Monday, September 8, 2014

Sunday Prayers for September 14 - Ordinary 24A, Proper 18A, Pentecost 14

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude
Gathering Song

Call to Worship
Herald:                 O Lord, how amazing are Your works and how wonderful is Your Name!
People:                 Who are we, and why are You so mindful of us? What are we, that causes You to care for us?
Herald:                 Let us join with God’s people across the world to worship and glorify Him this day. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Eternal Creator, whose Universe displays Your almighty power, we come before You as seekers looking for Your favor, and as servants awaiting Your wonderful presence. We call upon You to fill our lives with Your blessings, bounty, and beauty. Your words sustain and guide us; Your mercies pacify and relieve us; Your love strengthens and nurtures us.

People:                 Almighty God, forgive us for letting our faith diminish in times of trouble and fear. Pardon us for being prideful people and selfish sinners. When we neglect to help others or ignore opportunities to support their needs, have mercy upon us; challenge us and change our ways. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Gracious Lord, only Jesus can restore us to Your joy and make our lives complete. When we have selfishly yielded to temptation and succumbed to sin, only Christ can redeem and return us to Your blessing and favor. In Christ's Name, we make our confessions and continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide:                  Christ's teaching came directly from God and His words of forgiveness can be applied to all who seek His mercy and believe in the power of His Name. Therefore, let us be glad and rejoice, for Jesus is the Restorer of our souls and the Savior of our lives, 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 The Lord knows who we are and loves us completely. God blesses all who revere and glorify His Holy Name. May He increase our strength and that of all our loved ones. May we each experience the blessings of encouragement, renewal, and healing from the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
People:                Everything belongs to You, O LORD; our lives, our loved ones, and our church are in Your hands. Please heal us and all of our loved ones from everything 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:                 We will praise and bless the One, Triune, and Living God, whose compassion conquers our fears and whose faithfulness cares for our concerns. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 115)

Unison singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, help us to hear and receive all that Christ is communicating to each one of us through these sacred words. Challenge our opinions and ideas; change our wayward lives and selfish ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.                                 

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, You have come among us, calming the worries of our hearts and giving peace to our anxious minds. We place these offerings and tithes before You, as symbols of our service and tokens of thanksgiving for the truth that You still proclaim. Take our lives and sanctify them to serve, honor, and worship You each and every day of our lives. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray.  Amen. 

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):  May Christ grant us faith and endurance for all that we face this week; may the Father bless us with encouragement as we seek to fulfill His purposes; and may the Holy Spirit bestow unity, harmony, and peace upon us as we worship, witness, and work this week to the glory of the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always.  Amen.


Doxology & Postlude

No comments: