FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
14th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
AUGUST 30, 2026
PRELUDE
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, FRIENDSHIP REGISTRY
-JOIN US following worship in the coffee room today for a hotdog lunch! All food is provided, so just come and enjoy some good food and fellowship.
-FPC WILL SERVE at the Harvest Table Monday, August 31. See the volunteer bulletin board for info and other opportunities to volunteer.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at Mission Coffee House.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM, Center Meeting Room
-MISSION POTLUCK following worship next Sunday, Sept. 6 with a presentation by Henry Red Cloud about Red Cloud Renewables. Please bring a dish to share if you are able. All are welcome!
-PIECES AND PRAYERS (FPC’s quilting group) is wondering if anyone in the congregation has a working steam iron that they would like to donate. Thank you!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, let us worship the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation.
We may build, we may wander, we may lose our way, but God remains faithful to every promise.
Let us put aside our striving and trust the God who is with us wherever we go.
Let us worship God together with gladness and thanksgiving.
*OPENING HYMN #403 (red) “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”
Open now thy gates of beauty, Zion, let me enter there,
where my soul in joyful duty waits for God who answers prayer;
Oh, how blessed is this place, filled with solace, light, and grace.
Gracious God, I come before thee; come thou also unto me;
where we find thee and adore thee, there a heaven on earth must be;
to my heart, O enter thou, let it be thy temple now.
Speak, O Lord, and I will hear thee; let thy will be done indeed;
may I undisturbed draw near thee, while thou dost thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows, here is balm for all our woes.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful and gracious God, we confess that we too often place our trust in ourselves. We seek security in what we accomplish, assurance in what we can control, and comfort in the things of this world. Though you promise to be with us, we are quick to doubt your faithfulness and slow to trust your care. We put conditions on your promises and rely upon our own strength rather than your grace. Forgive us, O God, for our lack of faith and our misplaced trust. Turn our hearts again toward you. Remind us again that your love is not something we must earn. Open our eyes to your presence among us and teach us to trust your promises and rest in your grace. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Congregational Response: Thanks be to God, Amen.
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 TIME and BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READING
Genesis 11:4-8
4 Then the people said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”
8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.
Genesis 28:10-22
10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
13 There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.
14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”
18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.
20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”
Psalm 121:1-4, 7-8 (responsive)
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
John 1:43, 45-51
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
SERMON Promises: I am with you
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Adapted from Genesis 28:15)
I believe that God is with me and watches over me wherever I go. I believe that God will not leave me and will fulfill every promise God has made. I trust in the faithfulness of God, who is with me always. Amen
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #816 (red) “If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee”
If you but trust in God to guide thee,
With hopeful heart through all thy ways,
God will give strength, whate’er betide thee,
To bear thee through the evil days.
Who trust in God's unchanging love
builds on the rock that nought can move.
Only be still, and wait God’s leisure
in cheerful hope, with heart content
to take whate’er thy Keeper’s pleasure
and all discerning love hath sent.
No doubt our inmost wants are clear
to One who holds us always dear.
Sing, pray, and swerve not from God’s ways,
but do thine own part faithfully.
Trust the rich promise of grace;
so shall they be fulfilled in thee.
God never yet forsook at need
the soul secured by trust indeed.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Don B, Jan J, Kris M, JoAnn G, Judy M
Our homebound or in care members: JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Martin M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Richard & Judy S, Terry & Ann S
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 #67 (red) “My Song Forever Shall Record”
My song forever shall record
the tender mercies of the Lord;
your faithful love will I proclaim,
and every age shall know your name.
I sing of mercies that endure,
forever firm, forever sure,
a strong support that never dies,
established changeless in the skies.
Almighty God, your lofty throne
has justice for its cornerstone,
and shining bright before your face
are truth and love and boundless grace.
With blessing is the nation crowned
whose people know the joyful sound;
they in the light, O Lord, shall live,
the light your face and favor give.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
ORDER OF WORSHIP
14th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
AUGUST 30, 2026
PRELUDE
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, FRIENDSHIP REGISTRY
-JOIN US following worship in the coffee room today for a hotdog lunch! All food is provided, so just come and enjoy some good food and fellowship.
-FPC WILL SERVE at the Harvest Table Monday, August 31. See the volunteer bulletin board for info and other opportunities to volunteer.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at Mission Coffee House.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY at 9:30 AM, Center Meeting Room
-MISSION POTLUCK following worship next Sunday, Sept. 6 with a presentation by Henry Red Cloud about Red Cloud Renewables. Please bring a dish to share if you are able. All are welcome!
-PIECES AND PRAYERS (FPC’s quilting group) is wondering if anyone in the congregation has a working steam iron that they would like to donate. Thank you!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, let us worship the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation.
We may build, we may wander, we may lose our way, but God remains faithful to every promise.
Let us put aside our striving and trust the God who is with us wherever we go.
Let us worship God together with gladness and thanksgiving.
*OPENING HYMN #403 (red) “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”
Open now thy gates of beauty, Zion, let me enter there,
where my soul in joyful duty waits for God who answers prayer;
Oh, how blessed is this place, filled with solace, light, and grace.
Gracious God, I come before thee; come thou also unto me;
where we find thee and adore thee, there a heaven on earth must be;
to my heart, O enter thou, let it be thy temple now.
Speak, O Lord, and I will hear thee; let thy will be done indeed;
may I undisturbed draw near thee, while thou dost thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows, here is balm for all our woes.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful and gracious God, we confess that we too often place our trust in ourselves. We seek security in what we accomplish, assurance in what we can control, and comfort in the things of this world. Though you promise to be with us, we are quick to doubt your faithfulness and slow to trust your care. We put conditions on your promises and rely upon our own strength rather than your grace. Forgive us, O God, for our lack of faith and our misplaced trust. Turn our hearts again toward you. Remind us again that your love is not something we must earn. Open our eyes to your presence among us and teach us to trust your promises and rest in your grace. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Congregational Response: Thanks be to God, Amen.
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 TIME and BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READING
Genesis 11:4-8
4 Then the people said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”
8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.
Genesis 28:10-22
10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
13 There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.
14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”
18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.
20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”
Psalm 121:1-4, 7-8 (responsive)
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
John 1:43, 45-51
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
SERMON Promises: I am with you
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Adapted from Genesis 28:15)
I believe that God is with me and watches over me wherever I go. I believe that God will not leave me and will fulfill every promise God has made. I trust in the faithfulness of God, who is with me always. Amen
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #816 (red) “If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee”
If you but trust in God to guide thee,
With hopeful heart through all thy ways,
God will give strength, whate’er betide thee,
To bear thee through the evil days.
Who trust in God's unchanging love
builds on the rock that nought can move.
Only be still, and wait God’s leisure
in cheerful hope, with heart content
to take whate’er thy Keeper’s pleasure
and all discerning love hath sent.
No doubt our inmost wants are clear
to One who holds us always dear.
Sing, pray, and swerve not from God’s ways,
but do thine own part faithfully.
Trust the rich promise of grace;
so shall they be fulfilled in thee.
God never yet forsook at need
the soul secured by trust indeed.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Don B, Jan J, Kris M, JoAnn G, Judy M
Our homebound or in care members: JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Martin M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Richard & Judy S, Terry & Ann S
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 #67 (red) “My Song Forever Shall Record”
My song forever shall record
the tender mercies of the Lord;
your faithful love will I proclaim,
and every age shall know your name.
I sing of mercies that endure,
forever firm, forever sure,
a strong support that never dies,
established changeless in the skies.
Almighty God, your lofty throne
has justice for its cornerstone,
and shining bright before your face
are truth and love and boundless grace.
With blessing is the nation crowned
whose people know the joyful sound;
they in the light, O Lord, shall live,
the light your face and favor give.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
