Monday, December 14, 2015

Sunday Prayers for Advent 4C - December 20

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Advent 4 Reader: “As soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
All:    In the beginning was the Word—spoken and breathed, a promise made and kept. God’s promise is true! The Word was in the beginning, and through Him all things come into being.
Advent 4 Reader:     Eternal and near at hand, already and not-yet, God’s promise is the foundation of all life. Trust in God! Wait with faith, giving voice to Christ’s love for all.
~3 purple candles and pink Joy candle are lit~

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Eternal Lord of Life, we come before You as people seeking Your favor, and as servants devoted to Your Kingdom. We personally place our trust in You, for You are our rock and refuge, our shield and salvation, as  well as our gracious redeemer and loving guide.
People:                 Heavenly Father, we have wandered from Your ways and rebelled against Your righteousness. We have sometimes chosen to embrace our pride and greed, as well as living out our fallen ideals and selfish sins. We have placed our faith in our own strength and set aside Your truth. Forgive us for being faithless and foolish, unholy and unworthy. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Merciful God, we regret our past mistakes and humbly look to Jesus for our salvation. We turn away from our guilty sins and seek Christ to renew our lives. Help us to remain united with Him. In His Holy words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel
Guide:                  Christ was sent by our Heavenly Father to save the world from sin. He sacrificed Himself so that we may be given the opportunity of being forgiven and restored to God’s favor and grace. Without Jesus, we have no hope of avoiding the wrath of God. With Christ, we are spiritually purified and eternally pardoned, therefore we will rejoice in His power and Holy Name, 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.

Anthem

Minute for Mission

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

Encountering God


Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Eternal Lord, in the midst of this sanctuary, our souls yearn for Your Favor, and our hearts cry out for healing. Bless us, Living God, for we have set our hearts on You and trust You for recovery and strength.
People:                 Hear our prayers, O LORD God Almighty; listen to us, O God of Jacob. Look upon Your people, O God, gathered here in Your Name. Look upon us with mercy and compassion.
Pastor:                 For You, Heavenly Father, fill us with hope and help us through each day. Do not withhold Your power from us, and graciously heal our loved ones from their sickness and pain, anxiety and depression, illnesses and injuries. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Everlasting God, blessed are those who trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 84)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination
Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to be open to Christ’s teaching through the reading of these sacred scriptures. Heal us of the past and lead us now by His active presence in our lives. May we experience Christ being born in our spirits this day and forevermore. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, You are the Perfect One, so our lives are transformed by Your mercy and grace. In return, we pledge to You our souls and dedicate our time, talents and treasures to You alone. Take these gifts and bless them for Your work in the world, as well as Your ministry among us. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction(unison):  May Christ enable us to truly love our neighbors each day; may the Father help us to support one another with mercy and grace; and may the Holy Spirit lead us to fulfill God’s law through being servants of His Kingdom and disciples of Christ, both now and always. Amen.


Doxology & Postlude

No comments: