Sunday Prayers - Lent 1 - Feb 22

Approaching God

Welcome & Church Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Everlasting God, we approach You with awe and reverence; we gather together in humility and service. Your Hands have formed our universe and Your Will sustains our lives. What are we that You are mindful of us? Who are we to receive Your compassion and care?

People:                 Gracious and Merciful Lord, nothing is hidden from Your gaze and no secrets can be kept from Your heart. We have frequently sinned and selfishly squandered our lives on greed, power, desire, and deceit. We have neglected our faith and spoken harsh words. We have by-passed people in need and put You to the back of our minds. We are guilty of many sins, so we seek Your grace and ask for mercy. Hear us now as we solemnly pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Father, we are unworthy to receive Your love and yet You have given us Your Son Jesus. He died for our mistakes. He took the punishment due for our sins and sacrificed Himself for all the wrong things that we have ever said and done. Without Jesus as our Savior, we remain unforgiven. Without Christ’s obedience, we are unrestored. Hear us now as we unite our hearts with His, through Christ’s own words, saying “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” – (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ knows all of our secrets and everything that goes on in our minds, hearts, and lives. Only He can fully offer us salvation. Only He can restore us to the One, True, and Living God. When we honestly believe in Him and sincerely confess our sins, He is willing to forgive us and bring us back to God. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus has pardoned our foolish ways and re-established our relationship with the LORD, both now and always. 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:                 Lord God, You have been our spiritual dwelling place and our physical healing source throughout all generations. Your existence sustains our lives and Your love strengthens our souls.

People:                 Have compassion upon us, O Lord, and heal all of our loved ones. Satisfy our prayers with Your unfailing love, so that we may praise and glorify You every day. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor: May the favor of the LORD rest upon us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, open our hearts to Christ’s teaching, and enable us to spread His message among the people that we know and love, through applying these sacred words in our everyday lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we witness to Your ministry through all that we do. Today, we gather this offering as a true token of our faith and loving response to Your sacred words. Take these gifts and bless them for Your continuing work and ways among us. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction(unison):  May Christ strengthen us with faith, hope, and love; may the Father look down upon us with compassion and care; and may the Holy Spirit inspire and lead us into the presence of the One, Triune, and Living God, where we shall live forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 6B - Feb 15

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Herald:                 We have come into God’s Holy House to worship and adore Him.

People:                 We cheerfully lift up our hearts and voices to the Lord our God.

Herald:                 Let us praise His sacred Name and give thanks for His eternal blessings. Amen. 

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting God, we respectfully come to You, seeking comfort and hope, as well as encouragement and renewal. We learn the ways of righteousness from You alone. Through Your sacred words and almighty works, we acknowledge and cherish Your divine authority over our lives.

People:                 Gracious Father, we confess that we have been sinful again this week. We personally know that we have allowed desire and deceit, as well as pride and prejudice, to tarnish our faith and damage our relationship with You. Forgive our foolish and selfish ways, as well as our failures and grave mistakes. Pardon our vanity and redeem us from our faithless ways and churlish words. Hear us now as we silently admit our sins to You.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving God, please restore us to Your Kingdom through the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant us Your favor and mercy through His obedience and sacrifice. For we make these confessional prayers in Christ’s Name, and through His own words, we cling to You saying  “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ grants us forgiveness through the giving of His own life. Christ claims mercy for us by making Himself our worthy and perfect sacrifice. He speaks to our spirits and we are promised eternal life. Let us praise and adore Him, for Christ is our Loving Lord and our Almighty Savior, both now and always. 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 meditate upon the LORD’s perfect and everlasting love. Let us prayerfully proclaim His faithfulness to every generation by declaring that His Word endures forever and that we will keep faith in all He accomplishes.

People:                 The LORD has made a covenant with us, promising to help us in times of trouble and distress. When we are weak, He will become our strength. When we have doubts, He will become our assurance. May He heal us and all our loved ones with His mighty power.  In all of creation, there is no other source of sustenance, health, holiness or salvation. May the Lord hear us now as we inwardly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD is awesome and mighty, above and beyond all that we can ever know. We are all safe in His hands and embraced in His arms. In Jesus’ Name, we faithfully pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 89)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, show us how to increase our faith through the events described in these sacred words. Enable us to apply Christ’s teaching from these passages in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, take these tithes and gifts, and bless them for Your holy work. May they be used to strengthen the weak, encourage the fearful, and comfort the lost. May we simultaneously dedicate our lives to the service of Your Kingdom in this world and the next. By the power of Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (unison):  May Christ nourish our souls with His love and grace; may the Father strengthen and protect us each day; and may the Holy Spirit enhance our faith so that we may truly serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 5B - Feb 8

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               May God’s everlasting love be shared with us; may we each know of His grace and salvation.

People:                 We will live together in His Kingdom; we will seek God's wisdom and teaching in His House.

Liturgist:               Let us lift up our hearts and voices as we praise the Lord, whom we worship forever. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, whose power sustains all that lives and exists, and whose promises remain unbroken, as well as undiminished across the centuries; we worship You with our hearts and serve You with our lives. Your ways are infinitely beyond our own, and Your works are gloriously displayed throughout the universe; therefore, we pledge our loyalty and allegiance to You alone.

People:                Gracious Father, there are moments when we pursue our sinful desires and selfishly make bad choices; there are also times when we cast aside Your holy words and choose to follow our own understanding. Forgive us for being unfaithful, ungrateful, and unworthy of Your grace. Pardon us for separating ourselves from You, and forgive us for allowing pride, as well as greed, to dictate our self-centered decisions. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving God, we look to You for our salvation through Your Son Jesus Christ. In Him, we find peace and pardon, faith and forgiveness, as well as restoration and redemption. We are thankful for His sacrifice and in His Holy Name, we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus shows mercy to us and restores us to God's kingdom forever. We rely upon His love and grace. We do not deserve these wonderful gifts, but we are truly thankful and eternally grateful for these blessings. With Christ, we are reunited to God's everlasting favor. To Him be the glory and power, forever and ever. 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, in all of our hearts we know that You are with us. In each of our lives, we experience Your love. Look upon us, O Lord, and grant our prayers. Have mercy upon us as we seek Your favor and compassion.

People:                 We turn to You for help to diminish our fears. We call on You for healing, and to release us from pain. When our strength is at its lowest, grant us Your power. When our health is weak and fragile, be our support and shield. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:                  May the Lord restore us physically and mentally, as well as emotionally and spiritually. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.                 (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 14)

Singing of 'Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, You have called us to be here today. You want us to receive Christ’s message, and to apply His teachings in our daily lives. Open our hearts and minds to all that God gives us through His sacred words. 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 called us to be Your followers, even though we are sometimes the least faithful among Your people. With this offering, we express our desire to re-dedicate our lives to You, and pledge our service to God’s Kingdom on Earth. Take our tithes and gifts, and use them for the continuing work of Your Church throughout the world. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (in unison):               May Christ make each of our lives a living testimony of faith; may the Father's love keep us focused on His ways; and may the Holy Spirit grant us wisdom and shower us with grace. To the glory and honor of the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.     

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 4B - February 01

Approaching God

Welcome & Church Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Herald:                 The LORD is our light and salvation – whom shall we fear?

People:                 The LORD is the stronghold of our lives – of whom shall we be afraid?

Herald:                 Let us worship and glorify our mighty and everlasting God!

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Eternal Father, we have come into Your Holy House where our spirits long for Your love and our souls yearn for Your peace. You have called us to be here, in this sacred place, so that we may praise Your Holy Name.

People:                 Merciful God, we try to be faithful and live good lives. We know that we make mistakes and disappoint others. We get distracted with our own lives and sometimes grow distant from You, Your Son, and His Church. Forgive us for being foolish, sinful, and selfish. Hear us now as we quietly confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Almighty Lord, by Your grace and in Your mercy, You have given us Your Son as the perfect sacrifice for our mistakes, misdeeds, and wrongdoing. In Jesus, we know the joy of salvation. In Christ, we cherish the power of forgiveness. Reverently, we unite our hearts and minds with our Savior, through the saying of His precious and prayerful words:  “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  We seek Jesus in our lives because only He can save us from our imperfect ways. He has ascended into Heaven where God has given Him the complete authority to truly judge our lives. When we sincerely call upon His Name for mercy, He graciously forgives our sins. So let us rejoice, for Jesus our Savior reigns, 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:                 O LORD, You are the God who saves us, therefore we cry out before You, for we are in need of Your help. May our prayers come before You; may You listen to all that we ask.

People:                 Some of us are deeply troubled and are afflicted with worry, anxieties, and concerns. When we have no strength, O LORD, empower us to overcome our weaknesses; when our spirits are low, O God, comfort us in our despair.

Pastor:                  Merciful God, we pray for our families, friends, and loved ones. Remember them and restore them. Help them and heal them. May Your presence bring them peace. May Your love liberate them from all that harms them in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we personally pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 To You alone, O Lord, we pray for help. Trusting in You above all else, we make these heartfelt requests. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                          (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 88)

Unison singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, command our attention and cause us to inwardly receive these sacred scriptures. Teach us Christ’s ways and enable us to share this holy time of faith together, in honorable and worshipful ways. 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, speak to us in loving ways. Encourage us to give You faithfully and cheerfully. Take our resources and gifts, as well as our offering and tithes. Bless them for Your ministry in this church and throughout our community. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Hymn:

Benediction (unison):    May Christ accept us in our weakness, in order to make us strong; may the Father encourage and inspire us each day; and may the Holy Spirit keep us glorifying and worshipping the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 3B - January 25

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to worship

Pastor:                 Let us trust in the LORD without wavering;

People:                 For His love is ever before us and we walk in His truth.

Pastor:                  In this holy assembly of God’s people, let us rejoice and praise the LORD! Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Lord and Sacred Creator, we delight in Your ways and freely give ourselves to Your Kingdom. In this holy place of purpose and prayer, we wait for You; at this precious time of peace and praise, we seek Your blessing.

People:                 Eternal Father, Your Name is renowned throughout the universe and Your power is revered across this planet, and yet we still foolishly sin, and selfishly err. Forgive our corrupt and careless ways; pardon our mistakes and misdeeds; have mercy upon us when we fall into temptation and succumb to evil. Hear us now as we silently confess our faults to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Immortal God, let Jesus become the desire of our hearts so that our choices and decisions may honor Him. Without His grace, we are godless; without His sacrifice, our lives are squandered. We thank You for sending Jesus into our world, therefore we unite ourselves as one family of faith in prayer, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Merciful Healer, and Prince of our Peace. He restores us to God’s favor and we are made ready for His continuing ministry and mission. Let us rejoice and be glad, for on this day and at this time, all our sins are forgiven and we are reunited to God, 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:                 O Lord, You are the foundation of our lives, so we pray to You for love and favor. Enter our hearts and minds; come into our spirits and souls; heal us of all that harms us.

People:                 We have heard glorious things spoken of You, Holy God. Grant us Your goodness and grace. Let Your healing ways overcome their weakness; let Your perfect peace vanquish their pain. Hear us now as we personally and sincerely pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 We will rejoice in the greatness of the Lord; may His blessings restore our hopes and refresh our weary souls. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                    (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 87)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to see the work of God in our lives. Through these sacred scriptures, open our hearts and minds to Christ’s teaching. Challenge us by the things He says; change us through the things that Jesus does.  In His Holy Name, we read and pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we have followed Your way of love and we eagerly await Your blessing. You have showered us with spiritual gifts and helped us to find meaning, purpose, and hope in our lives. Take these gifts and bless them for the continuing work of Your ministry in this church, throughout this community, and across our country, as well as in the wider world. In Your Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ clothe us with His compassion and love; may the Father free us from temptation and despair; and may the Holy Spirit keep us focused on the wisdom, words, and ways of the One, Triune & Living God, now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 2B - January 18

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Herald:                 We believe in One God, the Father Almighty.

People:                 He is the Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

Herald:                 Let us worship and glorify God together. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  God of God and Light of Light, before all the worlds began, You existed. Before Time came into being, You endured. Your wonders of creation astound us. Your ways throughout the cosmos amaze us. We are pleased to come into Your presence. We are glad that You have called us to be here.

People:                 Lord of Life, by whom all things were made, and whose only Son came down from heaven for our salvation, we praise and adore You above all else in our lives. We praise You for our Lord Jesus, who came into our world by the incarnate power of the Holy Spirit and the humble assent of the Virgin Mary. We also confess to You that we are human and sinful, weak and faithless, as well as proud and selfish.

Guide:                  Christ of our hearts, our sins led to Your suffering, and our constant mistakes caused You to be crucified under Pontius Pilate. You died the death that we deserve. We condemned and buried You with our unfaithful ways and careless misdeeds. Hear us now as we solemnly confess our faults and ask forgiveness from You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Almighty Father, we praise You for Jesus, for His obedience, sacrifice, and resurrection. On the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, then He ascended into heaven and now sits by Your right hand. We await His glorious return and thank You for His love and grace. We conclude our confessions and prayers in the words of the One who will judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end, saying,  “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus was sent into the world for our salvation. He brought the good news of the gospel to us and sealed its truth with His blood. We are blessed by His wounds and restored to God’s favor through His unique power and divine authority. In Christ’s Name, we pray. 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:                 We believe in You, O Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life. You proceed from the Father and the Son, therefore we will worship and glorify You forever.

People:                 Long ago, You spoke by the prophets; today, we pray, You will speak to our hearts. Heal us and all our loved ones of all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit.

Leader:                 Your compassion is universal; Your power is conveyed through the prayers of the Church. Hear us, O Lord, and grant us Your favor as we silently make known our petitions to You.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 We acknowledge the One, Triune, and Living God and are grateful for the blessings of His Son, Jesus Christ, in our lives. Amen.

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’                

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, as part of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, we are inspired by the sacred scriptures and seek to apply them every day. Open our hearts and minds to the message, meaning, and teaching of today’s scriptural passages, so that we may enhance our faith and strengthen our confidence in the Lord. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and Apostle’s Creed.

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, our souls are saved by Your sacrifice and our sins are forgiven through Your grace. You have blessed us with Your love and restored us by Your mercy. In return, we offer You these gifts, asking that You will enable us to use them wisely for the life, work and ministry of our church and all its people.  In Your Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May we turn to Christ, our Risen Lord, for faith, hope, and love; may we honor the Father who grants us resurrection from the dead; and may we rejoice with the Holy Spirit in the life of the world to come, one God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude