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
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