FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
25th Sunday after Pentecost
November 10, 2024
PRELUDE Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Me, arr. Gilbert Martin
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
• CE/FELLOWSHIP MEETING will be held today following worship service.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come and worship, all you who love and serve the Lord--
outsiders and insiders,
old-timers and new-comers,
the young, old and the in-between.
Come as you are, for this is God’s house, a house of prayer for all people,
and God welcomes each one who comes.
*OPENING HYMN #33 (Red) ‘Praise the Lord, God’s Glories Show’
1. Praise the Lord! God’s glories show, Alleluia!
saints within God's courts below, Alleluia!
angels round the throne above, Alleluia!
all who see and share God's love. Alleluia!
2. Earth to heaven exalt the strain, Alleluia!
Send it, heaven, to earth again, Alleluia!
Age to age, God’s mercies trace, Alleluia!
Praise God’s providence and grace! Alleluia!
3. Strings and voices, hands and hearts, Alleluia!
in the concert, bear your parts, Alleluia!
All that breathes, your Lord adore, Alleluia!
singing praise forevermore, Alleluia!
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious Father, too often we base our worth on our performance. We believe if we do well on our own, your love grows, and if we falter, your love lessens. Oh God, how far this is from the truth. We confess our desire to depend upon our own means to earn your love rather than receive it as a free gift. Teach us to receive your unconditional love so that we might be ready to love others as you love us. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*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.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SPECIAL MUSIC ‘I Will Exalt You, Oh My Lord’ (choir)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 127:1-2 (responsive)
1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat--
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
This is the word of God for the people of God. Amen
SERMON The Work Ahead of Us
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Book of Order F-1.0301)
The Church is the body of Christ. Christ gives to the Church all the gifts necessary to be his body. The Church strives to demonstrate these gifts in its life as a community in the world. The Church is to be a community of faith, entrusting itself to God alone, even at the risk of losing its life. The Church is to be a community of hope, rejoicing in the sure and certain knowledge that, in Christ, God is making a new creation. The Church is to be a community of love, where sin is forgiven, reconciliation is accomplished, and the dividing walls of hostility are torn down. The Church is to be a community of witness, pointing beyond itself through word and work to the good news of God’s transforming grace in Christ Jesus its Lord.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE “Psalm 127” – Ken Bible (sung to tune of #836-(Red) Abide with Me)
1. Only in You, eternal All-in-all,
Only in You our efforts stand or fall.
All that we do, the simple and the grand,
Withers or blossoms in Your sov’reign hand.
2. Worry and struggle, sleeplessness and strain--
Outside of You our work is all in vain.
All our ambitions, all that we pursue,
Can’t match the fruitfulness of life in You.
3. you are the Giver, You Yourself the prize.
You are the wealth that fully satisfies.
Fullness of joy, our source and rich reward,
How all our beings long for You, our Lord!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Those Who Mourn: our prayers for the family and friends of Dorothy Williamson who passed away Oct. 31, 2024
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W, (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Roger & Marvis J, Jan J, Dan & Michele K
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 hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #301 (Red) ‘Let Us Build a House’
1. Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
2. Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
Where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
3. Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine, and wheat;
A banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;
As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
All are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
4. Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone to heal
And strengthen, serve, and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
Let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
5. Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard and loved and treasured,
Taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace;
Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Lead On, O King Eternal, arr. Gilbert Martin
ORDER OF WORSHIP
25th Sunday after Pentecost
November 10, 2024
PRELUDE Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Me, arr. Gilbert Martin
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
• CE/FELLOWSHIP MEETING will be held today following worship service.
- CHURCH OFFICE will be closed Monday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day
- THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY, 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room.
- SESSION MEETING will be on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7:00 PM
- WORSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING will meet next Sunday, Nov. 17 following worship
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come and worship, all you who love and serve the Lord--
outsiders and insiders,
old-timers and new-comers,
the young, old and the in-between.
Come as you are, for this is God’s house, a house of prayer for all people,
and God welcomes each one who comes.
*OPENING HYMN #33 (Red) ‘Praise the Lord, God’s Glories Show’
1. Praise the Lord! God’s glories show, Alleluia!
saints within God's courts below, Alleluia!
angels round the throne above, Alleluia!
all who see and share God's love. Alleluia!
2. Earth to heaven exalt the strain, Alleluia!
Send it, heaven, to earth again, Alleluia!
Age to age, God’s mercies trace, Alleluia!
Praise God’s providence and grace! Alleluia!
3. Strings and voices, hands and hearts, Alleluia!
in the concert, bear your parts, Alleluia!
All that breathes, your Lord adore, Alleluia!
singing praise forevermore, Alleluia!
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious Father, too often we base our worth on our performance. We believe if we do well on our own, your love grows, and if we falter, your love lessens. Oh God, how far this is from the truth. We confess our desire to depend upon our own means to earn your love rather than receive it as a free gift. Teach us to receive your unconditional love so that we might be ready to love others as you love us. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*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.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SPECIAL MUSIC ‘I Will Exalt You, Oh My Lord’ (choir)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 127:1-2 (responsive)
1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat--
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
This is the word of God for the people of God. Amen
SERMON The Work Ahead of Us
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Book of Order F-1.0301)
The Church is the body of Christ. Christ gives to the Church all the gifts necessary to be his body. The Church strives to demonstrate these gifts in its life as a community in the world. The Church is to be a community of faith, entrusting itself to God alone, even at the risk of losing its life. The Church is to be a community of hope, rejoicing in the sure and certain knowledge that, in Christ, God is making a new creation. The Church is to be a community of love, where sin is forgiven, reconciliation is accomplished, and the dividing walls of hostility are torn down. The Church is to be a community of witness, pointing beyond itself through word and work to the good news of God’s transforming grace in Christ Jesus its Lord.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE “Psalm 127” – Ken Bible (sung to tune of #836-(Red) Abide with Me)
1. Only in You, eternal All-in-all,
Only in You our efforts stand or fall.
All that we do, the simple and the grand,
Withers or blossoms in Your sov’reign hand.
2. Worry and struggle, sleeplessness and strain--
Outside of You our work is all in vain.
All our ambitions, all that we pursue,
Can’t match the fruitfulness of life in You.
3. you are the Giver, You Yourself the prize.
You are the wealth that fully satisfies.
Fullness of joy, our source and rich reward,
How all our beings long for You, our Lord!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Those Who Mourn: our prayers for the family and friends of Dorothy Williamson who passed away Oct. 31, 2024
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W, (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Roger & Marvis J, Jan J, Dan & Michele K
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 hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #301 (Red) ‘Let Us Build a House’
1. Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
2. Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
Where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
3. Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine, and wheat;
A banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;
As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
All are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
4. Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone to heal
And strengthen, serve, and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
Let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
5. Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard and loved and treasured,
Taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace;
Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Lead On, O King Eternal, arr. Gilbert Martin