Palm Sunday Worship prayers - April 13

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               On this special day of worship, let us come before our Lord and King with praises and thanksgiving!

People:                 Hosanna to the Lord of Life, and Savior of our souls!

Liturgist:               Let us welcome Christ into our hearts and worship Him forever. Amen.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Everlasting God, we gather in this place of peace and praise, of joy and jubilation, as one family of faith, and one church of Christ. We cheerfully celebrate the presence of Your Son Jesus Christ. We proclaim His power over all of our lives; His authority to forgive our mistakes; and His ability to positively change our lives.

People:                 Gracious Father, we know that we have been foolish, selfish, and sinful at times. We recognize that we have made mistakes, bad choices, and faithless decisions. We are sorry for those moments when temptation has caused us to get angry, be bitter, remain proud, or be insensitive to the needs of those around us. Hear us now as we confess our faults in silent prayer.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Eternal Lord, we claim the victory of Christ over sin and death. His sacrifice has acquitted our mistakes. His grace can renew our souls and bring rebirth to our lives. We make these prayers in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father….THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ called us to become His followers, yet He still has to deal with our sinful nature and human failings. He has overcome both death and sin, so our souls can be resurrected to a new beginning. Let us rejoice and give thanks to Him, for Christ has blessed us with an everlasting hope and has saved our lives forever.  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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Let us praise the LORD with new hearts; let us rejoice with all the Earth and glorify His Name. Each day, we will proclaim the Lord's salvation; each week, we will come to Him with our praises.

People:                 O Lord You have fulfilled marvelous deeds among Your people, therefore we ask You to heal our lives. You are great and most worthy of our worship; You are above and beyond all that we can ever know or experience. You made the Heavens and sustain the nations; be merciful to us and grant us healing from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 We will continue to worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness. We will give thanks throughout this day and forevermore. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.        

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 96)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, deliver us from our fears and restore us to God's heart. Open our minds to this glorious message of hope, so that we may gladly receive Christ as our King and share His words to all our people. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, through the act of cheerful and thankful giving, we offer You our tithes and gifts. Bless them for Your wonderful work that has changed the world forever. May we also rededicate our lives this day, in the holy service of Your Kingdom. Both now and forever. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ resurrect our faith by becoming Lord of our lives; may we know the Father's compassion and grace throughout our days; and may the Holy Spirit keep us glorifying and worshipping the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Lent 5A - April 6

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Great and Almighty God, we gather in Your Holy House to glorify and worship Your sacred Name.

People:                 We are blessed to be called Your people and to be welcomed here by Your Loving Spirit.

Liturgist:               May our hearts be filled with Your gladness, O God. May our voices sing out our praises to You. Amen.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Creator of the Universe and Sustainer of our lives, we come to You with our prayers and petitions, as well as our confessions and concerns. You have called us by name to come into Your Sacred House. You have welcomed us to this sanctuary of praise and peace, of holiness and healing.

People:                 Loving God, in the midst of our troubles, we call upon You alone. We look for Your help and inspiration; we seek Your patience and forgiveness; we need Your mercy and grace. We have sinned against You and have allowed ourselves to be frequently overcome by temptation. At times, we have neglected our faith and cast aside Your words. Forgive our foolish and arrogant ways; pardon our selfish and faithless choices. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Merciful Father, You lovingly permit us to approach Your Holy Son Jesus to seek forgiveness, absolution, and acquittal for our sins. We praise You for sending Him to us and for His perfect sacrifice, which wipes out our wicked and wayward choices. From our hearts and by our lips, we make these personal prayers. We unite ourselves with Jesus, in whose words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father.…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  We believe and know that Christ is the Holy One of God. His Passion and obedience, His Crucifixion and sacrifice, have given us the glorious opportunity of remitting our sins, renewing our lives, and restoring us to God's favor and blessing.  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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Come, let us pray for healing from the LORD; let us voice our concerns to the Rock of our salvation. We bring before God our personal pleas; we pray to Him sincerely and faithfully. The LORD is the great God, the great King above all. He will hear our prayers and answer our needs. From His hands comes the power of healing.

