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 - Lent 5C - March 17

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   O Lord of Life, whose presence is all around in the beauty of Creation, we come to worship You alone.

People:                 Open our hearts to Your loving ways and fill our souls with Your sacred power.

Youth:                   Bless us this day, Lord God, and make us one in faith, hope, and love forever. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Lord of all Creation, we proclaim You as our One, True, and Holy God. We seek to serve You as Your people and hope to please You with our praises. We thank You for bringing us to this special place of peace and prayer.

People:                 Heavenly Father, we want to honor You with our lives and completely follow Your ways.

Sometimes we fall into temptation and separate ourselves from Your Love, as well as closing our spirits to Your commands. Forgive us for rejecting Your words and damaging our faith by our unloving, unholy, and un-Christian actions. Hear us now as we humbly confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving God, You could condemn us for being sinful, but instead You graciously give us Your Son Jesus to die for our failures, faults, and fallen ways. By His wounds, we are healed. By His sacrifice, we are forgiven and restored to You forever. We bring these prayers in Christ’s Name and through His own words, we unite our hearts with Him, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                                  Jesus saves us from being eternally separated from God. He wants us to choose life over death, faith over fear, and obedience over defiance. When we sincerely come to Him for forgiveness, He grants us mercy and grace. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus our Savior rescues us 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, He is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. God establishes our world and sustains our lives. We are finite and frail, in need of help, healing and wholeness. We lift up our voices of prayer to God, from our anxious hearts and troubled minds.

People:                 Mighty Redeemer, have mercy upon us and heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. We also bring to You our families and friends,our  colleagues and neighbors who need Your Loving touch and holy healing. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD is merciful and holy; just and faithful. He hears our prayers in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 93)

Unison Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, help us to see what Christ is doing amongst us. Enable us to hear His words from these holy passages. Teach us His ways so that we may tell others of His ministry, mission, and kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison, led by Pastor):    Lord Jesus, we have worshipped You in song and praised You with our music. We have gathered our tithes and offerings and placed them before Your throne. Take these tokens and bless them, so that we may bring life to Your words by ministering to our congregation, our community, and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May the God of everlasting hope fill us with joy and peace as we trust in Him this day, so that we may joyfully witness to the continuing mission of His Son Jesus Christ, and remain faithful to Him by the power of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday prayers - Ordinary 22B - September 02

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Be merciful to us, O Lord. In our weakness, become our strength.
People:                 Turn, O Lord, and deliver us. Hear our prayers and praises.
Youth:                   May the Lord be pleased with our worship. May we delight in His bountiful favor. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                 Almighty God, whose sacred words are life to the believing soul, and whose eternal ways impact our world; we gather together to praise Your Holy Name and to exalt Your everlasting power. Your whose infinite strength gives hope to billions of people throughout the Earth, therefore we cheerfully lift up our hearts to worship and glorify Your boundless sovereignty.
People:                 Merciful Majesty, despite seeking to faithfully serve You, we still yield to temptation and surrender our lives to selfish acts and sinful ways. We appeal to Your grace and seek Your pardon. We confess our faults and regret our mistakes. Hear us now as we quietly bring our admissions of guilt to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Heavenly Father, without the love of Your Son Jesus Christ, our hopes would be vanquished and our confessions made in vain. Christ alone is the One who saves us from our sins and restores us to Your favor.  In His everlasting words, we continue to lift up our prayers, saying “Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)    

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: How does Christ return us to the blessing of God’s pleasure? By sacrificing Himself in our place and fully atoning for all of our sins. Let us rejoice and be glad of His mercy, which endures 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:                 We are called to be God’s people, to listen to His words, and to apply His teaching. For generations, our people have known the bounty of hope and the blessing of healing from the LORD.

People:                 O LORD, we seek to experience Your Holy touch; we pray for recovery, renewal, and restoration. We call upon You, O Living God, to show us Your wonders by healing our hearts, mending our minds, and strengthening our spirits

Pastor:  Eternal Lord, let miracles of hope and health, of blessing and healing be granted to us and to all whom we pray for, on this holy day. May all of our loved ones and neighbors, our friends and colleagues trust in Your word and experience deliverance from pain, discomfort, suffering, and disease. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:  May the Lord shepherd us to salvation and lead us towards an abundance of health, wholeness, and healing. In Jesus’ Name, we ask and pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 78)

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader: Holy Spirit, as we read and hear the good news of the Kingdom of God, open our hearts and minds to the living presence of Christ. Enable us to seek His truth and to apply His ways in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. 

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering and Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor):  Lord Jesus, You help us wherever we go through life and in times of trouble, You tarry with us. In return, we offer You our lives for service in God’s Kingdom, as well as for the spreading of the Gospel. Take our tithes and gifts from our resources; use and bless them for Your continuing work in this congregation and community. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and faithfully pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Jesus protect us from all that would persecute our faith and diminish our beliefs; may the Father refresh and strengthen our souls; and may the Holy Spirit continue to keep us in the loving service of the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayer - Lent 4 - Fourth in Lent - March 18

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:             Hear us, O Shepherd of the Nations, who leads us as His faithful flock.

People:           Awaken our spirits and come among us in a mighty and powerful way.

Youth:             Restore us, O God, and let Your face shine upon us, as we worship and glorify You.

First Hymn:

Guide:              Loving Lord, whose mighty acts and wondrous deeds reveal to us Your power, creativity and sovereignty over the entire universe, we praise and adore You as our Creator and King. Your ways have been known to our people across the centuries and throughout all nations; we humbly approach You with reverence, dedication, and devotion.

People:           Gracious God, each day of our lives, You seek to instruct us and guide us by Your holy counsel. Sometimes we foolishly ignore Your advice and seek to do our own selfish things. Forgive our sinful and faithless ways. Pardon us for making the wrong choices and self-centered mistakes. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Merciful Father, You have given us Jesus, Your Holy Son, to reclaim our lives, to teach us Your ways, and to save our souls. His obedience and sacrifice has won our salvation. We thank You for restoring us to Your everlasting love, and in the words of Christ, we continue praying, “Our Father….The Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:              Jesus is the Christ of our lives, the Anointed Messiah, and Holy One of God. He alone has the authority to forgive our sins. By His grace, we are cleansed of our sinful past and returned to God's favor. Let us rejoice and be glad in Him, the King of Kings and Lord of lords, both now and forever. 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.

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

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             We call upon the Lord, in the midst of all our troubles, and He answers us. Save us, O Lord, from false ways and self-deception. Help us to cling to Your truth.

People:           O Lord, You are the source of all our hope; You are the One who brings us healing. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we are frail and fearful. Grant us strength and renewal.

Pastor:             In Your Holy Presence, Lord, we live our lives. We need Your help and long for deliverance from sickness and suffering; pain and discomfort; anxiety and stress. We seek Your peace and pray that You will heal us, as well as each of our loved ones, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul.

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

Pastor:             Loving Lord, speak Your peace to us this day and fill our hearts with hope. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 120)

Singing of 'Sanctuary’.

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, may Christ speak to our hearts and may God resurrect our hopes through these scriptures. May we receive and share the blessings of faith, strength, and love that we encounter throughout these biblical texts.  In Jesus' Name we ask.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):

Guide:              Lord Jesus, all that we are has been fulfilled and accomplished by Your grace. Take these                             tithes and gifts that we freely offer to You, and use them for the preaching of Your Word, the                                     enhancement of Your Church, and the glorifying of Your Name Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):                        May Christ urge and inspire us to fulfill His ministry in our lives; may the Father's great and everlasting love be treasured in our hearts and explicit in our deeds; and may the Holy Spirit keep us loving and serving the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and evermore.  Amen.

Doxology         Praise God, from whom all blessings flow  & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - ordinary 7 - February 19

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and announcements

Gathering song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             In our hearts, God is known; His Name is great throughout the Earth.

People:           God dwells among us and His presence strengthens our hearts

Pastor:             The LORD is resplendent with light and more majestic than the mountains. Let us praise and worship God!

First Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Everlasting Lord and Glorious Majesty, who speaks to all creation and with one Word sustains the entire universe, we worship and adore Your wonderful ways. We are blessed with Your sacred presence and strengthened by Your divine love. Come among us, O Lord, and sanctify our worship, for You are the One, True, and Living God

People:            Gracious Father, You require us to listen to Your voice and to follow Your commands. We confess that we have disobeyed You and have often rebelled against Your rules. We are weak, mortal, and imperfect; You are holy, immortal, and almighty. Forgive our faithless words and selfish ways; pardon our mistaken acts and sinful deeds. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving God, enable us to pay attention to You, so that we may truly hear what You have to say through Jesus Christ, Your Holy Son. In Him, our spirits are reunited to You. Through Him, we are saved from eternal destruction. We thank You, Immortal Lord, for bringing Jesus, our Savior into our lives. In His Name and by His words, we conclude these prayers, saying, saying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:              We thirst for Jesus and His soul-refreshing words. He is the Savior of our souls and the Healer of our hearts. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ has overcome sin and death, bringing to us eternal blessings of faith, hope, and love Amen.

Gloria Patri (unison 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 call to You, with all of our hearts, O LORD; answer us and we will obey Your decrees. We call upon You to save us and heal us. We also pledge to follow Your counsel and accept Your ways.

People:           Each day, Lord, we ask You for help; we place our hopes in Your promises and words. Hear our prayers, Lord, in accordance with Your love; preserve and sustain us through the abundance of Your compassion.

Pastor: You are near to us, O Lord, and Your promises are true. We bring before You our loved ones, our neighbors, other people and ourselves. We need You to heal us of everything that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now, as we inwardly pray.

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

Pastor:             Lord God, long ago Your words were created, written and sanctified, helping our people to faithfully follow You. Grant us healing and wholeness in Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Qoph)

Singing of ‘Jesus Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, let these words of scripture send us a meaningful message today. Enable our hearts to receive Christ's teaching, and open our minds to His ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.         (Acts 5:27)

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You have come among us to display God's good works in our lives, as well as throughout the world. You call upon us to faithfully serve Your continuing ministry and mission. Take these gifts as our cheerful responses to that invitation, blessing them for the life and work that our church undertakes and fulfills to the glory of God and His Kingdom. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ enable us to please God throughout our days; may the Father continually direct our choices in purposeful ways; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to make meaningful contributions of our lives, to the glory of the One, Triune, and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.

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

Sunday Worship prayers : Ordinary 19A - Pentecost 8 - August 7

Approaching God

Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering

Call to Worship

Pastor:             Great is the LORD in the universe; He is exalted above all of Creation.

People:           We will praise His almighty and everlasting name; He is awesome and holy.

Pastor:             Let us worship and glorify our God. Let us magnify and bless the Lord! Amen.

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:             Immortal Creator and Everlasting Father, whose power sustains the universe and whose will enables life to endure; we applaud Your wonderful deeds and adore Your gracious ways. You formed our planet and permitted us dominion over the Earth. We approach You with our prayers and now come to You, confessing our sins.

People:           Loving God, we often question Your words and sometimes doubt Your decisions about our lives. We cast aside Your counsel and decline to accept Your commands. We think too highly of ourselves and allow pride to diminish our humble faith. Forgive us for subverting Your kingdom and ignoring Your sovereignty over us. Hear us now as we express our regrets and repent of our sinful ways.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Merciful Lord, without Your Son Jesus Christ, there would be no opportunity for forgiveness or restoration, repentance or reconciliation. We thank You for His sacrifice and seek to pledge our lives to Him.

We have made our confessions in Christ's Name and so through His holy words, we further pray, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

           

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Every day we break God's Law and dishonor His commands. We put ourselves under severe and eternal punishment, from which only Jesus can save us.  He alone has the power to pardon and return us to God's Kingdom. Let us rejoice and be glad in His Name. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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)

Offertory anthem and Offering

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You know the secrets of our hearts, and yet You still allow us to come to worship You. You have permitted Your holy presence to be experienced in this sacred place. We thank You for these blessings and bring before Your our tithes and gifts, our loyalty and lives. Bless them for the work of God's Kingdom and the praising of His Everlasting Name. Amen.

Children leave for Enrichment

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             O Lord, You have searched our spirits and You know us completely. You see all that we do and perceive our thoughts, our worries and concerns.

People:           You are familiar with all of our ways; You understand all that we experience.

Before we voice our prayers, You know what we are about to ask.

Pastor:             When we feel pressure or suffer from stress, You lay Your loving hand upon us. Your presence is wonderful; we appeal to You for healing and peace to come upon us and all our loved ones. Hear us now as we pray.

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

Pastor: We are never out of God's reach. We always belong to Him. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 139)

           

Singing of “Jesus, Draw me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, spread God's Word into our hearts and souls, so that we may grow spiritually and become obedient to Christ Jesus in faith, hope, and love. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ embrace us each day and fill us with His love; may the Father send us into the world with His strength; and may the Holy Spirit guide us to worship the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

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

            

Sunday Worship prayers - Ordinary 15 A - July 10

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

People:                 We will come before Him with thanksgiving; we will praise Him with music and song.

Leader:                 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods Amen.

First Hymn:

               

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                 Almighty King and Everlasting Lord, whose dominion is unlimited and whose kingdom never ends, we offer You our hearts and souls, our prayers and praise, our love and adoration. Creator of the Universe and Maker of heaven and earth, we joyfully approach Your throne of grace to celebrate Your sovereignty and worship Your sacred ways.

People:                Benevolent God and Heavenly Father, Whose ways are recorded in the holiest of books and Whose will is always fulfilled, we confess to being unfaithful, unworthy, and, at times, unwilling servants of Your Kingdom. We have challenged Your choices; we have protested against Your purposes; we have rebelled against Your words. Forgive us for following our own ways and pandering to our selfish desires. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Gracious God, we seek Your favor through Jesus Christ our Lord. Only He can restore our lives and grant us mercy. In Him alone, we find salvation through His sanctification. Therefore, in the Name of Jesus, we make our pleas and through His precious words, we continue to pray, saying ,  "Our Father, Who art in heaven..." THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

               

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: We gather together in this holy place to seek Christ's Spirit and to learn from His ways. He has died to set us free from sin, so let us live in that liberty which Christ has purchased by His blood, for all of His people, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri(sung 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)

Offering & Offertory anthem

Dedication (unison):      Lord Jesus, throughout the ages, You have talked to the hearts of our people, challenging us to change our ways and causing us to reflect upon God's will for our lives. Today we gather before You our tithes and offerings, asking that You will bless these gifts for the furtherance of Your mission and ministry in our church, community, and world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

(Children leave for Enrichment and Planet worship program)

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 As servants of the Living God, let us lift up and praise His holy name. In this house of holiness, we seek His blessings and favor, asking for the Lord to minister to our troubled souls. We know that the LORD is good, so we pray for strength and healing from Him.

People:                 We are His treasured possessions; our lives are compassionately held in His loving hands. We know that the LORD is great and His power surpasses all of creation.

Pastor:                 Merciful Lord, You do what pleases You best, yet we ask for mercy and peace, healing and wholeness for us and our loved ones. Free us and preserve us 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:                  The LORD oversees the entire Universe and sustains it with His word. May we be comforted, healed, and blessed from the riches of His infinite grace. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 134)

               

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw me Close.’ (twice)

Prayer of Illumination:

Reader:                Holy Spirit, You have called us to be here in God's House, so that we may learn from Christ's teaching and grow in His wisdom. Grant us open hearts and minds, so that we may fully receive and embrace all that God graciously reveals to us through His sacred scriptures and Living Word, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):    May Christ greet us with His grace and goodness each day; may the Father strengthen our church family to be a household of holiness, wholeness and healing; and may the Holy Spirit keep our faith, love and hope in the One, Triune and Everlasting God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

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

                

Sunday Worship Prayers - 4th Sunday of Easter - Easter 4a - 15 May

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Prelude

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                         Almighty Father, whose Sacred Word brought this universe into being, and whose Divine Will sustains all life, we approach You as Your humble servants and children. Your ways are never thwarted, and Your  works signify Your immortal greatness; we applaud Your plan of salvation and we worship You above all else.

People:            Gracious God, before we knew You, we were enemies of Your kingdom, and rebelled against Your Son. We have been reckless with our time, and wasteful with our lives. We constantly surrender to temptation and give way to our fears. Save us from our sinful and selfish ways. Keep us from damaging our souls and diminishing our faith. Help us to ask for forgiveness and to seek Your grace. Hear us now as we silently confess to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                         Heavenly Lord, 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. Thank You for sending Jesus among us, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit to Your True Church on Earth, who guides and counsels us. We make these prayers in Christ's Name and through His own words continue to pray, saying, Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

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 sincerely sought His mercy. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our Savior and we are accepted by God.

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

People:                        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. We seek peace for our souls, health for our hearts, and strength for our minds.

Pastor:             Gracious God, have mercy upon as we ask for healing. May we experience Your Holy Spirit and be restored physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Hear us now as we silently pray, for our loved ones and neighbors, our families and ourselves.

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

Pastor:             May the LORD favor us with His blessings of health and strength. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Singing of 'Jesus, Draw Me Close’. (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.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): 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.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):              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.

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