Sunday prayers - Ordinary 26C - September 25

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His Name; make known among the nations what He has done.

People:                 We will sing to God and praise Him; we will tell of all His wonderful deeds.

Pastor:                 Let us glorify His Holy Name; let us seek the LORD and rejoice! Amen.

First Hymn

               

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  God of all ages, we come before You as servants and seekers, looking to Your Spirit for wisdom and guidance. We are called to be worshippers of Your Ways and witnesses of Your Holy Name. You have gathered us in this place of praise and prayer; You have led us into Your sanctuary of salvation and peace.

People:                Gracious Father, we know that we are not worthy of such blessings. We regret our past mistakes, our personal sins, and foolish choices. We humbly ask that You hear us when we make these confessions to You. Within our hearts and minds, we silently express our need to be forgiven. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Almighty God, we need Your pardon and seek Your grace. We appeal to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, whose sacrifice has paid for our mistakes and whose authority redeems our lives. In His Holy Name, we make these petitions and prayers. By His sacred words, we now pray together, saying, “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).             

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Christ forgives us through His grace and mercy. We are no longer condemned, but we are challenged to change our lives and end our sinful ways. Through Christ's teaching and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can renew our faith and restore our relationship to God, both now and always. 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.

Choir Anthem

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

After sermon, children leave for enrichment programs.

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  Great is the LORD, who is worthy of all praise. His mighty ways can never be fully explained, nor entirely understood. Throughout the generations, we have commended the work of the LORD and continue to proclaim His loving deeds. We appeal to His splendor and majesty, seeking to benefit from His mercy and healing. Let us humbly ask to experience His powerful presence in our lives, and to personally know of His powerful work.

People:                 Lord God, let us celebrate Your abundant goodness through our healing. Deliver us and all our loved ones from anything that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. May we experience Your grace and compassion. May You accept our prayers and pacify our souls. Hear us now as we inwardly pray.

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

Pastor:                  The Lord is good to all. He has compassion on all that He has made. In Jesus' Name, we thankfully pray.  Amen.

               

Singing of "Sanctuary."

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, refresh our souls and inspire our minds with God's message today. Bring us before the Living Presence of the Eternal One, through the meaning of the scriptures and the praising of God's deeds. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by the pastor):               Lord Jesus, You have instructed us through God's Holy Word and encouraged us with Your Truth. We faithfully respond by bringing to You our tithes and offerings, resources and gifts. Take these tokens and bless them for the life, ministry, and work of Your church, both here at Erin, and throughout the entire world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction(unison): May Christ share His everlasting love in our lives; may the Father bless us favorably each and every day; and may the Holy Spirit strengthen our faith in the One, Triune, and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

                

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

Christmas 2 Prayers: Sunday prayers for Epiphany - January 4

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Herald:                 May the Lord Who makes all things new, permit His Holy Presence to be with us today.

People:                 May our praises be acceptable to God; may our prayers be answered by Him.

Herald:                 Let us sing and rejoice; let us worship and glorify God! Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting God, as we enter this New Year, we pray for Your guidance and reassurance, Your presence and blessing in our lives. We know that our world is sustained by Your power, and we acknowledge that our lives are extended by Your grace. You have created us for Your pleasure, so enable us to find ways to faithfully and lovingly serve You.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we know that we have many failings and that our weaknesses cause us to drift away from You. We allow sin to corrupt our souls and permit greed to tarnish our lives. Forgive us for offending You by neglecting our faith. Pardon us for disappointing You by ignoring Your commands. Hear us now as we inwardly repent of our wrong ways and confess our selfish sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Father, You gave Your Son Jesus to our world as the means of forgiveness for all of our sins. We know that there is no other salvation without Him; we understand that there is no other Savior except Him. Therefore, we place our lives into His hands and our souls into His keeping. We make our prayers in His Name and conclude with His own words, saying: “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                   As our Teacher, Christ reveals to us God’s words and ways; as our Savior, Jesus brings to us God’s mercy and grace. In Him, we are completely forgiven in order to be restored to God’s Kingdom and Love, 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, bestow Your favor upon us and restore our health through Your holy power. Relieve our fears and diminish our doubts; strengthen our bodies and heal our minds. Place Your peace within our hearts and grant Your unfailing love to our families and friends, in the midst of their troubles, illnesses, and crises.

People:                 May Your love rekindle our hopes; may Your faithfulness restore our health. May Your righteousness speed our recovery and may Your peace bestow well-being to our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our lives will experience healing and strength. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                 (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 85)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, allow us to gladly receive God’s Word and accept the message given to us through the reading of them. May our spirits be encouraged and our lives inspired through this precious teaching. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. 

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, You have called us to serve You by using our time, talents, and money to support the ministries and missions that You desire our church to accomplish. May our gifts be blessed and used to fulfill Your work throughout this congregation, around our community, and across the world. In Your Name, we cheerfully give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Hymn

Benediction (unison):  May Christ’s light brighten our lives each day; may the Father’s love protect us from all harm; and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide and bless us, so that we may faithfully serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and evermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers for July 28 - Ordinary 17C

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               May we come here today to listen to the Lord, who promises peace and faithfulness for our lives.
People:                 We will gladly return to our God, for His salvation is near and we are blessed to be His people.
Liturgist:               May the Lord’s glory be shared among us; may we express our love and praise to Him alone. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Holy and Almighty God, whose will sustains all of life and whose Kingdom never ends, we humbly bring our prayers of joy and concern to You alone. We are grateful for Your daily blessings and we are mindful of Your mighty works. You are the One, True, and Living God, whom we worship and adore forevermore.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we ask for Your mercy and grace, for we are often foolish and faithless. We succumb to temptation and surrender our souls to sinful ways. We forget to be persistent Christians and lack respect for Your ways. Forgive our selfish deeds and unholy words. Hear us now as we personally approach You with our confessions.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, we are mindful of Your favor and acknowledge our dependence upon Your grace. Look down from Heaven and spare us from Your wrath. Unite our hearts and spirits with Your Loving Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, in whose words we conclude our prayers, saying, “Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)    

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  When we sincerely and humbly ask for forgiveness, it is granted to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. His sacrifice has given us a sacred opportunity to successfully search for God’s favor and grace. He has opened the gates of Heaven, so that God hears and listens to our confessions. Let us praise and glorify the Name of Jesus Christ 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

Anthem

 

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O Lord, when we are at a loss or fearful of the future, grant us Your goodness and strength. When we are beset with worry and overwhelmed by stress, grant us Your peace and favor.

People:                 You are always with us, O Lord, and we are strengthened by Your glory; come near to us now and embrace our weary spirits. Lead us and counsel us, O God; comfort and heal us in the days ahead.

Pastor:                 In You alone, we place our faith, for You are able to give what is good, and to heal all that is harmful.

Restore us and all our loved ones from all that damages us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May the Lord prepare ways of healing, health, and wholeness to us, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.      

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to this sacred teaching today. As we seek to learn more about Christ, may our faith in Him be strengthened. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor):  Lord Jesus, we have been received into Your presence and restored to God’s favor. We bring before You our grateful gifts and thankful tithes. Bless them for the life, work, and ministry of this church and Your mission throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Christ give us His blessing each day; may the Father find us serving Him throughout this week; and may the Holy Spirit open up opportunities for us to witness to others about our faith in the One, Triune, and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - Palm Sunday - March 24

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Hosanna to the Lord in the highest Heaven!

All:                          Blessed are those who welcome Him into their hearts.

Youth:                   May the Lord come among us and bless us forever. Amen!

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Everlasting God, we gather together as Your Holy people, called and chosen to be in this sacred place of praise and prayer, of joy and jubilation. We welcome Your Son Jesus Christ into our hearts and seek to please You by worshipping Him.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we know that we have been foolish, selfish, and sinful at times. We recognize that we have made mistakes, as well as bad choices and faithless decisions. We are sorry for those moments when temptation has caused us to get angry, be bitter, remain proud, and be insensitive to those around us. Hear us now as we confess our faults and silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Eternal Lord, on this special day which starts this Holy Week, we look forward to the victory of Christ over sin and death. His sacrifice has cleared our mistakes. His grace can renew and bring rebirth to our lives. We make our petitions in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                                  Christ chooses us to become His disciples, yet He has to deal with our sinful nature and human failings. He has overcome both death and sin, so that our souls can be resurrected to a new beginning. Let us rejoice and give thanks, for Christ has blessed us with an everlasting hope and He has saved our lives 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:                 Let us praise the LORD with new hearts; let us rejoice with all the earth and glorify His Name. Each day, we will proclaim the Lord's salvation; each week, we will come to Him with our praises. The Lord has done marvelous deeds among His people, therefore let us ask Him to heal our lives.

People:                 O LORD, You made the heavens and sustain the nations; be merciful to us and grant us healing from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Gracious God, there is power and strength in this sanctuary; listen to our prayers and attend to the needs of our loved ones who are ill, distressed, worried, or depressed.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 We will worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness. We will give thanks throughout this day. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 96)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, release us from our fears and restore us to God's heart. Open our minds to this glorious message of hope, so that we may gladly receive Christ as our King and report His words to all our people. In Jesus' Name, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, through the act of cheerful and thankful giving, we offer You these tokens. Bless them for Your wonderful ways that have changed the world forever. Enable us to rededicate our lives this day, in the holy service of Your Kingdom, both now and forevermore. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction: ( in unison)              May Christ resurrect our faith by becoming Lord of our lives; may we know the Father's compassion and grace throughout our days; and may the Holy Spirit keep us glorifying and worshipping the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Baptism of Jesus - 13 Jan

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Sacred God, whose power formed the universe and whose creativity made our world, we gather in this place of peace and praise to honor and glorify Your wonderful Name. For generations our people have been blessed by Your loving deeds and mighty acts. Your words and works continue to amaze and inspire us throughout the ages and across the nations.

People:                 Heavenly Father, we are humbled by Your blessings, for we know that we are unworthy of Your grace. You are righteous and we are sinful. You are mighty and truthful; we are weak and deceitful. Forgive us, Lord, for allowing pride, greed, and anger to blemish our hearts and souls. We are often shallow and selfish, faithless and false, hurtful and unholy. Hear us now as we personally ask forgiveness of You.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Lord, we thank You for Jesus who cleanses our past mistakes and restores us to Your favor. By His mercy our sins are forgiven and He restores us to become trusted servants of Your Kingdom. We are eternally indebted to Christ, so we unite our spirits with Him through the saying of His words:

Our Father, who art in heaven…(The Lord’s Prayer – debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus never said that believing in Him would be easy. He asks us to follow His ways and apply His words to our daily lives. When we fail to live up to His teaching, He is willing to forgive us if we choose to sincerely confess our faults to Him. So let us rejoice and be thankful that Christ is Our Savior, Lord, and God, both now and evermore. 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:                  Hear, O LORD, and graciously answer us, for we are poor in spirit and in need of Your care. Guard our lives and protect us from illness, for we are devoted to You and Your ways.

People:                 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we call upon You this day for health and healing. Bring comfort to us, for to You alone we lift up our prayers and make our healing petitions.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 In the day of our trouble we will call to You, O Lord, for You will answer us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 86)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, encourage us through these sacred scriptures and open our hearts to receive God’s word. Astonish us with this teaching and enable us to take note of all that God fulfills in the life of Christ. In Jesus’ Name, we read and pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we can never repay You for the eternal blessings of salvation. We gather before You our gifts and tithes as a thanksgiving offering for the faith we share.  Bless these tokens and give us guidance to use these gifts for the preaching of the gospel, the sharing of Your love, and the praising of our God. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (in unison):  May the God of hope fill us with His joy and grant us peace as we trust in Jesus Christ His Son; may we overflow with hope by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers: Ordinary 15B - July 15

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth: Let us worship God in His holy sanctuary; let us praise Him from here to the highest heavens.
People: We adore the Lord for His almighty acts; we exalt His Name for His everlasting greatness.
Youth: Let every creature praise the Lord and let all who gather here give glory to His Kingdom. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:             Lord God of hosts and Ancient of Days, we gather in Your holy house to proclaim Your Name above all names and to worship You as the God of all Creation. Our lives are sustained by Your words of grace; our days are continued through Your sacred power.

People:           Merciful God, sometimes we take You for granted and set Your ways aside. We use life to sustain our pride and fulfill our desires, as well as satisfying our longings and wants. Sadly we waste much of our resources and time on trivial pursuits and unholy matters. At times, we are wayward and unreliable, sinful and selfish, hard hearted and self-centered. Forgive the sins that we commit, and those good deeds that we omit in our lives. Hear us now as we silently pray to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:              Immortal God, we seek Your Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Lord. He alone can forgive our foolish ways and faithless words. Our salvation depends upon His mercy and grace. There is no other Name under Heaven by which we can be saved. Therefore, we pledge our lives to Christ and place our souls into His hands. With His words, we continue to pray, saying

“Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)    

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:              Jesus speaks for us before the throne of God. He intercedes on our behalf, asking for mercy and grace to be applied in our lives. Let us praise Him for opening up our hearts and minds to His ways and words, His valor and victory, 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

Anthem

 Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             Endow us with Your healing, O God; strengthen us with Your righteousness. Look upon our loved ones and us with mercy and grace; comfort those of us who are afflicted with pain and grief, fear and worry.

People:           Restore our strength to us, O God, and enable us to recover from all that ails or harms us. Defend us from all illness or injury, any accident or anxiety. Sustain us and overcome our fears.

Pastor:             Lord God, throughout the generations Your loving kindness has endured; grant us the gift of such holy blessings. Refresh our weary spirits and renew our tired souls. Heal us and our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:             O Loving God, may Your righteousness sustain our hopes. May we know of Your healing, both now and forever. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.           

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 72)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, come down among us and present the Gospel to us. Let the teaching of Christ be proclaimed as we read and hear these sacred scriptures.  In Jesus’ Name, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Dedication (unison, led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we fully give ourselves to You and humbly ask that You will accept our lives for Your Kingdom. We also bring our tokens of gratitude and our tithes of faithfulness for Your work in this congregation, and Your labors throughout our community.  Take them and bless them. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ open our hearts to His work in the surrounding community; may the Father lead us to people and places that need us to express and share His love; and may the Holy Spirit inspire us to live out the Gospel, so that others may come and worship the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - ordinary 12B - June 24

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Youth:              Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights above.
People:           Praise Him all His people; praise Him throughout the world.
Youth:             Praise the Name of the Lord, for He alone is to be worshipped. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Gracious Lord, throughout our lives we seek opportunities to serve and worship You. On this holy day, accept our praises and thanksgiving. You are our strength and salvation, as well as our source of hope and healing. Each day we place our lives and dreams into Your hands; each time we do this, You do not disappoint us.

People:           Merciful Father, we know that our disobedience diminishes our faith. We understand that our spiteful words and deeds distress others and disappoint You. Forgive us for being self-centered and full of pride. Pardon our vanity and shallow ways. Help us to turn to You for mercy and grace, forgiveness and pardon. Hear us now as we humbly pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:              Eternal King, we are indebted to You for sending Jesus into this world. He has given His life as the everlasting sacrifice for all of our mistakes, regrets, and sins. We pledge our lives to Him and place ourselves under His authority. Hear us now as we pray in Christ’s own words,

“Our Father... THE LORD'S PRAYER”  (debts/debtors)    

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:              Christ is the answer to all of our questions, and He is the One who fulfills all our obligations to God. In Him, we have the perfect Savior and the most merciful of all Lords. We will rejoice and declare our allegiance to Him alone, 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:             Hasten to us, O God; come quickly among us and give heed to our prayers. We seek Your love to remedy our fears; we ask for Your compassion and grace.

People:           Loving Lord, in the midst of our troubles, support us. In times of illness and crisis, be ever faithful. May we know of Your complete joy; may we be strengthened by Your kindness.

Pastor:             Almighty God, we are human and frail, prone to worry and sickness, fear and depression. Be near to us and all our loved ones. Heal us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:             You are our Help and Redeemer. Come quickly to us, O God. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.      

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 70)

Singing of ’Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, build up Your church and enhance our knowledge about God’s ways. Let the words that we read seep into our souls, softening our hearts, and reshaping our lives.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison):         Lord Jesus, You are the source of our eternal well-being and the One who forgives our sins. We will always be indebted to You, therefore we gather this offering to honor and glorify You.  Help us to be generous with our gifts and responsible in our stewardship. Bless the tithes and gifts we place before you. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (in unison): May Christ’s mercy fill our lives with favor and blessing; may the Father’s compassion bring purpose and meaning to our lives; and may the Holy Spirit keep us from despair and lead us to a greater glory, through our service, worship, and devotion to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & 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