FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
3rd Sunday after Epiphany
January 26, 2025
PRELUDE
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
-ANNUAL CONGGREGATIONAL MEETING today after worship
-DEACON COMMITTEE will be meeting Monday, 2:00 PM in the center meeting room.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP, 9:30ish AM at the Mission Coffee House.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM in the center meeting room.
-MISSION/OUTREACH COMMITTEE will be meeting next Sunday, Feb. 2 after worship
CALL TO WORSHIP
The heavens tell the glory of God
May our worship reflect God’s glory.
The skies proclaim God’s handiwork.
May we see each other as the handiwork of God.
We gather today in God’s house with God’s people.
Let us worship with honor and praise.
*OPENING HYMN #466 (blue) O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of God’s grace!
Jesus, the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears,
'tis life, and health, and peace.
Christ breaks the power of reigning sin,
and sets the prisoner free;
Christ’s blood can make the sinful clean,
Christ’s blood availed for me.
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of Thy name.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God, Open our minds to the presence of your Spirit upon us, within us, and among us. When we are deaf to your good news, have mercy and open our ears. When our mouths remain too tightly closed, loosen our lips with songs of praise. When we are blind to the suffering and pain experienced by those around us, open our eyes, our hearts, and our hands and lead us to action reflecting your word. Hear our prayer, O God, and forgive our sins. Hold us in your mercy, now and forever. 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 "Center of My Joy” Donna Flint
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 61: 1-2a
1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
Nehemiah 8:2-3
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Nehemiah 8:5, 7b-8
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.
7 [They] instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.
Luke 4:1-2, 13-22
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Congregational Response: Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
SERMON "Isn't this Joseph's Son?"
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Declaration of Barmen)
We believe that Jesus Christ, as he is attested for us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God which we have to hear and which we have to trust and obey in life and in death. Amen.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #366 (blue) Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me,
no thought can reach, no tongue declare;
O knit my thankful heart to Thee,
and reign without a rival there!
Thine wholly, Thine alone, I live;
Myself to Thee entirely give.
O grant that nothing in my soul
may dwell, but Thy pure love alone;
O may Thy love possess me whole,
my Joy, my treasure, and my crown!
All coldness from my heart remove;
may every act, word, thought be love.
O Love, how gracious is Thy way!
All fear before Thy presence flies;
care, anguish, sorrow melt away,
where'er Thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see,
nothing desire, or seek, but Thee.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Darwin and Jeanne L, Judy Se.
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: Dee W, Kelly & Tami W, Skip W
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.
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
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 #344 (blue) Christ of the Upward Way
Christ of the upward way, my Guide divine,
Where You have set Your feet, may I place mine;
And move and march wherever You hast trod,
Keeping face forward up the hill of God.
Give me the heart to hear Your voice and will,
That without fault or fear I may fulfill
Your purpose with a glad and holy zest,
Like one who would not bring less than the best.
Christ of the upward way, my guide divine,
Where You have set Your feet, may I place mine;
And when Your last call comes serene and clear,
Calm may my answer be, “Lord, I am here.”
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
ORDER OF WORSHIP
3rd Sunday after Epiphany
January 26, 2025
PRELUDE
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
-ANNUAL CONGGREGATIONAL MEETING today after worship
-DEACON COMMITTEE will be meeting Monday, 2:00 PM in the center meeting room.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP, 9:30ish AM at the Mission Coffee House.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM in the center meeting room.
-MISSION/OUTREACH COMMITTEE will be meeting next Sunday, Feb. 2 after worship
CALL TO WORSHIP
The heavens tell the glory of God
May our worship reflect God’s glory.
The skies proclaim God’s handiwork.
May we see each other as the handiwork of God.
We gather today in God’s house with God’s people.
Let us worship with honor and praise.
*OPENING HYMN #466 (blue) O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of God’s grace!
Jesus, the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears,
'tis life, and health, and peace.
Christ breaks the power of reigning sin,
and sets the prisoner free;
Christ’s blood can make the sinful clean,
Christ’s blood availed for me.
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of Thy name.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God, Open our minds to the presence of your Spirit upon us, within us, and among us. When we are deaf to your good news, have mercy and open our ears. When our mouths remain too tightly closed, loosen our lips with songs of praise. When we are blind to the suffering and pain experienced by those around us, open our eyes, our hearts, and our hands and lead us to action reflecting your word. Hear our prayer, O God, and forgive our sins. Hold us in your mercy, now and forever. 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 "Center of My Joy” Donna Flint
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 61: 1-2a
1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
Nehemiah 8:2-3
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Nehemiah 8:5, 7b-8
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.
7 [They] instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.
Luke 4:1-2, 13-22
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
Congregational Response: Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
SERMON "Isn't this Joseph's Son?"
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Declaration of Barmen)
We believe that Jesus Christ, as he is attested for us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God which we have to hear and which we have to trust and obey in life and in death. Amen.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #366 (blue) Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me,
no thought can reach, no tongue declare;
O knit my thankful heart to Thee,
and reign without a rival there!
Thine wholly, Thine alone, I live;
Myself to Thee entirely give.
O grant that nothing in my soul
may dwell, but Thy pure love alone;
O may Thy love possess me whole,
my Joy, my treasure, and my crown!
All coldness from my heart remove;
may every act, word, thought be love.
O Love, how gracious is Thy way!
All fear before Thy presence flies;
care, anguish, sorrow melt away,
where'er Thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see,
nothing desire, or seek, but Thee.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Darwin and Jeanne L, Judy Se.
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: Dee W, Kelly & Tami W, Skip W
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.
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
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 #344 (blue) Christ of the Upward Way
Christ of the upward way, my Guide divine,
Where You have set Your feet, may I place mine;
And move and march wherever You hast trod,
Keeping face forward up the hill of God.
Give me the heart to hear Your voice and will,
That without fault or fear I may fulfill
Your purpose with a glad and holy zest,
Like one who would not bring less than the best.
Christ of the upward way, my guide divine,
Where You have set Your feet, may I place mine;
And when Your last call comes serene and clear,
Calm may my answer be, “Lord, I am here.”
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING