First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Sunday Morning Worship
With Communion
10:00 A.M. June 7, 2025
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(*Stand if you are able.)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 33:1 NIV
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Largo Cantabile Vivaldi/Norris
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
All who are righteous, shout with joy to our God!
Let us sing a new song!
Praise God and give thanks, with organs, with guitars, with all kinds of instruments!
Play your best with joy!
Because our Creator’s word is right, and everything God does is done for our good.
Let your faithful love surround us, O God!
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN God of the Ages, Who with Sure Command NATIONAL HYMN
God of the ages, who with sure command
brought forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before your throne arise.
Your purpose, just, envisions mortals free;
God, set our path toward human liberty.
Still be our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay –
Your Word our law, your paths our chosen way.
From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
with steadfast care be ever our defense;
Your love and faith within our hearts increase;
With bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
Refresh you people on life’s toilsome way;
lead us from night to never ending day;
With truth and love guide us through error’s maze,
And we shall give you glory, laud, and praise.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Holy God, we confess, a bit pridefully, that we appreciate decency and order, forgetting that we seek the order that is of our own making. We confess that clear rules and social norms give us comfort, forgetting how many of your beloved children are hurt and excluded by them. We confess that we place our trust in ability, strength, and the works we produce, forgetting our total reliance on your grace. Forgive us, God, and free us to live in courageous faith, that we may abide in your righteousness. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
Jesus said, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” We have been blessed with God’s grace and mercy in abundance, through Jesus Christ. Know that we are forgiven, and be at peace!
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 Genesis 12: 1-9
SPECIAL MUSIC Walk By Faith Raney
Chancel Choir
Walk by faith! By faith, Noah built an ark in the midst of doubt and fear. He waited patiently till the plan of God was clear. By faith, David slew Goliath with a mighty blow, By faith, Moses spoke for God, saying “Let my people go!” By faith, Esther told the king Haman was an evil man. By faith, the Israelites were saved according to God’s plan. By faith, Deborah told Barak that peace would be restored. By faith, Hannah prayed to God and a son was her reward! By faith, Jesus came to earth in lowly human frame. By faith, he obeyed the plan that God in heaven made. By faith, we will walk each day, his spirit by our side; by faith, we will find our way, by faith and not by sight!
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
MESSAGE Jesus’ Mercy Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 838 Standing on the Promises PROMISES
Standing on the promises of Christ my king, through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God.
Refrain: Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior;
standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God.
Refrain
Standing on the promises I cannot fall, listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all, standing on the promises of God.
Refrain
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from A Declaration of Faith)
We hold that what God says to us and does for us centers in Jesus Christ, our living Lord as he is remembered, known, and expected. In Christ, God’s Word of acceptance takes flesh: by grace through faith we are set right with God, adopted as children of God, not because of anything we have done, but because of what Christ has done. In Christ, God’s Word of demand is lived out: to love God and neighbor as Jesus did is what God requires of us. The Spirit adds no different Word from God, but leads us deeper into the truth of God uttered in Jesus Christ.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Responsive)
The Holy One be with you.
And also with you.
Open your hearts.
We open our hearts to you, O God.
Let us give thanks to God, an Abiding Presence.
To the One who companions us through all things, we give thanks and praise.
Faithful One…
…we join together in praise of you, Source of Abundance:
Holy, Holy, Holy One
God of justice and love
Heaven and earth are full of your wonder
Blessed is your presence among us
Since the beginning…
…Through the grace of your sustenance, may Christ be with us.
You may now take the elements.
PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Open My Eyes That I May See Arr. Tournquist
*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 695 Change My Heart, O God CHANGE MY HEART
Change my heart, O God, make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God, may I be like you.
You are the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me, this is what I pray.
Change my heart, O God, make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God, may I be like you.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Responsive)
God of power,
heal us now.
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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