First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Sunday Morning Worship
10:00 A.M. May 24, 2026
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(*Stand if you are able.)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 104:24
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP As the Wind Song WAIRUA TAPU
Sarai St. Clair
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
All together in one place;
they heard the rush of a violent wind; it filled the entire house.
Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared and rested on each of them;
they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN 289 On Pentecost They Gathered MUNICH
On Pentecost they gathered quite early in the day,
a band of Christ's disciples, to worship, sing, and pray.
A mighty wind came blowing, filled all the swirling air,
and tongues of fire a-glowing inspired each person there.
The people all around them were startled and amazed
to understand their language, as Christ the Lord they praised.
What universal message, what great good news was here?
That Christ, once dead, is risen to vanquish all our fear.
God pours the Holy Spirit on all who would believe,
on women, men, and children who would God's grace receive.
That Spirit knows no limit, bestowing life and power.
The church, formed and reforming, responds in every hour.
O Spirit, sent from heaven on that day long ago,
rekindle faith among us in all life's ebb and flow.
O give us ears to listen and tongues aflame with praise,
so folk of every nation glad songs of joy shall raise.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Spirit of the Living God, we hesitate and doubt. You call us to act boldly, but fear keeps us quiet and circling. We confess our lack of courage, splintered by uncertainty and second-guessing. Forgive us for all the times we shrink from your call. Embolden us to dream beyond what we know and imagine the world as beloved community. Let your Spirit fill us, prodding us beyond inertia. Grant that we might be Christ’s body, not in fits and starts but with steady conviction. Guided by your Holy Spirit, help us be active participants in ushering in your peaceable kin-dom. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and freed. Amen.
Thanks be to God!
PASSING THE 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 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
SPECIAL MUSIC Overflow with Hope Choplin
Chancel Choir
May the God of hope now fill you with joy, and fill you with peace, as you trust in Him ‘til you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. May you overflow with hope as you live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Acts 2: 1-21
MESSAGE All One Body Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 543 God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me GREEN TYLER
God, be the love to search and keep me; God, be the prayer to move my voice;
God, be the strength to now uphold me:
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.
Bind to myself the Name of Holy, great cloud of witnesses enfold;
Prophets, apostles, angels, witness:
O Christ, surround me, O Christ Surround me.
Brightness of sun and glow of moonlight, flashing of lighting, strength of wind,
Depth of the sea to soil of planet:
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.
Walking behind to hem my journey, going ahead to light my way,
And from beneath, above, and all ways:
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.
Christ in the eyes of all who see me, Christ in the ears that hear my voice,
Christ in the hearts of all who know me:
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (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.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song Arr. Carter
*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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