People:                 Have mercy upon us O Lord, for we belong to You. We are Yours, for You made us. You shape our lives and have the power to save our souls. Almighty God, we bow down before You. Heal us and all our loved ones from sickness and despair; pain and anxiety; suffering and depression. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.                  (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 95)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, let the words and ways of Jesus touch our hearts today. May His miracles and messages challenge our lives so that we may change our church, community, and world. To the glory of God forever. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we express our faith and thanksgiving through these tithes and offerings. Bless them for the life, work, and ministry of Your church, as well as for the preaching, teaching, and proclaiming of Your Gospel. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Hymn

Benediction ( in unison):              May Christ be the Lord of our lives throughout our days on Earth; may the Father enhance our faith and life through His loving ways; and may the Holy Spirit keep us serving the One, Triune, and Living God, in this world and the next. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Easter Sunday Worship Prayers - 20 April 2014

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Christ is Risen!

People:                 He is Risen indeed!

Pastor:                  Jesus, Savior of the World, we worship and adore You. We honor and glorify You forever. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Glorious Sovereign and Everlasting Savior, this is Your Holy Day and we are delighted to be called into Your Holy Presence. You are the Righteous Son of God and our Almighty Lord forever.
People:                 Lord Jesus, we worship You as the King of all Creation and the Redeemer of the entire Universe. You have wonderfully overcome sin and death, blessing us with promises of eternal life and love.

Guide:                  Gracious Jesus, we know that our sins caused Your wounds at Calvary. You were crucified to the Cross because of our stubborn, rebellious, and selfish ways. Precious Lord, forgive our foolish mistakes and sinful errors. Pardon our hateful words and shameful deeds. Hear us now as we silently confess to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Victorious Savior, Your blood has cleansed our sinful souls and restored us to God’s favor. Without You, our lives are wasted and pointless. With You, our hopes are completely fulfilled and made eternal. Hear our petitions and prayers, given in Your Holy Name. We unite our spirits in prayer to You, saying “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is the Only One sent from God who can save our souls from everlasting destruction. His Name alone has the power to forgive our sins and to release us from death and despair. Therefore, on this Easter Day, let us rejoice and celebrate the victory of our Lord and King 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:                 The LORD reigns; He is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. God established our world and sustains our lives. Because we are finite and frail, in need of help, we ask the Lord for healing and wholeness. We lift up our voices in prayer to Him, with all that is on our hearts and in our anxious minds.

People:                 Mighty Redeemer, have mercy upon us and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. We also pray to You for our families and friends, as well as our colleagues and neighbors, who need Your Loving touch and holy healing. Hear us now as we quietly and personally pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD is merciful and holy; just and faithful. He hears our prayers in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 93)

Singing of “Sanctuary”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                               Holy Spirit, impact our lives with the power of the Gospel. Let the Good News of Christ’s Resurrection bring joy, healing, and strength to our souls. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. 

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor):  Lord Jesus, You have sacrificed everything for our salvation. You have given Your life so that we may live forever in God’s eternal presence. We can never repay the debt that we owe You, but we can support the work and ways of Your church with our tithes and gifts. Take this offering and bless it, so that others may hear the Gospel, through the preaching of the Word and the glorifying of God’s Name. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison):     May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the almighty and amazing love of the Father, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit be with us now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Worship service - April 17, 2014

Maundy Thursday Service: Thursday 17th April, 2014

Prologue:        Luke 22:1-6

Prelude

First reading: Luke 22:7-13

Hymn:              #94 – An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare

Prayer of Urgent Confession

Pastor:             Lord Jesus, You see the reality of our lives and know every event we experience. We are not worthy of Your love, for we are not completely faithful to Your ways. On this terrible night of betrayal, our sins are fully revealed and our secret shame is exposed to You. We confess that we have disowned Your beautiful words and dismissed Your sacred teaching.

