Prayers for Advent 3C - December 13

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Advent 3 Reader:             “Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all the Earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

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 3 Reader:     Eternal and near at hand, already and not-yet, God’s promise is the foundation of all life. Keep going! Persevere in joy, giving voice to God’s presence yet again.

~2 Purple candle and pink Joy candle are lit~

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Everlasting God, who sets the stars on their courses and sustains the entire universe, we praise and worship You from the depths of our hearts. We thank You for sharing Your wonders with us; we glorify You for granting us life, learning, and love.

People:                 Loving Lord, we seek Your peace and yearn for the blessings of Your favor. We know that we are not worthy of Your devotion, for we are weak and sinful creatures, subject to fear and full of sin. We have neglected to help other people and have declined opportunities to witness to Your Word. Forgive us for being fearful and timid servants. Hear us now as we personally confess our failings.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Gracious Father, keep us constant in our faith and committed to Your Holy Son Jesus. He alone has provided for our salvation; He alone has the authority to forgive our sins and restore us to Your Favor. In His Holy Name, we pray saying:  “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)”

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  By accepting Jesus as the Savior of our lives, we can be acquitted of our sins and accepted into God’s Kingdom. By being faithful to Christ alone, we are received into His Spirit and He remains within us at all times. Let us rejoice and be glad, for we are a forgiven and favored people, 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

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

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O Lord our God, do not be far from us or remain inactive when we pray to You for healing. In the midst of our troubles, calm our souls with Your presence and strengthen our hearts with Your promises.

People:                 Gracious Lord, when we are unsettled and fearful in our lives, be our shield and firm foundation. When we face distress or discomfort, as well as pain or sickness, be our Comforter and Savior. Heal us and all our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 O LORD our God, You alone are the Most High over all the Earth and have the power to answer and fulfill our prayers. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 83)

Singing of “Sanctuary”

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, hold us accountable for all that we do today. Let these sacred scriptures fill our hearts and minds, so that we can apply the challenges and lessons Christ grants to us. In the Name of Jesus, we humbly pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we freely give these gifts to enable us to support the life and work of our church. Empower us to do everything that You require of us in ministry and mission. Help us to prayerfully and cheerfully give of ourselves, as well as our assets to You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction(unison):  May Christ help us to love one another; may the Father enable us to care for one another; and may the Holy Spirit equip us to support and bless one another; in the Name of the One, Triune, and Living God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers for Advent 3 - Dec 14

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Lighting of Advent Candles

Herald:                 The Lord has done great things for us, so our hearts are filled with love.

People:                 May this sacred place be filled with gladness; may our lips sing out with joy.

Lighting of 3 candles (including Joy candle)

Herald:                 May Christ restore us to the One, Triune, and Living God. May we joyfully worship Him forever. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting God, who upholds the universe and sets the stars on their courses, we honor and bless You with our lips; we praise and worship You from our hearts. You know and see all things, therefore we thank You for sharing Your wonders with us and we glorify You for granting us a life filled with learning and love.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we seek Your peace and yearn for the blessings of Your favor. We know that we are not worthy of Your love for we are weak and sinful creatures, subject to fear and full of sin. We acknowledge our selfish and faithless ways. We have allowed greed to corrupt our hearts and pride to diminish our compassion. We have neglected to help other people and have declined opportunities to witness to Your Word. Forgive us for being fearful and timid servants. Hear us now as we personally confess our failings.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Lord, keep us steadfast in our faith and loyal to Your Holy Son Jesus. He alone has provided for our salvation. He alone has the authority to forgive our sins and restore us to Your Favor. We ask this in Jesus’ Name and through His own precious words, we unite our hearts together, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  By accepting Jesus into our lives, we are acquitted of our sins and accepted into God’s Kingdom. By being faithful to Christ alone, we are received into His Spirit and He remains within us at all times. Let us rejoice and be glad for we are a forgiven and favored people, 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 our God, do not keep Your distance or remain inactive when we pray to You for healing.

In the midst of our troubles, calm our souls and strengthen our hearts, O God. When things become chaotic and fearful in our lives, be our shield and firm foundation.

