This service was held in conjunction with a day of fasting. To learn more about how fasting was introduced and its meaning, see "Fasting to Focus."
A SERVICE OF PRAYER
PREPARATION
Meditation: Ask yourself, "Why am I here? What does God want of me? How can I be part of building His kingdom?"
Moments of Welcome and Explanation
Prayer:
Dear God, silence all voices within my mind but your own. Help me to seek and be able to follow your will. May my prayers be joined with those of my sisters and brothers in the faith, that together we may glorify your name and enjoy your fellowship forever. In Jesus' name, Amen.
ADORATION
Scripture: Psalm 95:1-7
Song: "You Are Worthy" Mills
Unison Prayer:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty! All honor and praise and glory and majesty and wisdom and power are due your name, O Lord, now and forevermore. Amen."
Silent Prayers of Praise
Pastoral Prayer
CONFESSION
Scripture: 1 John 1:8-9
Song: "O Christ, the Lamb of God" [PsH 257]
Unison Prayer:
O God of mercy, you sent your only Son to save us from the pain of guilt and sting of death. We carry the burden of our wrongs; the things we should not have done, and the things we have failed to do. Take this burden from us, O Lord. Cleanse our hearts from sin and restore to us the joy of salvation; through Jesus who suffered for us. Amen.
Silent Prayers of Confession
Pastoral Assurance of Pardon
THANKSGIVING
Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11
Song: "Lord, I Want to Be a Christian" [PH 372, PsH 264]
Litany:
Gracious God, for causing light to come from darkness, for creating all things through your word, for giving us a home on earth, and for the joy of living,
We give you thanks, O Lord.
For speaking through the Law and the Prophets and for revealing yourself though your Son Jesus Christ,
We give you thanks, O Lord.
For Christ's loving sacrifice, the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life,
We give you thanks, O Lord.
For the apostles and their teachings and for the church universal,
We give you thanks, O Lord.
For Luther and Zwingli, Calvin and Knox, and all others who in every age seek to rekindle the faith,
We give you thanks, O Lord.
For Edwin Crawford and the charter members of Cleveland Drive Presbyterian Church, for their vision and commitment,
We give you thanks, O Lord.
For Lloyd Ellis and the continued ministry of the church, for officers and staff of the past and present,
We give you thanks, O Lord.
For your steadfast love and faithfulness and our sure hope for the future,
We give you thanks, O Lord.
May our lives, our wills, and our deeds be a continual thank offering to you, O Lord, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Silent Prayers of Thanksgiving
Pastoral Prayer
SUPPLICATION
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-11
Song: "Seek Ye First the Kingdom" [PH 333, PsH 209]
Unison Prayer:
Almighty God, in this world we are under great pressure. We are weak and weary. Strengthen our faith so that by the power of your Holy Spirit we may overcome temptation and persevere through trials; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Silent Prayers of Supplication
Pastoral Prayer
INTERCESSION
Scripture: Matthew 18:18-20
Song: "Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying" [PsH 625]
Unison Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we seek your Spirit to help us in our weakness and to enable us to pray as we ought. May we be instruments of your will and channels of your love. We pray for our church and its ministry, that we may be faithful to Christ now and in the future. We seek a vision of what you would have us be and do. Hear our prayers, for we pray with confidence in Jesus' name. Amen.
Extemporaneous Prayers of Intercession
Pastoral Prayer
MAGNIFICATION
Scripture: Psalm 34:1-3
Song: "Bless His Holy Name" [PsH 627]
Benediction
