Sunday prayers - Ordinary 10 - June 05

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Introit

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Lord God, You have been our refuge and safe place for many generations.

People:                 Even before the mountains were created or this planet existed, You ruled the entire Universe.

Pastor:                 Billions of people from every nation, constantly praise and serve You, so we are glad to join them in worshiping You today. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting Father, whose Kingdom extends throughout Creation, we come to worship Your ways and honor Your Sacred Name. We pray that our heartfelt praises will please You, as we focus on Your words and seek to experience Your Holy presence.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we struggle with temptation and often fall into sinful habits. We fail Your expectations and constantly make avoidable mistakes. Forgive our foolish choices and selfish ways. Pardon us for being unfaithful and allowing pride to obstruct our compassion. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving Lord, we look to Jesus to forgive our past sins and restore us to Your favor. He alone has the power to save our souls and sanctify our spirits. In His Name, we are fully forgiven; through His Words we are eternally united to You, therefore we pray: “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus became involved in the lives of many people and invited them to become His followers. His words were full of healing and holiness, challenge and compassion. We have humbly come to Him with our confessions and He has graciously received our prayers. Let us give thanks and rejoice, for Christ is our Everlasting Savior and Merciful King. 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 exit for Planet Worship

Encountering God

Prayers of Intercession

Pastor:                 Almighty God, there are many things in the world which trouble us and sometimes cause us anxiety. You know of our worries and fears, so please hear our prayers for ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. Grant healing to our church and nation. Help us to seek peace and justice in our world. Guide us with Your Spirit and bless us with Your Love.

People:                 We pray for the life, work, and ministry of Your Church throughout the world. We ask that You bless and protect those who are persecuted for their faith; whose lives are endangered because of their devotion to You. Keep us mindful of the religious freedom that we enjoy, compared to the religious oppression that Christian experience in other places. Hear us now as we silently pray for the Church across this planet.

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

Pastor:                  May God answer our prayers and set His people free from all their fears. In Jesus' Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Singing of 'Sanctuary’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, may these sacred words touch our hearts and souls, so that we may apply their teaching in our lives. Enable us to grasp the meaning of today's message, so we can seek ways to practice its importance. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for Your sacrifice which has granted us salvation. We respectfully bring before You our gifts as a holy offering. Bless it for the work of Your church, the well-being of our community, and the spreading of the Gospel throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May we always be faithful to Christ and seek to please Him each day; may we lovingly serve the Father throughout our lives; and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide and lead us, so that we may worship the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers for Advent 4C - December 20

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Advent 4 Reader: “As soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

All:    In the beginning was the Word—spoken and breathed, a promise made and kept. God’s promise is true! The Word was in the beginning, and through Him all things come into being.

Advent 4 Reader:     Eternal and near at hand, already and not-yet, God’s promise is the foundation of all life. Trust in God! Wait with faith, giving voice to Christ’s love for all.

~3 purple candles and pink Joy candle are lit~

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Eternal Lord of Life, we come before You as people seeking Your favor, and as servants devoted to Your Kingdom. We personally place our trust in You, for You are our rock and refuge, our shield and salvation, as  well as our gracious redeemer and loving guide.

People:                 Heavenly Father, we have wandered from Your ways and rebelled against Your righteousness. We have sometimes chosen to embrace our pride and greed, as well as living out our fallen ideals and selfish sins. We have placed our faith in our own strength and set aside Your truth. Forgive us for being faithless and foolish, unholy and unworthy. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Merciful God, we regret our past mistakes and humbly look to Jesus for our salvation. We turn away from our guilty sins and seek Christ to renew our lives. Help us to remain united with Him. In His Holy words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ was sent by our Heavenly Father to save the world from sin. He sacrificed Himself so that we may be given the opportunity of being forgiven and restored to God’s favor and grace. Without Jesus, we have no hope of avoiding the wrath of God. With Christ, we are spiritually purified and eternally pardoned, therefore we will rejoice in His power and Holy Name, 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.

Anthem

Minute for Mission

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

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Eternal Lord, in the midst of this sanctuary, our souls yearn for Your Favor, and our hearts cry out for healing. Bless us, Living God, for we have set our hearts on You and trust You for recovery and strength.

People:                 Hear our prayers, O LORD God Almighty; listen to us, O God of Jacob. Look upon Your people, O God, gathered here in Your Name. Look upon us with mercy and compassion.

Pastor:                 For You, Heavenly Father, fill us with hope and help us through each day. Do not withhold Your power from us, and graciously heal our loved ones from their sickness and pain, anxiety and depression, illnesses and injuries. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Everlasting God, blessed are those who trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 84)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to be open to Christ’s teaching through the reading of these sacred scriptures. Heal us of the past and lead us now by His active presence in our lives. May we experience Christ being born in our spirits this day and forevermore. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, You are the Perfect One, so our lives are transformed by Your mercy and grace. In return, we pledge to You our souls and dedicate our time, talents and treasures to You alone. Take these gifts and bless them for Your work in the world, as well as Your ministry among us. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction(unison):  May Christ enable us to truly love our neighbors each day; may the Father help us to support one another with mercy and grace; and may the Holy Spirit lead us to fulfill God’s law through being servants of His Kingdom and disciples of Christ, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Pentecost Sunday Prayers - May 24

(You can also find some of my bulletin cover art for Pentecost at this link: Pentecost Art.)

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  Let us come before the Lord with cheerful hearts and voices filled with praise.

People:                 We will worship God freely and openly, as well as humbly and faithfully.

Pastor:                  May our songs of faith and devotional prayers be acceptable to You, O Living Lord. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting Majesty and Lord of all Creation, we come here to praise Your Holy Name. We lift up our hearts to cheerfully rejoice in Your sacred presence. Throughout the Earth, billions of people are blessing and glorifying Your presence in their lives. Today, we gladly join them in the worship of Your ways and the praising of Your deeds.

People:                 Gracious Father, we know that our lives are imperfect and that we make disappointing mistakes. We confess to being selfish, proud, and faithless; stubborn, greedy, and insensitive; as well as angry, bitter, and spiteful.

Guide:                  Heavenly Lord, forgive us when temptation troubles our souls and sin separates us from You. Pardon us for neglecting our responsibilities, as well as carelessly casting aside our faith. To You alone, we bring our personal confessions and seek Your mercy through Your Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Loving God, without Christ’s sacrifice, we would have no one to restore us to Your favor. We would still be subject to Your wrath, with no hope of entering Your everlasting Kingdom. Humbly and thankfully, we make our confessional prayers in the Name of Jesus, our Only Savior and True Lord. In His precious words, we unite our hearts, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors).”

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus, through the amazing love of His Father, gives us the key to Heaven. By Christ’s wounded body, our broken ways are healed; through His perfect obedience, we are reclaimed by God. So let us cheerfully rejoice, for our sins are completely forgiven, 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.

Children’s Sermon

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Be merciful to us, O God, for in You our souls take refuge. We cry out to You, O God Most High, for You both create and fulfill the purposes of our lives. Release us from our fears through the power of Your faithful love. In the midst of our anxieties and troubles, grant us peace. From the discomfort of our illnesses and the suffering we endure, heal us, O Lord.

People:                 Let Your goodness and grace be experienced in our lives and those of all our loved ones as we seek healing from all that damages us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Deliver us and all whom we pray for this day from distress, disease, depression, or despair. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 Great is Your love, O Lord, reaching from the farthest heavens into the very core of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.              (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 57)

A Time to Remember & Silence

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, may we embrace these Scriptures and be led into Your beautiful presence. May we be filled with wonder and thanksgiving by all that Christ has done. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we all have special gifts and talents, just as we all have different resources and treasures. When we combine them by gathering them before You, we glorify Your work and continue to proclaim Your Name. Take all that we offer this day, along with our lives, and bless them for the life, work, and ministry of this church, which You have called us to support and advance in Your Holy Name. Amen.

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ keep us united to His body so that we may accomplish great things together in His Name; may the Father sustain us as members of Christ’s church, so that we may honor His Kingdom; and may the Holy Spirit grant us a new vision, so that we may proclaim the purposes of God for this church and community, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers for September 14 - Ordinary 24A, Proper 18A, Pentecost 14

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Herald:                 O Lord, how amazing are Your works and how wonderful is Your Name!

People:                 Who are we, and why are You so mindful of us? What are we, that causes You to care for us?

Herald:                 Let us join with God’s people across the world to worship and glorify Him this day. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Eternal Creator, whose Universe displays Your almighty power, we come before You as seekers looking for Your favor, and as servants awaiting Your wonderful presence. We call upon You to fill our lives with Your blessings, bounty, and beauty. Your words sustain and guide us; Your mercies pacify and relieve us; Your love strengthens and nurtures us.

People:                 Almighty God, forgive us for letting our faith diminish in times of trouble and fear. Pardon us for being prideful people and selfish sinners. When we neglect to help others or ignore opportunities to support their needs, have mercy upon us; challenge us and change our ways. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Gracious Lord, only Jesus can restore us to Your joy and make our lives complete. When we have selfishly yielded to temptation and succumbed to sin, only Christ can redeem and return us to Your blessing and favor. In Christ's Name, we make our confessions and continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ's teaching came directly from God and His words of forgiveness can be applied to all who seek His mercy and believe in the power of His Name. Therefore, let us be glad and rejoice, for Jesus is the Restorer of our souls and the Savior of our lives, 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

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 The Lord knows who we are and loves us completely. God blesses all who revere and glorify His Holy Name. May He increase our strength and that of all our loved ones. May we each experience the blessings of encouragement, renewal, and healing from the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

People:                Everything belongs to You, O LORD; our lives, our loved ones, and our church are in Your hands. Please heal us and all of 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, Triune, 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)

Unison singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, help us to hear and receive all that Christ is communicating 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 – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, You have come among us, calming the worries of our hearts and giving peace to our anxious minds. We place these offerings and tithes before You, as symbols of our service and tokens of thanksgiving for the truth that You still proclaim. Take our lives and sanctify them to serve, honor, and worship You each and every day of our lives. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray.  Amen. 

