FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
4th Sunday of Easter
May 11, 2025
PRELUDE Amazing Grace, arr. Anna Laura Page
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
- CE/FELLOWSHIP MEETING will be held today after worship service
- TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP: 9:30ish AM, Mission Coffee House
- THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 9:30 AM, center meeting room
- SISTERHOOD: Thursday, May 15, 11:30 AM, at the Mission Coffee House
- MEN’S BROTHERHOOD: Thursday, May 15, 5:30 PM at Church Lounge
- SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE COMMUNITY BUILD on Saturday, May 17, 8-noon and 1-4:00 PM at 1513 Western Ave. More information on the bulletin board
- WORSHIP MEETING next Sunday, May 18 after worship service
- PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING – Children at Risk, Youth, Young Adults – begins April 21 through June 8.
CALL TO WORSHIP
The Lord is our shepherd;
we lack nothing.
Though we may walk through the darkest valley,
we fear no evil; for God is with us.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives,
and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Let us worship God!
*OPENING HYMN #268 (red) “Crown Him with Many Crowns”
Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own!
Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity.
Crown him the Lord of love; behold his hands and side,
rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified;
no angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.
Crown him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, absorbed in prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end; and round his pierced feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.
Crown him the Lord of years, the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail throughout eternity.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, in the presence of our enemies, we divide and demonize. When you face our enemies, you choose neither contempt nor punishment, but set a table and make provision for us all. Our ways are not your ways, O Creator, and they are an affront to the work of your hands. Have mercy on us, O God, and heal us. Send our risen Lord among us again to repair relationships and restore humanity. Set us free to share the love of Christ Jesus just as he does at his table.
*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.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Luke 15:1-6
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’
John 10:22-30
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
SERMON Sheep and Shepherd Elizabeth Fox, CRE
*HYMN #274 (red) “You, Lord, are Both Lamb and Shepherd”
You, Lord, are both Lamb and Shepherd. You, Lord, are both prince and slave.
You, peacemaker and sword-bringer of the way you took and gave.
You, the everlasting instant; You, whom we both scorn and crave.
Clothed in light upon the mountain, stripped of might upon the cross,
shining in eternal glory, beggared by a soldier’s toss,
You, the everlasting instant; You who are both gift and cost.
You, who walk each day beside us, sit in power at God’s side.
You, who preach away that’s narrow, have a love that reaches wide.
You, the everlasting instant; You, who are our pilgrim guide.
Worthy is our earthly Jesus! Worthy is our cosmic Christ!
Worthy your defeat and victory; worthy still your peace and strife.
You, the everlasting instant; You, who are our death and life.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.26
Life in Christ is life eternal. The resurrection of Jesus is the sign that God will consummate the work of creation and reconciliation beyond death and bring to fulfillment the new life begun in Christ.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
• ~3 minutes to visit with your neighbors
• Give highlights or lowlights of your week
• Hear those of your neighbors
• Provide 1-2 high or low lights from the group when Elizabeth comes around with the microphone
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
*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.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN #187 (red) “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
Savior, like a shepherd lead us; much we need your tender care.
In your pleasant pastures feed us; for our use your fold prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us: we are yours.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us: we are yours.
We are yours: in love befriend us; be the guardian of our way.
Keep your flock: from sin defend us; seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear your children when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear your children when we pray.
You have promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
You have mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse, and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to you.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to you.
Early let us seek your favor, early let us do your will.
Blessed Lord and only Savior, with your love our spirits fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have loved us, love us still.
BLESSING AND CHARGE
The blessing of the eternal, triune God— Alpha and Omega, first and last,
beginning and end—be with you all. Alleluia!
Revelation 22:13
Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Revelation 22:20
POSTLUDE Thine is the Glory, Handel/Root
ORDER OF WORSHIP
4th Sunday of Easter
May 11, 2025
PRELUDE Amazing Grace, arr. Anna Laura Page
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
- CE/FELLOWSHIP MEETING will be held today after worship service
- TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP: 9:30ish AM, Mission Coffee House
- THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 9:30 AM, center meeting room
- SISTERHOOD: Thursday, May 15, 11:30 AM, at the Mission Coffee House
- MEN’S BROTHERHOOD: Thursday, May 15, 5:30 PM at Church Lounge
- SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE COMMUNITY BUILD on Saturday, May 17, 8-noon and 1-4:00 PM at 1513 Western Ave. More information on the bulletin board
- WORSHIP MEETING next Sunday, May 18 after worship service
- PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING – Children at Risk, Youth, Young Adults – begins April 21 through June 8.
CALL TO WORSHIP
The Lord is our shepherd;
we lack nothing.
Though we may walk through the darkest valley,
we fear no evil; for God is with us.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives,
and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Let us worship God!
*OPENING HYMN #268 (red) “Crown Him with Many Crowns”
Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own!
Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity.
Crown him the Lord of love; behold his hands and side,
rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified;
no angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.
Crown him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, absorbed in prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end; and round his pierced feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.
Crown him the Lord of years, the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail throughout eternity.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, in the presence of our enemies, we divide and demonize. When you face our enemies, you choose neither contempt nor punishment, but set a table and make provision for us all. Our ways are not your ways, O Creator, and they are an affront to the work of your hands. Have mercy on us, O God, and heal us. Send our risen Lord among us again to repair relationships and restore humanity. Set us free to share the love of Christ Jesus just as he does at his table.
*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.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Luke 15:1-6
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’
John 10:22-30
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
SERMON Sheep and Shepherd Elizabeth Fox, CRE
*HYMN #274 (red) “You, Lord, are Both Lamb and Shepherd”
You, Lord, are both Lamb and Shepherd. You, Lord, are both prince and slave.
You, peacemaker and sword-bringer of the way you took and gave.
You, the everlasting instant; You, whom we both scorn and crave.
Clothed in light upon the mountain, stripped of might upon the cross,
shining in eternal glory, beggared by a soldier’s toss,
You, the everlasting instant; You who are both gift and cost.
You, who walk each day beside us, sit in power at God’s side.
You, who preach away that’s narrow, have a love that reaches wide.
You, the everlasting instant; You, who are our pilgrim guide.
Worthy is our earthly Jesus! Worthy is our cosmic Christ!
Worthy your defeat and victory; worthy still your peace and strife.
You, the everlasting instant; You, who are our death and life.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.26
Life in Christ is life eternal. The resurrection of Jesus is the sign that God will consummate the work of creation and reconciliation beyond death and bring to fulfillment the new life begun in Christ.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
• ~3 minutes to visit with your neighbors
• Give highlights or lowlights of your week
• Hear those of your neighbors
• Provide 1-2 high or low lights from the group when Elizabeth comes around with the microphone
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
*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.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN #187 (red) “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
Savior, like a shepherd lead us; much we need your tender care.
In your pleasant pastures feed us; for our use your fold prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us: we are yours.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us: we are yours.
We are yours: in love befriend us; be the guardian of our way.
Keep your flock: from sin defend us; seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear your children when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear your children when we pray.
You have promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
You have mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse, and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to you.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to you.
Early let us seek your favor, early let us do your will.
Blessed Lord and only Savior, with your love our spirits fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have loved us, love us still.
BLESSING AND CHARGE
The blessing of the eternal, triune God— Alpha and Omega, first and last,
beginning and end—be with you all. Alleluia!
Revelation 22:13
Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Revelation 22:20
POSTLUDE Thine is the Glory, Handel/Root
