Church, let us come together to worship.

Prayer of Preparation

Leader:
ALMIGHTY GOD,
TO WHOM ALL HEARTS ARE OPEN,
ALL DESIRES KNOWN,
AND FROM WHOM NO SECRETS ARE HIDDEN;
CLEANSE THE THOUGHTS OF OUR HEARTS
BY THE INSPIRATION OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT,
THAT WE MAY PERFECTLY LOVE YOU,
AND MORE WORTHILY MAGNIFY YOUR HOLY NAME;
THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD.
All: AMEN

Call to Reflection and Confession

Leader:
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
TO PREPARE OURSELVES TO COME BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF GOD,
LET US CALL TO MIND OUR SINS.

[Moment of Silent Reflection]

Prayer of Confession

[Congregation Stands for Prayer]

All:
MOST MERCIFUL GOD
WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU,
AGAINST OUR NEIGHBOUR,
AND WE HAVE NOT HEARD
THE CRY OF THE NEEDY,
IN WHAT WE HAVE THOUGHT,
IN WHAT WE HAVE SAID AND DONE,
AND WHAT WE HAVE LEFT UNDONE,
THROUGH IGNORANCE,
THROUGH WEAKNESS,
THROUGH OUR OWN DELIBERATE FAULT,
WE HAVE WOUNDED YOUR LOVE,
AND MARRED YOUR IMAGE IN US.
WE ARE SORRY AND REPENT OF ALL OUR SINS.
FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST,
WHO DIED FOR US,
FORGIVE US ALL THAT IS PAST;
AND LEAD US OUT FROM DARKNESS
TO WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT. AMEN.

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Please remain standing as we sing the first song. Before the throne of God above we have a great High
Priest who ever intercedes on our behalf.

Before the throne of God above

I have a strong, a perfect plea:
a great High Priest, whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on his hands,

my name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,

and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look, and see him there
who made an end of all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died,

my sinful soul is counted free;
for God, the Just, is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me
to look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there! the risen Lamb!

My perfect, spotless Righteousness,
the great unchangeable I AM,
the King of glory and of grace!

One with himself, I cannot die;

my soul is purchased by his blood;
my life is hid with Christ on high,
with Christ, my Savior and my God
with Christ, my Savior and my God.

Words: Charitie Lees De Chenez (also Charitie Lees Bancroft, né Smith) (1841-1923)

[Collection of Offering and Intercession]

[Kid’s Talk, Scripture reading from Luke 2 and Sermon]

The Apostles’ Creed: We are called to handle the word of truth faithfully as treasure entrusted to our care.
The early Christians summarized the core beliefs in their faith in creeds, in tradition that has been believed
everywhere, always and by all. As we recite the Apostle’s Creed together, we are affirming the same
beliefs shared by followers of Christ who have gone before us for almost 2000 years.

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 is seated
on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From there he shall come to judge
the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit;

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the holy universal church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Father’s Day:
Intercessory Prayer for Fathers: Dawn

Song of Response:

From heaven you came helpless babe

Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served, but to serve
And give your life that we might live

This is our God, the Servant King

He calls us now to follow him
To bring our lives as daily offering
Of worship to the Servant King

There in the garden of tears

My heavy load, he chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
Yet not my will but yours he said

Come see his hands and his feet

The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered

So let us learn how to serve

And in our lives enthrone him
Each others needs to prefer
For it is Christ we're serving

Congregation Prayer

All: ALMIGHTY GOD,

WE THANK YOU FOR RESCUING US
BY YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST.
THROUGH HIM
WE OFFER YOU OUR SOULS AND BODIES
TO BE A LIVING SACRIFICE.
SEND US OUT
IN THE POWER OF YOUR SPIRIT
TO LIVE AND WORK
TO YOUR PRAISE AND GLORY.

AMEN.

[Benediction]