FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
10th Week after Pentecost
July 28, 2024
PRELUDE On Eagle’s Wings, arr. John Carter
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather today that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith
We come to celebrate the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge
We gather that we may be filled with all the fullness of God
Let us worship and praise our God of love.
*OPENING HYMN # 366 (red) Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast;
let us all in thee inherit, let us find the promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver; let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never, nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee:
changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.
CALL TO CONFESSION
Christ forgives our sins, not because we deserve pardon, but because he bore our sins on the cross. Let us confess our sins together and invite Christ into our lives.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
You love us with open arms, O God. Forgive us when we do not put your love into practice; when we do not challenge the injustice around us; when we are not generous with the gifts we have to share; when we are slow to compassion and quick to judgment; when we contribute to the brokenness of the world instead of helping to make it whole. Forgive us O God, of the ways we fall short. Free us to try again, and let your love lead the way.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The good news is that our Savior's love has released us from the grip of sin. You are forgiven and free to live your life in grace. Amen
*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
Gracious God, open our ears, our minds, and our hearts to hear your word, to consider your word, and to live your word. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Reading: John 6:1-21
1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place, so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.
This is the word of God for the people of God. Amen
SERMON “The Love of Christ that Surpasses Knowledge” Fr. Larry Ort
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -APOSTLES' CREED (in unison)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; 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 #703 (red) Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me
Jesus, thy boundless love to me no thought can reach, no tongue declare;
O knit my thankful heart to thee, and reign without a rival there!
Thine wholly, thine alone, I’d live; myself to thee entirely give.
O grant that nothing in my soul may dwell, but thy pure love alone;
O may thy love possess my whole, my joy, my treasure, and my crown!
All coldness from my heart remove; may every act, word, thought be love.
O Love, how gracious is thy way! All fear before thy presence flies;
care, anguish, sorrow melt away, where'er thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see, nothing desire, or seek, but thee.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: John E, Roger J, Lee P, Bob F, Jan B, Linda B
For Those Who Mourn: Prayers for the family and friends of Delores Koepsell who passed away July 7th and family of Earl Pringle (Nancy O's step brother) who passed away last week
Our homebound or in care members: Richard and Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Bob & Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Rick & Bonnie S; Stanley & Julie S and family Stanley & Dylan
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.
INVITATION TO OFFERING and PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*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.
*CLOSING HYMN #542 (red) God Be with You Till We Meet Again
God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
may a shepherd’s care enfold you:
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again;
unseen wings protecting hide you,
daily manna still provide you:
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again;
when life’s perils thick confound you,
put unfailing arms around you:
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again;
keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
smite death’s threatening wave before you:
God be with you till we meet again.
BENEDICTION
Beloved of God, go now in peace to love and to serve, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
POSTLUDE We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight, Samuel McFarland
ORDER OF WORSHIP
10th Week after Pentecost
July 28, 2024
PRELUDE On Eagle’s Wings, arr. John Carter
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
- THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting again starting August 1st at 9:30 AM in the FPC Center Meeting Room.
- MISSION/OUTREACH MEETING will be held next Sunday, August 4th following worship service at 11:15AM.
- SAVE THE DATE:
- August 5 - serve at the Harvest Table – Volunteers are needed—sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board
- August 18 - Potluck after worship service
CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather today that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith
We come to celebrate the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge
We gather that we may be filled with all the fullness of God
Let us worship and praise our God of love.
*OPENING HYMN # 366 (red) Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast;
let us all in thee inherit, let us find the promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver; let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never, nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee:
changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.
CALL TO CONFESSION
Christ forgives our sins, not because we deserve pardon, but because he bore our sins on the cross. Let us confess our sins together and invite Christ into our lives.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
You love us with open arms, O God. Forgive us when we do not put your love into practice; when we do not challenge the injustice around us; when we are not generous with the gifts we have to share; when we are slow to compassion and quick to judgment; when we contribute to the brokenness of the world instead of helping to make it whole. Forgive us O God, of the ways we fall short. Free us to try again, and let your love lead the way.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The good news is that our Savior's love has released us from the grip of sin. You are forgiven and free to live your life in grace. Amen
*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
Gracious God, open our ears, our minds, and our hearts to hear your word, to consider your word, and to live your word. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Reading: John 6:1-21
1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place, so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.
This is the word of God for the people of God. Amen
SERMON “The Love of Christ that Surpasses Knowledge” Fr. Larry Ort
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -APOSTLES' CREED (in unison)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; 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 #703 (red) Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me
Jesus, thy boundless love to me no thought can reach, no tongue declare;
O knit my thankful heart to thee, and reign without a rival there!
Thine wholly, thine alone, I’d live; myself to thee entirely give.
O grant that nothing in my soul may dwell, but thy pure love alone;
O may thy love possess my whole, my joy, my treasure, and my crown!
All coldness from my heart remove; may every act, word, thought be love.
O Love, how gracious is thy way! All fear before thy presence flies;
care, anguish, sorrow melt away, where'er thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see, nothing desire, or seek, but thee.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: John E, Roger J, Lee P, Bob F, Jan B, Linda B
For Those Who Mourn: Prayers for the family and friends of Delores Koepsell who passed away July 7th and family of Earl Pringle (Nancy O's step brother) who passed away last week
Our homebound or in care members: Richard and Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Bob & Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Rick & Bonnie S; Stanley & Julie S and family Stanley & Dylan
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.
INVITATION TO OFFERING and PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*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.
*CLOSING HYMN #542 (red) God Be with You Till We Meet Again
God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
may a shepherd’s care enfold you:
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again;
unseen wings protecting hide you,
daily manna still provide you:
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again;
when life’s perils thick confound you,
put unfailing arms around you:
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again;
keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
smite death’s threatening wave before you:
God be with you till we meet again.
BENEDICTION
Beloved of God, go now in peace to love and to serve, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
POSTLUDE We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight, Samuel McFarland