First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Morning Worship
November 24, 2024
10:00 A.M.
(* = stand if you are able)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 132: 8-9
Rise up, O Lord, and go to your resting-place, you and the ark of your might. Let your priests be clothed with righteousness and let your faithful shout for joy.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Praise to the Lord the Almighty Arr. Grabner
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
The Lord God is our shepherd.
We are the people of God’s pasture, the sheep of God’s hand.
God will seek the lost, feed the hungry, and strengthen the weak.
But the proud and power-hungry will be fed with justice.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN Crown with Your Richest Crown DIAMATA
Crown with your richest crowns the Lamb upon the throne;
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Christ who died for you,
And to your risen Savior bring your thanks for life made new.
Crown Christ the truth, the life who triumphed o’er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife, this fallen world to save.
Christ’s glories now we sing, Christ’s name we magnify,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.
Crown Christ who rules in peace, whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise:
Christ’s reign shall have no end, for ‘round those wounded feet
A fragrant garden shall extend forever green and sweet.
Crown Christ who holds the years, embracing space and time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime:
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For you have died for me;
Your praise shall never, never fail throughout eternity.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Sovereign God, we confess that we are not ready for your holy realm. You guide us toward right paths, but we refuse to follow where you lead. You love and feed and care for us, but we fail to love and serve others. Forgive us, merciful God, so that we may return to your fold and rejoice in your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Lamb upon the throne. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
However long we wander, however far we stray, God’s steadfast love endures forever. Sisters and brothers, be assured: in Jesus Christ 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 Psalm 93
SPECIAL MUSIC All Earth Rejoice Vivaldi/Hopson
All earth rejoice with a gladsome voice; now sing we alleluia. Praise the Lord, Rejoice and sing. Sing alleluia, sing, Christ reigns on high. Sound the trumpet; sound the harp. Praise the Lord.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING John 18:33-37
MESSAGE The Kingdom of Christ Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 264(1, 2, 4) At the Name of Jesus KING’S WESTON
At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess Him King of glory now;
‘Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call Him Lord,
Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
Humbled for a season to receive a name
From the lips of sinners unto whom he came,
Faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
Brought it back victorious, when from death he passed.
Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
With His Father’s glory o’er the earth to reign;
For all wreaths of empire meet upon His brow,
And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (In Unison)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Rejoice, the Lord is King Arr. Carter
*DOXOLOGY Praise God, the Source of Life and Birth OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, the Source of life and birth;
Praise God, the Word, who came to earth;
Praise God, the Spirit, holy flame; All glory, honor to God’s name! Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS 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 Jesus Shall Reign DUKE STREET
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun does its successive journeys run;
God’s realm shall stretch from shore to shore
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
Blessings abound where’er Christ reigns: the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
The weary find eternal rest, and all who suffer want are blessed.
Let every creature rise and bring tributes of praise for all to sing;
Angels descend with songs again, and earth repeat the loud amen.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.