Sunday Worship Prayers - Advent 4 - Fourth in Advent - Dec 18

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Call to Light the Advent Wreath

Family: The season of Advent continues. Today we shall be lighting the candle of love.

Congregation: No other word so completely describes what we know of our God.  For God so loved the world that a child was given....God's love in human form.

Family:            We wait in hope and peace, and with joy.

The two purple candles and the pink candle are lit

Family: We light the candle of love to proclaim that God's love is revealed in the Child born in Bethlehem.

Congregation:            We are challenged to proclaim and
reveal that same love as we live out our faith here in this area.

The purple candle is lit

Family:            We give thanks for a love that passes our human understanding.

Congregation:            We await once more the birth of God's enduring love this Christmas. In Christ’s Sacred Name, we hope, wait, love, and pray. Amen

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Heavenly Father, we gather as Your people and children, seeking to delight You with our prayers and music, as well as our praises and worship. We come before You as humble servants, thankful for our lives and grateful for Your blessings.

People:           Merciful Lord, we know that we are sometimes rebellious and wayward, and that we do not make the best choices each day. We confess that we are sometimes unwilling to listen to Your words and constantly ignore Your commands. We are guilty of being unholy and unfaithful, unworthy and ungodly. We keep allowing pride and prejudice, anger and greed, arrogance and envy to diminish our faith and contaminate our souls. Hear us now as we make our sorrowful confessions to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Loving Father, You gave Jesus to us to become our only Savior and Perfect Redeemer. He can save us from our sins and restore us to Your grace. We ask for Your mercy in His Name. Without Christ's power, we would be doomed forever. Without His love, we would be eternally lost. In His precious words, we continue our prayers, saying, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER"  (debts/debtors)

           

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide:              Christ taught us everything about God's grace and offered Himself as the Supreme Sacrifice for all of our sins. Death cannot seize us forever, for we have been liberated by Christ's blood and reinstated to God's pleasure, 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.

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

           

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             O Lord, our God, we take refuge in You; save and deliver us from all that harms us. When pain reduces us to tears, or fear overwhelms our souls, grant us comfort and peace.

People:           O Lord, if we have brought harm and suffering upon ourselves, grant us mercy and relief. When we seek peace of mind and strength to overcome weariness, be near to us, O Lord.

Pastor:             O Lord God Most High, You are the shield of our hearts and the sustainer of our lives. Hear our pleas for healing and bestow upon our loved ones health and wholeness, recovery and restoration. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:             We will give thanks to God for His righteousness and give praise to the Lord Most High.  In Jesus' Name, we make these prayers. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 7)

           

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, we are heirs to the Lord's covenant and His chosen people. Let these sacred words penetrate our hearts and minds, so that our spirits and souls may be strengthened through the teaching, love and grace of Christ. In His Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, we are saved through Your Gospel when we firmly hold to the words You have preached. Strengthen our beliefs and personal commitment to You. Take these tithes and gifts for the service of the Kingdom, the preaching of Your Word and the glorifying of God's Name.  In Your Presence, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ flow into our lives and enhance our faith; may the Father comfort and strengthen us every day; and may the Holy Spirit empower and enable us to worship and witness to the One, True and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology         May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Advent 3 - Third in Advent - Dec 11

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Call to Light the Advent Wreath

Family: Today - the third Sunday in Advent, we hear from the writer of the Psalm and the prophet Isaiah.
Congregation: We hear of a world where even the desert sings, rejoices and blossoms.

Family:            A world where eyes will see and ears will hear; where everyone will want to dance and sing for joy. We watch and wait for these signs of the in-breaking of God's kingdom.
Congregation:            We wait in hope and peace, and with joy.

(Two purple candles are relit)

Family:            The God in whom we rejoice, prepares our hearts for the coming of the Lord. We light the candle of joy.

(The pink candle is lit)

Family:            God of grace and truth, may our spirits rejoice in the forthcoming birth of Christ, our Savior, in whom we are privileged to experience Your mercy and see Your glory.

Congregation:            May this house of prayer become a sanctuary of joy. May our hearts and spirits be lifted up through the praising and glorifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is yet to come amongst us again. Amen.

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Almighty God, whose words of hope have been written across the universe as signatures of Your salvation and guarantees of Your grace, we rejoice at being in Your presence and are glad to worship You.

You know all things and see the years yet to come, therefore we acknowledge Your authority over our lives and proclaim You as Sovereign over all creation.

People:           Gracious Father, we confess our selfish feelings and faithless ways. We regret our past mistakes and sinful deeds. Instead of wanting to witness to Your glorious kingdom, we waste our lives on fulfilling our own desires. Forgive us for casting You aside when we make important decisions. Forgive us for casting others aside when they need our help. And pardon us for setting aside Your commands when we are under pressure, deeply troubled, or worried. Hear us now as we make our confessions to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Compassionate Father, without Your mercy, we would meander through life and drift into the darkness of death without any hope. Because of Your Son Jesus and through His sacrifice, we can be redeemed from our sins and restored to Your kingdom. We praise You for sending Jesus into the world and for giving Him authority over our lives. In His Name, we offer our confessions and with His own words we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father...” THE LORD’S PRAYER  (debts/debtors)

           

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ came to reveal to us the mercy of God and to grant us the opportunity of being restored to His Father. He alone can bring us this everlasting hope, and in Him, we can find eternal salvation. So let us praise our Savior's Name, 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.

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

           

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             Be merciful to us, O Lord, in the midst of our troubles. Heal us from all that harms us. When we get anxious about our lives, grant us peace. When we become impatient with our issues, grant us strength.

People:           Turn to us, O Lord, and deliver us; save us because of Your unfailing love. When we are worn out from worrying, and crushed by our concerns, take us by the hand and help us to overcome our fears.

Pastor:             When we are weak with sorrow and beset with problems, have mercy on us, O Lord. We bring before You all our loved ones, who need Your strength and compassion, Your care and healing. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor:             The Lord has heard our cries for healing. The Lord accepts our prayers. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 6)

           

Singing of “Jesus Draw Me Close.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, we have come to worship God in this holy place and we seek to become His servants. As we hear these sacred words, open our hearts and minds, as well as our spirits and souls to Christ’s teaching. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You brought to us the Gospel and now welcome us into God's Kingdom. You empower us to serve You and to use our gifts to glorify Your ways. Take our tithes and offerings, and bless them for the holy work of Your Church on Earth.  In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen.  

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ continue to comfort us in the midst of our troubles; may the Father embrace us each and every day; and may the Holy Spirit empower us to share these blessings with others, to the glory of the One, Triune and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology         May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Advent 2 - Second in Advent - Dec 4

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Call to Light the Advent Wreath

Family: Today - the second Sunday in Advent - we hear about Isaiah's
vision of a new and transformed world.
Congregation: A world where all creatures live together in harmony and peace.

Family: We wait with hope for this vision to become reality.
Congregation: The God of hope fills us with joy and peace in believing. We light the candle of hope.

(The first purple candle is relit)

Family: We proclaim our belief in God's faithfulness in keeping promises, as we light the candle of peace.

( A second purple candle is lit)

Family:  God of all faithfulness - Isaiah's vision paints a picture of a world shaped in accordance with Your will and Your design.

Congregation:   He tells of One so enlightened by your Spirit that he would open eyes and ears and hearts to a new understanding of your will and your design for the world. Isaiah described the one for whom the people waited - the Messiah .

Family:  We wait also, but we wait in the joyful knowledge that the Messiah has come in the form of your beloved Son.

Congregation:   We wait in faith, praying that through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus - Prince of Peace - will be born anew in our hearts and in our lives. Amen

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Everlasting Lord and God of all the Universe, who calls us each by name, we offer You our devotion and pledge to You our hearts. Almighty Father, who helps the powerless and supports the weak, we worship Your holy ways and glorify Your loving deeds.

People:           Merciful Lord, we know that we are utterly dependent upon You to sustain our lives, yet we humbly confess that we often take You for granted and frequently try to cast You aside. When we take Your name in vain, or choose to neglect our neighbor's need, or decide to hate our enemies, please forgive us. When we place ourselves at the center of our lives, or selfishly seek to satisfy our sinful desires, or forget to honor Your Son, pardon our mistakes. Hear us now as we humbly confess our faults to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Loving Father, left to ourselves, we would do nothing about our need to repent, nor would we change our lives. You Son Jesus challenges our ways and offers us the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and restored to Your favor. Therefore, in His precious Name, we make these confessions and continue to pray in His own words, saying, “Our Father, Who art in heaven...THE LORD’S PRAYER”  (debts/debtors)

           

Promise of the Gospel:

Guide: Christ came into the world, to reconcile all things to Himself, and to witness to God's everlasting grace. He alone is the Savior of our souls and the Redeemer of the Earth. Let us rejoice and be glad in Him, both now and forever. Amen.

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

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

           

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             Give ear to our words, O Lord, consider our feelings and prayers. Listen to our cries and pleas for help, for You are our King and God.

People:           This morning, O Lord, we lay our requests before You and wait in expectation. We have come into Your house seeking mercy; in reverence we bow before Your presence and ask for healing.

Pastor:             Help us to release our prayers to You and to put all that concerns us into Your hands. Lead us O Lord, in Your righteousness. Make plain Your ways before us, as we pray for our loved ones and ourselves. Heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul.

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

Pastor:             We will take refuge in the Lord and be glad. May He bless us with His favor and love. In Christ's Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 5)

           

Singing of ‘Jesus Draw Me Close.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, may God speak to us through these sacred words. May we become familiar with His ways and honor the teachings of His Son. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & The Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, You call upon us to do everything in a fit and orderly way. We bring before You our tithes and offerings, praying that they may be given to Your service and dedicated for Your work by this congregation. Take these gifts, and our lives, for the glory of God's Kingdom and the life, ministries and missions which You ask us to undertake, accomplish and fulfill.  In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.            

Communion

Closing Hymn:

Benediction(unison): May our Lord Jesus Christ bring us closer to the Father of all compassion; may the Holy Spirit lead us each day to the One, Triune and Everlasting God of all comfort, joy, and love, both now and forever. Amen.          

Doxology         May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers - Advent 1 - First in Advent - Nov 27

Approaching God

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song

Lighting of Advent Candle

Family: Today, the prophet Isaiah describes a future shaped by peace for all nations as they walk in the light of the Lord. We wait in hope for this prophecy to be fulfilled.
Congregation: We light the candle of hope to proclaim that God's light is coming into the world

A purple candle is lit.

Family:           God of all nations - You spoke to Isaiah and You empowered him to speak welcome words of peace and hope to the people of his time.

Congregation:            We need to hear Your word anew to us today as the darkness of despair is still experienced wherever peace and hope are absent.

Family:           Strengthen us with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may be Your prophets in this day and age - teaching Your ways to release people from darkness through words and work of love, peace, and justice.
Congregation:            In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

First Hymn:

           

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                         Divine Maker of all creatures and Mighty Sustainer of every life, we humbly bow before Your holy presence and peacefully place our lives into Your hands. Living God, who knows all of our ways and whose love has never let us go, we gather together as one people, who are thankful for Your blessings and grateful for Your goodness.

People:            Gracious Lord, in the midst of our hardships and distress, we sometimes make rash and selfish decisions. We allow fear and anxiety, anger and pride to undermine our faith and diminish our devotion to You. When we treasure our troubles or nurse our wrath, when we gloat over other people's mistakes or neglect to help those in need, forgive us and pardon our sins. Here us now as we personally pray to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                         Almighty God, You have given us Jesus to be our Burden Bearer and Sin Receiver. He has borne Your wrath and endured the punishment due for our sins. He alone has the power to free us from our unprofitable and unworthy ways.  Without Jesus, we have no everlasting hope. Without His mercy and grace, we have no future life in eternity. In His Name, we bring our confessions and continue to pray in His precious words, saying, “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

           

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                         The Law of God demands justice and punishment for our sins. Jesus is our only Redeemer and His testimony before God, on our behalf, releases us from oblivion, and restores us to the everlasting favor of God. To Christ, be glory, thanksgiving, and power, 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.

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

           

Encountering God

Choir Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             Please answer us, when we call to You, O Righteous God. Grant us relief from our distress and hear our prayers. Forgive us, Lord, for doubting Your compassion, because of our emphatic fears and worries.

People:            O Living God, be merciful and listen to our heartfelt pleas. Enable us to set aside our anxieties by trusting in Your holy power. Search our hearts and deliver us from all that stops us placing our lives into Your care.

Pastor:             Help us to focus our prayers on You and to put all that concerns us into Your hands. Let the light of Your face shine upon us and all our loved ones, O Lord.  Heal all of us 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:             The Lord fills our hearts with hope and joy, strength and peace. In Christ's Name, we make these prayers. Amen.                        (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 4)

           

Singing of '"Jesus Draw Me Close."

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, let the promises of God touch our hearts and transform our lives through His Sacred Word. May Christ take possession of our minds and souls through His message and teaching.  In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison): Lord Jesus, throughout the ages Your word has come alive in the hearts and minds of millions of people. Today, we join with them through the giving of our lives to the holy service of Your sacred kingdom. Bless the tithes and gifts that we bring before You. May they be used for the ministries and missions that You have appointed to this congregation.  In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ's grace be experienced by all of us and made evident in our daily lives; may the Father's peace endow our hearts with fortitude and strength;  and may the Holy Spirit grant us courage and compassion, so that we may effectively witness to the One, Triune and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology        May God's Blessing & Postlude

Advent 4 worship prayers - Fourth Sunday in Advent - 19 December

Approaching God

Announcements & A Word of Welcome

Family:            This is the Fourth Sunday in Advent and we seek the Lord’s blessing.

All:                  His Peace heals our pain and His Love liberates our souls.

(Lighting of Three Purple Advent Candles and Pink Joy candle)

Family:            Since we have been justified through our faith, we have everlasting peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prelude

First Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide: Everlasting Lord, whose ways are beyond our imagining and whose will is beyond our control, we assemble in Your Holy Presence and gather to praise Your Sacred Name.

People: Almighty God, whose covenants have always been fulfilled, and whose compassion is unequalled, we gladly worship Your Power and glorify Your wonderful deeds.

Guide: Heavenly Father, when sin affects our souls and we willfully damage our spirits by yielding to temptation, enable us to humbly seek Your forgiveness, and grant us the favor of Your pardon. You alone have the authority to condemn us or forgive us, to judge us or justify us. Hear us now as we personally make our confessions to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Gracious God, You are our refuge and hiding place, our safe haven and sanctuary. Your Holy Son Jesus Christ has purchased our salvation with His own blood. We are grateful for the opportunity to be acquitted of our past mistakes and restored to Your love and blessing.  We humbly make these confessions in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Only Savior and precious Lord, in whose words we faithfully pray, saying,

"Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:  God sent Jesus into the world to heal it of all its unholiness and to reclaim creation to God's Kingdom. We know Jesus as our Savior and Christ, our Peace Bringer and Soul Restorer. So let us gladly rejoice in His perfect obedience, complete forgiveness and everlasting reassurance. In His Name. Amen.

Gloria Patri: 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 of Life, in the midst of weakness or strength, we place our hope in Your sacred words. When we are fearful or anxious, O God, we look to You for comfort and compassion.

People:                        In times of distress or despair, we will not forget Your words of holiness and healing. When our patience is stretched and our peace is broken, reassure us with Your presence and strengthen us with Your love.

Pastor:             When we fall down, or when we feel feeble or frail, do not forsake or abandon us; do not forget our pleas or reject our prayers. Compassionate Father, we appeal to Your mercy and grace and we ask for healing. Restore all our loved ones, and us to health and wholeness. Protect us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently pray.

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

Pastor: Preserve us according to Your gracious words. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Healer of the World and Savior to the Nations. Amen.

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

Singing of ‘Jesus, Draw Me Close.’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:             Holy Spirit, release us from our fears and strengthen our faith in Jesus. Let God's word bring us closer to Him and equip us to go out into the world liberated by Your love and inspired by this message. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Sermon & The Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison)   Lord Jesus, You have taught us to cheerfully give of ourselves to You and God's Kingdom. You have sacrificed Your life for our salvation, so we gratefully bring to You these gifts and tithes, praying that You will accept them for the life, ministry and work of Your church here in this congregation, our community, and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):

May Christ lead us each day to accomplish His purpose for our lives; may the Father's gracious love keep us always in obedience to Him; and may the Holy Spirit continually influence us so that we may glorify and praise the One, Triune and Living God, from this day forth and forevermore. Amen.

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

Advent 2 worship prayers: Second in Advent - December 05

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Advent 2 Call to Worship

Family:            This is the Second Sunday in Advent and we continue to look for our Savior.

All:                  We will prepare the Way of the Lord and await His Presence.

(Lighting of Two Purple Advent Candles)

Family:            We have been released from the law so that we serve God in the new way of Christ’s Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Amen.

Gathering & Prelude

Hymn:

Prayer of adoration and Confession

Guide:                         Eternal Majesty, whose riches and resources are unlimited; whose power is absolute and abounding with holiness; we gather before You in this place of praise, peace, and prayer. You have set apart this time in our lives to worship and adore You. We have responded to Your call and we continue to bless Your Holy Name.
People:            Precious Father, we confess our sins to You. We have stored up bitterness in our hearts. We have allowed pride to damage our souls. We have hurt other people with our words and disappointed You with our deceptions. We have fulfilled our own desires and cast aside Your commandments.
Guide:             Holy God, we have tampered with our faith by falling into temptation. We have neglected our devotion to Your Son by satisfying our dreams and needs. Forgive us, Gracious God, for we repent of our reckless ways and diminished faith. Hear us now as we personally seek Your pardon.

- SILENCE -

Guide: Compassionate Creator, who permits us to call upon Your Son for help, healing, and wholeness, we praise You for the promises of salvation through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus. Without His obedience to You, without His sacrificial death on the Cross, we would remain totally unforgiven  and cast out from Your Holy Presence. In Christ’s own precious words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel:
Guide: Jesus is the King of Creation and the Lord of our lives. We did not give this honor to Him. Through His complete devotion and perfect obedience, God bestowed upon Jesus all authority on earth and in heaven to forgive our sins, to restore us to God’s favor, and to be welcomed into His Eternal Kingdom. So let us rejoice and be truly thankful, for Jesus is our One, True and Only Savior, both now and always. Amen.

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

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor:             Your healing love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your strength is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.
People:            O LORD, we pray that you will preserve our lives and loved ones. How precious is your unfailing love and mercy to us! May our families and friends find refuge in Your presence and healing from all that harms them.
Pastor:            May we all regain our health and strength from the abundance of Your power; may You grant us our petitions and delight us with Your grace. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light; through Your peace, we are released from pain; by Your love we are set free from our fears. Hear us now as we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others.

Pastor:             Living and Gracious Lord, continue Your love to those who need You, Your healing to the most cherished of our hearts. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 36)


Prayer for Illumination :
Reader : Holy Spirit, challenge and change us through the truths that these sacred scriptures reveal. Move our hearts and show us how to fulfill Christ’s message in our daily lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings :

The Message and Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory:
Dedication (unison):   Lord Jesus, You know us completely and perfectly understand everything about our lives. We often fail to fulfill our service and devotion to You, and yet You still allow us to receive the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. With humble and sincere thanks, we offer You our time, talents, and money. Take these tokens of our gratitude and bless them for the continuing life, work, and ministry of Your Church in this community, across this nation, and throughout the world. In Your Precious Name, we pray. Amen.

Communion

Hymn :

Benediction:    May Christ protect us from our sinful nature and keep us on His Holy path; may the Father continually cultivate our faith through His Love and Grace; and may the Holy Spirit enable us to go out into the world to effectively witness to God’s kingdom, glory and power. Both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!