Easter 2 Prayers - April 23

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor: O Lord, You are our Almighty King, so we have promised to obey Your words.

People: We seek Your favor with all our hearts; be gracious to us according to Your promises.

Pastor:  As we consider Your ways, O Lord, help us to follow a path that praises and please You. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:  Lord of the universe and Sustainer of our lives, we humbly offer You our worship and adoration. Your mighty works are all around us. Your power and glory are revealed throughout our world, so we gather to praise Your Name.

People: Loving Father, we know that our selfish and stubborn ways offend and disappoint You. We are also sorry for our sinful choices and foolish decisions which disrespect and dishonor You. We seek Your pardon for the sins we have committed, as well as Your forgiveness for the good deeds we have left undone. Hear us now as we personally pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Merciful Lord, spread Christ's grace over us, so that we may be protected from Your wrath. Let His work of salvation restore us to Your favor and kingdom. In His holy words, we now pray, saying:  “Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus grants us a permanent place in the family of God; by His sacrifice, we are reclaimed by God and called to be His sons and daughters. Let us rejoice and praise the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer forevermore. 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.

Choir Anthem

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

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:  The LORD is our shepherd, therefore He knows all of our needs. He makes us rest in His presence and can grant us peace in the midst of our troubles. He can heal our wounded souls and guide us through our deepest fears.

People: Loving God, support us through all that troubles us and be with us during times of anxiety and uncertainty. Keep us from being confused or afraid. Allow Your gracious power to restore us, as well as our loved ones, to health and strength. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:  May we dwell in the holy and peaceful presence of God from this time forth and forevermore. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, encourage us to embrace these precious words of scripture. May Christ's Gospel strengthen our souls and inspire our faithfulness to Him. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.          

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by the pastor): Lord Jesus, We place all of our faith, hope, and lives into Your hands. Receive this combination of tithes and gifts that we give to Your Church. Bless them for the work of Your sacred mission, the advancement of Your holy kingdom, and the glorifying of the everlasting God. In Your Name, we cheerfully give and pray. Amen. 

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May we remain loyal to Christ throughout our days; may the Father bless us as servants of His kingdom; and may the Holy Spirit anoint us, so that we may glorify and worship the One, Triune, and Living God forevermore. Amen

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Lent 2 - Mar 12

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Call to worship

Pastor:                 God so loved the world that He gave us His Only Son, who can grant us everlasting life.

People:                 We believe that Christ comes into this holy place to offer us God’s grace and love.

Pastor:                  Jesus is sent to us by God to become our Savior, Lord, and eternal King. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Lord, You have called us from our homes to draw near to You in this sacred place of praise and prayer. You have blessed us with Your love and have sustained our lives. As we worship today, may we please You with our songs, prayers, and devotion.

People:                 Gracious God, You offer us guidance each day and a purpose for our lives. Your words and ways are mean to direct and encourage us. Sometimes, Lord, we are guilty of taking You for granted. We neglect to give You honor for our successes and are quick to complain to You about our troubles. The good that You want us to do is left undone; the bad things that You want us to avoid are sometimes sinfully embraced by us. Forgive our foolish ways and constant sins. Hear us as we make our personal confessions to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Thank You, Loving Father, for hearing our prayers and resetting our lives in praise of You. We are grateful for Your Son Jesus who forgives and restores us to Your favor. In His Holy Name, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD'S PRAYER" (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: We are born again and regenerated through the mercy, grace, and love of Jesus Christ, our Savior and King. He has the power to reunite our spirits to God, from this day forth and forevermore. 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.

Choir Anthem

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

Praise Song

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Loving Lord, when we are needing help or have become distressed, come to us with Your holy power and infinite wisdom. Grant us Your grace and allow to recover from that harms us in body, mind, heart, or soul.

People:                 Gracious God, thank You for watching over us each day and night. You know our worries and concerns, as well as our anxieties and disappointments. We are frail and human, constantly in need of Your reassurance, encouragement, and embrace. As we bring our personal prayers before You, heal us and all our loved ones this day.

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

Pastor:                  The Lord God will continue to offer us His strength, assurance, and love. In Jesus' Name, we confidently pray. Amen.

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, open our hearts and minds to these scriptures. As we read them, may we be drawn closer to God. Grant us a better understanding of what they mean for us today, so that we may positively apply and share them with all whom we encounter this week. In Jesus' Name, we humbly pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by the pastor):               Lord Jesus, You have shown us the grace of God and given us eternal promises of love and life. In response, we gratefully bring our tithes and offerings before You and humbly ask that You bless them for the life, work, and ministry of Erin Church in this community and around the world. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and pray. Amen.

Communion (see insert at the back of the hymnal)

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ strengthen our faith each day; may the Father encourage us to share His love; and may the Holy Spirit keep us dedicated to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.     

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - January 15

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Come, let us praise the Lord for every good thing He brings into our lives.

People:                 May He open our minds so we can meditate on His glorious deeds; may He open our hearts and allow us to truly worship Him.

Pastor:                  May our souls be filled with His love; may our spirits delight in His presence. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Loving Father, we come here as Your people to worship Your ways and praise Your presence among us. You have granted life to us and a faith which will last forever. We are truly blessed to be known by You, so we are thankful for Your daily grace and everlasting love.

People:                Gracious Lord, we confess that our sins and faults create a barrier between us. We allow pride to stifle our faith and permit greed to overcome our compassion. We fall into temptation and surrender our spirits to selfish ways. Forgive our past mistakes and pardon our foolish notions. Hear us now as we personally pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Everlasting God, we owe everything to You, especially our salvation. You have given Jesus as the joy of our hearts and the Savior of our souls. His grace restores our faith and His mercy renews our devotion. He is our eternal King and we pledge to serve Him all of our days. In Christ’s sacred words, we continue to pray saying, “Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus teaches us that when we believe in Him, our sins are forgiven.  Christ has mercifully received our confessions and now restores us to God's favor. Let us rejoice in our Lord, for He is our everlasting Savior and King, 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)

Choir Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 We take our refuge in the Lord, who lovingly embraces us, giving us the courage to endure and overcome our troubles. He helps us with our issues and leads us beyond our worries. We place our confidence in His mercy and power.

People:                 O Gracious God, You knows us completely and understand all of our fears. You have the power to help us with peace, strength, and love. We humbly ask You for health and healing. Come among us and touch us with Your Holy Spirit. Be with our loved ones and heal them from all that harms them. Hear us now as we pray.

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

Pastor:                  The Lord is righteous and He loves His people. He hears our prayers in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, we know that Christ has the words of eternal life, which makes Him the true source of all that can nourish our souls and spirits. Let His words and ways enter our hearts and minds, so that we may accept His teaching and apply His Gospel each day of our lives. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by the pastor):               Lord Jesus, You built Your church upon the faith and experiences of all Your followers. Today, we are the heirs of Your ways and the messengers of Your words. Take our gifts and bless them for the continuing work of Your church here in this place, this nation, and throughout the world.  In Your Holy Name, we faithfully give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ strengthen our spirits and encourage us each day; may the Father enable us to faithfully depend upon His blessings; and may the Holy Spirit guide and lead us, so that we may cheerfully, lovingly, and thankfully serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.                  

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday prayers - Jan 08

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Let us approach the Lord with all of our hearts; let us think about His marvelous ways.

People:                 We will praise our God for granting us love and mercy; we will worship Him for being our Creator.

Pastor:                  Let us gladly delight in the Lord's deeds. Let us glorify His sacred Name forever. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Creator, we come to Your sacred house to praise You with our words and to pray to You from our hearts. We hope to devote our lives to Your work on Earth and pledge our faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

People:                Gracious God, we know that we are imperfect and often make mistakes. We are sorry for neglecting Your teaching and setting aside Your ways. We sometimes make faithless choices and allow our pride to damage our Christian witness. Forgive us for being foolish and arrogant, as well as self-centered and sinful. Hear us now as we make our personal confessions to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                 Loving Lord, You have sent Jesus to restore our lives and redeem our souls forever. His grace grants us complete forgiveness. His mercy allows us to regain our hope. Therefore, we rejoice in Jesus our Savior and unite our hearts with Him. In His Words, we continue to pray saying, “Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Jesus comes to us from God and redeems us to be with Him. He humbled Himself to become human, endured the pain of the Cross when He sacrificed His life for our sins. He is our One True Lord and Savior, for through Him we are cleansed of all our past mistakes and restored to God's delight, 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)

Choir Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  Loving Lord, we bring our personal prayers to You, and embrace You as the Helper and Healer of all. When we are weary or broken in spirit, grant us comfort and peace. When we are fearful or anxious, bring solace to our hearts and calmness to our minds.

People:                 Gracious God, relieve us from any pain and carry us through our problems. Restore us to health and grant us wholeness. Encourage us to pray for all our loved ones, so they may also have faith in Your strength and depend upon Your power. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

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

Pastor:                  May the Lord shield us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. May God gladly receive our prayers, given in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, feed us with Christ's words and nourish our souls with His sacred teaching. Influence our lives with His ways and encourage us to share His Good News with all whom we love and know. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by the pastor):               Lord Jesus, Your Resurrection gave our world a new and everlasting hope. We have become the heirs to this amazing blessing, so we praise You for the precious gift of eternal life. In thankfulness, we bring our tithes and offerings, asking that You will receive and bless them for the continuing ministry of Your Gospel and the glorious mission of Your Church. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ continue to love and cherish us each day; may the Father grant us His peace and mercy; and may the Holy Spirit keep us thankful for the grace we experience, so that we may faithfully serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.        

Doxology & Postlude

Ordinary 34 - Christ is King Sunday - Nov 20

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 The LORD is worshiped across all the nations and is exalted throughout the heavens.

People:                 Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high?

Pastor:                  From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the Name of the LORD is to be praised. Amen.

First Hymn

               

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Loving Creator, whose mighty deeds have blessed Your people, and whose sacred power sustains our lives; we humbly gather in Your presence to joyfully praise Your Holy Name. Your compassionate ways cheer our hearts, and Your Word strengthens our spirits. We gladly place our lives into Your hands, to do Your bidding and serve Your Kingdom.

People:                Gracious Father, we try to do our best, but sometimes our sins diminish our faith and our selfish mistakes damage our souls. Forgive us for making choices that are wrong, as well as going against Your commands when we seek to fulfill our own desires. Hear us now as we humbly confess and inwardly pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Everlasting God, Your Holy Son Jesus has taken upon Himself the punishment due for our sins. Without His sacrifice, we would remain unforgiven; without His suffering, we would be unsaved. In His Name, we make our confessions and continue to pray, saying, “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

               

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Jesus judges us correctly because He knows us completely. We cannot make excuses before Him, nor can we ever justify our sinful choices. He alone stands with the Father, who sent Him to us. When we sincerely confess our sins to Christ and earnestly repent of our selfish ways, Jesus receives our prayers, reclaims our lost souls, and restores us to God's everlasting favor, both now and forever. Amen.

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

Gathering Song

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

Choir Anthem

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 King of all the nations, we come to You for healing and ask that You hear our prayers. In Your sacred presence, we pray that You will anoint us with Your Holy Spirit. Help us to cast off our worries and set aside our anxieties. Smile upon us and bless us with Your comfort; favor us with Your grace and mercy.

People:                 Loving Lord, heal the sicknesses in our hearts and minds, as well as the injuries of our bodies and souls. Install Your holiness within us and all our loved ones. Grant us recovery and remission, strength and sustenance; health and healing. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:                  God speaks to us and calls us His children. He hears our prayers and remains our Loving Father forever. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

               

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, help us to set aside our personal issues as we approach, read, and listen to God's sacred word.  Inspire us with Christ's teaching and then send us into our community with the gifts of faith, hope, and love. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

The Apostles' Creed (Traditional version – page 14 of Blue Hymn Book)

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison):      Lord Jesus, help us to embrace Your commands and joyfully apply Your teaching. You claim us as Your own and we are blessed to have You as our Sovereign and King. At this sacred moment, we give our tithes and offerings, asking for Your blessing, so that we may obediently use them for the continuing ministry of Your Church in this congregation and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Christ send us out into the world to gladly share God’s love; may the Father strengthen our church so that we may serve Him faithfully; and may the Holy Spirit bind us together with all the saints, in Heaven and on Earth, to glorify, worship, and praise the One, Triune, and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Ordinary 23 C Prayers - September 04

Approaching God

Announcements and Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 We will please the Lord from our hearts and souls by praising His Holy name.

People:                 We will remember God’s glorious deeds by recounting His wonderful blessings.

Pastor:                 Let us cheerfully glorify the Lord, who shows us love and compassion, both now and forever. Amen.

First Hymn

               

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Let us approach God’s Holy throne and offer ourselves as servants in His Kingdom, and as willing participants in God’s sacred dream.

All:         Almighty and Everlasting God, to whom our hearts belong and through whom our lives are given meaning, You know us perfectly and we are blessed to be Your people. You know that we often make mistakes and You are completely aware of all our misdeeds. Forgive our sinful and selfish ways. Pardon our times of insensitivity and intolerance. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                 Compassionate Lord, absolve us of our sinful past and cleanse us of our faithless ways. Forgive us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, for His sacrifice has allowed us to receive Your salvation. In His holy words, we make our confessions and continue to pray, saying, “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

               

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ knows our mistaken choices and seeks to positively change us with His Gospel. He has the power to forgive our past mistakes and restore us to God's everlasting favor. So let us thank Him for giving us His life and taking away our punishment. In His Immortal Name, we 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.

Anthem

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

Children leave after sermon

Encountering God

Prayers for the World

Pastor:                 O Creator of the Earth, hear our prayers as we lift up to You our broken world. Across our planet, millions of people are suffering from hunger and deprivation, disasters and tragedies, wars and conflicts. At times, Gracious God, we do not know what to do or even where to start to fix the world. We pray for peace, but war continues. We ask for an end to poverty, but greed still grows. We look for healing and wholeness, but our world is still damaged and fractured. How long, O Lord, will this suffering continue? How long, O Lord, will man’s inhumanity prevail?

People:                 Loving Lord, we know that faith, hope, and love can endure all things, but we also understand that those gifts begin with us. We pray for peace in our hearts and in our homes. We pray healing in our families and relationship. We pray for guidance in our church and community. And we ask for compassion and justice across our land, as well as throughout the Earth. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent prayer for the world. A candle is lit.          

Pastor:                  The Lord, with His unfailing love, can make all things new. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

               

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, grant us wisdom and an understanding of these sacred scriptures. Speak to our hearts and fill us with Christ's love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Response:           The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by the pastor):               Lord Jesus, You have spoken to our hearts through Your word and message. Help us to think carefully about everything You have given to us here. In loving response, we gather before You our tithes and gifts. We pray that You will receive and bless them for the ministries and missions You want our church to fulfill. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion – see insert at back of main Hymn book

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ's grace be with us each day; may the Father's peace empower our faith; and may the Holy Spirit keep us devoted to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers for Ordinary 22C - Aug 28

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Eternal God, graciously look down on us and cast Your loving gaze upon Your people.

People:                 We will declare the wonderful deeds of the Lord and praise His holy Name.

Pastor:                 We have come here to glorify the Living God. Let us now worship and adore Him. Amen.

