Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 13C - June 30

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Living Lord, we humbly approach You, seeking to please You with our worship and prayers.

People:                 O God, We ask that You prepare our hearts and minds to receive Your important words for us today.

Liturgist:               We welcome Your Holy Spirit to our sanctuary and hope to be blessed with Your sacred presence. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, whose resolve sustains the universe and whose will shapes our lives, we come before You as Your people, called to worship and glorify Your Everlasting Name. We want to please You as servants of Your Kingdom, and as followers of Your Holy Son.

People:                 Gracious Father, sometimes we disappoint You with our sinful deeds and selfish ways. Frequently, we forget to share our faith with other people, or we omit to do good deeds and kind acts that would witness to Your power in the world. Instead of following Your words, we make up our own ideas and justify our misconceptions. Instead of being messengers of Your Gospel, we mess up our lives, and those of others, through gossip, anger, pride, and vanity. Forgive us, Lord God, for failing to be sincere servants and genuine Christians. Here us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Merciful God, instead of rebuking us, You seek to redeem us; instead of casting us aside, You want to call us back to Your Son, so that He may become our Savior and Lord. For this, we are truly thankful, and in Christ’s holy words, we now pray saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus wants us to come to Him, to be restored to God’s favor, and proclaim the Kingdom through our changed lives. He is the Only One, given by God, who can forgive our sins and welcome us back in God’s service. Let us, therefore, be truly thankful, for Christ is our Cherished Redeemer and Everlasting 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:                 In God, we find our safe place and refuge. All good things originate in His love, therefore we appeal to His grace for help, healing, and wholeness.

People:                 Sometimes our sorrows separate us from God and we feel isolated, vulnerable, and weak. Our fears cause our faith to falter, and troubles torment our spirits. We seek assurance and pray for improvement. We long for protection from pain and the healing of our illnesses.

Pastor:                 O Living Lord, grant us guidance, godly counsel, and invaluable instruction. Heal us and our loved ones from all that harms us, whether in body, mind, heart or soul. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May we delight in the mercy of the Lord and the great gift of His love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. 

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 16)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, be the Messenger of Christ’s teaching to us today. Open our hearts and minds to this proclamation of God’s Kingdom through these sacred words. In Christ’s Holy 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 seek to serve You with our lives and to follow You through faithful ways. You call us to support the work of Your Kingdom by giving gifts and offering tithes. Take these tokens of our gratitude and bless them for Your continuing ministry and mission, both here at this church, and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction:      May Christ call us to be messengers of His Gospel to our community; may the Father keep us faithful to His Everlasting Kingdom; and may the Holy Spirit encourage us to serve, worship, and glorify the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday worship Prayers - Ordinary 5C - Feb 10

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:   Living God, You have called us to be in Your House of praise and prayer.

All:         We have obeyed Your summons and now seek to please You with our worship.

Youth:   Allow us the presence of Your Holy Spirit, so that we may bless and honor You. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting Lord, who speaks to all Creation, sustaining the entire Universe with Your Word, we come here to worship and adore Your wonderful ways. We are blessed with Your peace and strengthened by Your love.

People:                 Gracious Father, You command us to listen to Your voice and to follow Your ways. We confess that we have been disobedient and rebelled against Your ways. We are weak, mortal, and imperfect whereas You are holy, immortal, and almighty. Forgive our faithless and selfish ways; pardon our wrong acts and sinful deeds. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving God, enable us to be attentive to Your commands, and obediently listen to what You have to say through Jesus Christ, Your Holy Son. In Christ alone, our spirits can be reunited with You forever. Through Him, we are saved from eternal separation and destruction. In His Name and by His words, we make these prayers, 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 spirits 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 (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 call to You from all of our hearts, O LORD; answer us and we will obey Your decrees. We call out to You to save us and heal us. We will earnestly follow Your divine counsel and accept Your ways.

People:                 Each day, Living Lord, we ask You for help. We place our hopes in Your promises and sacred words. Hear our prayers, given in accordance with Your love. Preserve and sustain us, in accordance with Your great compassion.

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

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

Pastor:                  Lord God, long ago Your words were established in scripture, and our people faithfully followed You by applying them in our lives. Grant us healing through Your promises, for in Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

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

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

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.         

Scripture Readings

The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor):  Lord Jesus, You come to display God's good works in our lives and throughout the entire world. You call us to faithfully serve You in ministry and mission. Take these tithes and gifts as our cheerful response to that invitation.  Bless them for the life, work, and tasks that our church undertakes and fulfills to the glory of God and His Kingdom. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (in unison):  May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - Epiphany 2C - Jan 20

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Let us joyfully come and freely worship the Lord our God.

