Sunday prayers - Ordinary 26C - September 25

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His Name; make known among the nations what He has done.

People:                 We will sing to God and praise Him; we will tell of all His wonderful deeds.

Pastor:                 Let us glorify His Holy Name; let us seek the LORD and rejoice! Amen.

First Hymn

               

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  God of all ages, we come before You as servants and seekers, looking to Your Spirit for wisdom and guidance. We are called to be worshippers of Your Ways and witnesses of Your Holy Name. You have gathered us in this place of praise and prayer; You have led us into Your sanctuary of salvation and peace.

People:                Gracious Father, we know that we are not worthy of such blessings. We regret our past mistakes, our personal sins, and foolish choices. We humbly ask that You hear us when we make these confessions to You. Within our hearts and minds, we silently express our need to be forgiven. Hear us now as we confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide: Almighty God, we need Your pardon and seek Your grace. We appeal to Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, whose sacrifice has paid for our mistakes and whose authority redeems our lives. In His Holy Name, we make these petitions and prayers. By His sacred words, we now pray together, saying, “Our Father...THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).             

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Christ forgives us through His grace and mercy. We are no longer condemned, but we are challenged to change our lives and end our sinful ways. Through Christ's teaching and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can renew our faith and restore our relationship to God, 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.

Choir Anthem

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

After sermon, children leave for enrichment programs.

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                  Great is the LORD, who is worthy of all praise. His mighty ways can never be fully explained, nor entirely understood. Throughout the generations, we have commended the work of the LORD and continue to proclaim His loving deeds. We appeal to His splendor and majesty, seeking to benefit from His mercy and healing. Let us humbly ask to experience His powerful presence in our lives, and to personally know of His powerful work.

People:                 Lord God, let us celebrate Your abundant goodness through our healing. Deliver us and all our loved ones from anything that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. May we experience Your grace and compassion. May You accept our prayers and pacify our souls. Hear us now as we inwardly pray.

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

Pastor:                  The Lord is good to all. He has compassion on all that He has made. In Jesus' Name, we thankfully pray.  Amen.

               

Singing of "Sanctuary."

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, refresh our souls and inspire our minds with God's message today. Bring us before the Living Presence of the Eternal One, through the meaning of the scriptures and the praising of God's deeds. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by the pastor):               Lord Jesus, You have instructed us through God's Holy Word and encouraged us with Your Truth. We faithfully respond by bringing to You our tithes and offerings, resources and gifts. Take these tokens and bless them for the life, ministry, and work of Your church, both here at Erin, and throughout the entire world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction(unison): May Christ share His everlasting love in our lives; may the Father bless us favorably each and every day; and may the Holy Spirit strengthen our faith in the One, Triune, and Living God, forever and ever. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

                

Ordinary 23 C Prayers - September 04

Approaching God

Announcements and Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship

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

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

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

First Hymn

               

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

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

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

- Silent Confessions -

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

               

Promise of the Gospel

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

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

Anthem

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

Children leave after sermon

Encountering God

Prayers for the World

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

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

Silent prayer for the world. A candle is lit.          

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

               

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

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

Scripture Readings

The Message

Response:           The Apostles’ Creed

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

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

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

Communion – see insert at back of main Hymn book

Closing Hymn

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

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers for Ordinary 22C - Aug 28

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

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

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

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

First Hymn

               

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

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

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

- Silent Confessions -

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

               

Promise of the Gospel

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

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

Anthem

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

Children leave for Enrichment and Planet Worship

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

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

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

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

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

               

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

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

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

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

Closing Hymn

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

Doxology & Postlude

                

Sunday Prayer for Ordinary 19C - Aug 7th

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

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

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

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

First Hymn

               

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

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

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

- Silent Confessions -

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

               

Promise of the Gospel

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

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

Anthem 

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

Children leave for Enrichment

Prayers for Health and Healing

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

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

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

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

               

Singing of “Sanctuary.”

Prayer of Illumination

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

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offertory and Offering

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

Communion 

Closing Hymn

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

Doxology & Postlude

                

Sunday prayers - ordinary 16C - July 17

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Let us sing to the LORD a new song; let us come to God with all Christ’s Church on Earth.

People:                 We will praise the LORD and proclaim His salvation on this holy day.

Pastor:                 Let us declare God’s glory and worship His presence among our people. Amen.

First Hymn

               

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Loving Creator of the Universe, we gladly approach You in this holy place, to worship You from our hearts, as well as seeking to please You with our praises. We happily come here to glorify Your ways and to lift up Your Name above all others.

People:                Gracious God, we know that we are imperfect and inconsiderate, selfish and sinful, as well as unreliable and unfaithful. We honor You with our words, but our deeds often display our disrespect. At times, we attach more importance to our own ways than any of Your commands. We sinfully fulfill our desires, rather than faithfully serving Your dominion. Forgive us for being vain and foolish, self-centered and insincere. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving Lord, our salvation comes from Jesus Christ, Your Holy Son. He is our worthy Redeemer and everlasting Savior. He has the power to forgive our fallen ways and restore us to Your favor forever. In His Holy Name, we make our confessions and through His precious words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Even though we are sinners, we are lovingly brought before Christ's mercy seat. Jesus restores us to God's Kingdom and brings us back into His fold. He is all merciful and powerful, all compassionate and forgiving. Let us glorify and praise His everlasting Name. Amen.

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

Anthem

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

Children leave for Planet Worship

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Let us give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever. Even in the midst of a world that is beset with cruelty and suffering, evil and calamity, God is still in control. His wonders inspire us and His power sustains us. God leads us through troubled times and carries us in the midst of our worries. He remembers our weakness and frailties. He completely knows our circumstances and fears.

People:                 Loving Lord, heal us from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Enable our loved ones to overcome their problems and issues, as well as any illness or anxiety. Grant our world the presence of Your Holy Spirit, as well as allowing us opportunities to share Your peace and love throughout our community. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

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

Pastor:                  Let us be thankful to the God of Heaven and Earth, for His love endures forever. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

               

Unison Singing of 'Sanctuary’.

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, help us to turn our attention to God's word and teachings. Bless us with His wisdom and understanding, so that our lives may be challenged and changed, as well as shaped and influenced by His love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, You have called us to believe in Your words and to seek Your purpose for our lives. Before Your presence, we gather our offering, as a sign of our faithfulness to You and our thankful support to this church. Take these gifts and bless them for the life, work, and mission of God's Kingdom on Earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ keep us obedient to His ways; may the Father fill us with joy and goodness; and may the Holy Spirit grant us wisdom and discernment, so that we may continually glorify the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude