Advent 2 worship prayers: Second in Advent - December 05

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Advent 2 Call to Worship

Family:            This is the Second Sunday in Advent and we continue to look for our Savior.

All:                  We will prepare the Way of the Lord and await His Presence.

(Lighting of Two Purple Advent Candles)

Family:            We have been released from the law so that we serve God in the new way of Christ’s Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Amen.

Gathering & Prelude

Hymn:

Prayer of adoration and Confession

Guide:                         Eternal Majesty, whose riches and resources are unlimited; whose power is absolute and abounding with holiness; we gather before You in this place of praise, peace, and prayer. You have set apart this time in our lives to worship and adore You. We have responded to Your call and we continue to bless Your Holy Name.
People:            Precious Father, we confess our sins to You. We have stored up bitterness in our hearts. We have allowed pride to damage our souls. We have hurt other people with our words and disappointed You with our deceptions. We have fulfilled our own desires and cast aside Your commandments.
Guide:             Holy God, we have tampered with our faith by falling into temptation. We have neglected our devotion to Your Son by satisfying our dreams and needs. Forgive us, Gracious God, for we repent of our reckless ways and diminished faith. Hear us now as we personally seek Your pardon.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Compassionate Creator, who permits us to call upon Your Son for help, healing, and wholeness, we praise You for the promises of salvation through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus. Without His obedience to You, without His sacrificial death on the Cross, we would remain totally unforgiven  and cast out from Your Holy Presence. In Christ’s own precious words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Jesus is the King of Creation and the Lord of our lives. We did not give this honor to Him. Through His complete devotion and perfect obedience, God bestowed upon Jesus all authority on earth and in heaven to forgive our sins, to restore us to God’s favor, and to be welcomed into His Eternal Kingdom. So let us rejoice and be truly thankful, for Jesus is our One, True and Only Savior, both now and always. 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.
Children’s Sermon

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor:             Your healing love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your strength is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.
People:            O LORD, we pray that you will preserve our lives and loved ones. How precious is your unfailing love and mercy to us! May our families and friends find refuge in Your presence and healing from all that harms them.
Pastor:            May we all regain our health and strength from the abundance of Your power; may You grant us our petitions and delight us with Your grace. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light; through Your peace, we are released from pain; by Your love we are set free from our fears. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others.

Pastor:             Living and Gracious Lord, continue Your love to those who need You, Your healing to the most cherished of our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 36)


Prayer for Illumination :
Reader : Holy Spirit, challenge and change us through the truths that these sacred scriptures reveal. Move our hearts and show us how to fulfill Christ’s message in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings :

The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:
Dedication (unison):   Lord Jesus, You know us completely and perfectly understand everything about our lives. We often fail to fulfill our service and devotion to You, and yet You still allow us to receive the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. With humble and sincere thanks, we offer You our time, talents, and money. Take these tokens of our gratitude and bless them for the continuing life, work, and ministry of Your Church in this community, across this nation, and throughout the world. In Your Precious Name, we pray. Amen.

Communion

Hymn :

Benediction:    May Christ protect us from our sinful nature and keep us on His Holy path; may the Father continually cultivate our faith through His Love and Grace; and may the Holy Spirit enable us to go out into the world to effectively witness to God’s kingdom, glory and power. Both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

First Sunday in Advent Prayers - Advent 1 - November 28

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Family:            This is the First Sunday in Advent and the beginning of a new journey of faith.

All:                  Our hope is in the Lord and we await His Return.

(Lighting of the First Purple Advent Candle)

Family:            This hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. Amen.

Gathering & Prelude

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                         Almighty Lord of Life and Creator of the Cosmos, You have called us by name and we have responded to Your voice. In this house of praise and prayer, we seek Your presence and yearn for Your favor.

People:            Faithful Father, whose words bless our lives and whose ways grant us hope, we turn to You as our Counselor and Comforter, our sacred source of goodness and holiness, of strength and love.  We are also weary of our sins and regret our past mistakes; we are sorry for our failings and apologize to You for our imperfections.

Guide:                         Merciful Majesty, when we choose to ignore Your voice and follow our own counsel, forgive us. When we rebel against Your word and neglect to do good, pardon us. When idolize ourselves and cast aside Your ways, have mercy upon us. Hear us now as we humbly pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Gracious Lord, Your love sustains us and Your grace restores us. Your Son Jesus bled for our sins and died for our selfish deeds. We will always be indebted to You for grace. We will always be thankful to You for saving us.  We place our lives into Your hands and give our hearts to Jesus. By His authority we are forgiven and in His words, we now thankfully pray, saying, "Our Father..." THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:             Christ taught us about God and showed us how to live our lives. He was sent to save humanity and restore the entire world to God's Kingdom. His truth endures and we are forgiven of our past mistakes. We are returned to God's love and favor. So let rejoice forever, for we are Christ's people and through Him, we are God's favored servants. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung/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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             O LORD, You are the most important part of our lives and we have promised to obey You. Today, we seek You with all of our hearts; be gracious to us and hear our prayers.

People:                        Help us to reconsider our ways and look to You for strength and salvation. Enable us to adhere to Your sacred will and accept Your holy words.

Pastor:             Though fear and frustration, pain and perplexity may disturb our souls, we will not forget Your mercy. We give You thanks for the possibilities of prayer; we humbly ask that You heal us, our families and friends, of all that is harmful to our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves.

Pastor:             The Earth is filled with Your love, O Lord; teach us Your gracious ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Heth)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw me Close.'

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, we have gathered from different places, both near and far, to be with our families at worship. Strengthen us by Christ's mighty words, and inspire us to receive, follow, and apply His ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, when we ask You to guide and help us, You always answer our needs and prayers. In response to these blessings, we bring to You our tithes and offerings, as symbols of our thankfulness and tokens of our faith. Receive this offering and bless it for the continuing life, work, and mission of Your church in this community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):              May Christ boldly challenge our lives and change our ways; may the Father constantly remind us of His love and mercy; and may the Holy Spirit keep granting us grace, so that we may encourage other people every day to glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

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

2010 Advent Themes and Call to Worship

2010 Advent Calls to Worship

Family:            This is the First Sunday in Advent and the beginning of a new journey of faith.

All:                  Our hope is in the Lord and we await His Return.

(Lighting of the First Purple Advent Candle)

Family:            This hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. Amen.

Family:            This is the Second Sunday in Advent and we continue to look for our Savior.

All:                  We will prepare the Way of the Lord and await His Presence.

(Lighting of Two Purple Advent Candles)

Family:            We have been released from the law so that we serve God in the new way of Christ’s Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Amen.

Family:            This is the Third Sunday in Advent and we draw nearer to the Birth of our Lord.

All:                  We will rejoice in His Kingdom and glorify His Name forever.

(Lighting of the Pink Joy Candle and Two Purple Advent Candles)

Family:            Let us become imitators of the Lord and welcome His message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

Family:            This is the Fourth Sunday in Advent and we seek the Lord’s blessing.

All:                  His Peace heals our pain and His Love liberates our souls.

(Lighting of Three Purple Advent Candles and Pink Joy candle)

Family:            Since we have been justified through our faith, we have everlasting peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sunday Worship Prayers - Christ the King - November 21

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering & Handbell Prelude

(Hymn)

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                         Sovereign God of the Universe, who speaks to the Earth calling all people to praise Your Holy Name, we gather as seekers and worshippers, servants and followers to glorify Your wonderful deeds and bless Your Sacred Kingdom.

People:                        Merciful Lord, even though we call ourselves Christians, our beliefs are sometimes inconsistent and unsound. We allow our fears and doubts, our trials and temptations, to constantly attack and undermine our faith.

Guide:                         Gracious Lord, we are in need of forgiveness; we are in want of mercy and grace. We ask You to pardon our proud and selfish ways; our greedy and self-centered deeds; our neglect of charity and insensitivity to the needs of other people. Hear us now, as we sincerely confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                         Heavenly Father, Your Son Jesus died for our misdeeds and sacrificed Himself for our shameful sins. His blood liberates us from everlasting punishment; His broken body protects us from Your justifiable wrath.  Without Your plan of salvation, we would be eternally lost. Without Jesus as our Savior, we would have no immortal hope. In Christ's  words we now pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:             Christ came amongst us to reveal God's mercy and show us how to live as true servants of His Kingdom. By confessing our sins to Jesus, we are accepted by Him and restored to God's everlasting favor. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our Savior and we are redeemed to the Lord, both now and always. 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

Minute for Mission

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             O Lord, remember Your words of healing and compassion, so that we may be filled with strength and hope. In the midst of our sicknesses and suffering, comfort us with Your promises of care and help.

People:            When our anxieties attack our faith or when fear affects our souls, be our shield and salvation. Help us to remember Your ancient ways and gain strength from Your everlasting power.

Pastor:             When frustration disturbs our peace or when we feel isolated and vulnerable, draw near to us and hear our prayers. Wherever we are or whatever our loved ones are enduring, may Your love heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

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

Pastor:             May this always be our practice to call upon the name of the Lord and be assured of His everlasting care. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Zayin)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close'

Prayer of illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, in the midst of all our weaknesses and failings, let Christ's words become our strength and salvation. Enable us to receive His teaching and apply these lessons in our daily lives. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):              Lord Jesus, we submit to Your authority and quietly bring this offering before You. Take these tithes and gifts. Receive them for the ministries and missions You would have fulfilled and supported by this congregation, in this community, and throughout the world. In Your Precious Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):              May Christ fill us with His goodness and grace everyday; may the Father enhance our faith and knowledge throughout our lives; and may the Holy Spirit keep instructing and guiding us in all that we say or do, to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

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

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 33 - 33rd Sunday in ordinary time - November 14

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering & Prelude

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Living God, whose wondrous works are displayed across the Universe and whose glorious deeds will be praised throughout eternity, we call upon Your Holy Name and seek Your Sacred Presence. You care for our existence and sets purposes for our Lives, so we humbly approach Your Heavenly Throne, praising Your almighty power and worshipping Your invincible ways.

People:                        Heavenly Father, we know that we are weak and sinful, selfish and proud, arrogant and foolish at times. We make many mistakes and choose to neglect our responsibilities. We seek to be served, instead of helping others. We want to be personally glorified, instead of bringing honor to You.  Forgive us for being impertinent and impatient. Pardon us for being angry and unkind, unfaithful and unfruitful as Christians. Hear us now, as we humbly pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Merciful Majesty, we are eternally indebted to Your Son Jesus Christ, who died for all our sins.  His sacrifice paid the price for our offenses. His death fully redeemed us forever. We are truly thankful for our Savior and in His holy words, we unite our hearts to Him, praying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  We publicly proclaim Jesus to be the Savior of our souls and the Forgiver of our sins. He is the Christ who came into the world to sacrificially lay down His life, so that we may be restored to God's favor and His Kingdom forevermore. Let us rejoice and be eternally glad, for Jesus is our Lord, and we are called to be His disciples, both now and always. 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

Choir Anthem

Minute for Mission - Stewardship

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: May Your unfailing love come to us, O Lord; may Your promised salvation heal us today. We will trust in Your words when trouble taunts us and we are faced with fear.

People:                        Your word of truth will be on our lips, as we place our hope in Your hands. May we always seek Your help and accept Your holy ways.

Pastor:              Liberate us from our anxieties and cares, O Living God, for we seek Your blessing of peace and strength. May we delight in Your protection and may all our loved ones be touched by Your Holy Spirit, so that the healing of body and soul, mind and heart, may occur at this sacred time.

