness. To You alone, Forgiving Father, we bring our confessions and petitions. In Christ, we unite our hearts and minds through the saying of His precious and prayerful words; “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: We seek Jesus in our lives because only He can save us from our sinful ways. He has ascended into heaven and has been given the authority to judge our lives. When we sincerely call upon His Name for mercy, He graciously forgives our sins. So let us rejoice, for Jesus our Messiah reigns, 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, You are the God who saves us; we cry out before You for we need Your help. May our prayers be heard in Your presence; may You listen to all that we ask.
People: Our souls are deeply troubled and our lives are afflicted with worries, anxieties and concerns. When we have no strength, O LORD, overcome our weakness; when our spirits are low, O God, overcome our despair.
Pastor: Merciful Lord, we pray for our families, friends and loved ones. Remember them and restore them. Help them and heal them. May Your power bring them peace. May Your love liberate them from all that harms them in body, mind, heart and soul. hear us now, Precious Lord, as we silently pray.
Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit
Pastor: To You, O Lord, we cry for help. Trusting in You alone, we make these prayers in Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 88)
Anthem
The Message: Part #1
Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, command our attention and cause us to reflect upon these sacred scriptures. Teach us Christ’s words and enable us to share our faith together, in practical and pleasing ways. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Scripture Readings, Message Part #2, & The Apostles’ Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory:
Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, speak to us in loving ways. Encourage us to give You all that we can. Take our resources and gifts, our offering and tithes and bless them for Your ministry in this church and community. Open our hearts to Your grace and help us to pledge our lives to the service of God’s Kingdom, both now and forever. Amen.
Communion
Hymn:
Benediction (unison): May Christ accept us in our weakness, in order to make us strong; may the Father truly forgive us and cast aside the judgment we deserve; and may the Holy Spirit keep us free from disputes or despair; accidents or attack. One God, forevermore. Amen.
Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sunday prayers - Jan 25
Approaching God
Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude and Gathering
First Hymn:
Prayers of Confession
Guide: Eternal God, whose sacred words and almighty ways are revealed to us in the Old and New Testaments, we gather before You as covenanted members of the Church universal. Lord of Life, whose ancient wisdom and gospel teachings uniquely witness to Christ’s authority over all creation, we humbly bow before Your holy throne.
People: Gracious God, although we have received many traditions from the Reformed faith and have expressed our beliefs through the confessions of the church, we admit to leading lives that are sometimes inauthentic and unreliable. Loving Lord, we have frequently disregarded Your instructions and have been constantly misled by our vanity. We have deliberately chosen selfish ways, instead of being Your caring people. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins to You alone.
- Silent Confessions -
Guide: Compassionate Creator, Your Word ministers to us through promises of forgiveness and acts of reconciliation. By the obedience of Jesus Christ, we are sacramentally redeemed and graciously restored to Your everlasting favor.
People: We are guided to make these confessions in Christ's Name, and we willingly place ourselves under His continual authority. Together, in Christ’s words, we now pray, "Our Father, …THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debotors)
Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Christ governs our souls and disciples us through His abiding Church. He forgives our sins and returns us to God’s friendship and love. He works amongst us, in ministry and mission, through compassion and caring, to subject us to God’s Word and reconcile us to His Spirit. So let us rejoice and be glad for Christ is our Savior, Redeemer and Lord. 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.
Children's sermon
Encountering God
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: O Lord, we seek to faithfully follow You and lovingly help our neighbors. We prayerfully ask for health and healing, reconciliation and recovery for all who are sick and suffering, injured or ill, depressed or diseased in the world.
People: We pray for peace of mind to those who are wearied by anxiety and burdened with troubles. We pray for unity of heart, mind, body and soul to those who are stressed and stretched beyond their limits, who are burned out and bruised by separation, isolation, and deprivation.
Pastor: We pray for purity and strength, restoration and dignity to those who are afflicted by addiction, despair and misery. Hear our prayers, O Lord and grant us healing, holiness, and wholeness. Hear us now as we silently pray.
Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.
Leader: May the Lord work through His church and the prayers of His people. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Choir Anthem
The Message: Part 1 introduction
Singing of "Jesus Draw Me Close". (Choir leads this)
Prayer of Illumination: Reader: Holy Spirit, fill our minds, hearts and souls with energy, intelligence, imagination and love as we read these sacred scriptures. May God’s Word inspire, captivate, challenge and change us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Scripture Readings
The Message: Part 2 & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication(unison)
Lord Jesus, You have faithfully ministered to us through the proclamation of good news and the teaching of God’s Word. You have cared for our people and in response, we gather before You our tithes and gifts. Receive and bless them for the continuing life, work, and mission of Your Church here on earth. In Your Holy name, we give and pray. Amen.
Closing Hymn:
Benediction (unsion): May we be active as Christ’s disciples in the world today; may we serve the Father by faithfully working in His church; and may the Holy Spirit keep us showing the love and justice of the One, Triune and Living God to all whom we meet, both now and forever. Amen.
Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude
Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude and Gathering
First Hymn:
Prayers of Confession
Guide: Eternal God, whose sacred words and almighty ways are revealed to us in the Old and New Testaments, we gather before You as covenanted members of the Church universal. Lord of Life, whose ancient wisdom and gospel teachings uniquely witness to Christ’s authority over all creation, we humbly bow before Your holy throne.
People: Gracious God, although we have received many traditions from the Reformed faith and have expressed our beliefs through the confessions of the church, we admit to leading lives that are sometimes inauthentic and unreliable. Loving Lord, we have frequently disregarded Your instructions and have been constantly misled by our vanity. We have deliberately chosen selfish ways, instead of being Your caring people. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins to You alone.
- Silent Confessions -
Guide: Compassionate Creator, Your Word ministers to us through promises of forgiveness and acts of reconciliation. By the obedience of Jesus Christ, we are sacramentally redeemed and graciously restored to Your everlasting favor.
People: We are guided to make these confessions in Christ's Name, and we willingly place ourselves under His continual authority. Together, in Christ’s words, we now pray, "Our Father, …THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debotors)
Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Christ governs our souls and disciples us through His abiding Church. He forgives our sins and returns us to God’s friendship and love. He works amongst us, in ministry and mission, through compassion and caring, to subject us to God’s Word and reconcile us to His Spirit. So let us rejoice and be glad for Christ is our Savior, Redeemer and Lord. 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.
Children's sermon
Encountering God
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: O Lord, we seek to faithfully follow You and lovingly help our neighbors. We prayerfully ask for health and healing, reconciliation and recovery for all who are sick and suffering, injured or ill, depressed or diseased in the world.
People: We pray for peace of mind to those who are wearied by anxiety and burdened with troubles. We pray for unity of heart, mind, body and soul to those who are stressed and stretched beyond their limits, who are burned out and bruised by separation, isolation, and deprivation.
Pastor: We pray for purity and strength, restoration and dignity to those who are afflicted by addiction, despair and misery. Hear our prayers, O Lord and grant us healing, holiness, and wholeness. Hear us now as we silently pray.
Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.
Leader: May the Lord work through His church and the prayers of His people. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Choir Anthem
The Message: Part 1 introduction
Singing of "Jesus Draw Me Close". (Choir leads this)
Prayer of Illumination: Reader: Holy Spirit, fill our minds, hearts and souls with energy, intelligence, imagination and love as we read these sacred scriptures. May God’s Word inspire, captivate, challenge and change us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Scripture Readings
The Message: Part 2 & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication(unison)
Lord Jesus, You have faithfully ministered to us through the proclamation of good news and the teaching of God’s Word. You have cared for our people and in response, we gather before You our tithes and gifts. Receive and bless them for the continuing life, work, and mission of Your Church here on earth. In Your Holy name, we give and pray. Amen.
Closing Hymn:
Benediction (unsion): May we be active as Christ’s disciples in the world today; may we serve the Father by faithfully working in His church; and may the Holy Spirit keep us showing the love and justice of the One, Triune and Living God to all whom we meet, both now and forever. Amen.
Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sunday prayers: January 18
Approaching God
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude & Gathering Song
Hymn:
Confessional Prayer
Guide: God of God and Light of Light, before all the worlds began, You existed. Before Time came into being, You endured. Your wonders of creation astound us. Your ways throughout the cosmos amaze us. We are pleased to come into Your presence. We are glad that You have called us to be here.
People: Lord of holy substance and sacred Supreme Being, by whom all things were made and whose only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ came down from heaven for our salvation, we praise and adore You above all else in our lives.
Guide: Very God of Very God, who came into our world by the incarnate power of the Holy Spirit and the humble assent of the Virgin Mary, we are human and sinful, weak and hurtful, proud and selfish.
People: Gracious Lord, our sins led to Your suffering, our perpetual misdeeds caused You to be crucified under Pontius Pilate. You died the death that we deserve. We buried You by our unfaithful ways and careless mistakes. Hear us now as we solemnly confess our faults and ask forgiveness from You alone.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Almighty Father, we praise You for Jesus, for His obedience, sacrifice and resurrection. On the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, ascended into heaven and now sits by Your right hand. We await His glorious return and thank You for His love and grace.
People: In the words of the One who will judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end, we now pray, saying, “Our Father,…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors).
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Jesus was sent into the world for our salvation. He brought the good news of the gospel to us and sealed its truth with His blood. We are blessed by His wounds and restored to God’s favor through His unique power and divine authority. In Christ’s Name. 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
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: We believe in You, O Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life. You proceed from the Father and the Son, therefore we will worship and glorify You forever.
People: Long ago, You spoke by the prophets; today, we pray, You will speak to our hearts. Heal us and all our loved ones of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.
Pastor: Your compassion is universal; Your power is conveyed through the prayers of the Church. Hear us, O Lord, and grant us Your favor as we silently make known our petitions to You.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Pastor: We acknowledge the One, True and Living God and the blessings of His Son, Jesus Christ, in our lives. Amen.
Anthem
Message Part #1 –
Singing of Jesus, Draw me Close
Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, as part of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, we are inspired through sacred scriptures and need to apply them every day. Open our hearts and minds to the messages, meaning and teaching of these holy passages so that we may enhance our faith and strengthen our confidence in the Lord. Amen.
Scripture Readings & Message Part #2
Serving God
Offering & Offertory:
Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, our souls are saved by Your sacrifice and our sins are remitted through baptism. You have blessed us with Your love and restored us by Your grace. In return, we offer You these gifts, asking that You will enable us to use them wisely for the life, work and ministry of our church and all its people. In Your Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Hymn:
Benediction (unison): May we turn to Christ, our Risen Lord, for faith, hope and love; may we honor the Father who grants us resurrection from the dead; and may we rejoice with the Holy Spirit in the life of the world to come, one God forevermore. Amen.
Doxology & Postlude
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Sunday prayers - Epiphany 1 - Jan 11
Approaching God
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude
Hymn:
Confessional Prayer
Guide: Perfect and Sacred God, Powerful and Almighty Creator, we gather in Your House of peace to praise Your Greatness and honor Your Holiness. Your works and mighty acts have blessed our people for generations. Your ways and special words have inspired our spirits across the centuries.
People: Heavenly Father, we are unworthy of such blessings. You are righteous and we are sinful. You are upright and truthful; we are weak and deceitful. Our lives are imperfect because we allow pride, greed and anger to contaminate our souls. Forgive us for being shallow and selfish, faithless and false, hurtful and unholy. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Loving Lord, You smooth our rough ways and level out our unbalanced lives. You give us Jesus to make our paths straight and cleanse us of our sinful past. Without His mercy, we are lost forever. Without His grace, we are completely hopeless. In His name and words, we pray together, saying “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Long ago, many disciples rejected Jesus because of what He said. The Christian life is never easy and we are expected to have higher and holier standards than the rest of the world. When we fail to live up to Christ’s teaching, we need to seek His forgiveness. When we confess our faults and sincerely ask for pardon, Jesus immediately forgives us. So let us rejoice and be glad for we have been shown great mercy and are restored to God’s favor and love. In Christ’s Name. 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)
Baptisms
Minute for Mission: Discipleship
Encountering God
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: Hear, O LORD, and answer us, for we are poor in spirit and need Your care. Guard our lives and protect us from illness, for we are devoted to You.
People: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we call to You this day for health and healing. Bring joy to Your servants, for to You alone, O Lord, we lift up our prayers and bear our souls.
Pastor: You are compassionate and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You. Hear our prayers, O LORD; listen to our cries for help. Heal us and each of our loved from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Pastor: In the day of ours trouble we will call to You, for You will answer us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 86)
Anthem
Message: Introduction
Singing of Jesus, Draw Me Close
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
Message : Homily & The Apostles’ Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory:
Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You have given us faith, hope and love and we can never repay You for the debts that we owe. Through faith, we gather our offerings and tithes. With hope, we ask for Your blessing on these tokens. In love, we seek Your favor and ask for guidance to use these gifts for the preaching of the Gospel, the sharing of the scriptures, and the praising of our God. In Your Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Hymn:
Benediction (unison): May Christ help us to live decent lives which are worthy of His Name; may the Father keep us free from greed and unholy ways; and may the Holy Spirit rid of us envy and jealousy, both now and evermore. Amen.
Doxology & Postlude
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude
Hymn:
Confessional Prayer
Guide: Perfect and Sacred God, Powerful and Almighty Creator, we gather in Your House of peace to praise Your Greatness and honor Your Holiness. Your works and mighty acts have blessed our people for generations. Your ways and special words have inspired our spirits across the centuries.
People: Heavenly Father, we are unworthy of such blessings. You are righteous and we are sinful. You are upright and truthful; we are weak and deceitful. Our lives are imperfect because we allow pride, greed and anger to contaminate our souls. Forgive us for being shallow and selfish, faithless and false, hurtful and unholy. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.
- SILENCE -
Guide: Loving Lord, You smooth our rough ways and level out our unbalanced lives. You give us Jesus to make our paths straight and cleanse us of our sinful past. Without His mercy, we are lost forever. Without His grace, we are completely hopeless. In His name and words, we pray together, saying “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Long ago, many disciples rejected Jesus because of what He said. The Christian life is never easy and we are expected to have higher and holier standards than the rest of the world. When we fail to live up to Christ’s teaching, we need to seek His forgiveness. When we confess our faults and sincerely ask for pardon, Jesus immediately forgives us. So let us rejoice and be glad for we have been shown great mercy and are restored to God’s favor and love. In Christ’s Name. 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)
Baptisms
Minute for Mission: Discipleship
Encountering God
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: Hear, O LORD, and answer us, for we are poor in spirit and need Your care. Guard our lives and protect us from illness, for we are devoted to You.
People: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we call to You this day for health and healing. Bring joy to Your servants, for to You alone, O Lord, we lift up our prayers and bear our souls.
Pastor: You are compassionate and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You. Hear our prayers, O LORD; listen to our cries for help. Heal us and each of our loved from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Pastor: In the day of ours trouble we will call to You, for You will answer us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 86)
Anthem
Message: Introduction
Singing of Jesus, Draw Me Close
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
Message : Homily & The Apostles’ Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory:
Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You have given us faith, hope and love and we can never repay You for the debts that we owe. Through faith, we gather our offerings and tithes. With hope, we ask for Your blessing on these tokens. In love, we seek Your favor and ask for guidance to use these gifts for the preaching of the Gospel, the sharing of the scriptures, and the praising of our God. In Your Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Hymn:
Benediction (unison): May Christ help us to live decent lives which are worthy of His Name; may the Father keep us free from greed and unholy ways; and may the Holy Spirit rid of us envy and jealousy, both now and evermore. Amen.
Doxology & Postlude
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