Approaching God
Announcements & A Word of Welcome
Prelude
First Hymn:
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Guide: Lord God Almighty, whose counsel is perfect and whose wisdom is unlimited, we gather together as Your people to worship and bless Your Sacred Name. Your ways are full of mercy and compassion, therefore we seek to please You with our songs and honor You with our prayers.
People: Loving Father, we know that our lives are imperfect and that we constantly make mistakes. We disappoint other people and neglect to fulfill our purposes as Christians. Forgive us for failing to complete our God-given tasks and wasting our opportunities to witness to Christ our Savior. Hear us now as we silently pray to You.
- Silent Confessions -
Guide: Gracious God, we thank You for Jesus; for His grace and compassion; for His sacrifice and blessings. Without Him, we would remain separated from You forever; without His peace, we would have no everlasting hope. In Christ's Name, we have made our confessions and now continue to pray in His words, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Jesus suffered for our sake and laid down His life on the Cross, so that we might be restored to God. Christ alone faced cruel opposition, unjust torture, and a painful death, but He endured it all, so that we might be cleansed of our shameful and imperfect ways. He is the Only Savior of humankind. Let us rejoice and be glad for the seeds of His success have become the fruits of our salvation. 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: Let us lift up our prayers to the Lord, whose throne is in heaven. As servants and children, we look to our God for help and healing.
People: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, and compassionately answer our petitions. In the midst of all suffering and sickness that we endure, embrace and comfort us.
Pastor: O Lord, hear us as we voice our concerns and make known to You all of our worries. Heal us, our loved ones, and all for whom we personally 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 restore us to health and strength, by giving us hope and healing. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 123)
Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’
Prayer of Illumination
Reader: Holy Spirit, make us aware of the lessons of these scriptures, which were once rejected by others, but are now gladly received by God's people. Open our hearts and minds to the preaching of the Gospel and the praising of Christ's Name. Amen
Scripture Readings
Sermon & The Apostles' Creed
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication (unison):
Lord Jesus, without Your resurrection from the dead, there would be no point to our faith. We are truly grateful for the almighty power of God, which raised You back to life, so that we might be given an eternal hope. Cheerfully, we gather before You our tithes and offerings, praying that You will bless them for the continuing life, work, and ministry of Your church here on Earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Closing Hymn:
Benediction(unison): May Christ grant us focus and strength for each and every day; may the Father bless us with hope and peace; and may the Holy Spirit continue to counsel and direct us, so that we may praise and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, forevermore. Amen.
Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; & Postlude
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