FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
26th Sunday after Pentecost
November 17, 2024
PRELUDE We Gather Together, DeCou
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
• MEN’S BROTHERHOOD meets this Thursday, Nov. 21, 5:30 PM, at FPC Lounge
CALL TO WORSHIP
You are the hope for which we yearn, O Christ,
and so we follow you to serve at your side.
You are the peace which can calm us, Holy Spirit,
and so we open our brokenness so you might fill us.
You are the One for whom we search, O God,
and we worship you because you have found us.
*OPENING HYMN ‘I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy’ (screen)
1. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart,
down in my heart, down in my heart;
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart,
down in my heart to stay.
2. I’ve got the peace that passes understanding
down in my heart, down in my heart;
I’ve got the peace that passes understanding
down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.
3. I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus,
down in my heart, down in my heart;
I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus,
down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Father in heaven, we thank you for the freedom you have given us through the life, death and resurrection of your Son. But we confess today that we often live like slaves. Instead of living like you delight in us, we avoid you in shame and guilt. Instead of receiving your favor as a gift, we try to earn it with our efforts. Instead of accepting your freedom, we prefer our chains. Instead of pursuing your purposes, we cling to our short-sighted agendas. Forgive us. Embrace us. Cleanse us. Heal us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Friends, believe this good news. Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and free.
Thanks be to God.
*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 'Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone' Donna Flint
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Acts 16:16-34
16One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. 17While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation."
18She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.
19But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, "These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews 21and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe."
22The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. 24Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.
27When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." 29The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30Then he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. 34He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.
John 17:20-26
20 “I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may 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 that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in them.”
SERMON The Work Ahead of Us
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed (Modern Version)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and 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.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE ‘Living for Jesus’
1. Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I won no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
2. Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow his leading and give Him my all. [Refrain]
3. Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross. [Refrain]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan B and Mike M
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: Don K & Carol G, Andrew & Beth L
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 #837 (Red) ‘What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine’
1. What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
2. O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
3. What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Now Thank We All Our God, Kaufmann
ORDER OF WORSHIP
26th Sunday after Pentecost
November 17, 2024
PRELUDE We Gather Together, DeCou
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
- WORSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING will be held today following worship service.
- TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP, 9:30ish AM at the Mission Coffee House.
- THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY, 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room.
• MEN’S BROTHERHOOD meets this Thursday, Nov. 21, 5:30 PM, at FPC Lounge
CALL TO WORSHIP
You are the hope for which we yearn, O Christ,
and so we follow you to serve at your side.
You are the peace which can calm us, Holy Spirit,
and so we open our brokenness so you might fill us.
You are the One for whom we search, O God,
and we worship you because you have found us.
*OPENING HYMN ‘I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy’ (screen)
1. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart,
down in my heart, down in my heart;
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart,
down in my heart to stay.
2. I’ve got the peace that passes understanding
down in my heart, down in my heart;
I’ve got the peace that passes understanding
down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.
3. I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus,
down in my heart, down in my heart;
I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus,
down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Father in heaven, we thank you for the freedom you have given us through the life, death and resurrection of your Son. But we confess today that we often live like slaves. Instead of living like you delight in us, we avoid you in shame and guilt. Instead of receiving your favor as a gift, we try to earn it with our efforts. Instead of accepting your freedom, we prefer our chains. Instead of pursuing your purposes, we cling to our short-sighted agendas. Forgive us. Embrace us. Cleanse us. Heal us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Friends, believe this good news. Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and free.
Thanks be to God.
*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 'Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone' Donna Flint
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Acts 16:16-34
16One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. 17While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation."
18She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.
19But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, "These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews 21and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe."
22The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. 24Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.
27When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." 29The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30Then he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. 34He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.
John 17:20-26
20 “I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may 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 that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in them.”
SERMON The Work Ahead of Us
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed (Modern Version)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and 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.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE ‘Living for Jesus’
1. Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I won no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
2. Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow his leading and give Him my all. [Refrain]
3. Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross. [Refrain]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan B and Mike M
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: Don K & Carol G, Andrew & Beth L
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 #837 (Red) ‘What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine’
1. What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
2. O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
3. What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Now Thank We All Our God, Kaufmann