These are among the prayers, creeds and confessions we say in unison
during some or all of our services at Swift Presbyterian Church:
♦ The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
● Debts and debtors — When Presbyterians pray the Lord’s Prayer, we use the words “debts” (“forgive us our debts”) and “debtors.” Other Christian bodies use “trespasses” or “sins.” This is because the Lord’s Prayer is found in both Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels, and in the original Greek they used two different words that mean “to sin.” In Matthew’s version, the word used means “to owe a debt,” but a debt of sin, not money.
● “How to speak Presbyterian”
♦ The Apostles’ Creed
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 Ghost, 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 sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
♦ Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one being with the Father, through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life who proceeds from the Father and the Son who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
♦ After any Scripture readings from the Holy Bible . . .
After the reader concludes with “The Word of God for the people of God,” We say aloud in unison, “Thanks be to God.”
♦ Confession of Our Sinfulness
God our Creator, we confess that we are people of ashes and dust. You have claimed us in Your covenant, yet we forget Your steadfast love. You seek us out in the wilderness, yet we continue to wander in our sin. Wash us clean, once again, so that we may return to You and follow Your holy way; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
♦ Confession of Our Sinfulness
God our Redeemer, we confess You gave us Your law to guide us, but we seek the wisdom of the world. You made us a temple of living stones, but we dishonor the body of Christ. Forgive us, God of grace. Instruct us in our foolishness and strengthen us in our weakness so that we may be holy and whole; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
♦ Offering: The Doxology
After the offering is taken, we sometimes sing the Doxology (“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”):
Praise God, from whom all bless · ings flow; praise him all crea · tures
here be · low; praise him a · bove ye heaven · ly host; praise
Fa · ther, Son and Ho · ly Ghost. A · men.
● Gifts of God: The Sacraments
● Presbyterian 101: A general guide to facts about the Presbyterian Church (USA)