People:                       O Lord, we are arrogant and vain instead of being humble and devoted. Even as Christians, we are often stubborn and foolish, instead of being trustworthy and faithful. We frequently disappoint our loved ones and discard our neighbor’s needs. We fill our hearts and minds with daydreams and desires, instead of Your commands and truth.

Pastor:             Forgive us, Lord Jesus, for surrendering to sin and succumbing to temptation. Pardon us for casting You aside in order to embrace the world’s distractions. On this night, above all other nights, help us to hold on to Your hope, so that we may grasp the grace of God as His Powerful Spirit passes over us. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins.

Time of personal confession and reflective silence

Pastor:              O Son of Man, Redeemer of the world; have mercy upon us miserable sinners. Amen.

2nd Reading:  Luke 22:14-23

Hymn:              #5 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

3rd Reading:   Luke 22:24-30

Choir Anthem:            

4th reading:   Luke 22:31-38

Hymn:              #97      Go To Dark Gethesemane

5^th reading:     Luke 22:39-46

Homily            Are We There Yet?

COMMUNION  - At the appropriate time, the congregation shall come forward to receive the bread and wine.  After this, the elders will come to those who wish to take communion where they are seated.

Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)      Lord Jesus, Your Holy Spirit has deeply afflicted and spiritually convicted us this evening. We know that we sent You to the Cross because we are selfish creatures and constant sinners. Yet, despite these human failures and common faults, You still offer us Your grace and God’s peace. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for redeeming our souls and restoring us to God. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

Hymn:              #98      O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Epilogue: Luke 22:47-53

Congregation Exits Silently

A New Song for Easter: Let Us Worship Together

A new song for Easter Day.

Let Us Worship Together

(Tune: Let Us Break Bread Together)

Let us wor-ship to-geth-er in this place,

Let us wor-ship to-geth-er in this place,

We have come to God’s House,

To give praise to the Ris-ing Son,

For the Lord’s great mer-cy sets us free.

Let us share peace to-geth-er in this place,

Let us share peace to-geth-er in this place,

We have come to God’s House,

In the peace of the Ris-ing Son,

For the Lord’s great mer-cy sets us free.

Let us love one an-oth-er in this place,

Let us love one an-oth-er in this place,

We have come to God’s House,

In the love of the Ris-ing Son,

For the Lord’s great mer-cy sets us free.

Benediction verse

Let us go out to-geth-er from this place,

Let us go out to-geth-er from this place,

We shall go from God’s House,

Shar-ing love from the Ris-ing Son,

For the Lord’s great mer-cy sets us free.

© John Stuart 2014

Sunday Lent 4A - Worship prayers - Fourth Sunday in Lent - March 30

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Living God, we gather together as Your people to praise and worship Your Holy Name.

People:                 We thank You for the blessings in our lives and glorify Your Son Jesus Christ.

Liturgist:               As we sing and pray to You, receive our songs, prayers, and praises. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Lord of all the Earth and King of every nation, we applaud Your glorious deeds and exalt Your Name above all others. Your power has been praised by every generation. You have enhanced our world with hope and faith.

We seek to serve You on this sacred day in this holy sanctuary; we want to praise and honor You with all of our hearts and lives.

People:                 Merciful Father, You know everything about us. You have seen us sin and have watched us yield to temptation. We crave Your forgiveness of all our faults and we plead for pardon of our past mistakes. Hear us now as we silently confess to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Gracious Lord, Your Sovereignty extends over all of our lives. You are above and beyond all that we can ever experience or know. Without Your mercy, our lives are meaningless. Without Your Son, we have no salvation.

We make these petitions in the Name of Jesus, the Holy One, whose sacrifice takes away our sins. In His own words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father …THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  We can only go to Jesus for forgiveness, for He alone has the authority to restore us to God; He alone has the words of eternal life. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our Savior and Lord forever. 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O LORD, You teach us lessons of faith in times of trouble. Hear us now as we pray, and grant us relief from sickness and suffering. Help us to hold on to hope and take courage in Your promises. In the face of fear, never forsake us. In times of isolation, be our Comforter. Help us and heal us, O Lord. Strengthen and support us; console our spirits and lighten our burdens.

People:                 Loving Lord, when we are beset with worry or weariness, grant us peace of mind and rest for our souls. When we are anxious about our families and friends, bestow upon them the wholeness and healing that will generate joy and faith in their lives. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD is our fortress of faith and the Rock, in whom we take refuge. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 94)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, may we continue to praise God for all that He reveals to us through these scriptures. May these stories and events draw us closer to His ways, and enable us to grow confident about sharing our faith with other people. In Jesus’ Name, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, You have clearly called us to be here today. We have learned of Your ways and studied God's Word. Bless these offerings and tithes, as we dedicate them to Your continuing work in this world. May our gifts enhance Your mission to spread the Gospel throughout our community, and all over the Earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction:  (in unison) May Christ enable us to live each day for His ministry; may the Father free us from fear and keep us in His constant care; and may the Holy Spirit strengthen our faith, so that we may rejoice in the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday worship prayers for Lent 3A - March 23

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Let us come to the Lord with our thanksgiving songs and grateful prayers.

People:                 We acknowledge the One, Triune, and Living God as the Everlasting King of the Universe.

Liturgist:               Let us worship His wonderful deeds; let us declare our faith in Him forever. Amen.

First Hymn

Guide:                  Loving Lord, whose mighty acts reveal to us Your power, creativity, and sovereignty over the entire cosmos, we praise and adore You as our Creator and Sovereign. Your ways have been known to our people across the centuries and throughout all nations, therefore we approach You with awe and reverence, as well as dedication and devotion.

People:                Gracious God, You seek to instruct us and guide us by Your holy counsel every day. Sometimes we foolishly ignore Your advice and end up doing our own selfish things. Forgive our sinful and faithless ways. Pardon us for making the wrong choices and being self-centered. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Merciful Father, You have given us Jesus, Your Holy Son, to reclaim our lives, to teach us Your ways, and to save our souls. His obedience and sacrifice have won our salvation. We thank You for restoring us to Your everlasting love, and in the words of Christ, we continue praying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is the Christ of our lives, the Anointed and Holy One of God. He alone has the authority to forgive our sins. By His grace, we are cleansed of our sinful past and returned to God's favor. Let us rejoice and be glad in Him, our King of Kings and Lord of lords, both now and forever. 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:                 Let us call upon the Lord in the midst of all our troubles, for He will answer us. O Lord, You are the source of all our hope; You are the One who brings us healing. Have mercy upon us, for we are frail and fearful. Grant us strength and restoration at this time.

People:                 In Your Holy Presence, Lord, we live our lives. We need Your help and long for deliverance from sickness and suffering; pain and discomfort; or anxiety and stress. We seek Your peace and pray that You will heal us, and each of our loved ones, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul.

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

Pastor:  Loving Lord, speak Your peace to us this day and fill our hearts with hope. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 120)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, may Christ speak to our hearts and may God increase our hope through the blessing of these scriptures. May we receive and share the gifts of faith, strength, and love that we encounter throughout these biblical texts.  In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, all that we are has been fulfilled and accomplished by Your grace. Take these tithes and gifts that we freely offer to You, and use them for the preaching of Your Word, the enhancement of Your Church, and the glorifying of Your Name Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):    May Christ urge and inspire us to fulfill His ministry in our lives; may the Father's great and everlasting love be treasured in our hearts and explicit in our deeds; and may the Holy Spirit keep us loving and serving the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and evermore.  Amen.

Doxology & Postlude