FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
5th Sunday after Pentecost
July 13, 2025
PRELUDE Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart, arr. R.J. Root
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Remember this is the first week of NOISY OFFERING to support The Brookings Family Back2School Project- to provide school supplies and new pair of shoes for children in need- bring some coins and let's make a joyful noise!
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room.
- SISTERHOOD: Thursday, July 17, 11:30 AM, Mission Coffee House
- DEACON MEETING will be held Thursday, July 17, 1:00 PM at FPC Center Meeting Room
- MEN’S BROTHERHOOD: Thursday, July 17, 5:30 PM at Church Lounge
CALL TO WORSHIP
Welcome, friends! It’s good to be together.
We’ve come to pause, to pray, and to praise.
God meets us here with love and grace.
And we come with open hearts, ready to listen and grow.
Let’s worship God with joy!
*OPENING HYMN #473 (blue) “For the Beauty of the Earth”
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth over and around us lies.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light,
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight,
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
For Thy church that evermore lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, We confess that we often seek easy answers. We want to define neighbors as those who look like us, think like us, and live like us. But your Word challenges us to widen our hearts and cross uncomfortable boundaries. Forgive us for walking past those in need, for justifying our inaction, and for withholding mercy when we could extend it. Teach us to ask better questions—and to live your answer with compassion and courage. 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
1 John 3: 16-24 (New Living Translation)
16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him. 23 And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. 24 Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.
Luke 10:25-37
25Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?"
27The lawyer answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
28And Jesus said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."
29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.
31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity.
34The Samaritan went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.'
36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37The lawyer said, "The one who showed him mercy."
Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
HYMN (handout/screen) “They Asked Whose My Neighbor”
(New song- Donna will sing first verse, then everyone will sing the remaining verses)
They asked, “Who’s my neighbor and whom should I love;
for whom should I do a good deed?”
Then Jesus related a story and said,
“It’s anyone who has a need,
yes, anyone who has a need.”
There once was a traveler set on by thieves
who beat him and left him to die;
a priest and a Levite each saw him in pain;
but they turned away and walked by,
yes, they turned away and walked by.
A certain Samaritan then came along
to bind up his wounds and give aid;
he took him to stay at an inn until well,
and for all the service he paid,
yes, for all the service he paid.
I know who’s my neighbor and whom I should love,
for whom I should do a good deed;
for Jesus made clear in the story he told,
it’s anyone who has a need,
yes, anyone who has a need.
SERMON The Good Samaritan -- answers, or just more questions?
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - APOSTLES’ CREED
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 #344 (blue) “Christ of the Upward Way”
Christ of the upward way, my guide divine,
Where You have set Your feet, may I place mine;
And move and march wherever You have trod,
Keeping face forward up the hill of God.
Give me the heart to hear Your voice and will,
That without fault or fear I may fulfill
Your purpose with a glad and holy zest,
Like one who would not bring less than the best.
Christ of the upward way, my guide divine,
Where You have set Your feet, may I place mine;
And when Your last call comes serene and clear,
Calm may my answer be, “Lord, I am here.”
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: Dave & Lucy B, Linda B, Don B
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 host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #536 (blue) “Lord Make Us More Holy”
Lord, make us more holy, Lord, make us more holy,
Lord, make us more holy, until we meet again.
Holy, holy, holy, until we meet again.
Lord, make us more loving; Lord, make us more loving;
Lord, make us more loving, until we meet again.
Loving, loving, loving, until we meet again.
Lord, make us more patient; Lord, make us more patient;
Lord, make us more patient, until we meet again.
Patient, patient, patient, until we meet again.
Lord, make us more faithful, Lord, make us more faithful,
Lord, make us more faithful, until we meet again.
Faithful, faithful, faithful, until we meet again.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Crown Him with Many Crowns, arr. Mary McDonald
