Sunday Worship Prayers - Christmas 1 - Jan 01

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             Blessed is the Lord, whose ways are blameless, and in whose path, we joyfully walk.

People:           We will praise the Lord with all of our hearts; we will humbly serve Him with our lives.

Pastor:             The Lord will not forsake us; He will lead us throughout our days and years on Earth. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Almighty God, who knows all of our ways and who understands every worry in our hearts, be near to us in this New Year and lead us by Your mercy and grace. Time makes no difference to You, nor can You cannot be bound by any limitation. We worship Your holy and awesome works; we acknowledge Your Sovereignty over all the Universe.

People:           Gracious Father, we are sometimes fearful of the days to come and of the things that we have still to experience. When our faith is weak, be our strength. When our hope is diminished, be our help. Forgive us for failing to honor You with our lives and for neglecting to help others with our resources. Pardon us for participating in sins of selfishness and greed, pride and prejudice, as well as arrogance and indifference. Hear us now as we inwardly confess our sins to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Living Lord, You confront our sinful selves and challenge our wasteful lives. You gave us Jesus to be our Savior. You sacrificed Your Son to grant us forgiveness and everlasting life. We are unworthy of Your grace and we depend upon Christ to restore us to Your favor. In His Name, we make these confessions and continue to pray in His words saying, “Our Father, Who art in Heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER.”  (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:              Jesus invites us to come to Him, to receive the blessings of forgiveness and to be reclaimed for the kingdom of God. Without His invitation, we cannot go to be with Him. Without His everlasting mercy, we cannot enter the presence of God. So let us humbly rejoice and be truly thankful that Christ is our Lord and immortal 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             Lord, we will praise You with all of our hearts; we will tell of all Your wonders. We will be glad and rejoice in You; we will sing praise to Your Name, O Lord Most High.

People:           We pray that You will uphold our petitions and listen to our prayers. We ask for Your help and look to You for healing. You are a refuge for all those who are weary and worried, who are anxious and alarmed. Grant us peace and patience, health and wholeness.

Pastor:             Almighty God, we place our trust in You, for we know that You never forsake those who seek You. Heal us and all our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor: We will sing praises to the Lord and proclaim to our people all the great things He has done. In Jesus' Name, we ask. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 9)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom through these sacred words. Help us to receive Christ's message and apply His teachings into acts of goodwill that will bring blessings to other people. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, according to the Scriptures, You were buried and on the third day, God raised You from death to eternal life. Ever since, You have been the One, True Hope for all our people and the Savior of all our souls. Take these tithes and offerings that we gladly bring before You. We pray that You will accept them for the continuing ministry of the Gospel in our church, community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ's hope remain firm in each of our lives; may the Father continue to share His blessings amongst us; and may the Holy Spirit increase our comfort and joy in the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology         May God's Blessing & Postlude

Christmas Day Worship Service (2011)

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:             Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.

People:           The LORD is with us, we will not be afraid. We will take our refuge in Him.

Pastor:             God is our strength and song; His Son, born among us this day, has become our salvation!

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Gracious Lord, whose works of salvation have been revealed to us through prophets and seers, holy leaders and visionaries, we give You thanks, this Christmas, for Your wonderful gifts of mercy and grace. We praise You for the promise of Your Son, who came into the world, to save us from sin and to restore us to Your blessed favor and everlasting love.

People:           Heavenly Father, we confess that we have made foolish choices and still neglect to do what is right. We have permitted pride to harden our hearts and we have allowed greed to diminish our compassion. We are guilty of giving in to temptation and surrendering to selfish ways. We are sorry for our past mistakes and regret disappointing You and our loved ones. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Almighty God, You sent Jesus into our world, not just to be the Messiah of His people, but to become the Savior of all our souls. His perfection purchased our salvation. His sacrifice atoned for all our mistakes. Through Jesus, we are given the promises of complete forgiveness and everlasting life. We worship Him and through His holy words, we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER"  (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:              When Christ came to us, He revealed the true way to salvation. Ever since His Birth, humanity has been given the opportunity of following Christ and accepting Him as Lord. By confessing our mistakes solely to Him and placing our spirits into His hands, we are putting our faith in His words and acts. So, let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for Jesus has restored us to God, both now and forever. 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

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             O Lord, You are majestic and glorious. Your powerful presence permeates throughout the whole Earth. You are truly worshipped among all our people. Infants and adults, youth and seniors are praising Your Name all over the world

People:           When we consider Your mighty works of creation, and see all that You have set in place, we confidently pray to You for health, wholeness, and healing.

What are we, Lord, that You are mindful of our weaknesses and failings? Why are we so privileged to receive Your blessings of love, mercy, and strength?

Pastor:             Although we are lowly and frail, finite and made of flesh, You bless us with salvation and deliverance, glory and honor. We place our lives, and those of all our loved ones into Your hands. We ask that You will heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:             O LORD, our God, how majestic is Your Name in all the Earth and how blessed we are in Jesus' Name. Amen.  (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 8)

Unison Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, through the message of the sacred scriptures, we know that God is with us and that we are called to serve Jesus Christ. Empower us by His teaching and inspire us through the events of His Precious Life. In Christ's Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):    Lord Jesus, You came into the world to die for our sins. Throughout the ages, the Church has passed on that message of eternal hope through the ministries and missions that You have established. Today, we gather before You our tithes and offerings. We pray that You will bless them for the continuing work of Your Kingdom and the spreading of Your Living Gospel. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ continue to comfort us in the midst of our troubles and distress; may the Father keep us patient through all that we endure; and may the Holy Spirit grant us the strength to overcome our sufferings, so that we may joyfully serve and worship the One, Triune and Living God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology         May God's Blessing & Postlude

Christmas Eve Worship Outline 2011

Prelude              

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Carol   O Come, All Ye Faithful          #41

Reading           Isaiah 9: 2-7   

Prayer

Carol   Hark the Herald Angels Sing   #31

Reading           Luke 1:26-38  

Lighting of Blue Christmas Candle

Carol   O Little Town of Bethlehem   #44

Reading           Matthew 1:18-25       

Anthem:

Reading           Luke 2:1-7

Prayer and candle for our troops and their families

Carol                             Away in a Manger                                #25

Reading           Luke 2:8-20    

Anthem:

           

Homily

Offering         

Offertory                      

Reading           John 1:1-9       

Candle Lighting & Carol         Silent Night, Holy Night          #60

Postlude        

At Home Christmas Day Family Worship

At Home Family Worship Service for Christmas Day

With Christmas taking place on Sunday this year, some families are choosing to stay at home to be with their loved ones. The following is a short worship service that can be conducted at home during the traditional worship hour.

(Make copies for all of your family members to follow the worship and also have a candle to light at the beginning. You will need a Guide and a Reader from your family group to lead the service. Gather as a group around a small decorated table, possibly with a nativity scene, as well as a candle to light).

Call to Worship

Guide:                  Today we remember that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and that He became the Light of the World and the Savior of our souls.

All:                         We ask Christ to bless us this day and we praise Him for His Love which brightens the whole world.

(A candle is lit)

All:                         O Lord, May Your Light shine among us and Your Love bless our hearts. Amen.

Adoration and Confession Prayer

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wonderful promises that were fulfilled when Jesus came to the Earth. We praise You for His amazing Life and sacred teaching that has given everlasting hope and joy to the whole world.

All:                         We know that we are unworthy to receive such blessings because we are selfish and sinful. We thank You that by Your Grace, we are forgiven of the past and restored to Your Love forever. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

Reading:              Luke 2: 4-15

Reader:                (4-5)      So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 

All: (6-7)              While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Reader: (8-9)     And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 

All: (10-11)                          But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 

Reader: (12-14)                 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 

All: (15)                                                When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 

Amen and thanks be to God for His Holy Word.

Carol: First verse of ‘Away in a Manger.’

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

Prayer for the World

Guide:                  Lord Jesus, we ask that You continue to be the Light of our world and that Your Church on Earth continues to fulfill Your work around the globe.

All:                         We pray for those who are hungry and homeless at this time. We ask that You enable Your people like us to help them whenever, wherever, and however we can.

Guide:                  We pray for those who are ill and weak, lonely and lost, grieving and sad. Comfort them and heal them. Embrace them and encourage them.

All:                         We pray for Your Peace to be known in our hearts and homes, in our country and throughout the nations. May Your Love direct our decisions and Your Light guide our ways. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Share the Peace of Christ with one another.

Carol:    2nd verse of  ‘O Come All Ye Faithful.’

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning,

Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!

Benediction

All:         May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Presence of the Holy Spirit be with us now and forevermore. Amen.

End the service by extinguishing the candle

Sunday Worship Prayers - Advent 4 - Fourth in Advent - Dec 18

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Call to Light the Advent Wreath

Family: The season of Advent continues. Today we shall be lighting the candle of love.

Congregation: No other word so completely describes what we know of our God.  For God so loved the world that a child was given....God's love in human form.

Family:            We wait in hope and peace, and with joy.

The two purple candles and the pink candle are lit

Family: We light the candle of love to proclaim that God's love is revealed in the Child born in Bethlehem.

Congregation:            We are challenged to proclaim and
reveal that same love as we live out our faith here in this area.

The purple candle is lit

Family:            We give thanks for a love that passes our human understanding.

Congregation:            We await once more the birth of God's enduring love this Christmas. In Christ’s Sacred Name, we hope, wait, love, and pray. Amen

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Heavenly Father, we gather as Your people and children, seeking to delight You with our prayers and music, as well as our praises and worship. We come before You as humble servants, thankful for our lives and grateful for Your blessings.

People:           Merciful Lord, we know that we are sometimes rebellious and wayward, and that we do not make the best choices each day. We confess that we are sometimes unwilling to listen to Your words and constantly ignore Your commands. We are guilty of being unholy and unfaithful, unworthy and ungodly. We keep allowing pride and prejudice, anger and greed, arrogance and envy to diminish our faith and contaminate our souls. Hear us now as we make our sorrowful confessions to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Loving Father, You gave Jesus to us to become our only Savior and Perfect Redeemer. He can save us from our sins and restore us to Your grace. We ask for Your mercy in His Name. Without Christ's power, we would be doomed forever. Without His love, we would be eternally lost. In His precious words, we continue our prayers, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER"  (debts/debtors)

           

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:              Christ taught us everything about God's grace and offered Himself as the Supreme Sacrifice for all of our sins. Death cannot seize us forever, for we have been liberated by Christ's blood and reinstated to God's pleasure, both now and forever. 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, our God, we take refuge in You; save and deliver us from all that harms us. When pain reduces us to tears, or fear overwhelms our souls, grant us comfort and peace.

People:           O Lord, if we have brought harm and suffering upon ourselves, grant us mercy and relief. When we seek peace of mind and strength to overcome weariness, be near to us, O Lord.

Pastor:             O Lord God Most High, You are the shield of our hearts and the sustainer of our lives. Hear our pleas for healing and bestow upon our loved ones health and wholeness, recovery and restoration. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:             We will give thanks to God for His righteousness and give praise to the Lord Most High.  In Jesus' Name, we make these prayers. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 7)

           

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, we are heirs to the Lord's covenant and His chosen people. Let these sacred words penetrate our hearts and minds, so that our spirits and souls may be strengthened through the teaching, love and grace of Christ. In His Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we are saved through Your Gospel when we firmly hold to the words You have preached. Strengthen our beliefs and personal commitment to You. Take these tithes and gifts for the service of the Kingdom, the preaching of Your Word and the glorifying of God's Name.  In Your Presence, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ flow into our lives and enhance our faith; may the Father comfort and strengthen us every day; and may the Holy Spirit empower and enable us to worship and witness to the One, True and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology         May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Advent 3 - Third in Advent - Dec 11

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Call to Light the Advent Wreath

Family: Today - the third Sunday in Advent, we hear from the writer of the Psalm and the prophet Isaiah.
Congregation: We hear of a world where even the desert sings, rejoices and blossoms.

Family:            A world where eyes will see and ears will hear; where everyone will want to dance and sing for joy. We watch and wait for these signs of the in-breaking of God's kingdom.
Congregation:            We wait in hope and peace, and with joy.

(Two purple candles are relit)

Family:            The God in whom we rejoice, prepares our hearts for the coming of the Lord. We light the candle of joy.

(The pink candle is lit)

Family:            God of grace and truth, may our spirits rejoice in the forthcoming birth of Christ, our Savior, in whom we are privileged to experience Your mercy and see Your glory.

Congregation:            May this house of prayer become a sanctuary of joy. May our hearts and spirits be lifted up through the praising and glorifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is yet to come amongst us again. Amen.

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Almighty God, whose words of hope have been written across the universe as signatures of Your salvation and guarantees of Your grace, we rejoice at being in Your presence and are glad to worship You.

You know all things and see the years yet to come, therefore we acknowledge Your authority over our lives and proclaim You as Sovereign over all creation.

People:           Gracious Father, we confess our selfish feelings and faithless ways. We regret our past mistakes and sinful deeds. Instead of wanting to witness to Your glorious kingdom, we waste our lives on fulfilling our own desires. Forgive us for casting You aside when we make important decisions. Forgive us for casting others aside when they need our help. And pardon us for setting aside Your commands when we are under pressure, deeply troubled, or worried. Hear us now as we make our confessions to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Compassionate Father, without Your mercy, we would meander through life and drift into the darkness of death without any hope. Because of Your Son Jesus and through His sacrifice, we can be redeemed from our sins and restored to Your kingdom. We praise You for sending Jesus into the world and for giving Him authority over our lives. In His Name, we offer our confessions and with His own words we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father...” THE LORD’S PRAYER  (debts/debtors)

           

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ came to reveal to us the mercy of God and to grant us the opportunity of being restored to His Father. He alone can bring us this everlasting hope, and in Him, we can find eternal salvation. So let us praise our Savior's Name, both now and forever. 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:             Be merciful to us, O Lord, in the midst of our troubles. Heal us from all that harms us. When we get anxious about our lives, grant us peace. When we become impatient with our issues, grant us strength.

People:           Turn to us, O Lord, and deliver us; save us because of Your unfailing love. When we are worn out from worrying, and crushed by our concerns, take us by the hand and help us to overcome our fears.

Pastor:             When we are weak with sorrow and beset with problems, have mercy on us, O Lord. We bring before You all our loved ones, who need Your strength and compassion, Your care and healing. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:             The Lord has heard our cries for healing. The Lord accepts our prayers. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 6)

           

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, we have come to worship God in this holy place and we seek to become His servants. As we hear these sacred words, open our hearts and minds, as well as our spirits and souls to Christ’s teaching. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You brought to us the Gospel and now welcome us into God's Kingdom. You empower us to serve You and to use our gifts to glorify Your ways. Take our tithes and offerings, and bless them for the holy work of Your Church on Earth.  In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen.  

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ continue to comfort us in the midst of our troubles; may the Father embrace us each and every day; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to share these blessings with others, to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology         May God's Blessing & Postlude