Easter Sunday Prayers - Easter prayers - 12 April

 

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Almighty and Everlasting King, we gather in this place of peace and praise, of joy and jubilation, as one family of faith, one church of Christ. On this day we celebrate the victory of Your Son Jesus Christ. We proclaim His power over all of our lives; His authority to forgive our mistakes; and His ability to change our lives.

People:  Gracious Lord, we know that we have been foolish, selfish and sinful at times. We recognize that we have made mistakes, bad choices, and faithless decisions. We are sorry for those moments when temptation has caused us to get angry, be bitter, remain proud, and be insensitive to those around us. Hear us now as we confess our faults and silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Eternal Lord, on this Easter day, we claim the victory of Christ over sin and death. His sacrifice has acquitted us of our mistakes. His grace can renew and bring rebirth to our lives. We make our prayers in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father,…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ calls us to become His disciples, yet He has to constantly deal with our sinful nature and human failings. He has overcome both death and sin, so our souls can be resurrected to a new beginning. Let us rejoice and give thanks, for Christ has blessed us with an everlasting hope and He has saved our lives forever.  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)

Minute for Mission

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

 

Pastor:            Let us praise the LORD with new hearts; let us rejoice with all the earth and glorify His Name. Each day, we will proclaim the Lord's salvation; each week, we will come to Him with our praises.

People:            The Lord has done marvelous deeds among His people, therefore we will ask Him to heal our lives. O LORD, You are great and most worthy of our worship; You are above and beyond all that we know.

Pastor:            O LORD, You made the heavens and sustain the nations; be merciful to us and grant us healing from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. There is power and strength in this sanctuary; listen to our prayers and attend to the needs of our loved ones who are ill, distressed, worried or depressed.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:            We will worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness. We will give thanks throughout this day. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

                        (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 96)

 

Choir Anthem

The Message: Part #1

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:           Holy Spirit, release us from our fears and restore us to God's heart. Open our minds to this glorious message of hope, so that we may gladly receive Christ as our King and report His words to all our people. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message: Part #2 & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication: Lord Jesus, through the act of cheerful and thankful giving, we offer You these tithes and gifts. Bless them for Your wonderful ways that have changed the world forever. Enable us also, to rededicate our lives this day, in the holy service of Your Kingdom. Both now and forever. Amen. 

 

Hymn

 

Benediction:  May Christ resurrect our faith by becoming Lord of our lives; may we know the Father's compassion and grace throughout our days; and may the Holy Spirit keep us glorifying and worshipping the One, Triune God, both now and always. Amen.

 

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