First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Morning Worship
10:00 A.M. September 13, 2026
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(*Stand if you are able.)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 103:1
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Christians, We Have Met to Worship Arr. Held
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me.
Bless God’s holy name.
God forgives. God heals. Gods transforms with steadfast love.
Bless God’s holy name.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer CWM RHONDDA
Guide me, O my great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty; hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more, feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain, where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, I will ever sing to you, I will ever sing to you.
When I reach the River Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s destruction, land me safe on heaven’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises I will ever sing to you, I will ever sing to you.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Nurturing God, like a hen gathers her brood under her wings, you desire to gather your children. But division and disagreement plague us. We cling to rigid certainties, approach each other in arrogance, and fail to listen. We walk away from conflict, rather than working through it. Forgive us, Holy God. Help us grow in faith, mature in relationship, and be transformed through your steadfast love. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, redeemed and restored to God’s path of righteousness.
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 Matthew 18: 21-35
SPECIAL MUSIC A Joyous Call to Praise Chancel Choir
O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace! O for a thousand tongues to sing His wonderful, glorious praise. We crown Him Savior, Redeemer, and King. Forever His song we will raise. My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread through all the earth abroad the honors of Thy name. Jesus, the name that calms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease; ‘tis music in the sinner’s ears; ‘tis life and health and peace.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Romans 14: 1-12
MESSAGE Being Accountable to God Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 435 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy IN BABILONE
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgment given.
For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind.
And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God’s Word,
And our lives reflect thanksgiving for the goodness of our Lord.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus;
for we know that all things work together for good for those who love God,
who are called according to God’s purpose. We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory As the Deer Arr. Wagoner
*DOXOLOGY 608 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow PRAISE GOD
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy spirit ever more; praise Triune God, whom we adore.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS
#392 (Vs. 1, 4) Jesus, We Are Here JESUS, TAWA PANO
Jesus, we are here; Jesus, we are here; Jesus, we are here; we are here for you.
Spirit, we are here; Spirit, we are here; Spirit, we are here; we are here for you.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Responsive)
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (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 Let There Be Peace on Earth LET THERE BE PEACE
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God our creator, children all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
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