Easter 5 Sunday Prayers - May 18

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               We have gathered in God’s House to worship Him. Let us praise His Holy Name.

People:                 We lift up our hearts and voices to glorify the One True and Living God.

Liturgist:               May the songs we sing and the prayers we give, be acceptable to Christ our King. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                 Almighty Father, whose sacred Word brought this universe into being, and whose divine Will sustains all life, we approach You as humble servants and children, as disciples and followers of Christ. Your ways are always fulfilled, and Your works magnify Your greatness. We applaud Your plan of salvation, and we exalt You above all else.

People:                Gracious Father, before we truly knew You, we were enemies of Your kingdom, and even rebelled against Your Son. We have been reckless with our faith, and wasteful with our lives. We constantly submit to temptation and give way to our fears. Merciful Lord, save us from our sinful and selfish ways. Keep us from damaging our souls and blemishing our spirits. We ask You for forgiveness and seek Your grace. Hear us now as we silently confess to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, without Jesus as our Savior, we would be cast away from Your loving presence forever. Without His sacrifice, we would have no opportunity to be forgiven, nor would we ever be restored to Your everlasting kingdom. Thank You for giving Jesus to us, in whose words we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father….THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus constantly challenged the people, rulers, and leaders of His day, asking them to repent of their sins, so that they could be restored to God. Today, we face the same challenge from Christ. We have humbly confessed our sins and sought His mercy. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our Savior and through Him we are totally accepted by God.

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:                 We revere the Lord and seek His blessings; we come into His presence and abide in Him. May the Lord grant us health and healing, strength and support. May the fruits of our prayers enhance our faith and increase our devotion to Him.

People: May our loved ones and siblings, our families and friends receive help and power, energy and strength to overcome their illnesses and anxieties, as well as their troubles and worries. O Lord, we seek peace for our souls, health for our hearts, and tranquility for our minds. Hear us now as we silently pray, for our loved ones and neighbors, our families and ourselves.

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

Pastor:                  May the LORD favor us with His blessings of health and strength. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 128)

Singing of “Sanctuary”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, You inspired Christ’s first disciples to spread the Good News and to proclaim the victory of God's Kingdom over all the Earth. Lift up our spirits in the same ways, and rekindle our faith through the lessons that we read, hear, and accept today. In Christ's Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication: (in unison – led by pastor)  Lord Jesus, we have sang Your praises and received Your message. We have been empowered by Your Spirit and embraced by God. Take these gifts and tokens, tithes and offerings as our cheerful response to Your Word and our grateful thanks for Your Love. Bless them for the continuing work of the Gospel, the glorifying of God's kingdom, and the praising of Your Holy Name. Amen. 

Closing Hymn

Benediction: (unison)    May Christ continue to welcome us into His flock; may the Father enhance our faith and friendships in Him; and may the Holy Spirit challenge and convert our ways, so that we may glorify, worship, and serve the One, Triune, and Living God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Easter 4 Sunday worship prayers - May 11

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               The Earth belongs to the LORD and everything in it, therefore we will praise His glorious Name!

People:                 We seek Your face, O Living God; we praise You with our hearts and voices.

Liturgist:               Let us worship the King of Glory, the Lord of heaven and Earth! Amen.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Eternal Creator of Life, whose precious words gave birth to the Universe and whose wonderful ways sustain this planet we call Earth, we approach You with our prayers and praise, asking that You will hear our heartfelt cries and be pleased with our songs of salvation.

People:                 Merciful Father, we know that our lives are not perfect, nor are we fully faithful or thoroughly devoted to You. We have gone astray at times and fallen into temptation; we have let sin overtake our souls and permitted greed to damage our spirits. Gracious God, forgive the mistakes that we have made, the disappointments we have caused, the responsibilities we have neglected, and the blessings we have wasted. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Compassionate God, thank You for hearing our prayers and petitions. Thank You for bringing Jesus into our lives. We know that His Sacrifice has canceled all our sins, and that He has created clean hearts, new lives, and faithful spirits within all of us. We make our prayers in Jesus’ Name and unite our hearts with Him, saying,

“Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus is the Bread of Life that we need to nourish our souls and strengthen our spirits. He alone has the power and authority to forgive our sins, in order to restore us to God’s favor and grace. So let us celebrate His goodness and glorify His love, 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.

Children’s sermon – Kids & parents come down to front of the church

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Be merciful to us, O God, for our worries burden us, especially when we are under pressure. O Lord, when we are anxious and afraid, help us to trust in You.  Take away our fears and grant us peace of mind. We place our lives, and our loved ones into Your Holy hands.

People:                 We pledge ourselves to Your Holy Son and humbly ask that You will heal us, as well as all whom we pray for, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now as we personally pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May we walk before the Lord in the light of His love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.   

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 56)

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, may we come to Christ as we read and hear these sacred scriptures. May we be drawn closer to Him, so that we may serve in and advance His wonderful ministry on Earth. 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, we all belong to Your body of believers, so we are called to support Your continuing ministry in our community and throughout the Earth. Sanctify our tithes and gifts, allowing them to be used for the life, work, and mission of Your Church. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (in unison):               May Christ’s grace keep us humble; may the Father’s blessings keep us faithful; and may the Holy Spirit’s guidance keep us loving and serving the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Easter 3 Sunday worship prayers - May 4

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               We have come into God’s to praise and worship Him.

People:                 We lift up our voices and hearts to honor His Son, Jesus Christ.

Liturgist:               Let us come before God, as one family of faith, to glorify Him. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, whose power sustains the Universe and whose Kingdom never ends, we humbly approach You as servants and children of Your grace, as seekers and followers of Your ways. You know all of our secrets and see everything that happens in our lives. Help us to focus our minds on You alone, and open our hearts to Your will.

People:                 Merciful Father, sometimes we cast aside our faith when difficulties arise. We neglect to support the needs of other people. We omit to make time to worship You each day. We follow our own selfish impulses and choose to fulfill our sinful desires. Have mercy upon us and forgive our foolish deeds. Be patient with us and pardon us for the mistakes we make, the faults that we have, as well as the sins that we commit. Hear us now as we silently make our confessions to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Compassionate Lord, You graciously allow us to seek forgiveness from Jesus Christ, Your Holy Son. His mercy endures forever through His sacrificial obedience to You, and we are thankful for His grace. In Christ's Name, we pray and through His own precious words, we unite our hearts saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ is our shelter from sin and we abide in His mercy. He deletes our past mistakes and opens our lives to the love of God. He calls us by name, so that we may celebrate, feast, and rejoice in His goodness, grace, and glory. So let us be truly glad and worship our Savior 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:                 The LORD reigns over all the nations. He sits enthroned above the Earth. Great is the LORD throughout the world. He is exalted above all others. We praise the great and awesome Name of God. We seek His holiness and healing. The LORD is our mighty King. We pray for His favor, help, and strength

People:                 As we draw nearer to the LORD, may He hear and bless our prayers. As we worship His ways, may He heal us by His love. O LORD our God, we ask that You will answer our prayers. Release us from our restless ways. Save us from sickness. Deliver us from distress and disease. Heal us, and all our loved ones, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Let us praise and worship our God in this holy sanctuary, for He is gracious and merciful, benevolent and compassionate. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 99)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, may we take our stand with Jesus, the King of all the Earth. May these scriptures help us to gather our thoughts together, so that we can focus on His teaching, His Truth, and His Life. In the Name of Jesus, our Lord and the Anointed One, 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 spoken to us through Your gospel. We have interpreted Your words and seek to apply Your ways in our daily lives. In response, we bring to You our gifts and tithes. We ask that You will bless these tokens of gratitude for the purpose, work,

 and ministry of Your Kingdom in this community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Benediction(unison):  May Christ enable us to give our lives to Him alone; may the Father keep us accountable for all that we seek to do in His Name; and may the Holy Spirit lead, guide, and counsel us each day, so that we may glorify God both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Easter 2 Sunday Worship Prayers - April 27

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               We have come into God’s House to praise and honor Him.

People:                 We will lift up our hearts and voices in the presence of the Lord.

Liturgist:               We are all God’s children, and so we gladly worship His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting Father, whose deeds have sustained our people throughout the generations, and whose ways across the centuries have enhanced our faith; we worship and adore You forever. Your purposes are never thwarted and Your plans are always fulfilled, therefore we look to You for favor and blessing, as well as mercy and grace.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we know that we are weak and human; our bodies are frail and our minds are constantly distracted. Forgive us when we allow our wants and desires to overcome our souls and cause damage to our spirits. Deliver us from deceitful and dishonorable deeds; pardon us for making poor choices and for resisting Your will for our lives.  Hear us now as we silently confess our sins.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Almighty God, refresh us with Your loving kindness; restore us through Your Holy Son. May Christ claim authority over our lives, by cleansing our souls and renewing our faith in You. We make our requests in Jesus' Name and with His own holy words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                   Our Lord Jesus placed Himself in harm's way and died upon a lonely Cross, so that we may be forgiven and restored to God's love. We deserve God's punishment for our mistakes, yet Christ shields us from God's wrath and brings us back into His Holy Presence and Everlasting Favor. Therefore, let us rejoice and glorify our Savior 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 come to the Lord with praise and thanksgiving, for He has done marvelous things. The Lord has made His salvation known to us and revealed His righteousness to all our people. May the Lord remember His love for us as we present our petitions; may His faithfulness grant us courage and hope. May we jubilantly proclaim God's healing amongst us; may we shout for joy when He answers our prayers.

People:                 O Lord, receive our prayers and reshape our lives. Take our sicknesses and reclaim our health by Your gracious love. Be near to us and all our loved ones. Heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Let our hearts resound in faith; let our hopes be realized through God's favor and blessing. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 98)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, may Christ speak to us through the words of this Gospel. May all that You inspired to be written about Jesus become holy and sacred, as well as meaningful and mighty in each of our lives today. In Jesus' Name, we ask. Amen

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, may we excel in faithfulness, as we give these gifts to build up the church. May we eagerly serve You with our time, talents, and tithes, as we contribute our resources, skills, and money to You this day. Bless these gifts and guide us to use them wisely for the life, work, and ministry of Your Kingdom here on Earth. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (unison):  May Christ write His loving ways across our hearts; may the Father teach us to worship reverently; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to always confess our faith in the One, Triune, and Eternal God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Holy Week services: Maundy Thursday and Easter prayers

Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday order of services and prayers can be found at the following links. Please feel free to use for your own churches, or to help you formulate and write your own. God bless you all…J

Maundy Thursday

http://beardofaaron.blogspot.com/2014/03/maundy-thursday-tenebrae-worship.html

Easter Sunday

http://beardofaaron.blogspot.com/2014/03/easter-sunday-worship-prayers-20-april.html

Celtic Prayer for Rain

Prayer for Springtime Rain

Lord of the Living Waters,

Whose precious portions of vitality
Sacramentally shower
The white wintered Earth,
Transforming the icy wilderness
Into verdant pasture;
Redeeming life
Through abundant rains,
Woven across the land
By vernal winds
And springtime blessings:

We seek Your fountains of grace

To replenish our fields,
To renew the cherished cycle,
To animate the sown seeds,
And to refresh our community
With promised waters
Bringing life, love, and harvest.

Grant Your goodness

From above
To pleasantly fall among us,
So that Your people
May weep no more
Of wasted lives
Or fear withered fruit;
But instead,
May we seasonally rejoice
In Your lavish richness,
And happily dance
In Your holy rain.

In Christ’s Name,

We passionately pray.
Amen.

© John Stuart 2014