Sunday Prayers Oct 12 - ordinary 28A, proper 23, Pentecost 18

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to worship

Herald:                 Let us trust in God’s unfailing love.

People:                 Our hearts rejoice in His salvation.

Leader:                                 Let us sing to the LORD, for He has been good to us. Let us worship and glorify His Name! Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Lord, Maker of Mystery and Sustainer of Life, we come before You as servants seeking Your wisdom and as children cherishing Your love. We yield to Your authority and yearn for Your holiness; we freely submit to Your will and faithfully surrender to Your Word.

People:                 Everlasting God, You have the power to shape the patterns of our lives and influence our choices. You have the right to scrutinize our life styles and to reject our selfish ways. We know that we have sinned against Your Sovereignty and rebelled against Your rules. We have covered our sins with pride and contaminated our souls with deceit. We are guilty of greed and full of faithless ways. Hear us now as we personally confess to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving Father, without Jesus we would not know the joy of salvation. Without Christ’s sacrifice, we would not have any future or everlasting hope. We acknowledge that we are sinners and that only He is the Divine Savior of our souls. In the Name of Jesus, we make these confessions and through His holy words we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus is the Bread of Life, which means that He is the Only One who can sustain our spirits and nourish our souls. He has the authority to forgive our sins and the right to restore us to God. Let us celebrate and be glad, for Christ has come into our lives and we are fully forgiven of all our sinful and selfish ways, 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:                 We give thanks to You, O God, for You are ever present and we glorify Your wonderful deeds. We pray that this sacred moment will become an appointed time of holiness and healing.

People:                 When we experience fear and confusion, or anxiety and worry, You steady our hearts and bring peace to our minds. Wherever we are, You are with us. Whatever we face, You support us.

Pastor:                 Heavenly Father, examine our hearts and minds, as well as our bodies and souls; heal us of all that harms us. Pour out the blessing of Your healing power upon us and all our loved ones. Restore us to health and strengthen all those for whom we now silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Let us declare the goodness of the Lord forever. May we sing and celebrate His wonderful ways. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.    (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 75)

Unison singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                               Holy Spirit, come among us and enable us to hear Jesus speak through these sacred scriptures. May His teaching and action challenge our ways and may we cherish His words by applying them in our daily lives. In the Precious Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we freely and confidently give our tithes and offerings to You, asking that You will lovingly bless these gifts by allowing our church to use them to finance, aid, and support the many ministries and missions that You want us to advance and accomplish through the faith, lives, and resources of our congregation. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May we submit to Christ’s compassion and share His love throughout our lives; may we fully serve and obey our Father in Heaven each and every day; and may the Holy Spirit establish faithful hearts and devoted souls within all of us as we serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday worship prayers - Ordinary 7/ Epiphany 7 - Feb 23

Approaching God

Welcome & Church Announcements

Prelude

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                         Almighty and Infinite God, Majestic and All-Powerful Creator, we approach You with awe and reverence; we gather in humility and service. Your Hands have formed our universe; Your Will sustains our lives. What are we that You are mindful of us? Who are we to receive Your compassion and care?

People:  Gracious Lord, nothing is hidden from Your gaze; no secrets can be kept from Your heart. We have shamefully sinned and selfishly centered our lives upon greed, power, desire and deceit. We have neglected our faith; spoken harsh words; passed by people in need and have put You to the back of our minds. We are guilty of many sins, so we seek Your compassion and ask for mercy. Hear us now as we solemnly pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Loving Father, we are unworthy to receive grace and yet You have given us Your Son Jesus. He died for our mistakes. He took the punishment due for our sins and sacrificed Himself for all the wrong things that we have ever said and done. Without Jesus as our Savior, we remain unforgiven. Without Christ’s obedience, we are unrestored. Hear us now as we unite our hearts with His, through Christ’s own words, saying “Our Father…(THE LORD’S PRAYER – debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ knows all of our secrets and everything that goes on in our minds, hearts and lives. Only He can fully offer us salvation. Only He can restore us to the One, True and Living God. When we honestly believe in Him and sincerely confess our sins, He will forgive us and bring us back to God. So let us rejoice and be glad for Jesus has pardoned our foolish ways and re-established our everlasting relationship with the LORD, 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.

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

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             Lord, You have been our dwelling place and healing source throughout all generations. Before the Earth was made with its seas and mountains, You existed.

People:            O LORD, how long shall we suffer from our sicknesses? Have compassion upon us and heal all Your servants. Satisfy our prayers with Your unfailing love, so that we may praise and glorify You every day.

Pastor:             Lord God, make us glad by restoring our health; bring peace, hope and healing to all our loved ones. May Your compassionate deeds be shown to us; may the splendor of Your strength be experienced by all, for whom we now pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:             May the favor of the LORD rest upon us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

                        (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 90)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, open our hearts to Christ’s teaching, and enable us to spread His message amongst the people that we know and love, through applying these sacred words in our everyday lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, in all that we do, we witness to Your ministry. Today, we gather this offering as a true token of our faith and loving response to Your sacred words. Take these gifts and tithes and bless them for Your continuing work and ways amongst us. In Your Holy Name we pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction(unison):  May Christ feed us with faith, hope and love; may the Father look down upon us with compassion and care; and may the Holy Spirit perfectly lead us into the presence of the One, Triune and Living God, where we shall live and be accepted forevermore. Amen.

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