Sunday Worship Prayers - Ordinary 22C - Sept 01

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               Let us lift up our hearts to the One, True, and Living God, whose holy throne is in Heaven.

People:                 We will praise the Lord who has mercy upon us and worship His Sacred Name.

Liturgist:               Let us glorify God, for His blessings continue to sweeten our lives. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Lord, come down among us and bless us with Your Holy presence. Receive this worship from our hearts and these prayers from our souls. You have guided our people for countless generations and counseled our congregations throughout the centuries. Today we seek to please and honor You with our devotions.

People:                Merciful God, we have sinned against You and faltered in our faith. We have made foolish decisions and taken wrong paths. We are guilty of being proud and selfish, as well as being deceitful and dishonest. Forgive us for allowing these sins to blemish our lives. Hear us now as we personally make our confessions to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving God, You have given us faith in Jesus to overcome our fears. He has sacrificed His life to extinguish our sins and restore us to You. With Christ, we are reunited to You and welcomed in Your Kingdom. In His Name, we seek salvation and continue to pray, saying "Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER." (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ’s words and promises are true and will be kept for eternity. We receive the blessings of His mercy through His sacrificial love. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ our King is the Savior of our souls. In Jesus’ Name, we give thanks. 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 trust in You, O Lord, for You are good, and we seek to enjoy Your strength and salvation. We delight in you, O Lord, and we pray that You will grant us the desire of our hearts and the petitions in our prayers.

People:                 We commit ourselves and our loved ones to You, O Lord, for we trust that You will help us and heal us from all harm. You brighten our lives with the promises of Your love. We pray that You will listen to our concerns and cause our fears to diminish through having faith in You. Hear us now as we silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                  Salvation comes from the Lord, for He is our stronghold in times of trouble. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.                  (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 37)

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, when Jesus came among us two thousand years ago, He revealed God’s message of love and grace. Today, we seek to hear and receive the same. Bless us now with His teaching and grant us the courage to apply this lesson in our lives.  In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering and Offertory

Dedication: (in unison – led by pastor) Lord Jesus, generations ago, Your followers sacrificed everything to build Your church and broadcast the good news around the world. Today, we are blessed by their obedience and faith. We bring before You our tithes and offerings, as well as our hearts and lives. Take and receive them for the glory of God’s Kingdom and the praising of Your Name.  Amen. 

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (in unison):               May Christ urge us to continue working for His ministry here on Earth; may the Father reaffirm His love for us each day, and may the Holy Spirit keep leading us, so that we may worship and serve the One, Triune, and Living God,  both now and always Amen.     

Doxology and 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 - Easter 4C - April 21

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Almighty God, we come into Your Holy House to praise and glorify Your Everlasting Name.

People:                 We have been called to be here today, to sing our songs of praise and make our loving prayers.

Youth:                   May we please You with our praises and be blessed with Your Sacred Presence. Amen.

Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Immortal God, who brought Life into being and whose will sustains the entire universe, we approach You as the children of Your Grace and as servants of Your Kingdom. Your ways are mysterious to us, and yet Your love is known by all. Today we glorify Your greatness and magnify Your Holy Name.

People:  Merciful Father, You know that we struggle with temptation and wrestle with sin. You know all of our weaknesses and can list every mistake that we have ever made. In Your patience and benevolence, have mercy upon us. Forgive our foolish and selfish ways. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Everlasting God, we cannot earn salvation for ourselves. We depend upon Jesus to grant us complete forgiveness. Only He can save us from our sins. Only He can restore us to Your eternal love and favor. Hear us now as we unite our hearts with His, through the saying of Christ's own words: “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  Christ forgives us, even when we betray and deny Him. He has the power to cleanse us of the past and can restore us to the riches of God's grace. May we be thankful and rejoice in the Lord, for He has saved our souls and returned us to the eternal love of God.  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, let us all be glad; let those both near and far rejoice. Our prayers and petitions are made to Him, for righteousness and justice are the foundations of His love.

People:                 Let us place our prayers before God, knowing that He receives them from all of our hearts. O Lord, light up our lives with Your favors and blessings; let us see Your compassion and know that You care.

Pastor:                  Our fears melt our courage and our worries meddle with our faith, yet we will continue to ask the Lord for the healing of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and spirit. Heavenly Father, we proclaim Your righteousness and ask to see Your glory in the lives of our loved ones who are suffering from sickness and injury, unease and fear, worry and discomfort.  Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The light of the Lord's love is shed upon us; His joy is showered upon our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

                                (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 97)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, may the words of our Sovereign Lord. who made the Heavens and the Earth, penetrate our minds and enter our hearts. May we gladly receive the blessings of Christ as He teaches us through His life and ministry, both now and always. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we have grasped the meaning of Your giving through the preaching of Your word. In return, we gather before You our tithes and offerings. We do this to please You, asking that You bless all of these resources for the building up of Your church, the proclaiming of the Gospel, and the praising of God's Name.  Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ keep us from judging other people's mistakes by helping us to remember that He has forgiven our own; may the Father bless us with tolerance and compassion for one another; and may the Holy Spirit bring us to God's judgment seat as faithful and dutiful servants, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Easter 3c - April 14

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth: Living Lord, we call to You; come quickly to us. Hear our voices as we cry out to You.
People: May our prayers and praises be acceptable to You, O God of our hearts.
Youth: May the lifting up of our songs and spirits be pleasing to You, Almighty God. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration & Confession
Guide:                        High King of Heaven and Maker of Earth, we gather as stewards and servants, disciples and followers of Your holy ways. From the comfort of our homes, we have come to this sacred place to hear Your words and honor Your glorious Name.

People:            Loving Lord, in the midst of our lives, there are moments of sin. Our days are full of good intentions, but our deeds display our faithless ways. Instead of keeping Your commands, we make selfish choices. Instead of holding on to Your precious words, we hurt others with our bitter talk and personal grudges. Forgive us for pandering to our pride and nursing our wrath. Hear us now as we quietly confess our sins to You.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                         Living God, let Your justice prevail over our lives, and may Your Son’s mercy cleanse our souls. May His blood restore us to Your righteousness. May His sacrifice reclaim our lives for You.

In Him, we are saved from Your wrath, and with Christ, we are returned to Your favor. Hear us now as we pray, saying His sacred words: THE LORD'S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

 

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                         Christ brings us back into the loving courts of God and sheds us of our shame. He takes away our sins and renews our lives. We are no longer held captive to sin. He releases us from our guilt and redeems us for God. Let us rejoice and glorify Him forevermore. Amen.

Gloria Patri (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:            Hear us, O God, as we voice our concerns; bring peace to our troubled souls. Keep us safe from sickness; shelter us in the midst of all our worries.

People:            When we are beset with problems, and hard pressed with fear, be our strength and shield. When life suddenly strikes us with grief and sorrow, carry and comfort us. O Lord.

Pastor:            Encourage our hopes and heal our illnesses. Look after our loved ones and strengthen them in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray for ourselves and for all those who are in need of healing.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:            Let us rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 64)

Singing of  ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, gather our thoughts and help us to focus on Christ. Enable us to lay our spirits at His feet. Teach us life lessons through the power of these sacred scriptures.  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, You have mysteriously affected our lives and penetrated our souls. You have brought us to this holy house of prayer. We gather before You our tithes and gifts, and ask that You bless them for the work of this church, and the glory of Your kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (in unison):        May Christ shelter us from sin and shame; may the Father enlighten our souls and embrace us with His love; and may the Holy Spirit keep us faithfully focused on worshipping the One, Triune, and Living God. Both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Easter 2C - April 7

Approaching God

 

Welcome & announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

 

Call to Worship

Youth:             Let us come to the Lord with our praises and prayers.

All:                  We will honor God from our hearts and in our worship.

Youth:             May God be glorified by what we give and bring to Him. Amen.

 

First Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                         LORD God Almighty, Creator of the Universe, and Sustainer of our lives, we come to You with our prayers and petitions, our cares and concerns. You have called us by name to come into Your House. You have welcomed us to this sanctuary of praise and peace, holiness and healing.

People:            Loving God, in the midst of our troubles, we call upon Your Name. We look for Your help and inspiration, Your patience and forgiveness, as well as Your mercy and grace. We have sinned against You and have allowed ourselves to be overcome by temptation. We have neglected our faith and cast aside Your words. Forgive our foolish and arrogant ways; pardon our selfish and faithless choices. Hear us now as we silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Merciful Father, You could discipline and punish us, or even reject and ignore us. Instead, You lovingly allow us to approach Your Holy Son Jesus to seek forgiveness, absolution, and acquittal for our sins. We praise You for sending Him to us and for His perfect and passionate sacrifice, which wipes clean our sinful past. May we unite ourselves with Jesus, in whose words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father, …THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:             We believe and know that Christ is the Holy One of God. His Passion and obedience, His Crucifixion and sacrifice, have given us the glorious opportunity of remitting our sins, renewing our lives, and restoring us 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.

