Sunday Worship Prayers - Easter 3c - April 14

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth: Living Lord, we call to You; come quickly to us. Hear our voices as we cry out to You.
People: May our prayers and praises be acceptable to You, O God of our hearts.
Youth: May the lifting up of our songs and spirits be pleasing to You, Almighty God. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration & Confession
Guide:                        High King of Heaven and Maker of Earth, we gather as stewards and servants, disciples and followers of Your holy ways. From the comfort of our homes, we have come to this sacred place to hear Your words and honor Your glorious Name.

People:            Loving Lord, in the midst of our lives, there are moments of sin. Our days are full of good intentions, but our deeds display our faithless ways. Instead of keeping Your commands, we make selfish choices. Instead of holding on to Your precious words, we hurt others with our bitter talk and personal grudges. Forgive us for pandering to our pride and nursing our wrath. Hear us now as we quietly confess our sins to You.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                         Living God, let Your justice prevail over our lives, and may Your Son’s mercy cleanse our souls. May His blood restore us to Your righteousness. May His sacrifice reclaim our lives for You.

In Him, we are saved from Your wrath, and with Christ, we are returned to Your favor. Hear us now as we pray, saying His sacred words: THE LORD'S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

 

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                         Christ brings us back into the loving courts of God and sheds us of our shame. He takes away our sins and renews our lives. We are no longer held captive to sin. He releases us from our guilt and redeems us for God. Let us rejoice and glorify Him forevermore. Amen.

Gloria Patri (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:            Hear us, O God, as we voice our concerns; bring peace to our troubled souls. Keep us safe from sickness; shelter us in the midst of all our worries.

People:            When we are beset with problems, and hard pressed with fear, be our strength and shield. When life suddenly strikes us with grief and sorrow, carry and comfort us. O Lord.

Pastor:            Encourage our hopes and heal our illnesses. Look after our loved ones and strengthen them in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray for ourselves and for all those who are in need of healing.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:            Let us rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 64)

Singing of  ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, gather our thoughts and help us to focus on Christ. Enable us to lay our spirits at His feet. Teach us life lessons through the power of these sacred scriptures.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. 

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor):        Lord Jesus, You have mysteriously affected our lives and penetrated our souls. You have brought us to this holy house of prayer. We gather before You our tithes and gifts, and ask that You bless them for the work of this church, and the glory of Your kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (in unison):        May Christ shelter us from sin and shame; may the Father enlighten our souls and embrace us with His love; and may the Holy Spirit keep us faithfully focused on worshipping the One, Triune, and Living God. Both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude