Centering Practice
We invite you to slow down, breathe, and connect with God, each other, and yourself. Begin by closing our eyes and taking several slow, deep breaths.
- We invite you to open your eyes and stand together
- Lean a little left, a little right, find your center
- May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.
Call to Worship
God calls us here together,
each of us — our whole selves.
We remember that prayer is like breathing,
a life-giving gift from God.
As we express our authentic selves to God,
we are shaped by prayer. Amen.
Worship Songs
Open the Eyes of My Heart
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
I want to see You
Here For You
Let our praise be Your welcome
Let our songs be a sign
We are here for You, we are here for You
Let Your breath come from heaven
Fill our hearts with Your life
We are here for You, we are here for You
To You our hearts are open
Nothing here is hidden
You are our one desire
You alone are holy
Only You are worthy
God, let Your fire fall down
Let our shout be Your anthem
Your renown fill the skies
We are here for You, we are here for You
Let Your Word move in power
Let what’s dead come to life
We are here for You, we are here for You
We welcome You with praise
We welcome You with praise
Almighty God of love
Be welcomed in this place
Let every heart adore
Let every soul awake
Almighty God of love
Be welcomed in this place
Prayer of Confession
God of mercy,
You formed all of creation
and came to restore us through Jesus.
For our impatience and lack of trust;
For the way we fail to reflect Your love;
Forgive us, O God, we pray:
— Moment of silent prayer —
Abide in us, Lord Jesus,
that Your song of redemption and hope
will overflow from our lives. Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Prayers of the People
Based on the Collects from the Book of Common Prayer. Please pray out loud with one voice the words that are italicized
O God, Light of the World
and hope of all who seek You.
For all of Your people,
together we pray:
Be the light of our minds
and the life of our souls;
Draw our hearts to You
and guide our minds;
Fill our imaginations
and make us wholly Yours.
(Together)
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
Offering Prayer
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
- College Ministry Gathering: Save the date after church on Sunday, February 8th with Kathy (this includes our seniors who will enter college this upcoming fall!).
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Blessing of the Children
Go in peace and go in joy;
Filled with wonder for this day.
Go in faith and go in love;
God will guide you on your way!
Worship Song
King of My Heart
Let the King of my heart
Be the mountain where I run
The fountain I drink from
Oh, He is my song
Let the King of my heart
Be the shadow where I hide
The ransom for my life
Oh, He is my song
You are good, good, oh, oh…
You are good, good, oh, oh…
Let the King of my heart
Be the wind inside my sails
The anchor in the waves
Oh, He is my song
Let the King of my heart
Be the fire inside my veins
The echo of my days
Oh, He is my song
You’re never gonna let
Never gonna let me down
When the night is holding onto me
God is holding on
Scripture Reading
Psalm 40:1-8
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the desolate pit,
out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Happy are those who make the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire —
but my ears you have opened —
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come —
it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I delight to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Prayers You Should Know:
The Jesus Prayer
Pastor Dan
Conversation question:
- In your own words, what is prayer?
- In 6 words? 3 words? 1 word?
Worship Song
Center
You’re the center of the universe
Everything was made in You Jesus
Breath of every living thing
Everyone was made for You
You hold everything together
You hold everything together
O Christ, be the center of our lives
Be the place we fix our eyes
Be the center of our lives
We lift our eyes to heaven
We wrap our lives around Your life
We lift our eyes to heaven, to You
Anchor & Hope Church 