First Hymn

               

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, we humble ourselves before Your sacred presence, as we rejoice in Your holy love. We belong to You and so we thankfully seek to serve Your Kingdom. We worship Your powerful ways and lift up on high Your Everlasting Name.

People:                Loving God, in the midst of our daily lives, we sometimes give in to temptation and sin, as well as selfishness and pride. When we ignore Your commands or turn our backs against Your counsel, forgive our foolish ways and pardon our ingratitude. Restore us with Your guidance and return us to Your Love. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Eternal Lord, through Your mercy and grace, we have been given a Holy Savior. By Your compassionate understanding and perfect love, we have been redeemed through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We make our confessions in Christ's Name, knowing that He has all authority in Heaven and on Earth to restore us completely to You. In His sacred words, we now pray, “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

               

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ stooped down from Heaven to become one of us. His complete obedience to God caused Him to be sacrificed for all of our past mistakes and shameful sins. He writes our names in the Book of Life and reclaims us as God's own people, so let us rejoice in our Redeemer and celebrate the everlasting victory of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 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.

Anthem

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

Children leave for Enrichment and Planet Worship

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O LORD, we cry aloud to You and lift up our voices for mercy. We pour out our petitions to You, O God, and tell our heartfelt troubles to You alone. When our spirits are weary and our hearts are full of anxiety, we turn to You, looking for help and guidance for the way ahead. When we feel isolated and alone, uncared for and unloved, we seek refuge in You, our God.

People:                 The Lord is our source of strength. He has the power to overcome our sickness, suffering, and pain. May He rescue us and all our loved ones, for we are in need of healing, wholeness, and recovery from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul.  May the Lord hear us as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:                  The Lord sets us free from our fears and restores us to His Kingdom by His goodness, compassion, and love. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

               

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, grant us insight and understanding of these sacred scriptures. Speak to our hearts and fill us with Christ's love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by the pastor):               Lord Jesus, You enable us to apply Your teachings through acts of devotion and love.  Faithfully, we bring our tithes and gifts, asking that You will bless them for the preaching of Your Word and the praising of God's Name. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May we be encouraged to serve Christ in our daily lives; may the Father's wisdom brings us everlasting joy; and may the Holy Spirit keep us faithfully devoted to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

                

Sunday Prayer for Ordinary 19C - Aug 7th

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Great is the LORD in the universe; He is exalted from every realm of Creation.

People:                 We will praise His almighty and everlasting Name for God is awesome and holy.

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

First Hymn

               

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                 Everlasting God, Your power sustains the Universe and Your will permits life on Earth to continue. We come here to this sacred place to praise Your wonderful deeds and to give thanks for Your acts of grace in our lives. We are blessed by Your faithfulness and encouraged with Your love.

People:                Gracious Father, we sometimes question Your words and set aside Your counsel when making crucial decisions in our lives. We sometimes think too highly of ourselves and allow pride to diminish our Christian faith. Forgive us for ignoring Your authority and for succumbing to our selfish temptations. Hear us now as we express our regret and repent of our sinful ways.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Merciful Lord, without the ministry of Your Son Jesus Christ, we would have no opportunity for forgiveness or restoration, repentance or reconciliation. Therefore, we thank You for His supreme sacrifice by pledging our lives to Him. In Christ's Name, we make our confession and with His holy words, we further pray, saying, “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

               

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Every day we break God's Law and disrespect His commands. We put ourselves under His divine judgment, from which only Jesus can save us.  Christ alone has the power to pardon and restore us to God's grace and Kingdom. Let us therefore rejoice and be glad in His Name. Amen.

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

Anthem 

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

Children leave for Enrichment

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O Lord, You have searched our spirits and know us completely. You see all that we do and perceive our thoughts, worries, and concerns. You are familiar with all of our ways. You understand all that we currently experience. Before we even voice our prayers, You know what we are about to ask.

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

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

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

               

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

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

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offertory and Offering

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

Communion 

Closing Hymn

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

Doxology & Postlude