People:                 Lord, when we face disease and discomfort, pain and sickness, be our Comforter, Healer and Savior. When fears overcome our families and despair attacks our friends, bring them assurance, peace, and love. By Your Power, Lord, heal us and all our loved ones from all that harms the body, mind, heart, and spirit. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 O LORD our God, You alone are the Most High over all the Earth. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 83)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, call us to account for all that we do today. Let these sacred scriptures fill our hearts and minds, so that we can apply the challenges and lessons Christ gives to us this very day. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, through the giving of our tithes and offering, You enable us to fulfill the life, work, and ministry of our church. You know all that God requires us to do and You also know that we have been given all of the resources of time, talents, and money to fully support and enhance Your mission for this church. Help us to cheerfully give of ourselves and our assets to You. In Your Holy Name. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ help us to love one another; may the Father enable us to care for one another; and may the Holy Spirit equip us to support and bless one another; in the Name of the One, Triune, and Living God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Advent 3 Sunday Prayers - Dec 15

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship: Advent Three

Pastor:                 Isaiah 35:1-2                      The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.

Family:                  Joy is the theme of the Third Sunday in Advent. Joy refreshes our spirits in times of trouble and emptiness. Jesus Christ is the everlasting joy of our loving hearts. We look forward to that glorious day when He will return among us, so that the whole Earth may rejoice with Him forevermore.

Lighting of Three Advent Candles, which includes the Pink Joy candle.

Family:                  May the joy of Christ be present in our lives as we worship Him as our King.

All:                         Glory be to God on high! Amen.               Singing of “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”

Hymn   

               

Prayer of Confession and Adoration

Guide:                  Almighty Lord, whose power cannot be limited and whose will can never be diminished; we applaud Your majestic works of creation and praise Your deeds of deliverance throughout history.  You sustain the Universe through mercy and grace. You watch over our lives with great care and compassion. Who are we to receive such blessings? What are we that You should love us so perfectly?

People:                 Living God, the Earth belongs to You and everything in it. We joyfully seek to serve You all of our days, but sometimes we fail and make mistakes. We hurt other people with our foolish words and thoughtless deeds. We neglect the real needs of other people and cast aside our faith at times. Forgive our selfish ways and sinful choices. Help us to turn to Jesus for the mercy that we require, as well as for the grace that we do not deserve. Hear us now as we pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Father, thank You for sending Jesus into our world to give us the joyful opportunity of being restored to Your Favor and Kingdom. We praise You for His perfect obedience and sacred sacrifice which have brought us complete and eternal salvation. In His words, we now pray:  “Our Father….The Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus is the evening and morning star of our lives. He gives us purpose and meaning so that we can follow His ways and walk in his paths. When we are disobedient to God and sinfully selfish, He forgive our sins and helps us through His wisdom, teaching, and Spirit to change our lives and restore us to God. So let us truly rejoice and give thanks, for Jesus is our Savior and we are blessed through the riches of His grace and the wonders of His love. Amen.

Gloria Patri (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.

Children’s Sermon

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  We trust in You, O Lord, for You are good and we live to enjoy Your strength and salvation. We delight in You, and we pray that You will grant us the desires of our hearts.

People:                 We commit ourselves and our loved ones to You, O Lord, for we trust that You will help us and heal us from all harm. You brighten our lives with the promises of Your love. We pray that You will listen to our concerns and allay our fears through the power of faith.

Pastor:                  Let us be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for His grace. May our loved ones also await the Lord and abide in His way. May He bless them with hope, healing, and strength.          

               

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                  Salvation comes from the Lord, for He is our stronghold in time of trouble. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 37)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                                Holy Spirit, challenge us to change our lives through the scriptures we read today. Enable us to be worthy of Christ’s Name by applying the lessons we learn from the Bible. Grant us the gift of Your Spirit in our lives and enhance our understanding of God. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings                         

The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory     

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor)                   Lord Jesus, we feast from Your blessings and quench our spiritual thirst with Your teaching and truth. In response, we gather and present this offering, recognizing that there are ministries and missions which You have called upon our church to support, strengthen, and fulfill. May we glorify You through these gifts, as well as the giving of our lives. In Your Precious Name, we pray. Amen.

Hymn                                   

Benediction (unison):    May Christ keep us free from ignoring His wonders and ways in our lives. May the Father eliminate conceit in our hearts and replace it with compassion; and may the Holy Spirit deepen our faith and prepare us for the joyous time when all things will be reconciled to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology            

Postlude