Sunday Prayers for Lent 2A - Second Sunday in Lent - March 16

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Living Lord, we look to You for blessings of grace. Come among us as we worship You.

People:                 When we need help, You support us, O God. When we are weak, You are our strength.

Liturgist:               Loving Father, accept our grateful prayers and songs of thanksgiving. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Lord of Life and Creator of the Universe, we proclaim You as our One, True, and Holy God. We seek to serve You as Your called servants and chosen people. We adore Your wonderful ways and are constantly amazed by Your powerful deeds.

People:                 Heavenly Father, we want to please You and follow all of Your ways. However, we allow pride and bitterness to anger, disappoint, and hurt other people in order to have our own way, and to fulfill our selfish desires.

In doing so, we separate ourselves from Your Love and deaden 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:                  Merciful God, You have the authority to judge us severely, but instead You graciously gave 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. We make our confessions 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 our sins and restores us to God’s everlasting love. He wants us to choose life over death, faith over fear, and obedience over defiance. When we sincerely come to Him for forgiveness, Christ grants us mercy and grace. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus our Savior rescues us 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

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 therefore lift up our voices in prayer to our God, from our fearful 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 humbly bring to You our families and friends, as well as our colleagues and neighbors who need Your Loving touch and holy healing. Hear us now as we personally pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD is merciful and holy; just and faithful. He compassionately hears our prayers in Jesus’ Name, Amen.                    (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 93)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, help us to recognize what Christ is doing in our church and community. 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 and 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 cheerfully give and pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (unison):  May the God of hope allow us joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may share these blessings with others and be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit each day. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Church Prayers: Ordinary 23c - September 08

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Let us come together and praise the Lord, who is our Protector and Redeemer, as well as our Deliverer and Savior.

People:                 Our help is in the Name of the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Liturgist:               We will worship the One, True, and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Lord God Almighty, You are our shield and sanctuary, our righteous rock and glorious redeemer. Look compassionately upon Your people and lift our spirits up when we are in great need.

People:                Loving Father, we know that there are times when we make mistakes and let our bad feelings compromise our faith. We confess to being proud and stubborn, foolish and haughty, especially when dealing with others who displease or disagree with us.

People:                Merciful Lord, when we stray from Your path and follow our own ways, or when we neglect worshiping You and devote ourselves to things that please us, forgive us for these sinful distractions and selfish desires. Have mercy on our souls and please hear us now as we confess to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, our sins separate us from You and keep us from being good Christians. Only Jesus can return us to Your Kingdom; only He can restore us to who and what we should be in Your eyes. We place our lives into Christ’s hands and through His sacred words, we continue to pray, saying "Our Father…THE LORD'S PRAYER" (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ is the Greatest Savior that the world has ever known. We are blessed by His obedience and saved by His sacrifice. No matter who we think we are, we are all sinners, standing in the need of deliverance and requiring Christ’s forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, we claim that pardon and salvation. 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, if we have been foolish and disappointed You, forgive us. If we have been sinful and angered You, be merciful to us. Sometimes we suffer sickness and experience illness because of our selfish ways and sinful habits. Pain and isolation, fear and anxiety, as well as guilt and worry overwhelm our spirits, damage our souls, weaken our bodies, and stifle our minds.

People:                 O Lord, sometimes our faith is feeble and our confidence is crushed. We need You, Lord, to save us from all that diminishes us and heal us from all that harms us. We wait for You, O God, and seek Your answer. We  focus our thoughts on You, looking for Your love. May You also remember our loved ones, Lord, and never forsake them in the midst of their troubles. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                  Come quickly to us and help us, O Lord our God and Savior. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

 (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 38)

Unison singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, come among our assembly and bless us with Your presence. Speak to us through Christ’s words and deeds. Let them become living words in our hearts and minds, so that we may pass them on to those we meet. In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, You bring meaning into our lives and give us a purpose for our faith. We depend upon You for salvation and look to You each day for guidance. Take these gifts from our tithes and resources. Use them for the life, work, and ministry of Your church in this community, this country, and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray.  Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (in unison):                May Christ write His loving words in each of our hearts; may the Father stand among us and bless our deeds; and may the Holy Spirit keep us obedient to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore.     

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 11C - June 16

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Gracious Father, today we come into Your Holy House to glorify and praise Your Everlasting Name.

People:                 We are blessed to be called Your people and to proclaim You as our Living God.
Liturgist:               Accept our worship and hear our prayers. In Jesus’ Name, we ask these blessings. Amen.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Father God, You worshipped by people in every land on this planet. Today we humbly approach You in prayer and seek to honor Your deeds by rejoicing in Your love. You have called to this sacred place and brought us into Your Holy Presence. We are honored by Your favor and blessed by Your grace.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we confess to thoughtless acts and careless deeds. We have set aside Your ways and followed our selfish aims. At times, we have disregarded Your perfect counsel and made our own sinful decisions. We are guilty of neglect, indifference, pride, and stubbornness. We regret the mistakes that we have made, so we confess our faults to You alone.

 SILENCE -

Guide:                  Eternal God, thank You for hearing our prayers and forgiving our sins. Through the precious blood of Jesus, Your Holy Son, we have been reclaimed to Your Kingdom and restored to Your Blessing. We make our confessions in Jesus’ Name and through His precious words, we continue to pray, saying,

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

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:                  Jesus, the Chosen One of God, came down from Heaven to give us life. He has the divine right to forgive our sins and the authority to reclaim us for God. In Christ, we have our perfect Savior, so let us glorify and exult His powerful Name, forever 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.

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O Living God, hear our personal prayers concerning our afflictions and pain. Let Your peace restore us to Your love. At times, our lives have been troubled with weakness and plagued with illness. Heal our broken bodies and mend our damaged spirits.

People:                 We constantly need Your blessing. Throughout our troubles, we need Your presence. In the midst of our fears, be our strength. Help us and all our loved ones to recover our health, to regain our abilities, and to renew our hope.

Pastor:                 Save us from any sickness and heal us through Your merciful power. Deliver us from distress or despair through Your gracious love. Speak softly to our souls, as we silently bring You our prayers for healing on behalf of ourselves and all our loved ones.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 With God, we will regain our strength. He will vanquish our fears and uplift our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.            (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 60)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, surprise us with the sacred words of Jesus. Enable us to look to Christ for inspiration, hope, and strength. Empower us through the riches of His grace, and the glory of His works. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison, led by pastor):    Lord Jesus, we thank You that God has arranged our lives so that we may serve You at this time, in this place of power and prayer. He wants us to continue Your ministry through the dedication of our lives, as well as the giving of our resources. Bless our tithes and gifts, so that we may honor You through the preaching of the Word, the application of Your teaching, and the glorifying of God’s Name, both now and always. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction (in unison):               May Christ enhance our spiritual gifts through His infinite grace; may the Father increase our faith by allowing us to share it with others; and may the Holy Spirit cause us to faithfully interpret these times, so that we may live glorifying and praising the One, Triune, and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Easter 4C - April 21

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Almighty God, we come into Your Holy House to praise and glorify Your Everlasting Name.

People:                 We have been called to be here today, to sing our songs of praise and make our loving prayers.

Youth:                   May we please You with our praises and be blessed with Your Sacred Presence. Amen.

Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Immortal God, who brought Life into being and whose will sustains the entire universe, we approach You as the children of Your Grace and as servants of Your Kingdom. Your ways are mysterious to us, and yet Your love is known by all. Today we glorify Your greatness and magnify Your Holy Name.

People:  Merciful Father, You know that we struggle with temptation and wrestle with sin. You know all of our weaknesses and can list every mistake that we have ever made. In Your patience and benevolence, have mercy upon us. Forgive our foolish and selfish ways. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Everlasting God, we cannot earn salvation for ourselves. We depend upon Jesus to grant us complete forgiveness. Only He can save us from our sins. Only He can restore us to Your eternal love and favor. Hear us now as we unite our hearts with His, through the saying of Christ's own words: “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ forgives us, even when we betray and deny Him. He has the power to cleanse us of the past and can restore us to the riches of God's grace. May we be thankful and rejoice in the Lord, for He has saved our souls and returned us to the eternal love of God.  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, let us all be glad; let those both near and far rejoice. Our prayers and petitions are made to Him, for righteousness and justice are the foundations of His love.

People:                 Let us place our prayers before God, knowing that He receives them from all of our hearts. O Lord, light up our lives with Your favors and blessings; let us see Your compassion and know that You care.

Pastor:                  Our fears melt our courage and our worries meddle with our faith, yet we will continue to ask the Lord for the healing of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Heavenly Father, we proclaim Your righteousness and ask to see Your glory in the lives of our loved ones who are suffering from sickness and injury, unease and fear, worry and discomfort.  Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The light of the Lord's love is shed upon us; His joy is showered upon our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 97)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, may the words of our Sovereign Lord. who made the Heavens and the Earth, penetrate our minds and enter our hearts. May we gladly receive the blessings of Christ as He teaches us through His life and ministry, both now and always. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we have grasped the meaning of Your giving through the preaching of Your word. In return, we gather before You our tithes and offerings. We do this to please You, asking that You bless all of these resources for the building up of Your church, the proclaiming of the Gospel, and the praising of God's Name.  Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ keep us from judging other people's mistakes by helping us to remember that He has forgiven our own; may the Father bless us with tolerance and compassion for one another; and may the Holy Spirit bring us to God's judgment seat as faithful and dutiful servants, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Easter 3c - April 14

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth: Living Lord, we call to You; come quickly to us. Hear our voices as we cry out to You.
People: May our prayers and praises be acceptable to You, O God of our hearts.
Youth: May the lifting up of our songs and spirits be pleasing to You, Almighty God. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration & Confession
Guide:                        High King of Heaven and Maker of Earth, we gather as stewards and servants, disciples and followers of Your holy ways. From the comfort of our homes, we have come to this sacred place to hear Your words and honor Your glorious Name.

People:            Loving Lord, in the midst of our lives, there are moments of sin. Our days are full of good intentions, but our deeds display our faithless ways. Instead of keeping Your commands, we make selfish choices. Instead of holding on to Your precious words, we hurt others with our bitter talk and personal grudges. Forgive us for pandering to our pride and nursing our wrath. Hear us now as we quietly confess our sins to You.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                         Living God, let Your justice prevail over our lives, and may Your Son’s mercy cleanse our souls. May His blood restore us to Your righteousness. May His sacrifice reclaim our lives for You.

In Him, we are saved from Your wrath, and with Christ, we are returned to Your favor. Hear us now as we pray, saying His sacred words: THE LORD'S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

 

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                         Christ brings us back into the loving courts of God and sheds us of our shame. He takes away our sins and renews our lives. We are no longer held captive to sin. He releases us from our guilt and redeems us for God. Let us rejoice and glorify Him forevermore. Amen.

Gloria Patri (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 us, O God, as we voice our concerns; bring peace to our troubled souls. Keep us safe from sickness; shelter us in the midst of all our worries.

People:            When we are beset with problems, and hard pressed with fear, be our strength and shield. When life suddenly strikes us with grief and sorrow, carry and comfort us. O Lord.

Pastor:            Encourage our hopes and heal our illnesses. Look after our loved ones and strengthen them in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray for ourselves and for all those who are in need of healing.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:            Let us rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 64)

Singing of  ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, gather our thoughts and help us to focus on Christ. Enable us to lay our spirits at His feet. Teach us life lessons through the power of these sacred scriptures.  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, You have mysteriously affected our lives and penetrated our souls. You have brought us to this holy house of prayer. We gather before You our tithes and gifts, and ask that You bless them for the work of this church, and the glory of Your kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (in unison):        May Christ shelter us from sin and shame; may the Father enlighten our souls and embrace us with His love; and may the Holy Spirit keep us faithfully focused on worshipping the One, Triune, and Living God. Both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Easter 2C - April 7

Approaching God

 

Welcome & announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

 

Call to Worship

Youth:             Let us come to the Lord with our praises and prayers.

All:                  We will honor God from our hearts and in our worship.

Youth:             May God be glorified by what we give and bring to Him. Amen.

 

First Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                         LORD God Almighty, Creator of the Universe, and Sustainer of our lives, we come to You with our prayers and petitions, our cares and concerns. You have called us by name to come into Your House. You have welcomed us to this sanctuary of praise and peace, holiness and healing.

People:            Loving God, in the midst of our troubles, we call upon Your Name. We look for Your help and inspiration, Your patience and forgiveness, as well as Your mercy and grace. We have sinned against You and have allowed ourselves to be overcome by temptation. We have neglected our faith and cast aside Your words. Forgive our foolish and arrogant ways; pardon our selfish and faithless choices. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Merciful Father, You could discipline and punish us, or even reject and ignore us. Instead, You lovingly allow us to approach Your Holy Son Jesus to seek forgiveness, absolution, and acquittal for our sins. We praise You for sending Him to us and for His perfect and passionate sacrifice, which wipes clean our sinful past. May we unite ourselves with Jesus, in whose words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father, …THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:             We believe and know that Christ is the Holy One of God. His Passion and obedience, His Crucifixion and sacrifice, have given us the glorious opportunity of remitting our sins, renewing our lives, and restoring us to God's favor and blessing.  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:                         Come, let us pray for healing from the LORD; let us voice our concerns to the Rock of our salvation. We come before God with our personal pleas; we pray to Him sincerely and faithfully.

People:                        The LORD is the great God, the mighty King above all. He will hear our prayers and answer our needs. From His hands comes the power of healing. Have mercy upon us O Lord, for we belong to You.

Pastor:                         We are His, for He made us; He shapes our lives and has the power to save our souls. Almighty God, we bow down before You; heal us and all our loved ones from sickness and despair; pain and anxiety; suffering and depression. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:             The LORD is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

                        (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 95)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, let the words and ways of Jesus touch our hearts today. May His miracles and messages challenge our lives so that we may change our church, community, and country. To the glory of God forever. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we express our faith and thanksgiving through these tithes and offerings. Bless them for the life, work, and ministry of Your church and the preaching, teaching, and proclaiming of Your Gospel. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Hymn

Benediction:( in unison)        May Christ be the Lord of our lives throughout our days on Earth; may the Father enhance our faith and life through His loving ways; and may the Holy Spirit keep us serving the One, Triune, and Living God, in this world and the next. 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 Worship Prayers - Lent 4C - 10 March

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Loving God, we come into Your House of praise and prayer; accept our songs and worship.

People:                 We are called to be in Your presence and seek to please You with our devotion.

Youth:                   Come among us, Holy Lord, and bless each of us here today. In Jesus’ Name, we ask. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                 Sovereign Lord of the Universe and Gracious God of our hearts, we praise Your glorious ways and bless Your wonderful deeds. You are the One, True, and Living God. We are honored to be called into Your Holy Presence. We feel favored to gather in Your Holy House.

People:                 Loving Lord of Life, You created the Earth and watch over our entire planet. You know that we are human and frail, prone to pride and drawn to sin. Forgive our faults and pardon our past mistakes. Have mercy upon us for we are foolish and faithless at times, overcome by greed and vanity, temptation and trouble. Hear us now as we humbly confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, enable us to honor Your Name by placing Christ at the center of our lives. May His Passion free us from our sins. May His sacrifice restore us to Your Favor. For we make our confessions in Christ’s Name and through His own words, we unite our hearts in prayer, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (DEBTS/DEBTORS)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ opens our eyes to the consequences of our sins. By giving His life for us, He shows us how seriously God deals with our selfish and deceitful mistakes. Thankfully, He also opens the gates of eternal freedom to those who come to Him sincerely seeking forgiveness, peace, and love. By the power of His blood, we receive mercy and are restored to God’s favor. Therefore, in Christ’s Name, let us rejoice and pray. 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 our cries, O God; listen to our heartfelt prayers. Deep within our souls, we call to You. When we are weak and our hearts are troubled, be the rock of our salvation.

People:                 You are our refuge and our strength against all things which harm us in body, mind, heart and soul. We seek to dwell in Your healing presence and look to You to keep us safe from illness and injury, disease and despair, pain and suffering.

Pastor:                 We call upon You for ourselves, our loved ones, and those whom we know need Your help. May Your love and faithfulness protect all of us and may our loved ones experience Your peace and blessing, Your hope and healing. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May we sing praise to the One, True, and Living God, whose compassionate healing is given and fulfilled in each of our lives this day. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.    

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 61)

Singing of “Sanctuary"

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, lift up our hearts and help us to see the real Jesus in the midst of these scriptures. Reveal to us His teaching for our lives, and help us to apply what we learn from Him today.  In Christ’s Sacred Name, we pray. Amen. 

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (infusion – led by pastor):    Lord Jesus, You have revealed to us Your ways through the Living Word of the scriptures. In response, we gather together our tithes and offerings, placing them into Your keeping. We ask that You will bless these tokens and enable us to use them for the many ministries and missions You have called us to pursue and fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Christ help us to regard each day as holy and special; may the Father continue to bless our needs and strengthen our souls; and may the Holy Spirit teach us to live our lives in thankfulness to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude