First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Morning Worship
World Wide Communion
10:00 A.M. October 4, 2026
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(*Stand if you are able.)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 80:7
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP My Jesus, I Love Thee Binkes
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
People will come from east and west,
from north and south,
and will eat in the kingdom of God.
Thanks be to God for welcoming us to the table.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN A Mighty Fortress Is Our God EIN’ FESTE BURG
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing,
Our present help amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe with craft and power;
great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth without an equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
But there is one who takes our side the One of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus sets us free! With mighty power to
save, victorious o’er the grave, Christ will prevail in triumphant.
And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear for God has willed the triumph through us.
The powers of evil grim, we tremble not for them; their rage we can endure,
for lo, their doom is sure: one little word shall fell them.
That word beyond all earthly powers forever is abiding;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours, for Christ is with us siding.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may
kill; God’s truth shall triumph still; God’s reign endures forever.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Gracious God, we are indebted to you and your generosity. But we
fail to live as good stewards of all you have given us. We confiscate
and consume far more than our fair share. We neglect the poor and
trap people in poverty, claiming that debt forgiveness is unfair. God,
liberate us from our spiritual and moral bondage. Free our world for
Jubilee. Reorder our priorities so all your nations and peoples may
thrive. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you 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 Psalm 19
SPECIAL MUSIC The Heavens Are Telling Patterson
Chancel Choir
The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of God’s own hand. And all behold the majesty of God!
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Exodus 20: 1-4, 7-9, 12-20
MESSAGE God’s Test Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 503 Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation O QUANTA QUALIA
Lord, we have come at your own invitation,
chosen by you, to be counted your friends;
Yours is the strength that sustains dedication;
ours, a commitment we know never ends.
Here, at your table, confirm our intention;
give it your seal of forgiveness and grace;
Teach us to serve without pride or pretension,
Lord, in your kingdom, whatever our place.
When, at your table, each time of returning,
vows are renewed and our courage restored,
May we increasingly glory in learning
all that it means to accept you as Lord.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (In Unison)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING / THE PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE
RESPONSIVE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise…
…Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with choirs of angels and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are
full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in
the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy God, blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord…
…With joy we remember this good news, and we celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through this bread and this cup. Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine…
…We bring you our own joys, concerns and thanksgivings.
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
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.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Fairest Lord Jesus Arr. Larson
*DOXOLOGY 606 Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow OLD 100th
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*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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