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