First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Sunday Morning Worship
10:00 A.M. March 31, 2026
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(*Stand if you are able.)
PRELUDE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP 408 (Vs.1)
There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT
There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place, and I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord;
There are sweet expressions on each face, and I know they feel the presence of the Lord
Refrain:
Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly Dove, stay right here with us,
filling us with your love; and for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;
without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived when we shall leave this place.
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Our gracious God has created us and called us his own.
Let us worship the triune God.
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has redeemed our lives.
Let us worship the triune God.
The Holy Spirit sustains and guides us all the days of our lives.
In gratitude and joy, let us worship the triune God!
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN At the Dawn of Your Creation HYMN TO JOY
At the dawn of your creation, God, you spoke: “Let there be light!”
You divided earth from heaven, you created day and night.
You made sunbeams dance with shadows, you created energy!
Peaceful evenings, bright tomorrows, all began with “Let there be!”
By your word, you formed creation: dry land, water, ocean breeze.
Soon there burst forth vegetation: plants with fruit, majestic trees,
Rain and snow and changing seasons, creatures filling land and sea.
God, your very good creation all began with “Let there be!”
When you made us as your children, sending us throughout your lands,
You commanded, “Have dominion, care for earth; it’s in your hands.”
Yet we hurt this world you’ve given; we harm earth and sky and sea.
We forget it’s your creation, you, who once said, “Let there be!”
At this joyful celebration, may we hear your word anew:
May we care for your creation, knowing it’s a trust from you.
Just as daily there’s a dawning, bringing light to all we see,
So we daily hear your calling, you, who once said, “Let there be!”
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Look deep, loving God, and see us as we really are. We are a people who prefer our will to your will. We focus on things of the self and give little thought or care to others. We wander through our days giving little thought to our own discipleship, let alone our call to help others become disciples. Forgive us, God of grace. Forgive us and set us again on the path of your righteousness. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
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 Genesis 1:1-2:4
SPECIAL MUSIC Then Sings My Soul McDonald
Chancel Choir
O Lord, my God! When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed. When thro’ the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees, when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee: how great thou art! And when I think that God his son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art!”
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 28:16-20
MESSAGE Partnering with God Rev. Dr. John M. Best
*HYMN 25 O Lord, Our God, How Excellent (Psalm 8) WINDCESTER OLD
O Lord, our God, how excellent, how glorious is your name.
Your majesty surrounds the earth, and children sing your fame.
The heavens shout your handiwork; we stand beneath in awe,
To think the One who made all things should care for us at all.
Yet you have made us less than gods, surpassing all but you,
With heart and mind, with strength and will, to search for what is true.
Into our hands you’ve placed all things; the earth, the sea; each place
We’re called to probe for secret gifts and venture into space.
O Lord, our God, how excellent, how glorious is your name,
Majestic in your holiness. We sing and praise your fame.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (In Unison) (from The Study Catechism)
I love because God first loved me. God loves me in Christ with a love that never ends. Amazed by grace, I no longer live for myself. I live for the Lord who died and rose again, triumphant over death, for my sake. Therefore, I take those around me to heart, especially those in particular need, knowing that Christ died for them no less than for me. Amen.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Morning Has Broken Arr. Raney
*DOXOLOGY What Gift Can We Bring ST. DENIO
This gift we now bring, this present, this token, these words can convey it, the joy of this day! When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, this song we now offer in honor and praise! Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS 791 (Vs. 1 & 6)
For You, My God, I Wait TRENTHAM
For you, my God, I wait with hope born of the Word.
Like sleepless ones who long to dream I wait and call my Lord.
O God, you are my hope; I know that you forgive.
Your love redeems me from the depths so I may rise and live.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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 We Join in Proclaiming THE ASH GROVE
We join in proclaiming the faith we believe in: that God is Creator and we are God’s own.
We trust in Christ Jesus and gladly receive him, for we have been
blessed by the love he has shown.
Christ died and is risen and, one with the Father, he reigns now in heaven, still
loving the earth.
The Spirit of God that moved over the waters now moves here and among us, empowering God’s church.
O God, we have pondered through years of our history how you can be Father and Spirit and Son.
We’ve prayed and we’ve studied and called it a mystery that you are three persons and yet you are one.
Creating and saving, your church here renewing, you still are one God working
many good ways.
May we humbly thank you for all you are doing! O God in three persons, we offer you praise.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
The liturgy was written by Tara Bulger, © Presbyterian Outlook, 2026 and provided for free distribution.
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
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