Order of Worship
Sunday, March 7, 2021
We have provided the written copy of the sermon (by clicking the sermon title) for those who would like to follow along during the service. To read past sermons, click here.
Chiming of the Hour
Pouring of the Water
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude: "Be Thou My Vision", Gordon Young
Call to Worship:
The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
The statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart.
The commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light to the eyes.
More are they to be desired than gold, more than much fine gold,
sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.
Hymn 307: "God of Grace and God of Glory"
God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient church's story; bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.
Lo! the hosts of evil round us scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, for the living of these days.
Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore.
Let the gift of thy salvation be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving thee whom we adore, serving thee whom we adore.
Prayer of the Day:
Faithful God,
you sent us your Word as the sun of truth and justice
to shine upon all the world,
the fulfillment of your commandments.
Open our eyes to see glory in all your works,
that, rejoicing in your whole creation,
we may learn to serve you with gladness,
for the sake of him through whom all things were made,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession:
Holy and merciful God,
in your presence we confess
our sinfulness, our shortcomings,
and all our offenses against you.
You alone know how often we have
neglected your commandments,
wandered from your ways,
wasted your gifts,
forgotten your love.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, we ask,
for all we have done to displease you.
Forgive our sins,
and help us to live in your light,
and walk in your ways,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Hymn of Praise: "Praise to the Lord"
Praise ye the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the amen sound from his people again; gladly for aye we adore him.
Prayer for Illumination:
God of mercy,
you promised never to break your covenant with us.
Amid all the changing words of our generation,
speak your eternal word that does not change.
Then may we respond to your gracious promises
with faithful and obedient lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Affirmation of Faith:
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.
Commissioning of Stephen Ministers
Bill Carver, Janice Eddlemon, Barb Heerman, Anne Osborne, and Gary Singer
Congregational Questions
Do you, members of First Presbyterian Church, confirm the call of God for Bill, Janice, Barb, Anne and Gary to serve as Stephen Ministers?
We do.
Will you support and pray for them? Will you accept their ministry when needed and allow these individuals to be the light of Christ as you face struggles in your life?
We will, with God’s help.
Prayers of the People:
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
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
Click here to give your tithes and offerings online.
Offertory Music: "O STUR GOD - How Great Thou Art", Robert Hobby
Doxological Verse 606: "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow"
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.
Prayer of Dedication
Closing Hymn 450: "Be Thou My Vision"
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Thou my soul’s shelter, and thou my high tower;
raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Benediction
Postlude: Postlude on "CVM Rhonda”, Paul Manz
Carillon: Three Bell Peal
