FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
18th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
October 12, 2025
PRELUDE It is Well with My Soul, Robert Lau
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-CE/FELLOWSHIP AND WORSHIP COMMTTEES will be meeting after worship today.
-CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED on Monday in observance of Native American Day.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-BLADE ARTICLES for the November/December issue will be due on October 15.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room
-SISTERHOOD AND MEN’S BROTHERHOOD will meet Thursday, October 16 at the regular times and places.
-THANK YOU to Andrew L’Amour for staffing the office..
SPECIAL MUSIC “Here I Am to Worship” Choir
CALL TO WORSHIP
Wherever we find ourselves — in familiar places, in new places, or in places we never expected to be,
God is with us.
God’s presence doesn’t depend on our circumstances;
it’s about who God is.
God calls us to hold on to hope, to seek peace, and to trust in God’s faithful love.
Come, let us worship the Lord who walks with us through every
season of life.
*OPENING HYMN #250 (red) “In the Bulb There is a Flower”
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we confess that life can feel uncertain and over-whelming. We face changes we didn’t expect, losses we didn’t plan for, and days that feel heavy. It’s easy for us to long for what used to be, to wish things were different, or to trust in quick fixes instead of in You. Forgive us when we grow impatient or lose heart. Forgive us when fear or doubt keeps us from living fully where we are. Teach us to trust Your timing, to seek Your guidance, and to live faithfully, even in seasons that feel like exile, trusting that You are at work even when we cannot see it. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON and *GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Proverbs 3: 1-6
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-13
1 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah
sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters;
find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.
Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.
Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says:
“Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
Gospel Matthew 6: 34
34 do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
May God add his blessing to the reading of His holy word. Amen.
SERMON: Living Faithfully Where God Has Planted Us
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -(from the Heidelberg Catechism of 1562)
The knowledge of God’s creation and providence helps us in that we can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing in creation will separate us from His love. For all creatures are so completely in God’s hand that without His will they can neither move nor be moved.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #463 (red) “How Firm a Foundation”
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God's excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Concerns: Mike M, Marlys M, Rozanne M, Lee P
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Jeannie & Tom M, Maria M, Mike & Judy M
Those Who Mourn: prayers for the family and friends of Dean Hofland who passed away September 28.
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.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #546 (red) “Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace.
O refresh us, O refresh us,
traveling through this wilderness.
Thanks we give and adoration for your gospel's joyful sound;
may the fruits of your salvation in our hearts and lives abound.
Ever faithful, ever faithful
to your truth may we be found.
Savior, when your love shall call us, from our struggling pilgrim way,
let no fear of death appall us, glad your summons to obey.
May we ever, may we ever
reign with you in endless day.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE We Gather Together, Mary McDonald
ORDER OF WORSHIP
18th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
October 12, 2025
PRELUDE It is Well with My Soul, Robert Lau
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-CE/FELLOWSHIP AND WORSHIP COMMTTEES will be meeting after worship today.
-CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED on Monday in observance of Native American Day.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-BLADE ARTICLES for the November/December issue will be due on October 15.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room
-SISTERHOOD AND MEN’S BROTHERHOOD will meet Thursday, October 16 at the regular times and places.
-THANK YOU to Andrew L’Amour for staffing the office..
SPECIAL MUSIC “Here I Am to Worship” Choir
CALL TO WORSHIP
Wherever we find ourselves — in familiar places, in new places, or in places we never expected to be,
God is with us.
God’s presence doesn’t depend on our circumstances;
it’s about who God is.
God calls us to hold on to hope, to seek peace, and to trust in God’s faithful love.
Come, let us worship the Lord who walks with us through every
season of life.
*OPENING HYMN #250 (red) “In the Bulb There is a Flower”
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we confess that life can feel uncertain and over-whelming. We face changes we didn’t expect, losses we didn’t plan for, and days that feel heavy. It’s easy for us to long for what used to be, to wish things were different, or to trust in quick fixes instead of in You. Forgive us when we grow impatient or lose heart. Forgive us when fear or doubt keeps us from living fully where we are. Teach us to trust Your timing, to seek Your guidance, and to live faithfully, even in seasons that feel like exile, trusting that You are at work even when we cannot see it. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON and *GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Proverbs 3: 1-6
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-13
1 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah
sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters;
find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.
Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.
Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says:
“Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
Gospel Matthew 6: 34
34 do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
May God add his blessing to the reading of His holy word. Amen.
SERMON: Living Faithfully Where God Has Planted Us
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -(from the Heidelberg Catechism of 1562)
The knowledge of God’s creation and providence helps us in that we can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing in creation will separate us from His love. For all creatures are so completely in God’s hand that without His will they can neither move nor be moved.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #463 (red) “How Firm a Foundation”
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God's excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Concerns: Mike M, Marlys M, Rozanne M, Lee P
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Jeannie & Tom M, Maria M, Mike & Judy M
Those Who Mourn: prayers for the family and friends of Dean Hofland who passed away September 28.
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.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #546 (red) “Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing”
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace.
O refresh us, O refresh us,
traveling through this wilderness.
Thanks we give and adoration for your gospel's joyful sound;
may the fruits of your salvation in our hearts and lives abound.
Ever faithful, ever faithful
to your truth may we be found.
Savior, when your love shall call us, from our struggling pilgrim way,
let no fear of death appall us, glad your summons to obey.
May we ever, may we ever
reign with you in endless day.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE We Gather Together, Mary McDonald