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

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                         Come, let us pray for healing from the LORD; let us voice our concerns to the Rock of our salvation. We come before God with our personal pleas; we pray to Him sincerely and faithfully.

People:                        The LORD is the great God, the mighty King above all. He will hear our prayers and answer our needs. From His hands comes the power of healing. Have mercy upon us O Lord, for we belong to You.

Pastor:                         We are His, for He made us; He shapes our lives and has the power to save our souls. Almighty God, we bow down before You; heal us and all our loved ones from sickness and despair; pain and anxiety; suffering and depression. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:             The LORD is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

                        (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 95)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, let the words and ways of Jesus touch our hearts today. May His miracles and messages challenge our lives so that we may change our church, community, and country. To the glory of God forever. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we express our faith and thanksgiving through these tithes and offerings. Bless them for the life, work, and ministry of Your church and the preaching, teaching, and proclaiming of Your Gospel. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Hymn

Benediction:( in unison)        May Christ be the Lord of our lives throughout our days on Earth; may the Father enhance our faith and life through His loving ways; and may the Holy Spirit keep us serving the One, Triune, and Living God, in this world and the next. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Easter Sunday Worship Prayers - March 31

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Christ is Risen!

People:                 He is Risen indeed!

Youth:                   Let us praise and glorify Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior forevermore. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Lord of all the Earth and King of every nation, we applaud Your wonderful deeds and exalt Your Name above all others. Your power has been experienced and praised by every generation. You have enhanced this planet with hope and faith through the glorious resurrection of Your Holy Son.

People:                 Great and Everlasting God of the Universe, we seek to serve You in this sacred sanctuary; we look to praise and honor You with our hearts and lives. On this Easter Day, we come to You rejoicing in the Good News, but also seeking forgiveness for our sinful ways. We look for mercy of all our foolish decisions and we plead for pardon of our past mistakes. Hear us now as we silently confess to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Gracious Lord, Your Sovereignty extends over all our lives. You are above and beyond all that we can ever experience or know. Without Your grace, our lives are meaningless. Without Your Son, we have no salvation.

We make our confessions in the Name of Jesus, the Holy One, whose sacrifice takes away our sins. In His own words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father …THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                                  We can only go to Jesus for forgiveness, for He alone has the authority to restore us to God. Above all others, He has the words of eternal life. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Jesus is our Savior and Lord forever. Amen.

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

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

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

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O LORD, You ask us to be faithful in times of trouble. Hear us now as we pray for help and grant us relief from sickness and suffering. Enable us to hold on to hope and take courage in Your promises. In the face of fear, never forsake us. In times of isolation, be our Comforter. Help us and heal us, O Lord. Strengthen and support us, console our spirits and lighten our burdens.

People:                 Loving Lord, when we are overcome with worry or weariness, grant us peace of mind and rest for our souls. When we are anxious about our families and friends, bestow upon them wholeness and healing that will generate joy and faith in their lives. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 The LORD is our fortress of faith and the Rock of our redemption, in whom we take refuge. We pray in the power of Jesus’ Name. Amen.   (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 94)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, may we continue to praise God for all that happens in these scriptures. May these resurrection stories and events draw us closer to His ways and enable us to share our faith with other people, to the glory of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, You have clearly called us to be here today. We have learned of Your wonderful victory over death and studied God's Everlasting Word. Bless these offerings and tithes, as we dedicate them to Your continuing work in this world. May our gifts enhance Your mission to spread the Gospel throughout our community, and all over the Earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction:  (in unison)              May Christ enable us to live each day for Him alone; may the Father free us from fear and keep us in His constant care; and may the Holy Spirit strengthen our faith, so that we may continually worship the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship prayers - Palm Sunday - March 24

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Hosanna to the Lord in the highest Heaven!

All:                          Blessed are those who welcome Him into their hearts.

Youth:                   May the Lord come among us and bless us forever. Amen!

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                  Almighty and Everlasting God, we gather together as Your Holy people, called and chosen to be in this sacred place of praise and prayer, of joy and jubilation. We welcome Your Son Jesus Christ into our hearts and seek to please You by worshipping Him.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we know that we have been foolish, selfish, and sinful at times. We recognize that we have made mistakes, as well as bad choices and faithless decisions. We are sorry for those moments when temptation has caused us to get angry, be bitter, remain proud, and be insensitive to those around us. Hear us now as we confess our faults and silently pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Eternal Lord, on this special day which starts this Holy Week, we look forward to the victory of Christ over sin and death. His sacrifice has cleared our mistakes. His grace can renew and bring rebirth to our lives. We make our petitions in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                                  Christ chooses us to become His disciples, yet He has to deal with our sinful nature and human failings. He has overcome both death and sin, so that our souls can be resurrected to a new beginning. Let us rejoice and give thanks, for Christ has blessed us with an everlasting hope and He has saved our lives 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 praise the LORD with new hearts; let us rejoice with all the earth and glorify His Name. Each day, we will proclaim the Lord's salvation; each week, we will come to Him with our praises. The Lord has done marvelous deeds among His people, therefore let us ask Him to heal our lives.

People:                 O LORD, You made the heavens and sustain the nations; be merciful to us and grant us healing from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Gracious God, there is power and strength in this sanctuary; listen to our prayers and attend to the needs of our loved ones who are ill, distressed, worried, or depressed.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 We will worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness. We will give thanks throughout this day. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 96)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, release us from our fears and restore us to God's heart. Open our minds to this glorious message of hope, so that we may gladly receive Christ as our King and report His words to all our people. 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 act of cheerful and thankful giving, we offer You these tokens. Bless them for Your wonderful ways that have changed the world forever. Enable us to rededicate our lives this day, in the holy service of Your Kingdom, both now and forevermore. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction: ( in unison)              May Christ resurrect our faith by becoming Lord of our lives; may we know the Father's compassion and grace throughout our days; and may the Holy Spirit keep us glorifying and worshipping the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Lent 4C - 10 March

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Youth:                   Loving God, we come into Your House of praise and prayer; accept our songs and worship.

People:                 We are called to be in Your presence and seek to please You with our devotion.

Youth:                   Come among us, Holy Lord, and bless each of us here today. In Jesus’ Name, we ask. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                 Sovereign Lord of the Universe and Gracious God of our hearts, we praise Your glorious ways and bless Your wonderful deeds. You are the One, True, and Living God. We are honored to be called into Your Holy Presence. We feel favored to gather in Your Holy House.

People:                 Loving Lord of Life, You created the Earth and watch over our entire planet. You know that we are human and frail, prone to pride and drawn to sin. Forgive our faults and pardon our past mistakes. Have mercy upon us for we are foolish and faithless at times, overcome by greed and vanity, temptation and trouble. Hear us now as we humbly confess our sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, enable us to honor Your Name 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. For we make our confessions in Christ’s Name and through His own words, we unite our hearts in prayer, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (DEBTS/DEBTORS)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ opens our eyes to the consequences of our sins. By giving His life for us, He shows us how seriously God deals with our selfish and deceitful mistakes. Thankfully, He also opens the gates of eternal freedom to those who come to Him sincerely seeking forgiveness, peace, and love. By the power of His blood, we receive mercy and are restored to God’s favor. Therefore, in Christ’s Name, let us rejoice and 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.

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor: Hear our cries, O God; listen to our heartfelt prayers. Deep within our souls, we call to You. When we are weak and our hearts are troubled, be the rock of our salvation.

People:                 You are our refuge and our strength against all things which harm us in body, mind, heart and soul. We seek to dwell in Your healing presence and look to You to keep us safe from illness and injury, disease and despair, pain and suffering.

Pastor:                 We call upon You for ourselves, our loved ones, and those whom we know need Your help. May Your love and faithfulness protect all of us and may our loved ones experience Your peace and blessing, Your hope and healing. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May we sing praise to the One, True, and Living God, whose compassionate healing is given and fulfilled in each of our lives this day. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.    

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 61)

Singing of “Sanctuary"

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, lift up our hearts and help us to see the real Jesus in the midst of these scriptures. Reveal to us His teaching for our lives, and help us to apply what we learn from Him today.  In Christ’s Sacred Name, we pray. Amen. 

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (infusion – led by pastor):    Lord Jesus, You have revealed to us 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. 

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Christ help us to regard each day as holy and special; may the Father continue to bless our needs and strengthen our souls; and may the Holy Spirit teach us to live our lives in thankfulness to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude