Sunday Prayers for August 11 - Ordinary 19C

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               You surround us with Your Love, O Lord; You bless us with Your grace and fill our hearts with cheer.
People:                 The Lord supports us each day, therefore we have nothing to fear.
Liturgist:               Our help comes from the Lord; may He be a blessing to all of us gathered here. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Father, whose strength sustains our well-being, and whose power impacts our lives, we set aside this sacred time to worship You, bringing You our prayers and voicing our joy of knowing Your love. You are wise beyond all human limits and Your works far exceed our own. Today, we seek to serve You sincerely, and want to please You with our praise.

People:                 Merciful Lord, at times our faith is weak and we allow our anxieties to burden our hearts. During stressful times, we make foolish decisions and sometimes say hurtful words. Instead of seeking Your wisdom, we follow our own ways; instead of being guided by the Gospel, we get lost in sin. Forgive us for allowing pride and vanity, selfishness and temptation to contaminate our souls and eradicate our relationship with You. Hear us now as we humbly pray.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Everlasting God, we know that only Jesus can bring peace and restoration to our lives. Only He can save us from our sinful selves. By Christ alone, we are forgiven and returned to Your favor. In His words, we continue to pray, saying “Our Father... (THE LORD'S PRAYER” debts/debtors)    

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  We are personally accountable for our sinful mistakes, and under God’s judgment each day. Jesus, however, intercedes for us at the throne of God, claiming us as His own. Let us rejoice and be glad, for Christ is our Compassionate King and Gracious Lord forevermore. Amen.

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

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

Encountering God

Anthem

 Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 We are grateful to You, O God, for we are always in Your presence, surrounded by Your wonderful works and glorious deeds. In the midst of our present anxieties and concerns, steady our hearts and bring peace to our minds.

People:                 Pour out the blessing of Your healing power upon us and all of our loved ones. Restore to health and strength all those for whom we now silently pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor: Let us remain confident in the goodness of the Lord. May we glorify His comforting ways. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, reveal to us the true greatness of Christ through the reading and hearing of these sacred scriptures. Open our hearts and minds to the simple and abiding message of His Gospel. 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, You have restored us to God and sought His approval of our lives. You have blessed us each day, and promised us an abundant life that is yet to come. We can never repay the everlasting debt that we owe You, but we can give to Your church, to share the Good news, through word, deeds, and support. Take our tithes and gifts, as well as our lives and souls. Use them for the glorifying of God in our church, across our community, and throughout the entire world. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully give and faithfully pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (in unison):               May the light of Christ brighten our lives; may the Father increase our knowledge of His words and ways; and may the Holy Spirit enable us to cheerfully worship and glorify the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday Prayers for August 04 - Ordinary 18C

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to worship

Liturgist:         Let us proclaim the decrees of the Lord; let us rejoice in being called His children.
People:            We will gladly serve the Lord and celebrate His presence among us.
Liturgist:         May we be blessed for taking refuge in the Lord; may we worship and glorify His everlasting Name. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                         Lord of All Wisdom and Creator of Time, we come before You as a people of faith. We seek to delight You with our prayers and praises.
People:            Amazing and All Powerful God, You are the sure foundation of our lives and the source of our well being. We willingly give our hearts to You; we freely want to serve You.

Guide:                         Gracious King, we know that we have committed acts that disappoint You; we have said words that disrespect You; we have made decisions that dishonor You.
People:            Loving Father, we are guilty of so many sins, too numerous for us to recount and remember. Forgive us for those sinful deeds which we have forgotten, and for all those selfish mistakes that we still commit. Hear us now as we make our confessions.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                         Most Merciful God, Your Son Jesus Christ is the key to our forgiveness and restoration. He is the One who saves us from our selfish past and present mistakes. His authority removes our sins and redeems for Your Kingdom.

People:            In Christ alone, our sins are deleted and our souls refreshed. Through His Name and in His words, we make these prayers, saying “Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)    

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                         When we acknowledge Christ as our Savior and confess our sins to Him, we are liberated from our fears of God’s punishment and restored to His favor. Christ alone has the power to decide our ultimate destiny, so let us rejoice in His abiding mercy and abundant grace. 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:            O LORD, why does trouble come to us and why do good people suffer?

People:            We remember Your deeds of deliverance and Your ways of salvation. Come to us and heal us.

Pastor:            Turn towards us, O Living God, and take away our fears by strengthening our faith.

People:            O God, You have helped our people across many generations. Come to us now, in this holy place. Touch us with Your Presence. Heal us by Your Love.

Pastor:            Do not forget those whom we cherish and love, Almighty Lord. Heal them of all that harms them in body, mind, soul and spirit.

People:            Do not let our loved ones give into to despair. Fill them with peace and hope, strength and health, restoration and power.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:            May God rise up and deliver us. May His Healing touch be with us all day long. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 74)

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, heal us by the power of the Gospel and grant strength to our souls through Christ’s message. Open our hearts and minds to the bounty of wisdom, knowledge, and encouragement that Jesus provides.  In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Dedication(unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, thank You for enabling us to set aside these tithes and gifts from the resources and income that we have been blessed with. Take them and bless them for the continuing work of Your church here, for the preaching of the Gospel, the spreading of Your love, and the glorifying of God. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Communion
Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):                        May Christ preach to our hearts each day; may the Father grant us opportunities to serve Him in this community; and may the Holy Spirit encourage us to worship the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology May God's Blessing & Postlude

Sunday Worship Prayers for July 28 - Ordinary 17C

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:               May we come here today to listen to the Lord, who promises peace and faithfulness for our lives.
People:                 We will gladly return to our God, for His salvation is near and we are blessed to be His people.
Liturgist:               May the Lord’s glory be shared among us; may we express our love and praise to Him alone. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Holy and Almighty God, whose will sustains all of life and whose Kingdom never ends, we humbly bring our prayers of joy and concern to You alone. We are grateful for Your daily blessings and we are mindful of Your mighty works. You are the One, True, and Living God, whom we worship and adore forevermore.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we ask for Your mercy and grace, for we are often foolish and faithless. We succumb to temptation and surrender our souls to sinful ways. We forget to be persistent Christians and lack respect for Your ways. Forgive our selfish deeds and unholy words. Hear us now as we personally approach You with our confessions.

- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Heavenly Father, we are mindful of Your favor and acknowledge our dependence upon Your grace. Look down from Heaven and spare us from Your wrath. Unite our hearts and spirits with Your Loving Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, in whose words we conclude our prayers, saying, “Our Father...THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)    

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  When we sincerely and humbly ask for forgiveness, it is granted to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. His sacrifice has given us a sacred opportunity to successfully search for God’s favor and grace. He has opened the gates of Heaven, so that God hears and listens to our confessions. Let us praise and glorify the Name of Jesus Christ forevermore! Amen.

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

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

Encountering God

Anthem

 

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O Lord, when we are at a loss or fearful of the future, grant us Your goodness and strength. When we are beset with worry and overwhelmed by stress, grant us Your peace and favor.

People:                 You are always with us, O Lord, and we are strengthened by Your glory; come near to us now and embrace our weary spirits. Lead us and counsel us, O God; comfort and heal us in the days ahead.

Pastor:                 In You alone, we place our faith, for You are able to give what is good, and to heal all that is harmful.

Restore us and all our loved ones from all that damages us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:                 May the Lord prepare ways of healing, health, and wholeness to us, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.      

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to this sacred teaching today. As we seek to learn more about Christ, may our faith in Him be strengthened. In His Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor):  Lord Jesus, we have been received into Your presence and restored to God’s favor. We bring before You our grateful gifts and thankful tithes. Bless them for the life, work, and ministry of this church and Your mission throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Christ give us His blessing each day; may the Father find us serving Him throughout this week; and may the Holy Spirit open up opportunities for us to witness to others about our faith in the One, Triune, and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday worship prayers - Ordinary 16C - July 21

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude & Gathering song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:                      Let us come before God to cheerfully praise His wonderful ways!

People:                        How amazing is our God, the Lord of the Universe and Creator of Life.

Liturgist:                      Let us sing our songs of salvation to God; let us rejoice in our King forevermore. Amen.

Hymn:

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:              Almighty God, You are above and beyond all that we can ever humanly imagine. You are perfect and holy, limitless and immortal. Humbly, we bring before You our lives and love, as well as our prayers and petitions. Hear our words and listen to our pleas.

People:            Gracious Lord, we try to live according to Your ways, but we often fail You each day. We attempt to pay attention to Your words, but we frequently get distracted by our own thoughts and desires. Forgive for falling short of all that You expect of us; pardon us for making selfish choices and faithless decisions. Grant us Your mercy and grace, through Your Son Jesus Christ. Hear us now as we silently make our confessions to You.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:              Loving God, it is only through the sacrifice of Your Son that we can be saved. He is our Mighty Redeemer and the Only One who can restore us to Your blessing and favor. We gratefully acknowledge our eternal debt to Him and we continue to pray in His own words, saying: “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:              Jesus came among us to show us how to live our lives as Kingdom People. He perfectly obeyed God and completely gave His life for our salvation. He is our everlasting Savior and glorious Lord, so let us worship and praise Him 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:             Our confidence remains in You, O God, for You uplift our spirits in times of personal need and moments of anxiety and concern.

People:            We will continue to praise Your healing ways among us, for Your love sustains us, casting away our fears.

Pastor:             O Living Lord, You are proclaimed throughout the Earth as Life Bringer and Compassionate Creator. We appeal to Your loving kindness, asking that You would deliver us and 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:             In this sacred place of peace and prayer, God speaks lovingly to our hearts. His mercy and compassion always endure. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 108)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary’

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:            Holy Spirit, let Christ’s words and teachings captivate our hearts and minds. Permit these scriptures to speak to our spirits, so that our faith may be enhanced and our lives may be empowered to witness to the glory and presence of our Everlasting God. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message & the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):              Lord Jesus, You have invited us to be here in church today. You have called us to live thankfully and give generously of our time, talents, and money. Take our tithes and gifts; bless them for the continuing life, work, and mission of Your Church in our community and throughout the world. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (Unison):                         May Christ’s protection be always with us each day; may the Father strengthen our faith with His goodness and grace; and may the Holy Spirit keep us devoted to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forever. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude

Sunday worship prayers - Ordinary 15C - July 14

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude

Gathering Song

Call to Worship

Liturgist:          As we gather in God’s Holy House, may our spirits be prepared to worship and applaud Him.
People:            We adore the Almighty Lord for His unlimited power; we glorify His Everlasting Name above all else.
Liturgist:          Let all who gather here today, praise the One, True, and Living God, whose glory lasts for ever and ever. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:             Everlasting Father, we have come to this sacred place of praise and prayer to honor Your sovereignty and to worship Your greatness. Your infinite grace sustains our lives and we are richly blessed by Your unending love.

People:            Gracious God, we seek to live our lives by pleasing You, but sometimes we fall prey to temptation and yield to sinful ways. We make impulsive choices that disappoint You and we follow our own misguided beliefs. We neglect to do deeds that are both good and right. Hear us now as we humbly and silently confess our faults and sins to You alone.

- SILENCE -

Guide:              Loving Lord, Your Holy Son Jesus Christ is the Only One who can forgive our sins and restore us to Your favor. Only His Name can save our souls; only His blood can redeem us forever. Thank You for sending Him to the Earth and for giving us His life as the means of our eternal salvation. In Christ’s Name we pray, and through His own words we make our sacred requests, saying: “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors)    

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:              Jesus is our Intercessor, who pleads for our souls before God’s holy throne. He has the mercy and grace that we need to be welcomed into Heaven. Let us, therefore, praise and glorify Christ, for He has redeemed and restored us forevermore. Amen.

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

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

Encountering God

Anthem

 Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:             Grant us Your healing, O Gracious God. Allow Your righteousness to strengthen our bodies and minds. Help those among us who are afflicted with pain and discomfort, or with anxiety and sorrow. Comfort them with Your love and blessing.

People:            Restore our spirits, O Living Lord, and free us from all that ails or harms us. Protect us from all illnesses and enable us to fully recover from injury or surgery, accident or infirmity.

Pastor:             Eternal Father, Your loving kindness has been known and experienced by our people for generations. Refresh our weary spirits and renew our tired souls. Heal us and our loved ones from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now we pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit

Pastor:             Loving God, sustain our hopes with healing. May we know of Your abounding grace, both now and always. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.         

(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 72)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:           Holy Spirit, descend among us and open our hearts and minds to the message of the Gospel. May we honor and glorify Christ through the hearing of these words and the living of His teaching. Amen.oly

Scripture Readings

The Message and the Apostles' Creed

Serving God

Dedication (unison, led by pastor):                Lord Jesus, we give everything of ourselves to You alone. We ask that You will accept our lives, and the tokens of gratitude that we place before You. Bless them for the work of this church, as well as for the proclaiming of the Gospel, and the advancement of God’s Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison): May Christ grant us opportunities to serve Him in this community; may the Father help us to reach out to others who need His love; and may the Holy Spirit grant us the courage to live out our faith in our homes, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods, to the glory of the One, Triune, and Living God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology and Postlude