Sunday Prayers; 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Ordinary 23 - Sept 05

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude and Gathering

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                         Almighty God, whose sacred words are life to the believing soul, and whose eternal ways constantly impact our world; we gather together to praise Your Holy Name and to exalt Your Everlasting Power. You are the Lord of the Universe, whose infinite strength gives hope to billions of people throughout the earth. We cheerfully lift up our hearts to worship and glorify Your boundless sovereignty.

People:            Merciful Majesty, despite seeking to faithfully serve You, we still yield to temptation and surrender our lives to selfish acts and sinful ways. We appeal to Your grace and seek Your pardon. We confess our faults and regret our mistakes. Hear us now as we quietly bring our admissions of guilt to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                         Heavenly Father, without the love of Your Son Jesus Christ, our hopes would be vanquished and our confessions made in vain. Christ alone is the One who saves us from our sins and restores us to God’s favor. In His everlasting words, we continue to lift up our prayers, saying “Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: How does Christ return us to the blessing of God’s pleasure? By sacrificing Himself in our place and fully atoning for all of our sins. Let us rejoice and be glad of His mercy, which endures 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
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 mercy 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 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)

Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close."

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, as we read and hear the good news of the Kingdom of God, open our hearts and minds to the living presence of Christ. Enable us to seek His truth and to apply His ways in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You help us wherever we go through life and, in times of trouble, You tarry with us. In return we offer You our lives for service in God’s Kingdom and the spreading of the Gospel. Take our tithes and gifts from our resources; use and bless them for Your continuing work in this congregation and community. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and faithfully pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Jesus protect us from all that would persecute our faith and diminish our beliefs; may the Father refresh and strengthen our souls; and may the Holy Spirit continue to keep us in the loving service of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - 23rd Sunday in ordinary Time - Ordinary 23 August 29

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude & Gathering Song

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Almighty God and Everlasting Father, whose justice is tempered with mercy and whose judgments are full of grace, we praise You for the promises of hope and the covenants of faith which You have made and sustained. You have gathered us to worship You in this Holy Sanctuary. We applaud Your Sacred Ways and wholeheartedly accept Your authority over our lives.

People: Gracious Father, we have stumbled in our faith and relinquished our dependence upon You through our proud, selfish, and sinful choices. We have allowed ourselves to be deceived by our desires and distracted by our dreams. Forgive us for surrendering to temptation and neglecting Your Holy Words. Hear us now as we seek Your pardon in silent prayer.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Precious Lord, only Your Son Jesus can save us from our sins. Only He can rescue us from the eternal consequences of our past mistakes and foolish choices. He is the Savior of our souls and the Restorer of our salvation. He alone is worthy of our worship and is forever deserving of our praise. In Christ’s His everlasting words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus was sent by God to teach us new and passionate ways to worship and adore God. He glorified God by completing the works He set out to accomplish. Christ's sacrifice saved our souls. Christ's teaching restored us to God. Christ's obedience reclaimed us as the sons and daughters of the One, True and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Gloria Patri (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 Living God, we have gladly come to Your house of holiness and healing. In this sacred sanctuary, we dedicate our lives to Your dominion and power.

People: When we are overwhelmed with fear or anxiety, we need Your peaceful presence, O Lord. When our hearts are filled with hope and we seek to celebrate, we need Your loving approval, O Lord.

Pastor: When our bodies experience pain and our loved ones are distressed, we need Your healing presence, O Lord. Gracious Lord, heal us, our loved ones, and all for whom we pray from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul.

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

Pastor: May the Lord answer our prayers by changing our lives, refreshing our spirits, and healing our wounds. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 114)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, touch our hearts with today’s scriptures and transform our thinking. Keep us focused on our faith and grant us opportunities to apply this lesson in our daily lives. In Jesus' Name, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory
Dedication: (unison)
Lord Jesus, You have granted us a lesson of Your ways and given us guidance for our lives. We thank You for these blessings and show our gratitude by offering You our gifts and tithes. Take them and bless them for the work of Your Church which continues to glorify God and His Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction: (unison) May Christ enable us to endure faithfully and witness effectively each day; may the Father continue to encourage us with His everlasting love; and may the Holy Spirit enhance our hope, so that we may worship and glorify the One, triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers: 20th Sunday in ordinary Time - ordinary 20 - August 15

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude & Gathering  Song

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Eternal Lord of Heaven and Earth, whose power fortifies our spirits and whose love sustains our lives; we come before You as chosen children and elected worshippers, as humble servants and blessed heirs. Immortal Father, You have never abandoned Your faithful people nor forsaken Your sacred promises. You have allowed us to abide in Your Presence and seek refuge in Your sanctuary.

People:  Merciful God, we have sinfully taken You for granted. We have placed our wants above Your will. We have selfishly made foolish choices, opposing Your perfect counsel. Have mercy upon us and forgive our reckless acts of disobedience, disinterest, and disdain. Pardon us for being uncaring, unfaithful, and unholy. Hear us now as we silently seek Your forgiveness for all our faults and fallen ways.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Gracious Father, we seek salvation from Your Holy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. By His supreme sacrifice, our mistakes are pardoned and our sins are absolved. Through His Grace, we are restored to Your Favor and set free from the past. We make these confessions in Christ’s Name and place our lives into His Hands. In His Holy words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father” …THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  We are not afraid to worship Jesus and broadcast His Name in the world, for He alone has the power on Earth to grant us God’s everlasting peace He is the High Priest of our hearts and the sacred Savior of our souls. So let us rejoice and express our faith in the praising and glorifying of His Name 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: Let us extol the Lord with all our hearts in this place of holiness and healing. Great are the works of the LORD; we will recall His words and delight in them.

People:            Glorious and majestic are the deeds of God; His righteousness endures forever. We will remember His wonderful ways, for the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

Pastor:             May He provide strength and sustenance for those who need Him; may He remember the prayers of our people for health, hope and healing. May the Lord show us the power of His works to us and our loved ones; may He set us free from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now, Gracious God, as we silently pray.

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

Pastor: The works of God’s hands are faithful and just; we will trust all of  His merciful ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 111)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, You know us by name and call us into Christ’s service. Let His words and teaching challenge our lives, so that we may better honor and glorify His Sacred Name. Amen.                    

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):

Lord Jesus, You speak to us everyday of our lives and grant us many blessings. From the fruits of our work and the plenty of our resources, we place our tithes and offerings before You. Take these gifts and consecrate them for the ministries You want to accomplish by our church, in this community, and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give our lives and seek Your blessing. Amen. 

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): 

May Christ be all the strength that we need each day; may the Father support us in times of weakness and failure; and may the Holy Spirit teach us to delight in the Lord by pleasing the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Ordinary 19 - 8 August

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude and Gathering

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Almighty God, whose strength sustains our faith, and whose power inspires our lives, we dedicate this time of worship to You; we devote our prayers and praises to the glorifying of Your Name. Your sacred ways display infinite wisdom, and Your deeds declare the glories of Your kingdom. We seek to worship You from our hearts; we hope to serve You with our lives.

People:            Merciful Lord, we confess to being fearful instead of faithful; we acknowledge that we still make foolish mistakes and speak deceitful words. We lack conviction of our beliefs and dilute our commitment to Your Son. We allow ourselves to be persuaded by our pride and shaped by our selfish ways. Silently and personally, we seek forgiveness; hear us as we pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:              Eternal Father, without Jesus, there would be no peace in our lives. Without His pardon and mercy, we would have no hope of healing the breach between You and us. Jesus is the Only One who saves us from our sins. To Him alone, we pledge our hearts and souls. In His words, we continue to pray, saying “Our Father... THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: We are all held accountable to God for our personal mistakes and selfish sins. Jesus intervenes on our behalf, claiming us to be His own. In Christ, we are granted forgiveness and restored to God’s joy. Let us rejoice and be glad, for we worship the King of grace and Lord of mercy. 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: We give thanks to You, O God, for You are near, and we glorify Your wonderful deeds. We pray that this sacred moment will become an appointed time of holiness and healing.
People:            When we experience fear and confusion, anxiety and worry, You steady our hearts and bring peace to our minds. Wherever we are, You are with us. Whatever we face, You support us.

Pastor: Heavenly Father, examine our hearts and minds, our bodies and souls; heal us of all that harms us. Pour out the blessing of Your healing power upon us and all our loved ones. Restore to health and strength all those for whom we now silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: Let us declare the goodness of the Lord forever. May we sing and celebrate His wonderful ways. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 75)

Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close."

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, reveal to us the true greatness of Christ through these sacred scriptures. Open our hearts and minds to the message of His Living Gospel. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering and offertory music

Dedication (unison):   Lord Jesus, You have introduced us to God and sought His approval of our lives. You have blessed us in this life, and seek to reward us in the life to come. We can never repay the everlasting debt that we owe to You, but we can give to Your church, to promote the Good news, to expand God’s Kingdom, and to enrich other lives with Your ministry. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and faithfully pray. Amen.


Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):                         May the light of Christ brighten our lives; may the Father increase our knowledge of His words and ways; and may the Holy Spirit enable us to worship and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology  & Postlude