For the past three years, I've written a special daily devotional book for Holy Week. Each book contains poems, prayers, and devotionals exclusively written by me. I wrote for Christian folks who may be too busy at work, school, or other places to join in the traditional services and masses that take place during Holy Week.
The books can be read on a daily basis, which helps the reader cultivate a sense of the sacred in her or his life during Holy Week. The following books are all available for those interested in Holy Week devotions.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Monday, February 8, 2016
Sunday Prayers - First Sunday in Lent - Feb 14
Approaching God
Welcome
and announcements
Prelude
Call to Worship
Pastor: May
the Lord's unfailing love come among us; may we know of His promised salvation.
People: We come here freely to praise God
and to seek His wisdom and teaching.
Pastor: Let
us lift up our hearts and spirits as we worship the Lord, whom we eternally
adore. Amen.
First Hymn
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Guide: Loving God, whose power sustains
all that lives and whose promises remain unbroken across the centuries, we
worship You with our hearts and seek to serve You with our lives. Your ways are
infinitely beyond our own, and Your works are gloriously displayed throughout
the universe. Today we pledge our faith and confidence in You.
People: Gracious Father, we still have
sinful desires and selfishly make bad choices. We sometimes neglect Your holy
words and choose to act upon our own understanding. Forgive us for being foolish
and inconsistent, insensitive and ungrateful. Pardon all of our sins, and
forgive us for allowing our pride to dictate our thoughts and deeds. Hear us
now as we sincerely pray.
- Silent Confessions -
Guide: Merciful Lord, we look to You
for salvation through Your Son Jesus Christ. In Him, we find peace and pardon, as
well as redemption and restoration. We are thankful for His sacrifice and we
glorify His Holy Name. Hear us now as we continue to pray, saying, “Our
Father…THE LORD'S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Jesus could truly judge us and
cast us out of God's Kingdom forever. We rely upon His mercy and grace to
restore us to God’s love. Without them, we are lost forever, but with Christ we
are given God's everlasting favor. To Him be the glory and power, forever and
ever. 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)
Praise Song
Encountering God
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: O
Loving Lord, within our hearts we know that You are with us. In each of our
lives, we experience Your compassion and grace. Look favorably on us, O Lord,
and help us to understand Your ways. Have mercy upon us as we pray and seek
Your blessing.
People: As we turn to You for help,
Heavenly Father, calm our spirits and subdue our fears. When we call upon You
for healing, release us from any anxiety, illness, or pain. When our strength
is at its lowest, grant us Your presence. When our health is weak and fragile, sustain
us with Your love and grace. Hear us now as we silently pray for ourselves and
others.
Silent Prayers. A candle is lit.
Pastor: May
the Lord restore us physically and mentally, as well as emotionally and
spiritually. In Jesus' Name, we ask of God. Amen. (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 14)
Singing of “Sanctuary”
Prayer of Illumination
Reader: Holy Spirit, You have brought us here
to be in church today. You want us to receive God’s message, so that we may
apply His teachings in our daily lives. Open our hearts and minds to all that
God gives us through these sacred words. 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 follow You and to faithfully
serve Your Church on Earth. Through worship, in service, and with faith, we
give to You our lives, as well as these tokens of our gratitude. Take and bless
them for the sacred work of Your ministry and mission in our congregation,
community, and around the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Closing Hymn
Benediction (unison): May Christ make our lives effective testimonies
of faith; may the Father's love keep us focused on His Kingdom; and may the
Holy Spirit grant us wisdom and grace. To the glory and honor of the One,
Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.
Doxology &
Postlude
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Lent devotions: A 40 Day Journey of Renewal
My latest Lent devotional e-book has just been published on Amazon. It contains daily devotions, prayers, suggested Bible readings, and reflective questions for every day of Lent. It's a simple and beneficial way to keep Lent, in order to become prepared for Holy Week.
Click the link below to check out a copy. Other links for different countries can be found here:
In US http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BGREW2M
.
Click the link below to check out a copy. Other links for different countries can be found here:
In US http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BGREW2M
In Australia http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B01BGREW2M
.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Sunday Prayers Jan 31 - Epiphany 4C
Approaching God
Welcome and
Announcements
Prelude
Call to Worship
Pastor: O
Living God, You are our King from ancient times, to the present day, and into
the future.
People: You bring salvation to the Earth
and we are blessed to be Your people.
Pastor: This
day is dedicated to You, as are our lives. May we worship and glorify You
forever. Amen.
First Hymn
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Guide: Almighty
Lord and Ruler of all Creation, whose wonders we behold, and whose works we
adore, receive these praises from our lips and prayers of devotion from our
hearts. Your Word sustains our lives and
Your ways strengthen our spirits, therefore we gather in Your sacred presence
and offer our total service to You.
People: Gracious
Father, Your patience is often tried and tested by our sinful and selfish acts.
We have not maintained Your purpose for our lives and have even set aside Your
Holy Counsel. Forgive us for being faithless and defiant, as well as foolish
and sinful. Hear us now as we silently confess our faults to You.
- Silent
Confessions -
Guide: God of mercy and grace, You
have empowered Your Son Jesus to forgive all of our sins and restore us to Your
favor. By His blood, we have been fully pardoned; by His sacrifice, we have
been completely cleansed of the past.
We rejoice
in our Savior Jesus Christ and through His perfect words, we unite our hearts
in prayer with Him, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER”
(debts/debtors).
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Jesus
has entered our hearts and become personally involved in our lives. He intends
that we should follow Him, by accepting His teaching, sharing His ways, and
devoting our lives to His ministry. He has taken all of our sins and eternally
renewed our lives. 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.
Anthem
Family
Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come
forward)
Praise Song
Encountering God
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: Loving
Lord, Your ways are wonderful, so we seek to obey Your holy commands. Your
words reveal to us Your Grace, O God, and through them You offer us
understanding and comfort.
People: Turn to us, O Lord, and have
mercy upon us. Guide us in all that we ask of You; cast away our fears and
strengthen our faith. Rescue us, and all our loved ones, from the illnesses and
sicknesses, as well as the discomfort and diseases that afflict us. Heal us
from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now, Precious
Lord, as we personally pray.
Silent
Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.
Pastor: Almighty
God, may Your face shine upon us. May Your favor completely restore our health.
In Jesus’ Name, we humbly pray. Amen.
(Healing
prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 119:Pe)
Singing of
‘Sanctuary.’
Prayer for Illumination
Reader: Holy Spirit, enable us to look at these
scriptures and receive the blessings contained in them. Grant us wisdom and
knowledge through Your Word, so that we may embrace these lessons and apply
them in our daily lives. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Scripture
Readings
The Message
Serving God
Offering
& Offertory
Dedication
(in unison – led by pastor): Lord
Jesus, You were once buried and all was thought to be lost. Then God raised You
from the dead, to show His love to the world, and to establish Your Holy
Church. We are now called to be witnesses of those events and to dedicate our
lives in the service of Your Kingdom. Take our gifts that are offered to You,
for the continuance Your great work, ministry, and mission on Earth. In Your
Holy Name, we cheerfully give and pray. Amen.
Closing Hymn
Benediction
(unison): May Christ allow us His
blessings of guidance, favor, and love each day; may the Father lovingly assist
and protect us in all that we may face; and may the Holy Spirit fill us with
joy and delight, as we faithfully serve the One, Triune, and Living God, both
now and forever. Amen.
Doxology &
Postlude
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Sunday Jan 24 prayers - Epiphany 3
Approaching God
Welcome
& Announcements
Prelude
Call to Worship
Pastor: Let us devoutly come into the
holy presence of God.
People: May
our songs, prayers, and praises please the Lord.
Pastor: Let us worship and glorify the
One, Triune, and Living God! Amen.
Hymn:
Prayer of Adoration and
Confession
Guide: Almighty God, in this holy
place of peace and prayer, we humbly seek Your loving presence. Your Name is
renowned throughout our world and Your power is displayed across the universe.
We feel privileged to be called Your children and followers of Your Son.
People: Gracious
Father, forgive us when we disappoint You or make sinful choices. We know that
we are weak and imperfect, subject to selfish whims and tempted by immoral
desires. Pardon our foolish ways and help us to seek Your Son Jesus as our
Savior. Hears us now as we confess and pray.
Silent confessions
Guide: Loving God, let Jesus become
the desire of our hearts so that our daily choices and common decisions may
honor Him. Without His grace, we are godless; without His sacrifice, our lives
are wasted. In His Words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER”
(debts/debtors).
Promise of the Gospel
Guide: Christ
is our Wonderful Counselor, Merciful Healer, and the Prince of our Peace. He
restores us to God’s favor and we are redeemed for the sake of His ministry and
mission. So let us rejoice and be glad, for on this day and at this time, all of
our sins are forgiven and we are reunited to God, both now and forever. Amen.
Gloria Patri (sung in unison): Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world
without end. Amen. Amen.
Anthem
Family
Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come
forward)
Praise Song
Encountering God
Prayers for Health and Healing
Pastor: O
Lord, You are the foundation of our lives, so we pray to You for love and
favor. Enter our hearts and minds; come into our spirits and souls. Please heal
us of all that harms us.
People: Gracious Father, let Your
strength be experienced by our loved ones. Free them from any fear and save
them from all sickness. Let Your healing ways overcome their weakness; let Your
perfect peace vanquish their pain. Hear us now as we personally and sincerely pray.
Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Pastor: Let
us rejoice in the greatness of the Lord. May His blessings restore our hopes
and refresh our weary souls. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen. (Healing Prayer based on
words & phrases from Psalm 87)
Singing of
“Sanctuary”
Prayer for Illumination
Reader: Holy Spirit, enable us to value the work of
God in our lives. With these sacred scriptures, open our hearts and minds to the
Lord’s teaching. Challenge us by the things that are written; change us through
the things we hear. In Christ’s Holy
Name, we read and pray. Amen.
Scripture
Readings
The Message
Serving God
Offering
& Offertory
Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, we have
followed Your way of love and so we eagerly await Your blessing. You have
showered us with spiritual gifts and helped us to find meaning, purpose, and
hope for our lives. Take these gifts and bless them for the continuing work of
Your ministry in this church, throughout this community, across our country and
the entire world. In Your Sacred Name, we give and pray. Amen.
Hymn:
Benediction (in unison):
May Christ strengthen us with His compassion and love; may the Father
free us from temptation and despair; and may the Holy Spirit keep us focused on
the wisdom, words, and ways of the One, Triune, and Living God, now and
forevermore. Amen.
Doxology &
Postlude
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