Sunday Prayers: Ordinary 8/ Epiphany 8 - March 2

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Almighty God, we gather in Your Holy House to praise and glorify Your Sacred Name.

People:                Hear us as we sing our songs of faith and uplift to You our heartfelt prayers.

Liturgist:               Let us rejoice in God’s presence and worship His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Hymn

               

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Sovereign Lord of the Universe, we praise Your glorious ways and bless Your wonderful Name. We are honored to be allowed into Your Holy Presence. We feel favored when You summon us to Your Holy House of praise and prayer.

People:                 Loving Lord of Life, You rule over the Earth and see all of its ways. You know that we are sinful and selfish, foolish and faithless, as well as proud and pitiless at times. Merciful God, forgive our faults and pardon our past mistakes. We have neglected to do good deeds, and have inflicted hurt on other people. We have followed our own misguided ways and allowed temptation to contaminate our souls. Hear us now as we inwardly confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, we want to honor You 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. In Christ’s Name, we pray and through His own words, we unite our hearts, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’s PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus wants us to turn from our sinful ways and be restored to Him. He calls us to follow Him and become witnesses of His mercy. All of our past sins are completely forgiven because He graciously loves us. Let us honor Christ’s authority over our lives by appreciating His redeeming grace. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our Savior and we are eternally restored 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.

Children’s Sermon

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Almighty Father, we proclaim Your love this morning and thank You for Your faithfulness to us. You make us glad through Your wonderful and gracious deeds; we rejoice in the work of Your healing hands of mercy and love.

People:                 Loving Lord, we know that You understand us perfectly, and that You think about us constantly. May we flourish by Your grace; may we be healed through Your compassion. In the midst of our illnesses, be our salvation. During times of depression or despair, be our defender and deliverer.

Pastor:                  Living God, look after our loved ones and heal them of all that harms them in body, mind, heart and soul. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The Lord is our righteousness, our peace, and our strength. He loves and restores us in Jesus’ Name, Amen.                  (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 92)

Unison singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to judge between right and wrong through the guidance of these scriptures. Open our hearts and minds to Christ’s teaching, so that we may please and obey God every day. 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 have revealed 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. 

Communion

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 love by the power of Christ in our lives. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; One God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Easter 6C - May 05

Approaching God

Welcome & announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Loving God, we freely gather to worship You this day. Bless our prayers and praises.

All:                         You are the One, True, and Living God. May our songs of faith and words of worship honor and glorify Your sacred Name.

Youth:                   May our hearts be cheered and our spirits be uplifted. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                               

Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, whose power upholds the Universe and whose Kingdom never ends, we humbly approach You as servants and children of Your grace, as seekers and followers of Your ways.

People:                 Merciful Father, sometimes we neglect our faithful commitment to You. We omit to support the needs of other people. We forget to set aside time to worship You each day. We follow our own selfish impulses and to choose to fulfill our sinful desires. Be patient with us and pardon us for the mistakes that we make, the faults that we have, and the sins we commit. Hear us now as we silently make our confessions.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Compassionate Lord, You graciously allow us to seek forgiveness from Jesus Christ, Your Holy Son. His mercy endures forever through His sacrificial obedience to You, making us thankful for His grace. In Christ's Name, we pray and with His own precious words, we unite our hearts saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ is our shelter from sin and we abide in His mercy. He deletes our past mistakes and opens our lives to the love of God. He calls us by name, so that we may celebrate, feast, and rejoice in His goodness, grace, and glory. So let us be truly glad and worship our Savior 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 over all the nations. He sits enthroned above the Earth. Great is the LORD throughout the world. He is exalted above all others. Let us praise the great and sacred Name of God. We seek His holiness and healing. The LORD is our mighty King. We pray for His favor, help, and strength

People:                 As we praise the LORD, may He hear and bless our prayers. As we worship His ways, may He heal us by His love. O LORD our God, we ask that You will answer our heart-felt requests. Release us from our restless ways. Save us from sickness. Deliver us from distress and disease. Heal us and all our loved ones 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:                 Let us praise and worship our God in this holy sanctuary, for He is gracious and merciful, benevolent and compassionate. In Jesus' Name, we ask. Amen.                (Healing Prayer based on words and phrases from Psalm 99)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, may we take our stand with Jesus, the King of all the Earth. May these scriptures help us to gather our thoughts together, so that we can focus on His Teaching, His Truth, and His Life. In the Name of Jesus, our Lord and Anointed One, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering and Offertory

Dedication: (unison – led by pastor):     Lord Jesus, You have spoken to us through Your gospel. We have interpreted Your words and seek to apply Your ways in our daily lives. In response to Your love, we bring You our gifts and tithes. We humbly ask that You will bless these tokens of gratitude for the purposes, works and ministries of Your Kingdom in this community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion

Benediction(unison):     May Christ enable us to give our lives to Him alone; may the Father keep us accountable for all that we seek to do in His Name; and may the Holy Spirit lead, guide, and counsel us each day, so that we may glorify God both now and always. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Easter 5C - April 28

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting Father, whose deeds throughout the generations have sustained our people; whose ways across the centuries have enhanced our faith; we worship and adore You forever. Living God, whose purposes are never thwarted and whose plans are always fulfilled, we look to You for favor and blessing, mercy and grace.

People:                 Immortal Lord, we know that we are weak and human; our bodies are frail and our minds are constantly distracted. Forgive us when we allow our wants and desires to overcome our souls, causing damage to our spirits. Deliver us from deceitful and dishonorable deeds; pardon us for making poor choices and persistently opposing Your power over our lives.  Hear us now as we silently confess our sins.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Almighty God, refresh us with Your loving kindness; restore us through Your Holy Son. May Christ claim authority over our lives, by cleansing our souls and renewing our faith in You. For we make our requests in Jesus' Name and with His own holy words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                                  Our Lord Jesus placed Himself in harm's way and died upon a lonely Cross, so that we may be forgiven and restored to God's love. We deserve God's punishment for our mistakes, yet Christ shields us from God's wrath and brings us back into His Holy Presence and Everlasting Favor. Let us rejoice and glorify our Savior 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 come to the Lord with praise and thanksgiving, for He has done marvelous things. The Lord has made His salvation known to us and revealed His righteousness to all our people. May the Lord remember His love for us as we present our petitions; may His faithfulness to us grant us courage and hope. May we jubilantly proclaim God's healing amongst us; may we shout for joy when He answers our prayers.

People:                 O Lord, take our prayers and reshape our lives. Take our sicknesses and reclaim our health by Your gracious love. Be near to us and all our loved ones. Heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart and spirit. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor: Let our hearts resound in faith; let our hopes be realized through God's favor and blessing. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.       (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 98)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, may Christ speak to us through the words of the Gospel. May all that You inspired long ago to be written about Jesus become holy and sacred, meaningful and mighty in each of our lives today. In Jesus' Name, we ask. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, may we excel in faithfulness, as we give these gifts to build up the church. May we eagerly serve You with our time, talents, and tithes, as we contribute our resources, treasures, and money to You this day. Bless these gifts and guide us to use them wisely for the life, work, and ministry of Your Kingdom here on Earth. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (unison):  May Christ write His ways across our hearts; may the Father teach us to worship reverently; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to confess our faith in the One, Triune, and Eternal God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - Lent 2C - Feb 24

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to worship

Youth:   O Lord, help us to focus our hearts and minds on worshipping You.

All:         We have come into Your Holy House to praise Your Everlasting Reality.

Youth:   Bless our prayers and songs, gifts and voices. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Hymn   

               

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Everlasting God, 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, pride, desire, and deceit. We have neglected our faith, spoken angry words; we have passed by people in need, and 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 to die for our mistakes, to take the punishment due for our sins, and to sacrifice Himself for all the wrong things we have committed, as well as for all of the right things we have omitted. Without our Savior, we would remain unforgiven. Without Christ’s obedience, we would not be restored. Hear us now as we unite our hearts with His, by saying 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. 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.

Children’s Sermon

Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Almighty God, You have been our dwelling place and healing source throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or Time began, You existed.

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

Pastor:                  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, we pray. Amen.

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

Unison singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, open our hearts to Christ’s teaching, and enable us to spread His message amongst the people we know and love, through applying these sacred words in our everyday lives. 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 things that we do, we witness to others about 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 (in unison):  May we be drawn closer to Christ and devoted to His ministry on Earth; may the Father continue to captivate our hearts and bless our lives; and may the Holy Spirit lead us onward to that glorious day when we shall worship the One, Triune and Living God forever . 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 prayers - ordinary 20B - Aug 19

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   May the Lord answer us when we call to Him in our need. May His righteousness become our strength.
People:                 May the Lord be merciful to us; may He bless our prayers and praise.
Youth:                   Let the light of the Lord shine upon us; let us glorify and worship His Name. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                 Eternal King of the Universe, whose guidance enriches our lives and whose benevolence enhances our spirits, we offer our hearts and love, our devotion and worship to You alone. Your ways are mysterious, and yet Your love is evident throughout Creation, therefore we bless You with our praises and exalt Your Holy Name.

People:                 Heavenly Father, when we set aside Your commands, You are disappointed with us; when break Your holy laws, You are offended with our dishonesty. Forgive us for despising Your words; pardon us for disrespecting Your Sovereignty. Hear us now, as we confess our selfish faults and sinful deeds to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Immortal God, only Christ can restore Your covenant with us. Only He has the power to set us on the right path to Your Kingdom, for He redeems our sinful souls and reunites us to Your everlasting love. By His grace, we are no longer Your enemies.  In Christ’s words, we continue to pray, saying “Our Father...The Lord’s Prayer” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus gives glory to God and returns to His favor. In Christ alone, we have the divine opportunity to be forgiven of the past, to be guided at present, and to be welcomed into God’s eternal realm. Let us rejoice and be glad, for in Jesus, Christ, God’s Only Son, we are saved and forgiven, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung in unison): Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

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

Encountering God

Anthem

 

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 In this holy place, God is known. His Name is great among His gathered people. The Lord dwells within our hearts and calls us to this house of prayer and healing.

People:                 God is our light and salvation. He is majestic and almighty, compassionate and caring. In the midst of our fears, He stands beside us. In times of anger and frustration, He is our strength and peace.

Pastor:                 Heavenly Lord, heal us and all our loved ones; free us from pain and suffering; restore us to health and strength. Rise up, O Living God, and save us from all of our afflictions. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May the LORD God hear our prayers and fulfill them; may He send us the gift of healing, and release us from our fears. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 76)

Singing of Jesus “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, help us to be attentive to the lessons of faith that we are about to read and hear. Reveal to us the teachings of Christ, so that by His great power, we may live our lives in ways that please and honor Him. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, You have called us to this holy place, to hear the Gospel, and to apply it in our lives.  We bring before You our tithes and gifts, our loyalty and devotion. We pray that You will take them for the service of Your Kingdom, the preaching of Your word, and the edifying of Your Church. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and faithfully pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Jesus be the everlasting treasure of our eternal lives; may the Father’s power be evident in all that we say and do; and may the Holy Spirit continue to lead us in ways that bring honor and blessing, power and glory to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology

Postlude

Prayers for Pentecost - 27 May

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:             Lord, You have been our safe haven and dwelling place for many generations.

People:           Even before the mountains were born, or the Earth was ever created, You ruled the universe,

Youth:             From people to people, and from nation to nation, You are praised throughout this world. We                             will worship and glorify Your Spirit forever!

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Everlasting God, whose kingdom is above all the nations, and whose dominion extends throughout all of creation, we come to worship Your ways and praise Your sacred Name. Your words are constantly being fulfilled and You ways can never be diminished. We approach You humbly and reverently, seeking to please You with our songs and to petition You with our prayers.

People:           Gracious Lord, we are sometimes troubled by temptation and besieged by sin; we are continually fighting against faithless ways and selfish choices. In the midst of all our restless and misguided ways, forgive us for failing You, for neglecting the needs of others, and for imposing our sinful demands on those around us.  Hear us now as we make our sincere confessions.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Compassionate Lord, You have given us Your Son Jesus to save us from our mistakes and faults. He alone can cleanse us of the past. By His merciful promises, we can prevail; through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can be restored. In Christ, we place our lives and souls, seeking mercy and absolution, forgiveness and salvation. In His Name, we pray, saying, "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus came into the lives of many people and brought them God’s goodness. His words were full of healing and holiness, as well as challenge and change. We have come to Him this day with our confessions and He has received our prayers. Let us give thanks and rejoice, for Christ is our everlasting Savior and merciful King. 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.

