First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Sunday Morning Worship
10:00 A.M. May 17, 2026
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PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 68: 32
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Gather Us In Arr. Behnke
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Let the righteous be joyful! Let them rejoice before God.
Let us all be jubilant with joy!
Sing to God, all peoples of the world. Sing praises to God most high.
From the sanctuary of heaven, God gives life and renews the face of the earth.
Let the righteous be joyful! Let them rejoice before God.
Let us all be jubilant with joy!
OPENING PRAYER
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*HYMN 733 We All Are One in Mission ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVOGELEIN
We all are one in mission; we all are one in call,
Our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all.
A single, great commission compels us from above
To plan and work together that all may know Christ’s love.
We all are called for service to witness in God’s name.
Our ministries are different; our purpose is the same:
To touch the lives of others by God’s surprising grace,
So every folk and nation may feel God’s warm embrace.
Now let us be united and let our song be heard.
Now let us be a vessel for God’s redeeming word.
We all are one in mission; we all are one in call,
Our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Loving God, we confess that we do not always bring honor and glory to your name. We are rebellious and weak; we flee before your goodness. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us by the grace and mercy of Christ, that we may rise up again in peace to love and serve your world. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
The Spirit of God is resting on you, to restore, support, and strengthen you. Therefore, be at peace in the One who forgives and loves you; rise up and give God thanks.
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 Acts 1: 6-14
SPECIAL MUSIC I Will Sing Praise Martin
Chancel Choir
I will sing praise to the Lord, my God; lift up my voice in the sanctuary. I will sing alleluia and praise His holy name. Sing the glory of His name forever. I will sing praise to Him, give all my life to Him. Sing alleluia, all heavens rejoice! Sing alleluia, lift high your voice. Sing alleluia and make joyful noise. Praise His name!
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING John 17: 1-11
MESSAGE All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 317 In Christ There Is No East or West Mc Kee
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,
But one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord close binding humankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith, what e’er your race may be.
All children of the living God are surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west; in him meet south and north.
All Christly souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from A Brief Statement of Faith)
In a broken and fearful world, the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified Arr. Hayes
*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!
*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 (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
music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
© Presbyterian Outlook, 2026
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