Sunday Prayers - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Ordinary 18 - August 1

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude & Gathering

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Lord of All Wisdom and Creator of Time, we come before You as a people of faith. We seek to delight You with our prayers and praises. You are the sure foundation of our lives and the source of our well being. We willingly give our hearts to You; we freely want to serve You.

People: Gracious God, we know that we have committed acts that disappoint You; we have said words that disrespect You; we have made decisions that dishonor You. We are guilty of many sins, too numerous for us to count or even remember. Forgive us for those sinful deeds we have forgotten, and for all those selfish mistakes that we still commit. Hear us now as we make our confessions.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Most Merciful God, Your Son Jesus Christ is the key to our forgiveness and restoration. He is the One who saves us from our selfish past and present mistakes. His authority removes our sins and redeems for Your Kingdom. Through His Name and in His words, we make these prayers, saying “Our Father... THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: When we acknowledge Christ as our Savior and confess our sins to Him, we are liberated from our fears of God’s punishment and restored to His favor. Christ alone has the power to decide our ultimate destiny, so let us rejoice in His abiding mercy and abundant grace. 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, why does trouble come to us and why do good people suffer? We remember Your deeds of deliverance and Your ways of salvation. Come to us and heal us.

People: Turn towards us, O Living God, and take away our fears by strengthening our faith. You have helped our people across many generations. Come to us now, in this holy place. Touch us with Your Presence. Heal us by Your Love.

Pastor: Do not forget those whom we cherish and love, Almighty Lord. Heal them of all that harms them in body, mind, soul and spirit. Do not let our loved ones give into to despair. Fill them with peace and hope, strength and health, restoration and power.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: May God rise up and deliver us. May His Healing touch be with us all day long. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 74)

Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close."

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, heal us by the power of the Gospel and grant strength to our souls through Christ’s message. Open our hearts and minds to the bounty of the wisdom, knowledge and encouragement that Jesus provides. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, thank You for enabling us to set aside these tithes and gifts from the resources and income that we have been blessed with. Take them and bless them for the continuing work of Your church here, for the preaching of the Gospel, the spreading of Your love, and the glorifying of God. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ preach to our hearts each day; may the Father grant us opportunities to serve Him in this community; and may the Holy Spirit encourage us to worship the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology  & Postlude

Sunday prayers: 18th Sunday in Ordinary - 2 August

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering & Prelude

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Lord God of hosts and Sacred Creator of humankind, we gather in this precious place to honor and magnify Your Holy Name. Your will sustains our lives and Your words strengthen our souls. We humbly come before You to offer our service and praise.

People: Eternal God, we know that we are guilty of contending with Your counsel; we confess that we are sometimes rebellious and resentful, indifferent and insensitive, sinful and selfish. We make war against Your Kingdom with our pride, lust, and greed. We fight against Your faithfulness with our stubborn ways and foolish choices. Hear us now, Gracious Father, as we silently admit our mistakes.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving Lord, we seek forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ, our Savior. We look for mercy by the wounds He received and the pain He endured. Without His Cross, we have no communion with You. Without His Sacrifice, we have no salvation. We give these prayers in the precious Name of Jesus, the Lamb of God and Savior of our souls and in His words, we further pray, saying, “Our Father,…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Many people watched for Jesus throughout His lifetime, in order to experience hope, faith, and love. We are the recipients of His blessings, for by His grace, we are forgiven and through His mercy, we are restored to God, both now and evermore. 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)

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O Sovereign LORD, deal well with us for Your Name's sake; out of the goodness of Your love, deliver us. When we are poor in spirit and in much need of Your encouragement, heal the wounds of our hearts and grant us Your peace.

People: When our health is diminished and fear overtakes our minds, deliver us from being consumed by worry, stress, and exhaustion. When we buckle under pressure and lose strength in the midst of our troubles, help us to refocus our faith and look to You for healing.

Pastor: Heavenly Father, when others around us are in need of help, be their salvation. When our loved ones suffer illness or injury, insecurity or anxiety, grant them healing and wholeness, protection, and peace. Help us and all whom we pray for, O LORD our God. Save us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and soul. Hear us now as we personally pray.

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

Pastor: With our prayers, we exalt the Lord. In the midst of His people, we will forever praise His holy grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 109)

The Message: Part #1

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader: Holy Spirit, encourage us with these Living words of Christ; call us as devoted disciples, seeking to discern today's message and the meaning of our Master's teaching. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message : Part #2 & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication:

Lord Jesus, You speak to us in many ways - through music, to reach our hearts; through scripture, to feed our minds; through prayer, to heal our souls. In response, we offer You our gifts. Take these tithes and offerings and bless them to be used for the work of God's Kingdom in this church, community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May Christ keep growing our beliefs each day; may the Father approve of our daily deeds; and may the Holy Spirit liberate our souls by encouraging us to worship the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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

Sunday prayer 18th in ordinary Time August 03

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude & Gathering Song

Hymn:

Confessional Prayer

Guide: Lord God of hosts and Sacred Creator of humankind, we gather in this precious place to honor and magnify Your Holy Name. Your will sustains our lives and Your words strengthen our souls. We humbly come before You to offer our service and praise.

People: Eternal God, we know that we are guilty of contending with Your counsel; we confess that we are sometimes rebellious and resentful, as well as being sinful and selfish people. We regret our foolish mistakes and the many ways in which we disappoint You and others. Hear us now, Gracious Father, as we silently admit our mistakes.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving Lord, we seek forgiveness through the blood of Christ, our King. We look for mercy by the wounds He received and the pain He endured. Without His Cross, we have no communion with You. Without His Sacrifice, we have no salvation.

People: We give these prayers in the precious Name of Jesus, the Lamb of God and Savior of our souls. In His words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…” THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Many people waiated for Jesus throughout His lifetime, in order to experience hope, faith and love. We are the recipients of His blessings, for by His grace, we are forgiven and through His mercy, we are restored to God, both now and evermore. 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)

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: O Sovereign LORD, deal well with us for Your Name's sake; out of the goodness of Your love, deliver us. When we are poor in spirit and in much need of Your encouragement, heal the wounds within our hearts and grant us Your peace.

People: When our health is diminished and fear damages our minds, deliver us from being consumed by worry, and keep us free from stress and exhaustion. When we buckle under pressure and lose strength in the midst of our troubles, help us to refocus our faith and look to You for healing.
Pastor: Heavenly Father, when others around us are in need of help, be their salvation. When our loved ones suffer illness or injury, insecurity and anxiety, grant them healing and wholeness, protection and peace. Hear us now as we personally pray.

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

Pastor: With our prayers, we exalt the Lord. In the midst of His people, we will forever praise His holy grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 109)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:
Reader: Holy Spirit, encourage us with the Living words of Christ; call us as devoted disciples, seeking to discern today's message and the meaning of our Master's teaching. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication:
Lord Jesus, You speak to us in many ways - through music, to reach our hearts; through scripture, to feed our minds; through prayer, to heal our souls. In response, we offer You our gifts. Take these tithes and offerings and bless them to be used for the work of God's Kingdom in this church, community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction: May Christ keep growing our beliefs each day; may the Father approve of our daily deeds; and may the Holy Spirit free us from everlasting condemnation by encouraging us to worship the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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