First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Morning Worship
10:00 A.M. August 30, 2026
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(*Stand if you are able.)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 105:1
O give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; make known his deeds among the peoples.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
HYMN 411 God Is Here Today DIOS ESTA AQUI
God is here today; as certain as the air I breathe,
As certain as the morning sun that rises,
As certain when I sing you’ll hear my song.
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Seek the Lord! Seek God in the wilderness.
Seek God in the sanctuary.
Seek God in the burning bush.
Seek God in the burning heart.
The Lord is here! This place is holy!
We are standing on holy ground.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN We Love Your Realm, O God ST. THOMAS
We love your realm, O God, all places where you reign.
We recognize, with hope and joy, the world as your domain.
We love your church, O God, for Christ has given life
To form communities of love that seek to heal our strife.
We recognize, with pain, that we have not achieved
The faithfulness of our resolve when we at first believed.
Yet Christ, our friend and guide continues to forgive,
Delivering us from our mistakes, inviting us to live.
We know your truth will last. We trust your reign is sure.
Equip us for those daily tasks that help your world endure.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
God of wonders, we confess that we do not understand why you call us when we are scared, clumsy, busy or flawed. We confess that we think we know better than you do who is qualified to do your work. Forgive our fears and excuses and self-doubts. Lend us your fire and your strength, as we go about the work of serving our neighbors, building up your church, loving your children, and tending to the scorched places of our world. Help us to burn for you, without burning up or burning out. Give us a purpose and the courage to pursue it. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
Hear the good news! New life rises from the ashes. In Christ, your sins are dead and you are alive to all that is good. In Christ, we are made whole; in 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 26: 1-8
SPECIAL MUSIC Here I Am, Lord Pote
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Romans 12: 9-21
MESSAGE Overcoming Evil with Good Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 69 I, the Lord of Sea and Sky HERE I AM
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them. They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them. Whom Shall I send? Refrain.
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend to poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? Refrain
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (adapted from the Confession of 1967)
God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of our minds. We believe that God has created the world of space and time to be the sphere of God’s dealings with humankind. In its beauty and vastness, transcendence and awe-fulness, order and disorder, the world reflects to the eye of faith the majesty and mystery of its Creator. We believe that God has created us for a personal relationship in which we may respond to the love of the Creator. Life is a gift to be received with gratitude and a task to be pursued with courage.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Will You Come and Follow Me Arr. Callahan
*DOXOLOGY Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise God all creatures here below.
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit One. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS Here, Savior, in this Quiet Place LAND OF REST
Here, 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 (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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