FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
2nd Sunday in Lent
March 16, 2025
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP: 9:30ish AM, Mission Coffee House.
-WEDNESDAY LENTEN LUNCH & WORSHIP: 11:30 AM at the First Lutheran Church Activity Center. FPC is serving this Wednesday-please contact Robby or Donna if you are able to help serve
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 9:30 AM, center meeting room.
-SISTERHOOD: Thursday, March 20, 11:30 AM, at the Mission Coffee House
-MEN’S BROTHERHOOD: Thursday, March 20, 5:30 PM at Church Lounge
CALL TO THE CROSS
We have wandered far from God’s ways.
Yet God calls us back with mercy and grace.
We confess our sins and seek renewal.
Create in us clean hearts, O God!
Wash us, restore us, and make us whole.
We turn to you, Lord, and find your grace.
*OPENING HYMN #370 (blue) “Just as I Am, Without One Plea”
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Prayer of the Day
Holy God, though we continue to stumble, you have made us citizens of heaven. Through Christ you have claimed us and transformed us by your glory. How wonderful you are, O God! By the power of your Spirit, empower us to steadfast faithfulness as your beloved children. Amen.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
From generation to generation, God has extended mercy and love. Trusting in God’s faithfulness, let us make our confession.
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, you have formed a covenant with us, committing yourself to us and inviting us to walk with you. Yet we have resisted, seeking other companions, going in different ways, thinking that we know best. Now we find ourselves far from life, further still from you. Have mercy on our waywardness. Help us find our way back. Give us faith so that we can hold the hand you have extended to us in Jesus Christ.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
From generation to generation, God’s love overcomes human sinfulness. God is committed to fresh starts and new creations. This is good news! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*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
Heavenly Father, open our ears and our hearts that we may be open to your Word and look forward with joy to your promises. In Jesus name, Amen
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
1After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." 2But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir." 4But the word of the LORD came to him, "This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir." 5He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." 6And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.
7Then he said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess." 8But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" 9He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
17When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,"
Philippians 3:17-4:1
17Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
Luke 13:31-35
31At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." 32He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
Keep these words in your heart. The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Stories of Jesus – Little Lamb Elizabeth Fox, CRE
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #280 (blue) “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”
Amazing grace how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- (adopted from the shorter catechism) (responsive)
What is God?
God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Are there more Gods than one?
There is but one only, the living and true God.
Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man, in two distinct natures, and one Person forever.
Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
Christ’s humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
At the resurrection, believers, being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the Day of Judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Judy Se., Pam K (Delores K’s daughter), Nancy T
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: Elizabeth F, Betty G, JoAnn G
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
INVITATION
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Let us offer our lives to the Lord. Romans 12:1
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
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.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Let us offer our lives to the Lord. Romans 12:1
*CLOSING HYMN #85 (blue) “What Wondrous Love is This”
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the heavy cross for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the heavy cross for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb who is the great "I Am,"
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing!
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on!
BLESSING AND CHARGE
May the Spirit of the triune God strengthen and sustain you, all throughout these forty days and into the life that is to come. Amen. Luke 4:1–2
Go in peace, proclaiming the message of reconciliation God has entrusted to us. Amen. 2 Corinthians 5:19
POSTLUDE
ORDER OF WORSHIP
2nd Sunday in Lent
March 16, 2025
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP: 9:30ish AM, Mission Coffee House.
-WEDNESDAY LENTEN LUNCH & WORSHIP: 11:30 AM at the First Lutheran Church Activity Center. FPC is serving this Wednesday-please contact Robby or Donna if you are able to help serve
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 9:30 AM, center meeting room.
-SISTERHOOD: Thursday, March 20, 11:30 AM, at the Mission Coffee House
-MEN’S BROTHERHOOD: Thursday, March 20, 5:30 PM at Church Lounge
CALL TO THE CROSS
We have wandered far from God’s ways.
Yet God calls us back with mercy and grace.
We confess our sins and seek renewal.
Create in us clean hearts, O God!
Wash us, restore us, and make us whole.
We turn to you, Lord, and find your grace.
*OPENING HYMN #370 (blue) “Just as I Am, Without One Plea”
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Prayer of the Day
Holy God, though we continue to stumble, you have made us citizens of heaven. Through Christ you have claimed us and transformed us by your glory. How wonderful you are, O God! By the power of your Spirit, empower us to steadfast faithfulness as your beloved children. Amen.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
From generation to generation, God has extended mercy and love. Trusting in God’s faithfulness, let us make our confession.
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, you have formed a covenant with us, committing yourself to us and inviting us to walk with you. Yet we have resisted, seeking other companions, going in different ways, thinking that we know best. Now we find ourselves far from life, further still from you. Have mercy on our waywardness. Help us find our way back. Give us faith so that we can hold the hand you have extended to us in Jesus Christ.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
From generation to generation, God’s love overcomes human sinfulness. God is committed to fresh starts and new creations. This is good news! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*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
Heavenly Father, open our ears and our hearts that we may be open to your Word and look forward with joy to your promises. In Jesus name, Amen
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
1After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." 2But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir." 4But the word of the LORD came to him, "This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir." 5He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." 6And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.
7Then he said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess." 8But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" 9He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
17When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,"
Philippians 3:17-4:1
17Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
Luke 13:31-35
31At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." 32He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
Keep these words in your heart. The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Stories of Jesus – Little Lamb Elizabeth Fox, CRE
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #280 (blue) “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”
Amazing grace how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- (adopted from the shorter catechism) (responsive)
What is God?
God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Are there more Gods than one?
There is but one only, the living and true God.
Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man, in two distinct natures, and one Person forever.
Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
Christ’s humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
At the resurrection, believers, being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the Day of Judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Judy Se., Pam K (Delores K’s daughter), Nancy T
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: Elizabeth F, Betty G, JoAnn G
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
INVITATION
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Let us offer our lives to the Lord. Romans 12:1
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
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.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Let us offer our lives to the Lord. Romans 12:1
*CLOSING HYMN #85 (blue) “What Wondrous Love is This”
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the heavy cross for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the heavy cross for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb who is the great "I Am,"
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing!
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on!
BLESSING AND CHARGE
May the Spirit of the triune God strengthen and sustain you, all throughout these forty days and into the life that is to come. Amen. Luke 4:1–2
Go in peace, proclaiming the message of reconciliation God has entrusted to us. Amen. 2 Corinthians 5:19
POSTLUDE