Sunday Worship Prayers - Epiphany 1A - First in Epiphany - January 09

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Gathering Song & Prelude

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:             Immortal God, Your power is infinite and Your Sovereignty is everlasting. By Your will, life is sustained and the universe is made complete. We humbly come before You to worship Your ways, to be guided by Your words, and to be spiritually equipped to do Your work in the world.
People:                        Gracious Father, we know that we still disappoint You on a daily basis. We say the wrong words, do the wrong deeds, and think the wrong thoughts. We are easily misguided by our pride and arrogance; we are deluded by our self-created ideas and opinions about You. Forgive us for following our own understanding instead of Your scriptures. Pardon us for travelling on spiritual paths that lead to dead ends and delusions. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.
- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                         Loving Lord, we seek forgiveness through the power of Your Son Jesus Christ. His total sacrifice, in obedience to Your will, has obtained for us the fruits of salvation and the blessings of restoration. Through Christ alone, we have absolution of all our past mistakes. In His words, we continue to pray, saying: “Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:                         Jesus wants to honor God through our faithful service in His Kingdom. By Christ’s death on the Cross, we are reclaimed as the heirs of Heaven. Only by His authority, are we reborn into God’s Kingdom. Let rejoice and praise Him 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 seek the Lord’s favor and yearn for His goodness. He has the power to help and to restore us. May He strengthen our spirits and heal our hurts.

People:            We come to God’s sacred house to experience His blessing and be favored with His presence. We trust in His wonderful words and abide in His loving grace.

Pastor:             Heavenly Father, hear our prayers and bless us with Your mercy. Heal us from all that harms us; be near to our loved ones and help them to recover from the illnesses and issues in their lives. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:             May we find assurance in God’s promises and hope in His gracious love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.” (Choir leads this)

Prayer of Illumination: 

Reader:            Holy Spirit, we have gathered in this cherished place to be encouraged by God’s sacred words and given guidance from Christ’s teaching. Open our hearts and minds to receive the holy lessons of faith that You would bless us with today. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):              Lord Jesus, today we bring to You our tithes and gifts. We pray that You will receive and bless this money for the work of Your Church, both here at Erin and in the wider community. Thank You for the resources and salvation that You give to us. We offer our faith and lives to You alone. Amen. 
Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ always guide our decisions; may the love of God inspire us to share our faith with those we meet this day; and may the fellowship of the Holy Spirit strengthen our commitment, dedication, and service to the One, Triune and Living God forever. Amen.  

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude