Sunday Worship Prayers - Easter 6C - May 05

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Loving God, we freely gather to worship You this day. Bless our prayers and praises.

All:                         You are the One, True, and Living God. May our songs of faith and words of worship honor and glorify Your sacred Name.

Youth:                   May our hearts be cheered and our spirits be uplifted. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                               

Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, whose power upholds the Universe and whose Kingdom never ends, we humbly approach You as servants and children of Your grace, as seekers and followers of Your ways.

People:                 Merciful Father, sometimes we neglect our faithful commitment to You. We omit to support the needs of other people. We forget to set aside time to worship You each day. We follow our own selfish impulses and to choose to fulfill our sinful desires. Be patient with us and pardon us for the mistakes that we make, the faults that we have, and the sins we commit. Hear us now as we silently make our confessions.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Compassionate Lord, You graciously allow us to seek forgiveness from Jesus Christ, Your Holy Son. His mercy endures forever through His sacrificial obedience to You, making us thankful for His grace. In Christ's Name, we pray and with His own precious words, we unite our hearts saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ is our shelter from sin and we abide in His mercy. He deletes our past mistakes and opens our lives to the love of God. He calls us by name, so that we may celebrate, feast, and rejoice in His goodness, grace, and glory. So let us be truly glad and worship our Savior 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 The LORD reigns over all the nations. He sits enthroned above the Earth. Great is the LORD throughout the world. He is exalted above all others. Let us praise the great and sacred Name of God. We seek His holiness and healing. The LORD is our mighty King. We pray for His favor, help, and strength

People:                 As we praise the LORD, may He hear and bless our prayers. As we worship His ways, may He heal us by His love. O LORD our God, we ask that You will answer our heart-felt requests. Release us from our restless ways. Save us from sickness. Deliver us from distress and disease. Heal us and all our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Let us praise and worship our God in this holy sanctuary, for He is gracious and merciful, benevolent and compassionate. In Jesus' Name, we ask. Amen.                (Healing Prayer based on words and phrases from Psalm 99)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, may we take our stand with Jesus, the King of all the Earth. May these scriptures help us to gather our thoughts together, so that we can focus on His Teaching, His Truth, and His Life. In the Name of Jesus, our Lord and Anointed One, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering and Offertory

Dedication: (unison – led by pastor):     Lord Jesus, You have spoken to us through Your gospel. We have interpreted Your words and seek to apply Your ways in our daily lives. In response to Your love, we bring You our gifts and tithes. We humbly ask that You will bless these tokens of gratitude for the purposes, works and ministries of Your Kingdom in this community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Benediction(unison):     May Christ enable us to give our lives to Him alone; may the Father keep us accountable for all that we seek to do in His Name; and may the Holy Spirit lead, guide, and counsel us each day, so that we may glorify God both now and always. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers Easter 7 - May 20

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:              Our souls long for Your salvation, O Lord, and we have put our hope in Your word.

People:           All Your commands are trustworthy, O God; help us in the midst of all that troubles us.

Youth:              Preserve our lives according to Your love; we will obey the statutes of Your mouth, by praising and glorifying Your Name forever.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Almighty God, Sovereign of the Universe, and King of all Creation, we humbly approach Your sacred presence and respectfully seek to please You with our praise. We gather in Your holy house to greet You with gladness and to worship You with our hearts and voices.

People:           Gracious Father, we confess to failing our faith and casually serving You. We admit to countering Your commands and waiving aside Your words. We fear  Your wrath and are shamed by Your rebuke; forgive us for being proud and foolish, as well as bitter and neglectful. Hear us now as we confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Father God, only Jesus can save us from ourselves. Only He can restore us to Your favor and love. In Him, we place our lives and through Him, we seek Your peace. Christ shields us from Your consuming wrath and returns us to Your Kingdom. In His holy words, we continue to pray, saying:  "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:              Christ reveals to us both the glory and the grace of God. He brings us into the presence of God and reclaims our spirits as His forevermore. Let us rejoice and be truly thankful, for Jesus Christ is our Everlasting Savior and Almighty King. 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:             Heal us, O LORD, and enable us to lead faithful lives; help us to trust in You without wavering. Look kindly upon us, LORD; pacify our troubled hearts and ease our anxious minds.

People:           For Your love is always with us; we gain strength from Your Saving Power and Eternal Truth. Heal us from all that harms us so that we may proclaim aloud your praise and tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Pastor:             May we experience Your Holy Presence in this house of prayer. May our loved ones know of Your healing Love at this time in their precious lives. Be near to our families and friends, Gracious Lord. Strengthen their souls, release them from pain, and restore them to health, hope, and happiness. Hear us now, as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:             May we lead faithful lives and be grateful for the mercy and compassion of the One, True and Living God. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 26)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, forgive us for disrespecting and misquoting the sacred words of God. Teach us Christ’s ways and let Him rule over our lives, so that we may be judged by His mercy and grace. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by the pastor)

Lord Jesus, we are made alive in You forever. You have blessed us with complete forgiveness and granted us God’s everlasting grace. With thankful hearts, we gather before You our tithes and gifts. We pray that You will bless them for the mission of hope, help, and healing that You brought into world, and will continue to express them through the life, work, and ministry of Your Church on Earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Christ remain the Lord of our lives; may the Father’s joy work great blessings within us; and may the Holy Spirit keep us firm in our faith as we serve and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.

Doxology         May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayer - 6th Sunday in Easter - Easter 6A - May 29

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                         Everlasting God, whose kingdom is above all the nations, and whose dominion extends throughout all of creation, we come to worship Your ways and praise Your sacred Name.

Your words are always fulfilled and Your ways can never be stopped. We approach You humbly and reverently, seeking to please You with our songs, and to petition You with our heartfelt prayers.

People:                       Gracious Lord, we are constantly attacked by temptation and besieged by sin; we are continually fighting against faithless ways and selfish choices. In the midst of all our restless and wrongful ways, forgive us for failing You, for neglecting others' needs, and for imposing our sinful demands on those around us.  Hear us now as we make our sincere confessions.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Compassionate Lord, You have given us Your Son Jesus to save us from our mistakes, wrongdoing, and faults. He alone can cleanse us of the past. He alone can shield us from Your wrath. In Christ, we place our lives and souls, seeking mercy and absolution, forgiveness and restoration. In His Name, we pray, saying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus personally touched the lives of many and made them better people. His words were full of healing and holiness, challenge and change. We have come to Him with our confessions and He has received our prayers. Let us give thanks and rejoice, for Christ is our everlasting Savior and Merciful King. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung): 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:             We cry to the Lord in the midst of our troubles; we come to Him with our worries and fears. The Lord listens to our voices and is attentive to our prayers for health and strength, peace and healing.

People:                        If God judged and punished us for our sins, we could not come to Him with our anxieties and cares. In Him, we find forgiveness and compassion, grace and love. He is the source of our strength and the center of our existence.

Pastor:             We wait for the Lord to be merciful. We call upon His Holy name and seek salvation through Him alone. We place our hopes for healing in Him; we place our family and friends into His unfailing love. May we each be healed of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul.

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

Pastor:             God Himself will answer our prayers and set us free from all our fears. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 130)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’.

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader:            Holy Spirit, guide us by the power of these sacred words and help us to apply Christ's teaching in our lives. Enable us to grasp the meaning of today's message and to seek effective ways with which to practice its importance. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):

Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for all that You have done on our behalf and for granting us salvation. We place before You our tithes and offerings, asking that You bless them for the edifying of Your church, the enhancement of faith in our community, and the sharing of the Gospel throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):                        May we remain in Christ and continue to honor Him each day; may the Father captivate our hearts and minds, so that we may serve Him with our gifts and talents; and may the Holy Spirit keep us true to our faith in the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology        Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayer - Easter 6 - 6th Sunday in Easter - May 09

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song & Prelude

First Hymn:

Prayers of Confession

Guide: All Knowing God and Almighty Creator, who sees everything across the Universe and who knows all that happens on the Earth, we gather at Your command and congregate to do Your bidding. Loving Father, You shield Your people from everlasting despair and give guidance to our daily lives, therefore we worship Your Ways and cherish Your Counsel.

People:            Heavenly Lord, we are in awe of Your perfection and humbled by our mistakes. We are fully aware of Your Holiness and constantly mindful of our sinfulness. When we lose control of our lives and damage our faith; when we ignore Your advice and turn away from Your commands, forgive our stupidity; pardon our foolishness; and have mercy over our selfish choices and sinful ways. Hear us now as we sincerely confess our faults to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Lord God, we are dust in Your eyes and do not deserve Your forgiveness. We are unworthy of Your Son's sacrifice, which blesses us through His precious blood. We praise You for sending Jesus to save us. In His Name, we make these prayers and unite our spirits to Him, through His own words, saying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus came to persuade us to turn to God, to repent of our sins, and to ask for mercy. We have followed His guidance and sought His forgiveness. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our Savior, Restorer and King, both now and forevermore. 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: We look to the LORD to strengthen our spirits; otherwise our efforts would be in vain. We seek the LORD to watch over our lives; otherwise our hopes may be unfulfilled.

People:                        When we are wearied through worry and exhausted by anxiety, may God grant us peace and rest. May God grant us good health and give us the blessing of strength for each day.

Pastor:              O LORD, we gather the prayers of our hearts and bring before You the petitions of our souls. Heal us, and all our loved ones, from all that harms us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Hear us now as we silently pray,

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

Pastor:  May the LORD accept our prayers and grant us healing. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 127)

The Message: Part #1

Singing of “Jesus, Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader:            Holy Spirit, guard our spirits through the power of the Gospel. Keep us closely connected to Jesus through His words and actions. Teach us His truths and empower us with His Strength. In Christ's Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message: Part #2   & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):

Lord Jesus, our spirits constantly pray to You and seek Your favor. Before You, we gather our tithes and offerings, as pledges of our faith and tokens of our gratitude to You alone. Bless them for the continuing work of the Gospel, the preaching of Your word, and the expanding of God's kingdom through this community, country and world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May Christ continue to claim our lives for His ministry; may the Father keep us grateful for His blessings; and may the Holy Spirit strengthen the Sacred Church of the One, Triune and Everlasting God, now and always. Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow & Postlude

Sunday prayers - 6th Sunday of Easter - Easter 6 - May 17

Approaching God

 

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude, Gathering & Introit

 

Acclamation (based on words from Psalm 88)

 

Leader:           O LORD, the God who saves us, we call upon You and praise Your Almighty Name.

People:            May our prayers and praises come before You. May You delight in all that we sing and say.

Leader:           We will worship and glorify God. Let us wait upon His presence and honor His power.

 

First Hymn:

 

Prayers of Confession

 

Guide: Almighty Father, whose sacred Word brought this universe into being, and whose divine Will sustains all life, we approach You as humble servants and children, as disciples and followers of Christ.

People: Everlasting God, whose ways are never thwarted, and whose works signify Your immortal greatness, we applaud Your plan of salvation, we exalt You above all others.

Guide: Gracious Father, before we knew You, we were enemies of Your kingdom, and rebelled against Your Son. We have been reckless with our faith, and wasteful with our lives. We constantly surrender to temptation and give way to our fears.

People: Merciful Lord, save us from our sinful and selfish ways. Keep us from damaging our souls and contaminating our spirits. Help us to ask for forgiveness and to seek Your grace. Hear us now as we silently confess to You.

 

- Silent Confessions -

 

Guide: Heavenly Father, without Jesus as our Savior, we would be cast away from your loving presence forever. Without His sacrifice, we would have no opportunity to be forgiven nor restored to Your everlasting kingdom.

People: Thank You for giving Jesus to us, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides and counsels us. We make these prayers in Christ's Name and through His own words continue to pray, saying, "Our Father, etc." (Isaiah 29:5)

 

 

Promise of the Gospel

 

Guide: Jesus challenged the people, rulers, and leaders of His day to repent of their sins and be restored to God. Today, we face the same challenges from Christ. We have humbly confessed our sins and sought His mercy. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our Savior and we are accepted by God..

(John 7: 48)

 

Gloria Patri: 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)

 

2nd Hymn

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

 

 

Prayers for Health and Healing

 

Leader:           We revere the Lord and seek His blessings; we come into His presence and abide in Him.

People:            May the Lord grant us health and healing, strength and support. May the fruits of our prayers enhance our faith and increase our devotion to Him.

Leader:           May our loved ones and siblings, our families and friends receive help and power, energy and resolve to overcome their illnesses and anxieties, their troubles and worries.

People:            O Lord, we seek peace for our souls, health for our hearts, and strength for our minds.

Leader:           Gracious God, have mercy upon as we ask for healing. May we experience Your Holy Spirit and be restored physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

People:            Hear us now as we silently pray, for our loved ones and neighbors, our families and ourselves.

.

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

Leader:           May the LORD favor us with His blessings of health and strength. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 128)

 

Singing of 'Sanctuary. (Choir leads this)

 

Prayer of Illumination: Reader:        Holy Spirit, You inspired the disciples of long ago to spread Christ's Good News and to proclaim the victory of God's Kingdom over all the earth. Lift up our spirits in the same ways and rekindle our faith. In Christ's Name, we pray.  Amen. (Acts 5:38)

 

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

 

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

 

Dedication:

 

Lord Jesus, we have sang Your praises and received Your message. We have been empowered by Your Spirit and embraced by God. Take these gifts and tokens, tithes and offerings as our cheerful response to Your Word and our grateful thanks for Your Love. Bless them for the continuing work of the gospel, the glorifying of God's kingdom and the praising of Your Name. Amen.  (1 Corinthians 14:15)

 

 

Closing Hymn:

 

Benediction: May Christ continue to welcome us into His flock; may the Father enhance our faith and friendships in Him; and may the Holy Spirit challenge and convert our ways, so that we may glorify, worship and serve the One Triune and Living God forevermore. Amen. (Romans 16:5)

 

Doxology        Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude

 

Sunday prayers - 6th Sunday of Easter - April 27, 2008

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude & Gathering

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer
Guide: Everlasting Father, whose deeds across the generations have sustained our people; whose ways throughout the centuries have enhanced our faith; we worship and adore You forever. Living God, whose purposes are never thwarted and whose plans are always fulfilled, we look to You for favor and blessing, mercy and grace.

People: Immortal Lord, we know that we are weak and human, that our bodies are frail and our minds are constantly distracted. Forgive us when we allow our wants and desires to become sinful and selfish. Deliver us from deceitful and dishonorable deeds; pardon us for making poor choices and persistently opposing Your power over our lives. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Almighty God, refresh us with Your loving kindness; restore us through Your Holy Son. May Christ claim authority over our lives, by cleansing our souls and renewing our faith in You. For we make our requests by the power of Jesus' Name and in His own holy words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father, …” THE LORD’S PRAYER (debt/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Our Lord Jesus placed Himself in harm's way and died upon a lonely Cross, so that we may be forgiven and restored to God's love. We deserve God's punishment for our mistakes, yet Christ shields us from God's wrath and brings us back into His Holy Presence and Everlasting Favor. Let us rejoice and glorify our Savior forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri : 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)

Baptism

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Let us come to the Lord with praise and thanksgiving, for He has done marvelous things. The Lord has made His salvation known to us and revealed His righteousness to all our people.
People: May the Lord remember His love for us as we present our petitions; may His faithfulness grant us courage and hope. May we joyfully proclaim God's healing amongst us; may we shout for joy when He answers our prayers.
Pastor: O Lord, please hear our request and reform our lives. Take our sicknesses, and renew our health by Your gracious love. Precious Lord, be near to us and all our loved ones. Heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor: Let our hearts resound in faith; let our hopes be realized through God's favor and blessing. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 98)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, may Christ speak to us through the words of the Gospel. May all that You inspired centuries ago become holy and sacred, meaningful and relevant in each of our lives today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication: Lord Jesus, may we excel in faithfulness, as we give these gifts to build up the church. May we eagerly serve You with our time, talents and tithes, as we contribute our resources, gifts and money to You this day. Bless this offering and guide us to use it wisely for the life, work and ministry of Your Kingdom here on earth. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction: May Christ write His ways across our hearts; may the Father teach us to worship reverently; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to confess our faith in the One, Triune and Eternal God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; etc & Postlude