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

Pastor:              We will lift up our hearts and glorify the Lord, whom we love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Waw)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close'

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, strengthen our belief in Christ's ministry and mission today, so that we may go forth from this place of power and prayer, ready, able and willing to serve Him by inviting, attracting and encouraging other people to come and praise His Holy Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication(unison):

Lord Jesus, bring order and peace into our lives through the praising of Your Name and the preaching of God's Word. Take our tithes and offerings for the use of Your church, and the advancement of God's Kingdom, in this community and throughout the earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):                         May Christ fill us with joy each day; may the Father continually grant us peace, as we trust in Him, and may the Holy Spirit enable us to overflow with hope to the everlasting glory of the One, Triune and Living God. Amen.

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

Sunday Worship prayers - 32nd Sunday in ordinary Time - ordinary 32 - November 7

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Gathering & Prelude

Hymn:

           

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Almighty Father, who created the land, sea and air, we worship Your wonderful ways and praise Your Everlasting Name. You are the King of Glory, whose words produce Life and whose thoughts sustain the entire Universe.

People:                        Gracious Father, become a river of life for us, cleansing us of our past mistakes, freeing us from our personal sins, and pardoning us of our selfish ways. We confess  that we have disappointed You with our poor choices and mistaken ways.

Guide:              Merciful God, we seek safety in Your plan of salvation and refuge in Your acts of  redemption through Jesus Christ, Your Holy Son. Let Him become a haven of healing and a harbor of holiness for our minds, our hearts, our souls. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins to You.

- SILENCE -

Guide:              Father God, without Jesus, we have no hope of forgiveness. Without His sacrifice, we have no way to be forgiven. We place our sinful selves into His Hands and pray that His power will restore us to Your Favor and Eternal Kingdom. In Christ’s own words, we continue to pray, saying “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:              Jesus has the authority to forgive our sins, to feed our souls, and to give us God’s blessings. When we truly believe that He is the Son of God and place our lives into His Keeping, we are guaranteed forgiveness for our souls and God’s everlasting love. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our One, True and Living Savior, both now and always. 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.

Children’s Sermon

Encountering God

Minute for Mission

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:              We will exalt you, O LORD, for You lift us out of the depths of despair and will not let our troubles overwhelm us. We call to You for help for You alone can truly heal us.

People:                        We feel secure in Your Presence and safe in Your Love. Strengthen our faith and diminish our fears. Fill us with peace and free us from pain. Show Your favor to our friends and families. Grant them health and healing; release them from dismay and depression. Bring to them hope and happiness.

Pastor:              Hear us, O LORD, as we pray. Be merciful to us and all our loved ones, for You alone have the power to help us. Turn our worries into cheers; remove our sadness and replace it with joy. Hear us now as we silently pray.

                       

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Leader: May our hearts sing to You and never be silent. O LORD our God, we will give You thanks forever. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 30)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader :           Holy Spirit, You know what lies ahead of each of our lives. You know the joys we will celebrate and the problems we have yet to encounter. Prepare our hearts and minds for those future times by enabling us to hear Christ’s words, to receive them in our hearts, and apply them in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings                   

Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):               Lord Jesus, may we primarily give of our lives to Your ministry in this church, community, and nation. May we freely give to You of our time, talents and money in ways and means that will honor and glorify Your Name. May You favorably bless these tokens and pledges, these gifts and offerings for the life, work, and mission of Your church here and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen. 

Communion

Hymn :            

Benediction(unison):  May Christ enable us to branch out into the world in service, ministry, and mission; may the Father establish strong and firm roots of faith in our hearts, souls, and minds; and may the Holy Spirit empower us with godly gifts, so that we may witness to Christ’s grace, God’s love, and the Spirit’s compassion, both now and always. Amen.