FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
5th Sunday of Easter
May 18, 2025
PRELUDE Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Walther
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
- SENIOR PRESBYTERIAN AWARD will be presented to Lee Peterson today during worship.
- WORSHIP COMMITTEE 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
- PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING – Children at Risk, Youth, Young Adults – begins April 21 through June 8.
CALL TO WORSHIP
From the highest heavens to the earth below, all creation praises the Lord.
The sun and moon, the wind and rain, the mountains and trees—they all lift up His name.
So let us join in the song of creation.
With thankful hearts, we come to worship the Lord our God.
*OPENING HYMN #482 (blue) “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty”
Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear; now to His temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration!
Praise ye the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise ye the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the amen sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of grace and glory, You are worthy of all praise, yet we confess that we often forget to praise You. We focus on what we lack instead of what we’ve been given. We speak words of complaint more easily than words of gratitude. We live as if we are the center, forgetting that all creation points to You. Forgive us, Lord. Lift our eyes and hearts to see Your goodness, and teach us to live with thankfulness and awe. In Christ’s name we pray—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.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 148:1-14 (Read responsively)
1Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
2Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
3Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
4Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
5Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
6He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
7Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
8fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
10Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
11Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
12Young men and women alike, old and young together!
13Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
14He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
These are the words of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON The Gift of Praise
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- (From the Confession of 1967)
We believe the church responds to the message of reconciliation—the good news that God restores broken relationships through Jesus Christ—through praise and prayer. In this response, it renews its commitment to mission, grows in faith and obedience, and bears witness to the gospel. Adoration of God is the creation’s acknowledgment of its Creator. Confession, the acceptance of forgiveness, thanksgiving, and the arts—especially music and architecture—enrich the church’s praise and prayer when they help people look beyond themselves to God and to the world, which is the object of God’s love.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #478 (blue) “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to His feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore His praises sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King!
Praise Him for His grace and favor to His people in distress;
Praise Him, still the same as ever, slow to chide, and swift to bless:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness!
Father-like He tends and spares us; well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.
Angels, help us to adore Him; ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him, dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Judy Se., Pam K (Delores K’s daughter)
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 (reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Daniel & Carolyn M & family Hannah, Allison & Emma; Marlys M
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
*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.
*CLOSING HYMN #483 (blue) “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”
Sing praise to God, who reigns above, the God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation;
With healing balm my soul is filled and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory!
What God’s almighty power hath made, God’s gracious mercy keepeth;
By morning glow or evening shade God’s watchful eye ne’er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of God’s might, lo! all is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory!
The Lord is never far away, but through all grief distressing,
An ever present help and stay, our peace, and joy, and blessing;
As with a mother's tender hand, God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory!
Thus all my toilsome way along, I sing aloud Thy praises,
That all may hear the grateful song my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, both soul and body take your part:
To God all praise and glory!
BENEDICTION AND CHARGE
BENEDICTION RESPONSE “Go Now in Peace” Choir
POSTLUDE The Heaven’s Declare the Glory of God Marcello
ORDER OF WORSHIP
5th Sunday of Easter
May 18, 2025
PRELUDE Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Walther
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
- SENIOR PRESBYTERIAN AWARD will be presented to Lee Peterson today during worship.
- WORSHIP COMMITTEE 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
- PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING – Children at Risk, Youth, Young Adults – begins April 21 through June 8.
CALL TO WORSHIP
From the highest heavens to the earth below, all creation praises the Lord.
The sun and moon, the wind and rain, the mountains and trees—they all lift up His name.
So let us join in the song of creation.
With thankful hearts, we come to worship the Lord our God.
*OPENING HYMN #482 (blue) “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty”
Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear; now to His temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration!
Praise ye the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise ye the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the amen sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of grace and glory, You are worthy of all praise, yet we confess that we often forget to praise You. We focus on what we lack instead of what we’ve been given. We speak words of complaint more easily than words of gratitude. We live as if we are the center, forgetting that all creation points to You. Forgive us, Lord. Lift our eyes and hearts to see Your goodness, and teach us to live with thankfulness and awe. In Christ’s name we pray—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.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 148:1-14 (Read responsively)
1Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
2Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
3Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
4Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
5Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
6He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
7Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
8fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
10Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
11Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
12Young men and women alike, old and young together!
13Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
14He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
These are the words of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON The Gift of Praise
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- (From the Confession of 1967)
We believe the church responds to the message of reconciliation—the good news that God restores broken relationships through Jesus Christ—through praise and prayer. In this response, it renews its commitment to mission, grows in faith and obedience, and bears witness to the gospel. Adoration of God is the creation’s acknowledgment of its Creator. Confession, the acceptance of forgiveness, thanksgiving, and the arts—especially music and architecture—enrich the church’s praise and prayer when they help people look beyond themselves to God and to the world, which is the object of God’s love.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #478 (blue) “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to His feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore His praises sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King!
Praise Him for His grace and favor to His people in distress;
Praise Him, still the same as ever, slow to chide, and swift to bless:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness!
Father-like He tends and spares us; well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.
Angels, help us to adore Him; ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him, dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Judy Se., Pam K (Delores K’s daughter)
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 (reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Daniel & Carolyn M & family Hannah, Allison & Emma; Marlys M
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
*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.
*CLOSING HYMN #483 (blue) “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”
Sing praise to God, who reigns above, the God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation;
With healing balm my soul is filled and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory!
What God’s almighty power hath made, God’s gracious mercy keepeth;
By morning glow or evening shade God’s watchful eye ne’er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of God’s might, lo! all is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory!
The Lord is never far away, but through all grief distressing,
An ever present help and stay, our peace, and joy, and blessing;
As with a mother's tender hand, God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory!
Thus all my toilsome way along, I sing aloud Thy praises,
That all may hear the grateful song my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, both soul and body take your part:
To God all praise and glory!
BENEDICTION AND CHARGE
BENEDICTION RESPONSE “Go Now in Peace” Choir
POSTLUDE The Heaven’s Declare the Glory of God Marcello
