First Presbyterian Church
Brookings, SD
16th Sunday after Pentecost
September 8, 2024
PRELUDE Early in the Morning, Our Song Shall Rise to Thee, D. E. Wagner
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
September Birthdays: Allison M, Arlyce T, Marvis J, Jeannie M, Ella L, Lynn R, Steve VB, Emma M
September Anniversaries: Tom & Jeannie M, Richard & Judy S
CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather today to hear the Word.
We come to follow the Word.
Here we experience Comfort.
Here we experience Challenge.
Here we find Community.
As we prepare to take the church to the world
Let us worship together!
*OPENING HYMN #410 (Red) 'God is Calling Through the Whisper'
1. God is calling through the whisper of the Spirit’s deepest sighs,
Through the thrill of sudden beauties that can catch us by surprise.
Flash of lightning, crash of thunder; hush of stillness, rush of wonder;
God is calling—can you hear? God is calling—can you hear?
2. God is calling through the voices of our neighbors’ urgent prayers,
Through their longing for redemption and for recue from despair.
Place of hurt or face of needing; strident cry or silent pleading:
God is calling—can you hear? God is calling—can you hear?
3. God is calling through the music of sublime and human arts,
Through the hymns of earth and angels, and the carols of our hearts.
Lift of joy and gift of singing; days and nights our praises bringing:
God is calling—and we hear! God is calling—and we hear!
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, we come before you today knowing that we often fall short of your call to love one another well. Teach us to let our deeds speak your words of mercy, and our actions share the news of your redemptive grace. Strengthen us to reach out to those who are in need and serve them in humility and joy. May we continue to grow in your grace as we learn how to serve you as we serve others. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 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
SPECIAL MUSIC The Servant Song (Donna Flint)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Epistles:
Ephesians 2: 6-10
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
James 2: 14-26
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
SERMON Works and Faith … Chicken and Egg
Gospels:
John 6: 28-29, 38-40
28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
38 for I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me but raise it up on the last day. 40 This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.”
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (From the Book of Order F 1.03 d)
We believe that the Church is sent to be Christ’s faithful evangelist by making disciples of all nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; sharing with others a deep life of worship, prayer, fellowship, and service; and participating in God’s mission to care for the needs of the sick, poor, and lonely; to free people from sin, suffering, and oppression; and to establish Christ’s just, loving, and peaceable rule in the world.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #649 (Red) 'Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound' verses 1-3
1. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
2. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come.
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
Additional verse:
Through deeds of love and kindness shared,
Our faith in Christ proclaimed,
With every act and every prayer,
His grace and truth are named.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Bob F, Linda B, Rozanne M
Our homebound or in care members: Richard and Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), 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: Chad, Diane, Tate, Trent B; Jan B, LaVonne B
Those Who Mourn: the family and friends of Bob Jones
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 #846 (Red) 'Fight the Good Fight'
1. Fight the good fight with all thy might,
Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right.
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
thy joy and crown eternally.
2. Run the straight race through God's good grace;
lift up thine eyes, and seek Christ’s face.
Life with its way before us lies;
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.
3. Cast care aside; lean on thy guide;
God’s boundless mercy will provide.
Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life, and Christ its love.
4. Faint not nor fear, God’s arms are near;
God changes not, and thou art dear.
Only believe, and thou shalt see
that Christ is all in all to thee.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Come Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain, Sullivan/McDonald
Brookings, SD
16th Sunday after Pentecost
September 8, 2024
PRELUDE Early in the Morning, Our Song Shall Rise to Thee, D. E. Wagner
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
- CE/FELLOWSHIP MEETING is today, Sept. 8 following worship service at 11:15 AM
- TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP, 9:30ish AM, Mission Coffee House
- PIECES AND PRAYERS, Tues. Sept. 10, 1:30 – 3:30 PM and every Tuesday after in the FPC Quilting Room
- FINANCE MEETING, Tues. Sept. 10 at 6:30 PM, via Zoom
- THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY, 9:30 AM
- SESSION MEETING, Thurs. Sept. 12 at 7 PM at FPC
- WORSHIP MEETING, next Sunday, Sept. 15 following worship 11:15 AM
- SPECIAL OFFERING: Peace and Global Witness donations are being accepted Sept. 8 through Oct. 6
September Birthdays: Allison M, Arlyce T, Marvis J, Jeannie M, Ella L, Lynn R, Steve VB, Emma M
September Anniversaries: Tom & Jeannie M, Richard & Judy S
CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather today to hear the Word.
We come to follow the Word.
Here we experience Comfort.
Here we experience Challenge.
Here we find Community.
As we prepare to take the church to the world
Let us worship together!
*OPENING HYMN #410 (Red) 'God is Calling Through the Whisper'
1. God is calling through the whisper of the Spirit’s deepest sighs,
Through the thrill of sudden beauties that can catch us by surprise.
Flash of lightning, crash of thunder; hush of stillness, rush of wonder;
God is calling—can you hear? God is calling—can you hear?
2. God is calling through the voices of our neighbors’ urgent prayers,
Through their longing for redemption and for recue from despair.
Place of hurt or face of needing; strident cry or silent pleading:
God is calling—can you hear? God is calling—can you hear?
3. God is calling through the music of sublime and human arts,
Through the hymns of earth and angels, and the carols of our hearts.
Lift of joy and gift of singing; days and nights our praises bringing:
God is calling—and we hear! God is calling—and we hear!
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, we come before you today knowing that we often fall short of your call to love one another well. Teach us to let our deeds speak your words of mercy, and our actions share the news of your redemptive grace. Strengthen us to reach out to those who are in need and serve them in humility and joy. May we continue to grow in your grace as we learn how to serve you as we serve others. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 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
SPECIAL MUSIC The Servant Song (Donna Flint)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Epistles:
Ephesians 2: 6-10
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
James 2: 14-26
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
SERMON Works and Faith … Chicken and Egg
Gospels:
John 6: 28-29, 38-40
28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
38 for I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me but raise it up on the last day. 40 This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.”
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (From the Book of Order F 1.03 d)
We believe that the Church is sent to be Christ’s faithful evangelist by making disciples of all nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; sharing with others a deep life of worship, prayer, fellowship, and service; and participating in God’s mission to care for the needs of the sick, poor, and lonely; to free people from sin, suffering, and oppression; and to establish Christ’s just, loving, and peaceable rule in the world.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #649 (Red) 'Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound' verses 1-3
1. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
2. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come.
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
Additional verse:
Through deeds of love and kindness shared,
Our faith in Christ proclaimed,
With every act and every prayer,
His grace and truth are named.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Bob F, Linda B, Rozanne M
Our homebound or in care members: Richard and Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), 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: Chad, Diane, Tate, Trent B; Jan B, LaVonne B
Those Who Mourn: the family and friends of Bob Jones
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 #846 (Red) 'Fight the Good Fight'
1. Fight the good fight with all thy might,
Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right.
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
thy joy and crown eternally.
2. Run the straight race through God's good grace;
lift up thine eyes, and seek Christ’s face.
Life with its way before us lies;
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.
3. Cast care aside; lean on thy guide;
God’s boundless mercy will provide.
Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life, and Christ its love.
4. Faint not nor fear, God’s arms are near;
God changes not, and thou art dear.
Only believe, and thou shalt see
that Christ is all in all to thee.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Come Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain, Sullivan/McDonald