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):  May Christ grant us faith and endurance for 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 this week to the glory of the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always.  Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Ordinary 14 Sunday Prayers - July 6 - Pentecost 4, Proper 9

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               We have come into God’s House to praise and glorify His Wonderful Name.

People:                 We will rejoice in His Presence and delight in God’s blessing.

Liturgist:               Let us worship and glorify God! Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty LORD God of Hosts, whose Kingdom is everlasting and whose Will shapes the history of humankind, we praise Your Holy Name and praise Your wonderful deeds. You are the Father of the nations on Earth and Lord of the islands in the sea; we give glory to You alone. We seek to worship You with our prayers and praises, and to serve You our hearts and minds.

People:                 Merciful God, we have surrendered to temptation and have been deeply troubled by our sins. Pride has damaged our spirits, and greed has diminished our faith. Instead of honoring You through Christ, we have blocked Your work through our selfish ways. Regretfully, we have strayed from Your Guidance and followed our own mistaken paths. Please forgive us and hear us, as we sincerely confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Compassionate Lord, we place our lives into Your hands and pledge our hearts to Jesus Christ, Your Holy Son. His death on the Cross has bought us our salvation. His sacrifice has allowed us to seek Your favor and grace. We make these prayers of confession in Jesus’ Name, and we unite our souls with Him, saying,

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

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus, through the love of His Father, gives us grace from Heaven. By Christ’s wounded body, our broken ways are healed; by His perfect obedience, we are completely restored to God. Therefore, let us cheerfully rejoice, for our sins are completely forgiven, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung in unison): Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Deliver us from our fears, O God; protect us from those things which deeply trouble us. We are frail and vulnerable to attacks on our bodies, in our minds, and within our hearts. Arise to help us, O Lord; look upon us favorably in the midst of our worries and concerns.

People:                 Almighty Lord, You are the God of our people, so please defend us from illness and disease, and deliver us from sickness and pain. Loving Lord, become our Strength and Healer as we seek Your favor and blessing. Heal us and all our loved ones; restore our health and enable all of us to recover from all that harms or hinders us. Hear us now as we personally pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 O God, our Strength, we make our prayers and sing our praises to You, for You are our stronghold, our loving Lord forever. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.              (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 59)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, may we readily grasp the words of Christ and still be astonished by His deeds. May our hearts move quickly towards Him, and may our minds be filled with His Holy Peace. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we have seen Your work being undertaken, supported, and accomplished in this church. We have heard Your challenges to us through the preaching of the gospel. Take these simple gifts, the tokens of our gratitude, and bless them for the purposes of Your Kingdom in ministry, mission, service and stewardship to glory of Your Holy Name. Amen.

Communion

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ enable us to form one body of faithful believers in this holy place; may the Father give strength to our congregation and nurture our church; and may the Holy Spirit help us to see that we all belong to the One, Triune, and Living God, forever and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday worship prayers for Lent 3A - March 23

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Let us come to the Lord with our thanksgiving songs and grateful prayers.

People:                 We acknowledge the One, Triune, and Living God as the Everlasting King of the Universe.

Liturgist:               Let us worship His wonderful deeds; let us declare our faith in Him forever. Amen.

First Hymn

Guide:                  Loving Lord, whose mighty acts reveal to us Your power, creativity, and sovereignty over the entire cosmos, we praise and adore You as our Creator and Sovereign. Your ways have been known to our people across the centuries and throughout all nations, therefore we approach You with awe and reverence, as well as dedication and devotion.

People:                Gracious God, You seek to instruct us and guide us by Your holy counsel every day. Sometimes we foolishly ignore Your advice and end up doing our own selfish things. Forgive our sinful and faithless ways. Pardon us for making the wrong choices and being self-centered. 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 have 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 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, our King of Kings and Lord of lords, both now and forever. Amen.

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

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Let us call upon the Lord in the midst of all our troubles, for He will answer us. O Lord, You are the source of all our hope; You are the One who brings us healing. Have mercy upon us, for we are frail and fearful. Grant us strength and restoration at this time.

People:                 In Your Holy Presence, Lord, we live our lives. We need Your help and long for deliverance from sickness and suffering; pain and discomfort; or anxiety and stress. We seek Your peace and pray that You will heal us, and 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 for Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, may Christ speak to our hearts and may God increase our hope through the blessing of these scriptures. May we receive and share the gifts of faith, strength, and love that we encounter throughout these biblical texts.  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, 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 & Postlude

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 - 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