People:                We praise His loving ways and glorify His wonderful deeds.

Youth:                   Let us honor God from our hearts and praise Him from our lips. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Eternal God, in whose holy presence we live, and for whose predestined purposes we are sustained, accept the prayers and praises that we express from our lips and hearts. To You alone, we dedicate this time of worship and exaltation. In You alone, we place all our faith, hope, and love.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we confess that there are times when we make bad choices, which separate us from You. There are moments in our lives when we are stubborn and disobedient, proud and resentful, as well as prejudiced and bitter. Forgive our self-centered and faithless ways. Hear us now as we silently make our confessions.

SILENCE –

Guide: Loving Father, You have given Jesus to us as the Way to forgiveness, the Truth of salvation, and the Life which leads us to restoration. In Him, through Him, and by Him, we are saved and renewed, pardoned and reunited to You forever. In Christ’s words, we lift up our prayers, saying: “Our Father…” (The Lord’s Prayer – debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                                  Christ obeyed God completely throughout His life. As God’s Perfect and Holy Son, He made the supreme and sacred sacrifice that paid for all of our sins. In Jesus, we have the One, True, and Living Savior, who sets us free from our past mistakes and restores us to God 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 afraid or if our faith is weak, help us to look to Your promises. You are our refuge and our shield; we place our confidence in Your Word alone.

People:                 Cast out our doubts and fears. Help us to remain focused on Your power. Sustain us with Your almighty strength; do not let our hopes be dashed.

Pastor:                  Keep our thoughts from being distracted by our fears. Help us to follow You in faith. Heal us, and all our loved ones, from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we quietly and sincerely pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Lord, we abide in Your loving presence. We remain in awe of Your amazing love and healing power. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.    (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Samekh)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to receive the message and purpose of these scriptures. Keep us from trivializing the truth. Open our hearts and minds to all that Christ gives us through His actions and words. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison, led by pastor):    Lord Jesus, through the power of the Gospel, we are brought closer to You. By the gracious presence of the Holy Spirit, we are given the priceless gift of salvation. Gladly and cheerfully, we bring to You our tithes and gifts as a thanksgiving offering. Take and receive them for Your continuing work in this church and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn:

Benediction (in unison):  May the Father’s amazing love fill us with joy and peace as we trust in Him; may the Son open up opportunities of service and devotion to Him each day;  and may we  overflow with hope by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers: Trinity Sunday - Trinity B - June 03

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:              We will glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we will praise Your Name forever and ever.
People:           You are almighty, O God, and most worthy of our praise; Your greatness no one can fathom.
Youth:             Let us cheerfully commend the works of the Lord to one another; let us worship the One,                        Triune, and Living God. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Guide:              Almighty God, who sustains the seasons and commands the weather, whose power upholds the forces of nature and the climate of our world, we glorify Your mighty deeds and honor Your eternal words. Your promises are always fulfilled, therefore we covenant this time to praise You; we set aside this hour to glorify Your Holy Name.

People:           Loving Father, we confess to being unfaithful and disloyal to Your ways. We admit to allowing temptations to overcome our resolve and letting our troubles weaken our faith. We know that we have disappointed You on numerous occasions this week and we have harbored grudges, made selfish choices, or have allowed pride to overrule our hearts. We have failed to attain Your standards, so we are guilty of offending You with our sins. Hear us now as we make our personal confessions to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:              Heavenly Father, we thank You for Jesus Christ, our Savior and Your Son. He covers us from all our sins and shields us from Your wrath. His perfect sacrifice has obtained forgiveness and restoration to us. His resurrection has given us hope and salvation. May we now be united to His Spirit and remain in His enduring love. With Christ’s own words, we conclude our prayers, saying, ‘Our Father...’ THE LORD'S PRAYER (debts/debtors)    

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:              Jesus is the Holy Son of God, who challenges our ways and confronts our sins. He alone has the power to reclaim us for God and to return us to His Kingdom. So let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our everlasting Savior and glorious Lord, both now and always. 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.

Minute for Mission

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             May God be gracious to us and bless us with health and healing. May His holy ways be made known among us; may His salvation be experienced by all of His people.

People:           May we praise the Lord at all times; may we know of His abundant love and abiding strength. May our loved ones know of the Spirit’s healing presence; may they be glad of His compassion and care.

Pastor:             O Lord, we pray that You will heal our hearts and spirits, as well as our bodies and minds. Bless us with Your grace and bestow Your mercy upon all our loved ones. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:             God will bless us and all the Earth will know of His love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. 

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 67)

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, we seek Your approval over all that we do; grant us Your guiding presence. Open our hearts and minds to the message of these scriptures and grant us ways to apply them in our church.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison - led by pastor):            Lord Jesus, we offer to You our tithes and gifts. We take them from the resources and finances that You have already given to us. Therefore, we return the fruits of our lives to You and ask that You will bless them for the life, work, and ministry of this church. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):            May Christ help us turn to Him each day for guidance, approval, and love; may the Father be pleased with our faith and protect us from our fears; and may the Holy Spirit bless our souls, so that we may continue to worship, honor and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. 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 - Lent 1 - February 26

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             May the Lord remember His promises to all His people, for we are given hope through them.

People:           In the midst of our troubles, we are comforted by the Lord. His words reassure us                                         throughout our lives.

Pastor:             Let us come to God, with our worship and praises. Let us glorify His Holy Name. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Gracious God, each day we turn to You for guidance and try to live our lives by keeping Your commands. At the end of the day, we look to You to pardon our sins, for we will have failed to perfectly keep Your words. Merciful Lord, if we try to ignore Your presence, we are only fooling ourselves. If we think that we can hide our secrets from You, we are deluded.

People:           Loving Lord, You gave each of us life, so that we may enjoy the works of Your creation and delight in Your ways. Forgive us for wasting this precious gift, and for straying from Your holy paths. We regret disappointing You, hurting other people, and neglecting our faith. We are sorry for allowing sin to affect our decisions, ruin our relationships, and damage our souls.  Hear us now as we silently confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Almighty Father, we are eternally indebted to Your Son Jesus Christ. His sacrifice has saved our souls; His grace has generated faith within our hearts. Christ is the Lord of our lives, the Head of the Church, and the Healer of the World. In His Holy Name, we make our confessions, and through His sacred words, we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER"  (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:              Everything that Jesus tells us in the scriptures leads us to experience the love of His Father in Heaven. Because Christ compassionately loves us, He listens to our confessions and forgives all of our mistakes. We are completely washed in His sacred blood and joyfully restored to God's favor, 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:             O Lord, as we abide in Your sanctuary, may Your Holy Spirit descend upon us. As we await Your sacred presence, may Your righteousness cover all our sins.

People:           Speak to our hearts, Loving Father, and let Your truth comfort our souls. When we are hurting, heal our pain. When we are grieving, grant us grace. When we are fearful, fill us with faith.

Pastor:             Gracious Lord, we depend upon Your promises to sustain us in times of trouble, worry, and stress. Hear our prayers, Holy Lord. Heal our loved ones, and us, from all the harm and ill health that damages our hearts and minds, as well as our bodies and souls. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

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

Pastor:             The Lord keeps His word, so we shall not be shaken. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 15)

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close."

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, You descend among us to inspire our hearts and minds with Christ's teachings and God's love. Enable us to receive God's message for today. Help us to apply His words throughout the coming week. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we are only Christians by the grace of God. We cannot earn salvation, nor pay our way into heaven. We owe You absolutely everything. From the fruits of our labors and the resources of our lives, we present to You our tithes and gifts. Accept them for the continuing work of Your church, the preaching of the Gospel, and the proclaiming of God's Name, both in this community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ write His words within our hearts; may the Father grant us a better understanding of His ways; and may the Holy Spirit fill us with an eternal hope in the One, Triune and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.         

Doxology         May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Prayers for Ordinary 5 - February 05

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and announcements

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor:             May the LORD teach us His ways; may we keep His word throughout our lives.

People:           God grants us meaning and purpose, when we obey Him and praise His deeds.

Pastor:             May the LORD direct us as we delight in worshipping and glorifying His Name. Amen.

First Hymn:

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Sovereign Lord, we gather here in Your sacred House of Prayer and come to honor Your authority over all Creation. We seek to please You with our praises and want to serve You with our worship.

People:           Merciful Father, we are ashamed of our past sins and sorry for our continual mistakes. We regret being selfish and tarnishing our lives with foolish choices. Instead of finding joy in Your salvation, we fret over our failures. Instead of trusting Your strength, we weaken our faith through being proud and angry, bitter and self-centered. Forgive us for ignoring Your guidance and influence over our lives. Hear us now as we humbly pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to confess our sins; for granting us mercy, and for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ, as our One, True and Holy Savior. In His Hands, we place our souls; in His Name, we make our confessions, and in His words we continue to pray, saying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:              The world questions who Jesus was, but we know that He is all that He ever claimed to be. He is the Holy Son of God, the Savior of our souls, and the Ruler of the Universe. By Him, we are granted forgiveness and through Him, we can receive eternal life. Let us rejoice and worship Christ, 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:             How long, O God, will we experience sickness and pain? How long will we endure illness and anxiety? How long must we wrestle with our worries, and find sadness in our hearts? How long shall we strive and be subjected to stress?

People:           Look upon on us, O LORD, our God, and mercifully answer us. Lighten our loads and save us from despair. When our hopes seem to fail, heal our hurts. When we falter through fear, restore our faith.

Pastor:             O Lord, we will trust in Your unfailing love; we will rejoice in Your salvation. Come among us, Gracious God, and be present with our loved ones. Heal us from all that harms us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:             We will praise the Lord, for He has been good to us. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 13)

Unison singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, each time we visit God's House, we learn more about the truth of Jesus Christ. His words and ways come to us across the centuries, from the events and experiences of His amazing Earthly Life. Open our hearts and minds, our spirits and souls to Him today. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You come among us and grant us Your peace. You forgive our sins and restore us to God's love. In response, we give our lives to You, and we ask that You will bless them, so that we may honor God throughout our days. We also bring before You our tithes and gifts. Bless these tokens of our gratitude to the continuing life, work, and mission of Your Church on Earth, in this community, and all over the world. In Your Precious Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ continue to help us as He intercedes for us; may the Father keep us thankful for the favors He grants us each day; and may the Holy Spirit guide us as we worship, serve, and glorify the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.                  

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - Ordinary 24 - Sept 11

Approaching God

 Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

 Gathering

 Call to Worship

Pastor:             Surely God is our help; the Lord is the One who sustains us.

People:           We will praise Your Name, O Lord, for it is good and holy.
Pastor:             The Lord delivers us from all our troubles; let us worship and glorify our God!

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Eternal Creator and Immortal God, the entire Universe displays Your almighty power and the beings on this planet we call Earth praise Your Holy Name each day. We come before You as seekers and servants, disciples and worshippers to magnify and glorify Your wonderful deeds. We call upon You to fill our lives with Your blessings, bounty, and beauty. Your words sustain and direct us; Your mercies sanctify and correct us; Your love welcomes and accepts us.

People:           Sovereign God and Glorious Savior, forgive us for allowing our faith to weaken and our pride to proliferate; pardon our foolish ways and sinful choices. When we neglect to help others or discard opportunities to meet their needs, have mercy upon us and change our lives. When we forget to be Christians with our families and friends; when we set aside our beliefs in order to be popular, or when we reject the responsibilities of our faith because they are inconvenient, pardon us and challenge our ways. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Gracious God, only Jesus can restore us to Your joy and make our lives complete. When we are laid low and beset by sin, He raises us up and returns us to Your blessing and favor. We praise You for the renewing of our hopes and the redeeming of our lives. Our confessions are given in Christ's Name and we further pray in His everlasting words saying, Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:              Christ's teaching came directly from God and the words of forgiveness that He spoke from the Cross apply to all who seek His mercy and believe in His Name. Therefore, we are glad and will rejoice, for Jesus is the Restorer of our souls and the Savior of our lives, both now and forevermore. 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)

Encountering God

(Choir Anthem)

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             The Lord remembers who we are and will bless us, for God blesses all who revere and glorify His Holy Name.

People:           May the LORD increase our strength and that of all our loved ones. May we each experience the blessings of encouragement and healing from the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Pastor:            Everything belongs to the LORD; our lives, our loved ones, and our souls are in His hands. Almighty LORD, heal us and all our loved ones from everything 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:             We will praise and bless the One, True and Living God, whose compassion conquers our fears and whose faithfulness cares for our concerns. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 115)

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close’

Prayer for Illumination:

Reader:             Holy Spirit, help us to hear what Christ is saying to each one of us through these sacred words. Challenge our opinions and ideas; change our wayward lives and selfish ways. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.            

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You have come among us, knowing the secrets of our hearts and bringing peace to our minds. We place these offerings and tithes before You, as symbols of our service and tokens of the truth that You proclaim. Take our lives and sanctify them to serve, honor, and worship You each and every day. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray.  Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):  May Christ grant us faithful endurance in all that we face this week; may the Father bless us with encouragement as we seek to fulfill His purposes; and may the Holy Spirit bestow unity, harmony and peace upon us as we worship, witness, and work to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always.  Amen.

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