First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Morning Worship
10:00 A.M. September 14, 2025
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(* = stand if you are able)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 78:1-2
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP A Year in Song Arr. Clark
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Have you come here to grumble?
No! We are here to rejoice!
Oh. Are you lost?
No! We are found!
Okay, I see. Do you seek a welcome at this table?
Yes! We are here to let go of the past and begin fresh.
We are here to celebrate the joy of heaven.
We are here to feast with Christ, our Lord!
Wonderful! You are in the right place.
You are welcome here.
Let’s worship God together!
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN All People That on Earth Do Dwell DUKE STREET
All people that on earth do dwell, sing out your faith with cheerful voice;
Delight in God whose praise you tell, whose presence calls you to rejoice.
Know that there is one God, indeed, who fashions us without our aid,
Who claims us, gives us all we need, whose tender care will never fade.
Enter the sacred gates with praise, with joy approach the temple walls.
Extol and bless our God always as people whom the Spirit calls.
Proclaim again that God is good, whose mercy is forever sure,
Whose truth at all times firmly stood, and shall from age to age endure.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
God of loving kindness, have mercy on us. According to your multitude of tender mercies, blot out our transgressions, thoroughly wash us from our iniquity, and cleanse us from our sin. We know our transgressions, our sin, our evil done against you as we distort your love and corrupt your creation. From the moment of our conception, we have worked to separate ourselves from your love. You desire truth in the inward being, therefore teach us wisdom, purge and clean our hearts, put your Spirit anew within us. Let us hear joy and gladness so that our ragged bones might rejoice with you.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
Hear the good news: With utmost patience, Christ offers mercy so that we may thrive in eternal life. In Christ’s name, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
PASSING THE PEACE
As God has forgiven us in Christ let us also forgive one another.
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
Please share the sign of peace with one another.
The sharing of Christ’s peace.
RESPONSE Peace is Flowing Like a River TRADITIONAL
Peace is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me.
Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
His love is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me.
Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Numbers 21: 4b-9
SPECIAL MUSIC Write Your Word Upon My Heart Larson
Chancel Choir
Every word that You have spoken, each command You give today, holy vows that can’t be broken; Lord, please write upon my heart. Every grace that You have granted, each small thing Your hand supplies, every seed of faith You’ve planted; Lord, please write upon my heart. Love the Lord with all your strength, cherish God with all your heart. Bind His wisdom to your spirit, from God’s word do not depart. Every love that You have given, each compassion You bestow, every sin that You’ve forgiven; Lord, please write upon my heart. Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart. Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING John 3: 13-17
MESSAGE God Lifts Us All Up Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN Alone and Filled With Fear ST. THOMAS
Alone and filled with fear, we come to you by night,
Our troubled, restless spirits drawn to you, the Light from Light.
We dare to question you, as though all truth we knew,
But find you are the Questioner who knows us through and through.
You probe our deepest need, as hidden fears address.
You lead us to the midnight hour where we, unmasked, confess.
All glory be to God who sent to us the Son,
Who will not give our spirits rest till love’s great work is done.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (In Unison)
(from The Confession of 1967, Inclusive Language Text)
In Jesus of Nazareth, true humanity was realized once for all. Jesus, a Palestinian Jew, lived among his own people and shared their needs, temptations, joys, and sorrows. He expressed the love of God in word and deed and became a brother to all kinds of sinful men and women. But his complete obedience led him into conflict with his people. His life and teaching judged their goodness, religious aspirations, and national hopes. Many rejected him and demanded his death. In giving himself freely for them, he took upon himself the judgment under which everyone stands convicted. God raised him from the dead, vindicating him as Messiah and Lord. The victim of sin became victor, and won the victory over sin and death for all.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Amazing Grace Arr. Raney
*DOXOLOGY 607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise Triune God, whom we adore.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS 794 (Vs. 1, 4)
O Savior, in This Quiet Place AMAZING GRACE
O Savior, in this quiet place, where anyone may kneel,
I also come to ask for grace, believing you can heal.
You never said “You ask too much” to any troubled soul.
I long to feel your healing touch; will you not make me whole?
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Responsive)
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (In Unison)
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.
*HYMN May God Support You All Your Days TALLIS CANON
May God support you all your days, in times of gladness and in need.
May God remember you with grace and bless your every word and deed.
May God confirm your heart’s desire and bring to fullness all your plans.
May God’s sustaining love inspire your shouts of praise and joyful dance.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
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