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Sunday Morning Gatherings

Liturgy of Harbinger Gospel Church (2025)

Italics = instruction Non-formatted = led by a leader Bold = recitation as a group

==Candle Lighting==

Acclamation: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God, amen.

As we light this candle, we proclaim the light of Christ, the uncreated Light who illumines all creation and dispels the darkness of sin and death.

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5)

Candle is lit.

This flame reminds us of the radiant victory of Christ over the grave, and the eternal brilliance of His glory. As we look to this light, may it symbolize our drawing near to Christ Himself, who is the source of true life and light. And may our spirits be comforted as we remember that, just as we can approach a flame for light and warmth, so too is Christ’s grace available to all who would simply draw near in faith.

“For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light, we see light.” (Psalm 36:9)

Let us carry this light within us, a reflection of the uncreated Light of God’s presence, and share it with a world longing for His warmth and truth.

Glory to You, O Christ, our God, the Light who shines upon those in darkness. Glory to You.

==The Law==

Hear the summary of the law of God from our Lord Jesus in the Gospel of Saint Matthew:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

God, have mercy on us and lead us in the path of righteousness.

==The Our Father==

In unity, let us pray to the Lord:

Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy.Your kingdom come.Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Amen.

==Confession of Sin==

Some may choose to kneel until after absolutionPastor leads in congregational confession of sins

Gracious Father, we come before You in humility with hearts burdened by our sins. We thank You for Your endless mercy and the grace that You extend to us each day. We are grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the weight of our sins and offers us the hope of purification.

Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your perfect life and Your atoning death. We confess that we have not lived up to Your example and we confess that we have not obeyed your law. We have sinned in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. We have not loved You with our whole hearts and have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

Holy Spirit, we ask for Your guidance and conviction. Reveal to us the areas in our lives that need change and help us to repent of our sins. Transform us from within, giving us hearts that seek to follow Christ and to serve others.

The people may silently confess personal sin to the Lord

Father, for the sake of your Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord, and in His Name I pray, cleanse us from all unrighteousness, forgive us our sins, and remember them not.

Amen.

==Absolution==

In obedience to our Lord’s command in chapter 20 of Saint John’s Gospel, as your Pastor, I pronounce forgiveness of sin to all who have approached the Father with confession of sin through faith in the Son. It is my privilege and great joy to earnestly declare:

Your sins are forgiven!

Now may you walk in freedom and peace, and sin no more.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen.

Those kneeling may rise

==Music==

The congregation sings preselected songs for 10 minutes.

==Children Released==

The children exit the service and begin their programs.

==Scripture Reading==

A reading from ______________.

<scripture passage>

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

==The Gospel==

All stand

Hear the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to _____________.

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

<gospel passage>

The Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Be seated

==Prayer for Illumination==

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. As we prepare to engage with Your sacred scriptures today, open our eyes to see the wonders of Your law and open our hearts to receive Your truth. Holy Spirit, enlighten our minds, grant us wisdom to understand, and give us the courage to obey. May Your Word empower us to know, love, and follow You more faithfully. In Christ’s name, we pray.

Amen.

==The Homily==

The pastor delivers a homily based on the church’s weekly reading.

==The Apostle’s Creed==

In unity, let us recite the Apostle’s Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,who was conceived by the Holy Spiritand born of the virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried;he descended to hell.The third day he rose again from the dead.He ascended to heavenand is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Amen.

==Ecumenical Prayer==

In humility, let us pursue unity as One Eternal Church, the Bride for whom Christ gave His life. Let us pray together the prayer of our Lord Jesus:

“I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word.

May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you.

May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you have given me,

so that they may be one as we are one.

I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.”

To the praise of His glorious grace, may it be.

==The Litany of Peace and Supplication==

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

  • For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
  • For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
  • For Harbinger Gospel Church, and for her members and visitors who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
  • For pious and humble Christians throughout the world, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
  • For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
  • For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
  • For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
  • For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Continue to pray your petitions to the Lord in private.

If led, share your petitions with the church one at a time.

For <prayer request>, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace. Amen.

==Consecration of the Eucharist==

As we approach the Lord’s table, let us pray to the Lord.

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and when we had sinned against you and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent your only Son Jesus Christ into the world for our salvation. By the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary he became flesh and dwelt among us. In obedience to your will, he stretched out his arms upon the Cross and offered himself once for all, that by his suffering and death we might be saved. By his resurrection he broke the bonds of death, trampling Hell and Satan under his feet. As our great high priest, he ascended to your right hand in glory, that we might come with confidence before the throne of grace.

On the night that he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise, after supper, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins: Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died.Christ is risen.Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Word and Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Sanctify us also, that we may worthily receive this holy Sacrament, and be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us and we in him. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us with all your saints into the joy of your heavenly kingdom, where we shall see our Lord face to face.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.

==Eucharist: Consumption==

All stand

The feast of our Lord Jesus is for baptized Christians who desire to follow the way of Jesus, pursuing love for God and love for neighbor above all else.

I am going to bring the elements around to you one by one. If you are a baptized Christian, when I get to you, please extend your hand palm-down in a gesture of receiving, then take a piece of bread and dip it into the wine. Hold, and do not yet consume the elements.

If you are not a baptized Christian or if for some reason you are not prepared to take Communion today, when I get to you, please extend your hand palm-up, and it would be my distinct honor to pray a blessing over you.

The pastor distributes the elements

After everyone is served:

Let us take and eat, taste and see that Christ is King.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God, amen.

==Doxology==

Praise God from Whom all blessing flowPraise Him, all creatures here belowPraise Him above, ye heavenly hostsPraise Father, Son, and Holy GhostAmen

==Agape Meal==

As we transition into our Agape Meal, let us remember that we feast prophetically as we look forward to the great marriage supper of the Lamb.

The church transitions into the meal during which conversation can be had around the scriptures, and homily, prayers can be requested, and the joy of the Lord experienced through fellowship.

==Benediction==

As we extinguish this candle, let us remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ:

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14,16, CSB)

The Pastor extinguishes the candle.

Though this light is extinguished, let us carry the light of Christ within us.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace as you go forth to love and obey Him.

Amen

Harbinger Gospel Church