Sunday Worship prayers - 7th Sunday of Easter - Easter 7A - June 4

(Please note the order of service variance during the summer months)

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering

Call to Worship

Pastor:            Lord, You have been our safe haven and dwelling place for many generations.

People:            Even before the mountains were raised, or the Earth was ever created, You ruled the entire Universe.

Pastor:            From people to people, and from nation to nation, You are praised throughout this planet. We will worship and glorify You forever! Amen.

Prelude

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Guide: Everlasting God, whose Kingdom is above all the nations, and whose Dominion extends throughout all of creation, we come to worship Your ways and praise Your Sacred Name. We pray that our praise please You and that our hearts and minds are fully focused on You.

People: Gracious Lord, we are beset by temptation of often wrestle with sin. We fail to fulfill Your expectations and constantly make mistakes. Forgive our foolish choices and disappointing ways. Pardon us for being selfish and excuse us for allowing pride to overrule our faith. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving Father, we look to Jesus to cleanse of our past and to restore us to Your favor. He alone has the power to save our souls and sanctify our spirits. In His Name, we are fully forgiven; through His Words we are eternally united to You, and so we pray: "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus personally touched the lives of many people and invited them to become His followers. His words were full of healing and holiness, challenge and change. We have humbly come to Him with our confessions and He has graciously received our prayers. Let us give thanks and rejoice, for Christ is our Everlasting Savior and Merciful King. 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

Offering & offertory

Dedication (unison):

Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for all that You have sacrificed in order to grant us salvation. We freely bring before You our tithes and offerings, asking that You bless them for the work of Your church, the well being of our community, and the preaching of the Gospel throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

(Children exit for enrichment)

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:            When we are troubled, we pray to the Lord. When we are anxious, we come to Him with our worries and fears. We believe that God hears the cries of our hearts and looks after our health and strength.

People:            O Lord, hear our prayers and listen to our petitions. Grant healing to our bodies and bring peace to our minds. Be gracious to our loved ones and help them in the midst of their issues and illnesses.

Pastor:            Merciful God, we call upon Your Name and seek Your blessing. We place all of our hopes for healing into Your Hands. We look for strength through Your unfailing love. Hear us now as we pray for the health of our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls.

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

Pastor:            May God Himself answer our prayers and set us free from all our fears. In Jesus' Name, we humbly ask. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words and phrases from Psalm 130)

Singing of 'Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:          Holy Spirit, persuade us by the power of these sacred words, to apply Christ's teaching in our lives. Enable us to grasp the meaning of today's message and to seek ways with which to practice its importance. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Communion

Peace of Christ

Church Mission Litany

Closing Hymn:

Benediction: May we be faithful to Christ and please Him each day; may we lovingly serve the Father throughout our lives; and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide and lead us, so that we may worship the One Triune and Living God, forever and always. Amen.

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