Sunday prayers - Ordinary 21B - August 23

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  We have gathered in God’s House to glorify and praise His Holy Name.

People:                 May our songs of worship and heartfelt praises be acceptable to the Lord.

Pastor:                  Let us open our souls to the Holy Spirit’s bidding, as well as the blessings of Jesus. Amen.

Hymn

               

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Lord, whose holiness and perfection are beyond our understanding, whose power and majesty are infinitely above all that we can ever accomplish; we humbly gather in Your Sacred Presence, seeking Your Salvation, as well as the assurance of Your Grace.

People:                 Gracious Father, speak to our hearts and direct our ways. When we take You for granted by doing our own things, which lead to bad decisions and sinful choices, please forgive and cleanse us. Reclaim us as Your people and restore us to Your Kingdom, through Your Son Jesus Christ, to whom we personally pray and silently ask for pardon.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Heavenly Lord, we thank You for the complete forgiveness of our past mistakes and personal sins. We praise You for sending Jesus into the human realm, so that we can be eternally restored to Your Divine Favor. In the Name of our Savior, we make these prayers and unite our hearts with His Spirit, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is the Merciful Lamb of God, whose perfect obedience and holy life fulfilled God’s great plan of salvation. Through Christ, our sins are forgiven and our spirits are renewed, so let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus, our Messiah, reigns! Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung)

Anthem

Children’s Sermon

Praise Song

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  The Earth belongs to God, and all that it contains. He made our world and established it solely by His power. We are always in His Holy presence, so we seek the blessing of God’s peace in this sacred place. May He hear our prayers and heal our lives.

People:                 O Lord, our God, may we and our loved ones be touched by Your healing power. May we know of Your strength, compassion, and grace. May we be restored to health by Your love, mercy, and peace. Hear us now, Lord, as we personally pray.

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

Pastor:                  The Lord is strong and mighty. He is the King of Glory and the Healer of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, we ask these blessings. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words from Psalm 24)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                                Holy Spirit, may our hearts be gladdened as we read and receive God’s holy words. Enable us to live in hope and apply the life lessons of these sacred scriptures. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         

The Message & Apostles Creed.

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor):                  Lord Jesus, are grateful for Your love, so we bring forward these gifts from our resources and humbly place them before Your Holy Throne. Bless these tokens for the work of Your church here on Earth. Help us to use them for the proclamation of Your Word, the advancing of Your Kingdom, and the glorifying of Your Name. Amen.

Hymn                   

Benediction (unison):    May Jesus speak to our spirits and lead us day by day; may the Father strengthen our faith and send us out into the world to do His bidding; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to help, serve, and encourage the people we encounter, each and every day. To the glory of the One, Triune, and Living God, forevermore. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Celtic Wedding Prayer - Celtic Pairing by John Stuart

Celtic Pairing

May these two, who stand before us,

With their hopes and all their dreams,

Be forever blessed and joyful,

All throughout their life and times.

May they always know the heart source

Of the love they share today;

May they always be enfolded

In each other’s arms, we pray.

May their home be filled with laughter,

And their place, a house for friends.

May their wishes be completed,

And their dreams forever blend.

May they always be delighted

In each other’s gift of love,

May they always walk together

In the blessedness of God.

At the dawning of their marriage,

May their precious vows be true.

As they journey on together,

May they gain more peace and joy.

In the gloaming of their pairing,

May their hearts remain as one,

May their end be a beginning

In the Kingdom yet to come.

Amen.

(c) 2015 John Stuart

Celtic Prayers - The Weaver's Hand

The Weaver’s Hand

Where rivers run and pastures grow,

Where Sky meets Earth, with Sea between;

Where sparkling stars dance with the moon,

There will I find the Maker’s Pattern,

There will I see the Weaver’s Hand.

Where mountain rise and valleys yield,

Where trees abound and flowers grow;

Where geese fly high and fish swim deep,

There will I find the Maker’s Pattern,

There will I see the Weaver’s Hand.

Where lightning flashes and thunder roars,

Where silver rain and white snow falls,

Where grey clouds gather and green waves crash,

There will I find the Maker’s Pattern,

There will I see the Weaver’s Hand.

Where galaxies gleam and stars collide,

Where planets whirl and comets rush;

Where gas clouds appear and black holes hide,

There will I find the Maker’s Pattern,

There will I see the Weaver’s Hand.

Where plankton floats and microbes dwell,

Where new cells grow and atoms spin;

Where electrons charge and neutrons emerge,

There will I find the Maker’s Pattern,

There will I see the Weaver’s Hand.

Wherever I go and whatever I do,

However I live and whenever I die;

What lies in the past and what lies ahead,

There will I find the Maker’s Pattern,

There will I clasp the Weaver’s Hand.

© John Stuart 2015

Celtic Prayers - Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer

Maker of Majestic Light,

Dawn Bringer,

And Daylight Sender,

Shine upon my soul.

You have sustained me

Through the watch fires

And deep darkness of the night.

I am truly thankful

For Your attentive love,

And ever grateful

For the rays of brightness,

Which newly display

The sky path

Of Your Morning Star.

May You be watchful over me

Throughout this day.

May Your Wisdom counsel me,

Your Strength sustain me,

Your Holiness heal me,

And Your Light lead me,

Till the gloaming comes

And darkness descends once more.

In the Name

Of the Light of the World,

And Son King of my soul.

Amen.

© John Stuart 2015

Celtic Prayers: Celtic Confession

Celtic Confession

O Loving Heart of Heaven,

To Whom all Nature sings,

Hear this heartfelt prayer

From a simple servant,

Who longs to please You

With devoted words,

And delight You

With dedicated deeds.

As the geese fly high

Above the grey clouds,

So may the prayers

Of this Celtic Child

Go beyond this earthly sphere,

Into the eternal realms

Of Your Glorious Kingdom.

May the Son of God,

Who is the Sovereign

Of my human heart,

And Sacred Savior

Of my wayward soul,

Intercede on my behalf.

May His gracious words

Speak of His ownership

Of me, a humble servant.

May His majestic mercy

Restore my spirit

To Your divine favor

And everlasting love.

In Christ’s Holy

And most Sacred Name,

I humbly pray.

Amen.

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 20B - August 16

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  The Lord has brought us to His Holy House to worship and glorify His Name.

People:                 We are the servants of God, seeking His Love and looking for His favor.

Pastor:                  May our songs of praise and heartfelt prayers be acceptable to You, O Lord our God. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Eternal Lord of Heaven and Earth, whose power strengthens our spirits and whose love sustains our lives; we come before You as humble servants and devoted disciples. Your sacred promises have always been fulfilled. You have allowed us to abide in Your Presence, so we now seek refuge in Your sacred sanctuary.

People:                 Merciful God, we have often taken You for granted. We have out our own wants and desires above Your will and direction. We have selfishly made foolish choices, which often oppose Your perfect counsel. Pardon us for being uncaring, unfaithful, and unholy. Hear us now as we silently seek Your forgiveness for all our sins and fallen ways.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Gracious Father, we seek salvation from Your Holy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. By His supreme sacrifice, our mistakes are pardoned and our sins are absolved. Through His Grace, we are restored to Your favor and set free from our past sins. In His holy words, we gratefully pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  We are called to worship Jesus and broadcast His Name to the world, for He alone has the power on Earth to grant us God’s everlasting peace. He is the High Priest of our hearts and the sacred Savior of our souls. So let us rejoice and express our faith in the praising and glorifying of His Name 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.

Anthem

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

Praise Song

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Let us exalt the Lord in this place of holiness and healing. Great are the works of God, therefore we will recall His words and delight in them. His deeds are glorious and majestic; His righteousness endures forever. We remember God’s wonderful ways, for the LORD is both gracious and compassionate.

People:                May God provide strength and sustenance for those who need Him. May He hear the prayers of our people for health, hope, and healing. May the Lord display the power of His works to us and our loved ones. May He set us free from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now, Gracious God, as we silently pray.

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

Pastor: The works of God’s hands are faithful and just; we will trust all of His merciful ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.  (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 111)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, You know each of us by name and You call us into Christ’s service. Let His words and teaching challenge our lives, so that we may honor and glorify His Sacred Name. Amen.                                 

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, You speak to us each day of our lives and grant us many blessings. From the fruits of our labors and the bounty of our resources, we place our tithes and offerings before You. Take these gifts and consecrate them for the ministries that You want to accomplish through our church, in this community, and across the world. In Your Holy Name, we give our lives and seek Your blessing. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction(unison):  May Christ be all the strength that we need each day; may the Father support us in times of weakness and failure; and may the Holy Spirit teach us to delight in the Lord by pleasing the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 19B - August 9

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  Let us approach our Creator with words of love and songs of praise.

People:                 We will bless the Lord from our hearts; we will give our lives to Him.

Pastor:                  May our worship be honorable and acceptable to our God. In Christ’s Name. Amen.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, whose holiness sustains the universe and whose sacred words enrich our lives, we humbly gather before You as servants seeking to honor You, and as sinners needing salvation. Your ways are beyond our imagining and Your amazing works have been glorified for centuries, therefore, we humbly approach Your throne of grace, looking for mercy, favor, and love.

People:                 Heavenly Father, we have built barriers of pride and prejudice, as well as faithlessness and fear around our souls. We have damaged our spirits by our greedy ways; we have diminished our faith by our selfish sins. Pardon our guilt and forgive our sinful choices. Hear us now as we silently confess and pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving Lord, Your forgiveness restores us to Your divine favor and godly grace. The blood of our Savior Jesus Christ has atoned for our guilt. Without His sacrifice, we would have no salvation. Without His perfect obedience, we would have no everlasting hope. Thankfully, in Christ’s words, we unite our hearts, saying,

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

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus lived among us to show the reality of God's love. His goodness and grace established in the hearts and minds of many people a new faith, a new understanding, and a new hope. We have received His blessings and are now called to be His disciples. He forgives all of our faults and releases us from the wrath of God. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our Savior and we are eternally restored to God's everlasting favor. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung-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:                 O Lord, come among us and let Your Spirit abide in our presence. Extend Your healing power and favor upon us as we pray. In the midst of all that troubles us, be our strength. Throughout our times of worry and fear, be our peace. Become our constant hope and the solid foundation of our faith, as we present our prayers for healing to You alone.

People:                Gracious Lord, hold us in Your precious hand. Heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Let Your sovereign and sacred power touch all our loved ones in the midst of their pain, sickness, and distress. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:                 Loving God, refresh our spirits with Your strength that can heal us. Lift up our hearts, so that we may praise You alone. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 110)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, sow seeds of salvation within our hearts and minds. Let the scriptures enrich our lives so that we may serve Christ all of our days. In Jesus' Name, we humbly ask. Amen.                                

Scripture readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, across the centuries You have spoken to our people in the language of hope, faith, and love. Today, we willingly give of ourselves and our resources to continue Your sacred work on Earth. Bless these tithes and offerings. May they be used for the praising of God and the glorifying of His kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ diminish our doubts by enhancing our faith each day; may the Father sustain us by supplying our daily needs; and may the Holy Spirit keep us from sin through divine guidance and perfect counsel; to the glory of the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude