Sunday Prayers for Ordinary 17B - July 26

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Lift up your hearts, all you people; shout to God with cries of joy.

People:                 How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the Earth.

Pastor:                 Let us sing praises to God and rejoice; let us worship our Sovereign forevermore! Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                 All Powerful LORD, as we come into Your Holy Presence, we humbly know that You are beyond all that we can ever imagine, as well as beyond all that we can ever experience on Earth. Your Kingdom is limitless and Your Sovereignty over the universe is absolute, complete, and perfect.

People:                 Heavenly Father, we recognize that we are sinful creatures who often fall into temptation, allowing ourselves to be consumed by our ambitions, longings, and greed. We diminish our faith by feeding our desires; we allow hate and bitterness, as well as ignorance and pride to blemish our souls and invalidate our Christian beliefs. Forgive us and pardon us, redeem us and restore us to Your favor, O God. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving God, by the blood of Your Son, You spare us from eternal punishment and everlasting wrath. By His wounds, we are cleansed. By His grace, we are forgiven. We thank You for Jesus, who is our Healer, Savior, and Restorer of our souls. In His Name, we make these prayers and unite our spirits with Him, through the saying of His Holy words,   “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus spent His life on Earth fulfilling God’s purpose of salvation. He sacrificed Himself for us, so that we may be totally forgiven by God and eternally restored to His favor. Therefore, let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ our Savior has cleansed our sinful souls, 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.

Anthem

Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)

Praise Song

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Our hearts are devoted to You, O God; we will rejoice and exalt You with our praises. Our spirits are lifted up by Your love, so our prayers reflect our faith in You alone.

People:                 We will bless You, O LORD, among our people. We look to You for health and healing. Your grace sustains every day; Your faithfulness casts away our fears. Your goodness and glory are known throughout the Earth, therefore we pray for tenderness and mercy, for health and strength, and for peace and salvation.

Pastor:                 Strengthen us and help all our loved ones. Deliver us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now, Precious Lord, as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:                 God speaks to our hearts in this holy place of prayer. His love and grace always endures. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.                 (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 108)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, bring Christ's words to us and let them strengthen our souls. Share His teaching, compassion and grace among us so that we may enhance our faith by applying these scriptures to our daily deeds and everyday lives. In Jesus' Name, we humbly ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, You ask each of us to live responsible and faithful lives. You teach us many positive and life-affirming lessons. In gratitude, we gather our tithes and offerings, placing them before You, asking that You may bless them for Your continuing ministry in this church and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and thankfully pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction:      May Christ protect us from all that can harm our spirits; may the Father nourish our souls with His goodness and grace; and may the Holy Spirit keep us focused on glorifying and serving the One, Triune, and Living God. Forever and ever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude