Sunday prayers - Ordinary 20B - August 19

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   May the Lord answer us when we call to Him in our need. May His righteousness become our strength.
People:                 May the Lord be merciful to us; may He bless our prayers and praise.
Youth:                   Let the light of the Lord shine upon us; let us glorify and worship His Name. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Eternal King of the Universe, whose guidance enriches our lives and whose benevolence enhances our spirits, we offer our hearts and love, our devotion and worship to You alone. Your ways are mysterious, and yet Your love is evident throughout Creation, therefore we bless You with our praises and exalt Your Holy Name.

People:                 Heavenly Father, when we set aside Your commands, You are disappointed with us; when break Your holy laws, You are offended with our dishonesty. Forgive us for despising Your words; pardon us for disrespecting Your Sovereignty. Hear us now, as we confess our selfish faults and sinful deeds to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Immortal God, only Christ can restore Your covenant with us. Only He has the power to set us on the right path to Your Kingdom, for He redeems our sinful souls and reunites us to Your everlasting love. By His grace, we are no longer Your enemies.  In Christ’s words, we continue to pray, saying “Our Father...The Lord’s Prayer” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus gives glory to God and returns to His favor. In Christ alone, we have the divine opportunity to be forgiven of the past, to be guided at present, and to be welcomed into God’s eternal realm. Let us rejoice and be glad, for in Jesus, Christ, God’s Only Son, we are saved and forgiven, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung in 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:                 In this holy place, God is known. His Name is great among His gathered people. The Lord dwells within our hearts and calls us to this house of prayer and healing.

People:                 God is our light and salvation. He is majestic and almighty, compassionate and caring. In the midst of our fears, He stands beside us. In times of anger and frustration, He is our strength and peace.

Pastor:                 Heavenly Lord, heal us and all our loved ones; free us from pain and suffering; restore us to health and strength. Rise up, O Living God, and save us from all of our afflictions. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May the LORD God hear our prayers and fulfill them; may He send us the gift of healing, and release us from our fears. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 76)

Singing of Jesus “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, help us to be attentive to the lessons of faith that we are about to read and hear. Reveal to us the teachings of Christ, so that by His great power, we may live our lives in ways that please and honor Him. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, You have called us to this holy place, to hear the Gospel, and to apply it in our lives.  We bring before You our tithes and gifts, our loyalty and devotion. We pray that You will take them for the service of Your Kingdom, the preaching of Your word, and the edifying of Your Church. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and faithfully pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Jesus be the everlasting treasure of our eternal lives; may the Father’s power be evident in all that we say and do; and may the Holy Spirit continue to lead us in ways that bring honor and blessing, power and glory to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology

Postlude