Sunday prayers - Ordinary 12 - June 19

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:   It is good to praise the LORD and to worship His Holy Name.

People:   O God, we proclaim Your love for us and Your faithfulness to all Your people.

Pastor:   You make us glad, Almighty God, with Your wonderful deeds, therefore we will sing for joy and glorify Your powerful works. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                    Heavenly Father, we are constantly amazed by Your wondrous works in the world and with Your almighty ways that are displayed throughout the Universe. We are delighted with Your generous deeds, so we seek to dedicate our lives in the service of Your Kingdom.

People:   Loving God, we struggle throughout our lives with the forces of temptation and are sometimes overcome in our struggle with sin. We sometimes cast aside Your commands by failing to keep faith with Your words. We have been blinded by greed, power, and ambition. We have damaged our souls and diminished our faith through pride, bitterness, and prejudice. Almighty Father, graciously forgive us as we sincerely confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                    Gracious Lord, we humbly place our lives into Your Son's merciful hands. In Christ, we can find forgiveness. In Jesus, we can be acquitted of our past mistakes. We make these prayers and petitions in the Holy Name of Jesus and with His precious words, we continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                    Christ was not fully accepted by all of His people, even when He personally walked and talked among them. His Spirit moves among us today, so when we come to Jesus with our confessions, He receives our prayers and forgives us of all our sins. He is the One, True, and Only Savior who makes us acceptable, and restores us to God. 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)

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                   O LORD, look upon us and see all the worries that we carry, as well as the troubles we endure. As we gather in Your sacred house, come into our hearts. As we make our prayers for healing, grant us Your peace. Sometimes, Lord, we lose sleep because we are worried and wearied by our fears. Help us to find a place of quietness and strength, as well as harmony and health with You, O Lord.

People:                  We have heard of Your mighty deeds; we have read of Your powerful ways. Be present with us, Lord, and touch us with Your Spirit. Arise and claim us as Your own. Heal our loved ones and ourselves from all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Please hear us now as we silently and sincerely pray.

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

Pastor:   For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, and the renown of His Holy Name, receive and bless our prayers. Amen.

Singing of “Sanctuary”

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                 Holy Spirit, teach us Christ's ways, so that we may proclaim His Good News. Day after day, inspire our lives, so that we may follow and serve Him. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):                Lord Jesus, we are all given different gifts to honor and glorify Your Name. We are called to this church to build up our faith and share our resources. Before Your presence, we gather our tithes and offerings, as pledges of our service and dedication to You. Bless them for the work of God's kingdom, both here in this place and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Closing Hymn:

Benediction (unison):                          May Christ happily greet us each day with love; may the Father cheerfully increase our hope; and may the Holy Spirit joyfully enhance our faith in the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Ordinary 11 - June 12

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Introit

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Living Lord, You are our safe haven, therefore we gather in the comfort of Your Almighty Presence.

People:                 We acknowledge that the LORD is our refuge and our fortress; our God in whom we trust.

Pastor:                 Let us proclaim the Lord as our victorious King and worship Him forever! Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty Creator, who sustains the universe by filling it with life, we call upon Your sacred Name and glorify Your unending grace. You feed our souls with faith and nurture our spirits with holiness. Today we proclaim Your wonderful deeds and praise Your unlimited power.

People:                Merciful Father, we seek Your favor and ask for Your blessing. We shamefully confess our failings and humbly ask Your forgiveness for all of our mistakes. We know that we have offended and disappointed You with our words and deeds. We acknowledge making wrong decisions, taking false paths, and disobeying Your commands. Have mercy upon us and hear us as we pray.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving Lord, even though we have rebelled against You, You have graciously given us Jesus, who can save us from our sins and restore us to Your kingdom. We gratefully receive Your mercy and pledge our lives to Your Holy Son, our Savior and Lord, in whose words we continue to pray, saying,  "Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Christ hears our confessions and releases us from God's condemnation. He shows us God's purpose for our lives through His preaching and teaching, as well as His giving and forgiving. Let us rejoice and be grateful for His mercy and grace which restore us to God, both now and forever. In Jesus' Name, we thankfully pray. 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)

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O Lord, we bring to You our heartfelt prayers for healing and wholeness. We look to You for strength and support, as well as encouragement and recovery. You know the concerns that we carry in our hearts. You are aware of all the fears that trouble our spirits.

People:                 O Lord, we pray that Your healing peace will quieten our anxious souls. We come before You as children in need of compassion, comfort, and care. Heal us and our loved ones of all that harms, hurts, and hinders us in body, mind, heart, and soul. Hear us now as we silently and sincerely pray.

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

Pastor:                  We will place our hopes for healing in the hands of the Lord, both now and forevermore. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.                 (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 131)

Singing of 'Sanctuary.’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, enable us to rejoice in Christ's teaching, so we that may leave this hallowed place strengthened by His words and renewed to His cause. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.  

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for the many ways we can freely express our faith. You bless us each day and we are deeply grateful for the salvation of our everlasting souls. Before Your throne, we gather our tithes and gifts to make this offering, asking that You will receive and bless it for the life, work, and ministry of Your church at Erin and throughout the Earth. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ guide and strengthen us as a family of faith; may God’s merciful and amazing love sustain us each day; and may the Holy Spirit increase our service and devotion to the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday prayers - Ordinary 10 - June 05

Approaching God

Welcome and Announcements

Introit

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Lord God, You have been our refuge and safe place for many generations.

People:                 Even before the mountains were created or this planet existed, You ruled the entire Universe.

Pastor:                 Billions of people from every nation, constantly praise and serve You, so we are glad to join them in worshiping You today. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                  Everlasting Father, whose Kingdom extends throughout Creation, we come to worship Your ways and honor Your Sacred Name. We pray that our heartfelt praises will please You, as we focus on Your words and seek to experience Your Holy presence.

People:                 Gracious Lord, we struggle with temptation and often fall into sinful habits. We fail Your expectations and constantly make avoidable mistakes. Forgive our foolish choices and selfish ways. Pardon us for being unfaithful and allowing pride to obstruct our compassion. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins to You alone.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving Lord, we look to Jesus to forgive our past sins and restore us to Your favor. He alone has the power to save our souls and sanctify our spirits. In His Name, we are fully forgiven; through His Words we are eternally united to You, therefore we pray: “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  Jesus became involved in the lives of many people and invited them to become His followers. His words were full of healing and holiness, challenge and compassion. We have humbly come to Him with our confessions and He has graciously received our prayers. Let us give thanks and rejoice, for Christ is our Everlasting Savior and Merciful King. 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 exit for Planet Worship

Encountering God

Prayers of Intercession

Pastor:                 Almighty God, there are many things in the world which trouble us and sometimes cause us anxiety. You know of our worries and fears, so please hear our prayers for ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. Grant healing to our church and nation. Help us to seek peace and justice in our world. Guide us with Your Spirit and bless us with Your Love.

People:                 We pray for the life, work, and ministry of Your Church throughout the world. We ask that You bless and protect those who are persecuted for their faith; whose lives are endangered because of their devotion to You. Keep us mindful of the religious freedom that we enjoy, compared to the religious oppression that Christian experience in other places. Hear us now as we silently pray for the Church across this planet.

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

Pastor:                  May God answer our prayers and set His people free from all their fears. In Jesus' Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Singing of 'Sanctuary’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, may these sacred words touch our hearts and souls, so that we may apply their teaching in our lives. Enable us to grasp the meaning of today's message, so we can seek ways to practice its importance. In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for Your sacrifice which has granted us salvation. We respectfully bring before You our gifts as a holy offering. Bless it for the work of Your church, the well-being of our community, and the spreading of the Gospel throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Communion

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May we always be faithful to Christ and seek to please Him each day; may we lovingly serve the Father throughout our lives; and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide and lead us, so that we may worship the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and always. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Pentecost - May 15

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                  The Holy Spirit has called us to be here in God’s House today.

People:                 We have come to worship the Lord and glorify His works of salvation.

Pastor:                  Let us open our hearts to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let us be filled with His power and love. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Guide:                  Holy Spirit, whose sacred presence brought the Church into being, and whose divine power continues to inspire our faith, we approach You with humility and reverence. Your ways are often mysterious, but Your works have blessed our people for generations. We applaud Your wisdom and seek to serve God and be at Your bidding.

People:                Holy Spirit, before we knew Jesus Christ, You afflicted our souls and convicted our hearts. You made us aware that we had sinfully squandered our time, and thoughtlessly wasted parts of our precious lives. We constantly surrendered to temptation and often gave way to our fears. Even today, we still do immoral things and act in selfish ways. Forgive us from damaging our relationship with God and others, as well as diminishing our service to Christ. Hear us now as we seek the gift of Your mercy and grace.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Holy Spirit, through knowing Jesus as our Savior, our lives can begin again and experience a fresh start with You. Thank You for coming among us, so that Christ’s promise to His disciples could be fulfilled and His Church on Earth could be established. We make our grateful prayers in the Name of Jesus and through His own words, we continue to pray, saying, ‘Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER’ (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide:                  The Holy Spirit descended among us to continue God’s work of salvation. We have been given His eternal blessings of faith, hope, and love. Let us rejoice and be glad, for through the Spirit we know that Jesus is our Savior and we are accepted by 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.

Choir Anthem

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

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Let us humbly come before the Lord in prayer and seek His blessings. May God send forth His Holy Spirit to grant us health and healing, as well as strength and support. May our faith be deepened, allowing us to increase our devotion to Him. May the Spirit bring peace to our souls, health for our hearts, and assurance for our minds.

People:                 Holy Spirit, favor our prayers as we ask for healing. May we experience a new confidence and be restored physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Hear us now as we silently pray, for our loved ones and neighbors, as well as for our families and ourselves.

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

Pastor:                  May the LORD allow us His blessings of health and strength. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

(Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 128)

Singing of 'Sanctuary’

Prayer of Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, You inspired the disciples of long ago to spread Christ's Good News and to proclaim the advancement of God's Kingdom over all the Earth. Lift up our spirits in those same ways and rekindle our faith. In Christ's Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison – led by pastor):       Lord Jesus, we have sang Your praises and received Your holy message for our lives. We have been empowered by Your Spirit and embraced by God. Take these gifts, tokens, tithes, and offerings as our cheerful response to Your Word, as well as our grateful thanks for Your Love. Bless them for the continuing work of the Gospel, the glorifying of God's Kingdom, and the praising of Your Wonderful Name. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison):                    May Christ continue to welcome and encourage us as His flock; may the Father enhance our faithful relationship with Him; and may the Holy Spirit challenge our daily lives, so that we may glorify, worship, and serve the One, Triune, and Living God forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude

Sunday Prayers - Easter 5 - April 24

Approaching God

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Pastor:                 Loving God, You have gathered us as Your people so that we may rejoice in Your presence.

People:                 May You bless us with Your grace, O Lord, and grant us Your promise of salvation.

Pastor:                 Come, let us humbly approach our God to worship and glorify His Sacred Name. Amen.

First Hymn

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Almighty God, Your dynamic wonders surround us and Your glorious works inspire our souls, therefore, we gather before You to praise and honor Your majestic ways. Your peace calms our restless spirits and Your love strengthens our faithful hearts, so we cheerfully worship and gladly adore Your holy Name.

People:                Gracious Father, we regret our past mistakes and lament the sinful ways we have lived. We seek pardon for all our faults and Your mercy for all our misdeeds. Helps us to heal the wounds we have caused and enable us to forgive the injuries we have experienced. Pardon our foolish prejudices and stubborn pride. Absolve us of our ungrateful and unloving ways. Hear us now as we silently pray to You for forgiveness and reconciliation.

- Silent Confessions -

Guide:                  Loving Lord, accept our admissions of failure and receive our repentant prayers. Wash our souls in Christ's blood and cleanse our spirits from all our sins, for He alone can save and restore us. In Jesus' Name, we make our confessions and continue to pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel

Guide: Christ inspired His people to repent and return to God. His teaching and words often expressed the reality of God’s everlasting love. Today, we receive Christ’s blessings of mercy and grace, as well as pardon and forgiveness. Let us rejoice and exalt in the name of our Savior Jesus, both now and forevermore.  Amen.

Gloria Patri (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

Minute for Mission

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

Encountering God

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 Let us trust in the Lord, whose love and strength endures forever. May He surround and embrace us in the midst of our worries and cares. May He heal us of our broken ways and help us to reconcile our differences. May God bless us with His peace and allow to begin again.

People:                 May the Lord's goodness touch our lives and all whom we love. May our heartfelt prayers and innermost pleas be compassionately answered. May God strengthen our loved ones, and all for whom we now pray.

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

Pastor:                  As we turn to the Lord for help and healing, may He banish all our fears and grant us His peace. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.    (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 125)

Singing of 'Sanctuary’.

Prayer for Illumination

Reader:                Holy Spirit, help us to receive these sacred words and consider their lessons carefully. Enable us to recognize what challenges these words reveal to us, as well as the changes that need to be applied in our daily lives. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture Readings

The Message

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (unison- led by pastor):         Lord Jesus, we bring before You our personal gifts and humbly ask that You will bless them for the life, work, and ministry of our church, in this community and throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn

Benediction (unison): May Christ inspire us to be His disciples each day; may the Father bless us for being His people; and may the Holy Spirit help us to faithfully serve and love the One, Triune, and Living God, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Doxology & Postlude