Minute for Mission

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

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Memorial Day:            List of the dearly departed in the last year and a time of respectful silence

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             We cry to the Lord in the midst of our troubles; we come to Him with our worries and fears. The Lord listens to our voices and is attentive to our prayers for health and strength, peace and healing. Through the Holy Spirit, we find forgiveness and compassion, grace and love. He is the source of our strength and the center of our existence.

People:           We wait for the Lord to be merciful. We call upon His Holy Name and seek salvation through Him alone. We place our hopes for healing in Him; we offer our family and friends into His unfailing love. May we each be healed of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul.

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

Pastor:             God Himself will answer our prayers and set us free from all our fears. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 130)

Singing of 'Sanctuary’.

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, persuade us by the power of these sacred words to apply Christ's teaching in our lives. Enable us to grasp the meaning of today's message and to seek ways with which to practice its importance. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):              Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for all that You have done on our behalf and especially for granting us salvation. We place before You our tithes and offerings, humbly asking that You bless them for the growth of Your church, the advance of faith in our community, and the expressing of the Gospel throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):            May we remain in Christ and continue to honor Him each day; may the Father captivate our hearts and minds, so that we may serve Him with our gifts and talents; and may the Holy Spirit keep us true to our faith in the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

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

Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 30 - 23 October

Approaching God

Prelude

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Pastor:            The LORD has saved us according to His love, therefore we will rejoice and praise Him.

People:            We will greatly extol the LORD; in this sacred place, we will happily glorify Him.

Pastor:            The LORD stands with us, in the midst of our troubles and needs. Let us honor and worship Him.

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                         Lord God Almighty and Strong Deliverer of Your people, we approach Your throne of grace with thanksgiving and love, loyalty and devotion. You are the Holy One who creates our lives, who builds up the nations, and who sustains the universe, therefore we gather to worship and adore You.

People:           Gracious God, You offer us Your guidance and grant us Your perfect counsel, but we, as persistent sinners, continue to act without consulting You, and make choices that disappoint You. Instead of seeking Your strength, we rely upon our own. Instead of looking to You for help, we constantly follow our own understanding. We repeatedly set You aside, instead of centering You in our lives. Forgive us, Loving Father, and hear us as we confess our sins.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                         Everlasting God, You sent Your Son Jesus to save us from our sinful ways. His blood has atoned for all of our guilt. His death has completely purchased our salvation. We make these confessions and present these petitions in Christ's Name and, with His own words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

           

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                         Jesus was constantly challenged to relinquish His claims and to conform to the world. Instead, He chose to follow God's bidding and completely obey His will. He earned the right to become the Savior of the world and in Him alone rests the universal authority to forgive sins and redeem sinners. Let us rejoice and be thankful for His great sacrifice and perfect obedience, which has delivered us from God's wrath and returned us to His everlasting love.  In Jesus' Name, we pray. 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 Stewardship

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

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:            We have gathered in God's House; we have assembled to praise and pray to the Lord. We will rejoice in our Maker; we will have confidence in the compassion of our King.

People:           We honor His Name by invoking His Spirit; we appeal to the Most High for healing. The Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns us with love and salvation.

Pastor:             O Merciful God, as we seek to praise You with our hearts, listen to our pleas. We pray that You will heal us and our loved ones, that You will calm our spirits, bring peace to our minds, settle our souls, and strengthen our bodies. Hear us now as we inwardly pray.

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

Pastor:             May the praise of God be on our lips as He answers our prayers in Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 149)

           

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, reveal to us the Gospel truth through these sacred words of hope and love. Teach us Christ's ways and empower us to live our lives according to His message. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we speak to You with our prayers and praises; we show our love through our service and gifts. We bring before You our tithes and offerings, and ask Your blessing upon them. Receive these tokens of our gratitude and use them for the ministry of Your word and the mission of God's Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.   

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):                        May Christ reveal His unique purpose for each of our lives; may the Father make known to us all that He commands; and may the Holy Spirit build up our faith, so that we may continue to believe and obey the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

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