FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP/COMMUNION
4th Sunday after Epiphany
February 2, 2025
PRELUDE Just As I am, arr. Dale Wood
WELCOME - ANNOUNCEMENTS
-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.
-CE/FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE will meet next Sunday, Feb. 9 after worship
CALL TO WORSHIP
God alone is our refuge and hope, our shelter and protection.
From our very first breath to our last,
God’s love and compassion never fails.
So come, lift your voices in praise to God.
Bear witness to God’s acts of mercy and love.
Let’s proclaim God’s glory to all who will listen.
Let’s worship God together.
*OPENING HYMN #403 (red) “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”
Open now thy gates of beauty, Zion, let me enter there,
where my soul in joyful duty waits for God who answers prayer;
Oh, how blessed is this place, filled with solace, light, and grace.
Gracious God, I come before thee; come thou also unto me;
where we find thee and adore thee, there a heaven on earth must be;
to my heart, O enter thou, let it be thy temple now.
Speak, O Lord, and I will hear thee; let thy will be done indeed;
may I undisturbed draw near thee, while thou dost thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows, here is balm for all our woes.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord God, we confess today that though we say you are our refuge and hope, we don’t act as if we trust that truth. We lean unto our own understanding instead of unto yours. We seek first our own kingdom, instead of seeking yours. Give us the courage to trust you, and then to act on that trust, proclaiming your good news, serving your people, and praising your name forevermore. We pray this, trusting in the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, 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
SPECIAL MUSIC “As a Deer” Choir
As the deer panteth for the water,
so my soul longeth after Thee.
You alone are my heart’s desire,
and I long to worship Thee.
Refrain:
You alone are my strength, my shield; to You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee.
You’re my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a King.
I love You more than any other,
So much more than anything. [refrain]
I want You more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy-giver
And the apple of my eye. [refrain]
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
O Eternal God, whose Spirit inspired those who wrote the Scriptures and enlightens us to hear thy Word anew: Grant us grace to trust in thy promises as revealed in thy holy Word. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 71:1-7, 17-18 (responsive)
1 In thee, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame!
2 In thy righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline thy ear to me, and save me!
3 Be thou to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress, to save me,
for thou art my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For thou, O Lord, art my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
6 Upon thee I have leaned from my birth;
thou art he who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of thee.
7 I have been as a portent to many;
but thou art my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with thy praise,
and with thy glory all the day.
17 O God, from my youth thou hast taught me,
and I still proclaim thy wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
till I proclaim thy might to all the generations to come.
Gospel reading Luke 12: 22-25
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life?
SERMON
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - 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 #438 (Red) “Rock of Ages”
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
Let the water and the blood from thy wounded side which flowed
be of sin the double cure, cleanse from guilt and make me pure.
Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law's demands.
Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone.
Thou must save, and thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring; simply to thy cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyelids close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
SERVICE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you And also with you
Lift up your hearts We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God It is right to give our thanks and praise.
… Therefore, with all creation we sing your praise.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
…Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
(come forward to receive the elements)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
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 #547 (Red) “Go, My Children, with My Blessing”
“Go, my children, with my blessings, never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own.
In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.”
“Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure.
Here you heard my dear Son’s story; here you touched him, saw his glory.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.”
“Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me.
Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.
Here my Spirit’s power filled you; here my tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.”
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Recessional on “St. Anne”, Gordon Young
ORDER OF WORSHIP/COMMUNION
4th Sunday after Epiphany
February 2, 2025
PRELUDE Just As I am, arr. Dale Wood
WELCOME - ANNOUNCEMENTS
-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.
-CE/FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE will meet next Sunday, Feb. 9 after worship
CALL TO WORSHIP
God alone is our refuge and hope, our shelter and protection.
From our very first breath to our last,
God’s love and compassion never fails.
So come, lift your voices in praise to God.
Bear witness to God’s acts of mercy and love.
Let’s proclaim God’s glory to all who will listen.
Let’s worship God together.
*OPENING HYMN #403 (red) “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”
Open now thy gates of beauty, Zion, let me enter there,
where my soul in joyful duty waits for God who answers prayer;
Oh, how blessed is this place, filled with solace, light, and grace.
Gracious God, I come before thee; come thou also unto me;
where we find thee and adore thee, there a heaven on earth must be;
to my heart, O enter thou, let it be thy temple now.
Speak, O Lord, and I will hear thee; let thy will be done indeed;
may I undisturbed draw near thee, while thou dost thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows, here is balm for all our woes.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord God, we confess today that though we say you are our refuge and hope, we don’t act as if we trust that truth. We lean unto our own understanding instead of unto yours. We seek first our own kingdom, instead of seeking yours. Give us the courage to trust you, and then to act on that trust, proclaiming your good news, serving your people, and praising your name forevermore. We pray this, trusting in the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, 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
SPECIAL MUSIC “As a Deer” Choir
As the deer panteth for the water,
so my soul longeth after Thee.
You alone are my heart’s desire,
and I long to worship Thee.
Refrain:
You alone are my strength, my shield; to You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee.
You’re my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a King.
I love You more than any other,
So much more than anything. [refrain]
I want You more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy-giver
And the apple of my eye. [refrain]
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
O Eternal God, whose Spirit inspired those who wrote the Scriptures and enlightens us to hear thy Word anew: Grant us grace to trust in thy promises as revealed in thy holy Word. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 71:1-7, 17-18 (responsive)
1 In thee, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame!
2 In thy righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline thy ear to me, and save me!
3 Be thou to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress, to save me,
for thou art my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For thou, O Lord, art my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
6 Upon thee I have leaned from my birth;
thou art he who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of thee.
7 I have been as a portent to many;
but thou art my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with thy praise,
and with thy glory all the day.
17 O God, from my youth thou hast taught me,
and I still proclaim thy wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
till I proclaim thy might to all the generations to come.
Gospel reading Luke 12: 22-25
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life?
SERMON
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - 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 #438 (Red) “Rock of Ages”
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
Let the water and the blood from thy wounded side which flowed
be of sin the double cure, cleanse from guilt and make me pure.
Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law's demands.
Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone.
Thou must save, and thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring; simply to thy cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyelids close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
SERVICE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you And also with you
Lift up your hearts We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God It is right to give our thanks and praise.
… Therefore, with all creation we sing your praise.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
…Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
(come forward to receive the elements)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
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 #547 (Red) “Go, My Children, with My Blessing”
“Go, my children, with my blessings, never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own.
In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.”
“Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure.
Here you heard my dear Son’s story; here you touched him, saw his glory.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.”
“Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me.
Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.
Here my Spirit’s power filled you; here my tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.”
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Recessional on “St. Anne”, Gordon Young