FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
4th Sunday after Pentecost
July 6, 2025
PRELUDE Assurance, Lani Smith
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
-PEACEFUL PINES DEVOTIONS today July 6, 2:00 PM. All are welcome!
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
- FINANCE MEETING will be on Tues., July 8 at 6:30 PM via Zoom.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room.
-SESSION MEETING for July is cancelled.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Words are powerful. They can lift us up, knock us down, make us laugh, make us think. And some words—God’s words—can even change our lives.
We’re here to listen for those words today.
God’s Word has been speaking for centuries, through prophets, poets, and parables.
In Scripture, in song, in silence, and at the table, God’s living Word is among us.
Come, let us worship the God who still speaks—with power, with grace, and with love.
*OPENING HYMN #462 (red) “I Love to Tell the Story”
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and His glory; of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story because I know it's true.
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story!
'Twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story; 'tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet!
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
the message of salvation from God's own holy Word. [Refrain]
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. [Refrain]
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Living God, Your Word is alive—yet we confess how often we treat it as history, a book on a shelf, rather than a voice in our lives. You speak, but we fail to listen. You guide, but we choose our own way. Forgive us for the ways we neglect your truth. Forgive us when we quote Scripture but fail to live its message. Call us back to your living Word, Lord, and shape us into people who not only hear but follow. In Jesus’ name we pray. 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
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION AND SCRIPTURE READINGS
Selected verses from Psalm 119 (read responsively)
Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord.
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart.
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
Our Gospel reading is John 1: 1-5, 14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.
What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
...
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
full of grace and truth; and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
SERMON By the Skin of Our Teeth: How God's Word Still Speaks
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Second Helvetic Confession)
We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the true Word of God, and that they have sufficient authority in themselves, not from men. God still speaks through them today. Wherever and whenever God's Word is faithfully preached and heard, God is present and active, accomplishing His will. We believe that God's Word does not return void, but is powerful and effective, calling people to faith, repentance, and new life. It is the light for our path, the truth that sets us free, and the living voice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE “Wonderful Words of Life”
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Christ, the blessed one, gives to all wonderful words of life;
sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;
all so freely given, wooing us to heaven.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life;
offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
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.
… And so we join our voices with all who speak your name, to praise you with unending joy:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory!
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
…… make us one as we partake of these your gifts so we might be in communion with you and one another.
As we break bread together, may our eyes be opened to see your glory.
As we lift the cup of salvation, may we be strengthened to follow your Way.
…we pray as Jesus taught his disciples
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
(SPECIAL MUSIC during distribution of the elements- Nancy Ohnstad on violin)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Ella L, Judy Se, JoAnn G, Dean H, Owen (Arlyce T’s great- grandchild)
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: Bruce & Lori W, Alan & Sue Y
*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 #526 (red) “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”
Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy:
Bread is broken; the wine is poured; Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Jesus lives again; Earth can breathe again;
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Christ is able to make us one; at the table he sets the tone,
Teaching people to live to bless, love in word and in deed express.
Jesus lives again; Earth can breathe again;
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Jesus calls us in, sends us out bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
Gives us love to tell, bread to share: God (Immanuel) everywhere!
Jesus lives again; Earth can breathe again;
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Come, Thou Fount, Jason Payne
