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
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