First Presbyterian Church of Niles Morning Worship
Communion
January 5, 2025
10:00 A.M.
(* = stand if you are able)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 147: 12-14
Extol the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you. He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers Arr. Manz
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
The Word became flesh and lived among us.
And we have seen his glory.
The true light that enlightens everyone has come into the world.
Glory to God who has blessed us in Christ. Glory to God forever.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN All Hail to God’s Anointed AURELIA
All hail to God’s anointed, great David’s greater Son!
All hail, in time appointed, your reign on earth begun!
You come to break oppression, to set the captive free,
To take away transgression and rule in equity.
You shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth;
Love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in your path to birth.
Before you on the mountains shall peace, the herald, go,
And righteousness in fountains from hill to valley flow.
All rulers bow before you, and gold and incense bring.
All nations shall adore you; your praise all people sing.
To you shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend
Your rule is still increasing; your rule is without end.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Holy God, we confess that we are a distracted people and forgetful of your love. We make selfish choices, hurt each other, and perpetuate injustice in your world. We have sinned against you and are deeply sorry and repent of our disregard of you, each other, and your creation. By the power of your Spirit, forgive, restore, and strengthen us to live in your light and walk in your truth; through Christ our Lord.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
As children of the Holy One, God forgives you and loves you eternally. By the power of God’s Spirit, forgive yourself and forgive others as God in Christ has forgiven you.
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 Ephesians 1: 3-14
SPECIAL MUSIC Winter Carol Porterfield
Sarai St. Clair
SECOND SCRIPTURE John 1: 10-18
MESSAGE “God Is With Us” Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 156 (Vs. 1, 2, 3) Sing of God Made Manifest SALZBURG
Sing of God made manifest in a child robust and blest,
to whose home in Bethlehem where a star had guided them,
magi came and gifts unbound, signs mysterious and profound:
myrrh and frankincense and gold grave and God and king foretold.
Sing of God made manifest when at Jordan John confessed,
“I should be baptized by you, but your bidding I will do.”
Then from heaven a double sign—dove-like Spirit, voice divine—
hailed the true Anointed One: “This is my beloved Son.”
Sing of God made manifest when Christ came as wedding guest
and at Cana gave a sign, turning water into wine;
further still was love revealed as he taught, forgave, and healed,
bringing light and life to all who would listen to God’s call.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (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 is seated 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.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Responsive)
The Holy One be with you.
And also with you.
Open your hearts.
We open our hearts to you, O God.
Let us give thanks to God, an Abiding Presence.
To the One who companions us through all things, we give thanks and praise.
Faithful One…
…In awe and gratitude, we join together in praise of you, Source of Abundance:
Holy, Holy, Holy One
God of justice and love
Heaven and earth are full of your wonder
Blessed is your presence among us
Since the beginning…
…Through the grace of your sustenance, may Christ be with us. You may now take the elements.
PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory In The Bleak Mid-Winter Arr. Hayes
*DOXOLOGY 144 (Vs. 4) What Can I Give Him CHANHAM
What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS Jesus, Name above All Names
NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES
Jesus, name above all names, beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.
Emannuel, God is with us, blessed Redeemer, Living Word.
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 137(Vs. 1, 3, 4) He Came Down HE CAME DOWN
He came down that we may have love; he came down that we may have love;
He came down that we may have love; hallelujah forevermore.
He came down that we may have peace; he came down that we may have peace;
He came down that we may have peace; hallelujah forevermore.
He came down that we may have joy; he came down that we may have joy;
He came down that we may have joy; hallelujah forevermore.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
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