FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
January 21, 2024
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held today Jan. 21 following the worship service.
-FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH meets today after the Annual Congregational Meeting.
-WORSHIP COMMITTEE meets today after the Annual Congregational Meeting
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House
-PIECES AND PRAYERS Tuesday at 1:30 PM at the FPC Quilting Room
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room (new study on Exodus started Jan. 4)
CALL TO WORSHIP
The people of God were made for worship:
The people of God were made for God’s presence:
Come, holy people, God’s chosen disciples, gather for worship
We have come to praise God and enjoy him forever.
*OPENING HYMN #413 (Red) 'Come into God’s Presence'
1. Come into God’s presence singing “Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.”
2. Come into God’s presence singing “Jesus is Lord, Jesus is Lord, Jesus is Lord.”
3. Praise the Lord together singing “Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb.”
4. Praise the Lord together singing “Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God.”
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of calling, you called Moses and Jeremiah and gave them the strength they needed to follow you. You also called a people and cared for and nurtured that people so that they could live life in your abundance. You also call us, but sometimes we prefer to close our eyes and cover our ears, turning our backs to your will. Forgive us, O God, and grant us the confidence and the hope that we need to follow when you call. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
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
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 25: 1, 4-6, 8-10, 12 (Read responsively)
1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
12 Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
Exodus 4: 1-5, 10-15
[This scripture reading begins right after God, speaking from the burning bush tells Moses to go free God’s people from Egypt. Then Moses begins speaking.]
1 Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”
2 Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”
“A staff,” he replied.
3 The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”
Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”
….
10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”
14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.
Jeremiah 1: 4-9 [The Call of Jeremiah]
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.
[Then the Lord describes to Jeremiah what was coming to the people of Israel and continues in verse 17:]
17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
----This is the Word of God for the People of God
HYMN #722 (Red) 'Lord Speak to Me That I May Speak' (verses 1, 2, and 5)
1. Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of your tone.
As you have sought, so let me seek
your erring children, lost and lone.
2. Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
the wandering and the wavering feet.
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
your hungry ones with manna sweet.
5. Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
just as you will, and when, and where
until your blessed face I see,
your rest, your joy, your glory share.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 6: 25-27, 31-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life?
31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
SERMON Resolution: Turning Excuses into Reasons Pastor Robby Flint
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - Hymn #481(Red) 'I Believe in God the Father'
I believe in God the Father, merciful and mighty Lord,
maker of the earth and heavens, whom we worship and adore;
and in Jesus Christ the Son, only Savior, sovereign one,
by the Holy Spirit given, born of Mary, blessed virgin.
Under Pilate, Jesus suffered, faithful to his final breath.
He was crucified and buried, and descended into death.
From the grave he did arise; he ascended through the skies;
now enthroned with God in heaven, he will judge the dead and living.
I believe in God the Spirit, and the church in every place;
saints in glorious communion, all forgiven, full of grace;
flesh and blood will live again; life in Christ will never end.
Holy Spirit, Son and Father: I will praise your name forever.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Susan H (MK’s daughter), Andrew L , Bob O, Nancy as caregiver and Darwin L, Jeanne as caregiver
Our homebound or in care members:
Richard C (Dolores as caregiver), Bob J (Jan as caregiver), Delores K, Rose P, Joyce R, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families:
Andrew & Beth L, Ella L, Pam L, Jeanne & Darwin L, Martin & Sally M
Those Who Mourn:
The family/friends of John Peterson and Cliff Rindels and all who have lost loved ones
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.
SPECIAL MUSIC 'His Eye is on the Sparrow' Donna Flint
INVITATION TO OFFERING and PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*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 #838 (Red) 'Standing on the Promises'
Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
ORDER OF WORSHIP
January 21, 2024
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held today Jan. 21 following the worship service.
-FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH meets today after the Annual Congregational Meeting.
-WORSHIP COMMITTEE meets today after the Annual Congregational Meeting
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House
-PIECES AND PRAYERS Tuesday at 1:30 PM at the FPC Quilting Room
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room (new study on Exodus started Jan. 4)
CALL TO WORSHIP
The people of God were made for worship:
The people of God were made for God’s presence:
Come, holy people, God’s chosen disciples, gather for worship
We have come to praise God and enjoy him forever.
*OPENING HYMN #413 (Red) 'Come into God’s Presence'
1. Come into God’s presence singing “Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.”
2. Come into God’s presence singing “Jesus is Lord, Jesus is Lord, Jesus is Lord.”
3. Praise the Lord together singing “Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb.”
4. Praise the Lord together singing “Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God.”
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of calling, you called Moses and Jeremiah and gave them the strength they needed to follow you. You also called a people and cared for and nurtured that people so that they could live life in your abundance. You also call us, but sometimes we prefer to close our eyes and cover our ears, turning our backs to your will. Forgive us, O God, and grant us the confidence and the hope that we need to follow when you call. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
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
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 25: 1, 4-6, 8-10, 12 (Read responsively)
1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
12 Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
Exodus 4: 1-5, 10-15
[This scripture reading begins right after God, speaking from the burning bush tells Moses to go free God’s people from Egypt. Then Moses begins speaking.]
1 Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”
2 Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”
“A staff,” he replied.
3 The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”
Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”
….
10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”
14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.
Jeremiah 1: 4-9 [The Call of Jeremiah]
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.
[Then the Lord describes to Jeremiah what was coming to the people of Israel and continues in verse 17:]
17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
----This is the Word of God for the People of God
HYMN #722 (Red) 'Lord Speak to Me That I May Speak' (verses 1, 2, and 5)
1. Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of your tone.
As you have sought, so let me seek
your erring children, lost and lone.
2. Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
the wandering and the wavering feet.
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
your hungry ones with manna sweet.
5. Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
just as you will, and when, and where
until your blessed face I see,
your rest, your joy, your glory share.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 6: 25-27, 31-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life?
31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
SERMON Resolution: Turning Excuses into Reasons Pastor Robby Flint
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - Hymn #481(Red) 'I Believe in God the Father'
I believe in God the Father, merciful and mighty Lord,
maker of the earth and heavens, whom we worship and adore;
and in Jesus Christ the Son, only Savior, sovereign one,
by the Holy Spirit given, born of Mary, blessed virgin.
Under Pilate, Jesus suffered, faithful to his final breath.
He was crucified and buried, and descended into death.
From the grave he did arise; he ascended through the skies;
now enthroned with God in heaven, he will judge the dead and living.
I believe in God the Spirit, and the church in every place;
saints in glorious communion, all forgiven, full of grace;
flesh and blood will live again; life in Christ will never end.
Holy Spirit, Son and Father: I will praise your name forever.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Susan H (MK’s daughter), Andrew L , Bob O, Nancy as caregiver and Darwin L, Jeanne as caregiver
Our homebound or in care members:
Richard C (Dolores as caregiver), Bob J (Jan as caregiver), Delores K, Rose P, Joyce R, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families:
Andrew & Beth L, Ella L, Pam L, Jeanne & Darwin L, Martin & Sally M
Those Who Mourn:
The family/friends of John Peterson and Cliff Rindels and all who have lost loved ones
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.
SPECIAL MUSIC 'His Eye is on the Sparrow' Donna Flint
INVITATION TO OFFERING and PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*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 #838 (Red) 'Standing on the Promises'
Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE