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