Approaching God
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude
Call to Worship
Pastor: Loving God, who reconciles the world through Your Word, accept our devotions and worship this day.
People: You have called each of us to be here, so we can celebrate and honor You with our praise.
Pastor: We do this in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord who reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
First Hymn
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Guide: Lord of Heaven and Earth, of all that is seen and unseen, we bring to You our joyful praise and personal prayers. You are the God of grace and glory, therefore we lift up Your sacred Name and delight in Your holy ways.
People: Merciful Father, You teach us right from wrong, and offer to guide our decisions and correct our choices. We confess to ignoring Your counsel and going against our faith. We are guilty of being selfish and proud, foolish and vain, as well as sinful and wayward. Hear us now as we personally ask forgiveness from You.
- Silent Confessions -
Guide: Everlasting God, encourage us to reconsider our ways and help us to reshape our lives according to Christ's teaching, for Jesus is our Holy Savior and only through Him can we be pardoned, reconciled, and restored forevermore. In His sacred words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father, Who art in Heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Christ invites us to believe in Him, so that we may become His disciples in this world. He forgives all of our faults and absolves completely us from our sinful mistakes. He is our One, True and Only Savior, and we gratefully serve Him, both now and forever. Amen.
Singing of Kyrie
Choir Anthem
Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students, come forward)
Encountering God
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: O Lord, we declare Your glory and proclaim the healing works of Your hands. Day by day, we speak of Your blessedness; week by week, we praise Your holy Name.
People: We rejoice in Your ways, O God, and are refreshed by Your love. We reach out for strength and ask for support. We pray that You will heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we ask for healing for ourselves, our loved ones, and all whom we know in need of Your love and grace.
Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.
Pastor: The compassion of the Lord is our strength and comfort. He alone revives our souls. In Jesus' Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.
Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’
Prayer of Illumination
Reader: Holy Spirit, You treat us lovingly and seek to bless us with eternal life through Christ's words and deeds. Help us at this time to focus on what Christ has to say from the scriptures, so we may learn from all that He does. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
Scripture Readings
The Message
Serving God
Offering & Offertory
Dedication (unison – led by the pastor): Lord Jesus, You call us to be Your witnesses and disciples. You also challenge our lives and seek to better our ways. We bring our combined offering to You with cheerful hearts and trust that we will make a positive impact in our congregation, our community, and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Closing Hymn
Benediction (unison): May Christ help us to fulfill our plans, so that we may delight in the Lord; may the Father grant us the desires of our heart, so that we may honor and bless Him each day; and may the Holy Spirit teach us to faithfully follow and serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.
Doxology & Postlude
