First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Morning Worship
With Communion
10:00 A.M. September 6, 2026
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(*Stand if you are able.)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 119: 33-40
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Andante Quantz
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
and I will observe it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Turn my heart to your decrees;
in your righteousness be gracious to me.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN 744 Arise, Your Light Is Come! FESTAL SONG
Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call obey;
Show forth the glory of your God, which shines on you today.
Arise, your light is come! Fling wide the prison door;
Proclaim the captives’ liberty, good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light is come! All you in sorrow born,
Bind up the broken-hearted ones and comfort those who mourn.
Arise, your light is come! The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing; God’s power will make us strong.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Lord God, we have judged others harshly, unfairly and casually. We tend to focus on the sin, brokenness and foibles of others, rather than on the growth and work we are called to. We’ve made assumptions about what others want and need, robbing them of the freedom to speak for themselves. We’ve tuned out the voices bold enough to express views that are different from ours. We’ve relied upon your grace, time and time again, while hastily denying that you are eager to give it not only to us, but to our enemies, also. Help us to see others as you see them; help us to see you with faith and trust.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, calling all to turn from sin, and live. By the grace of God, our sins 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 Matthew 18: 15-20
SPECIAL MUSIC Amazing Grace Arr. Schrader
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Romans 13: 8-14
MESSAGE Love From the Heart Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 529 Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether UNION SEMINARY
Draw us in the Spirit’s tether, for when humbly in your name
two or three are met together, you are in the midst of them.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Here we touch your garment’s hem.
As disciples used to gather in the name of Christ to sup,
then with thanks to God the giver break the bread and bless the cup,
Alleluia! Alleluia! so now bind our friendship up.
All our meals and all our living make as sacraments of you,
that by caring, helping, giving, we may be disciples true.
Alleluia! Alleluia! We will serve with faith anew.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from The Confession of 1967)
To be reconciled to God is to be sent into the world as a reconciling community. This community, the church universal, is entrusted with God’s message of reconciliation and shares God’s labor of healing the enmities
which separate people from God and from one another. Christ has called the church to this mission and given it the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The church maintains continuity with the apostles and with Israel by faithful obedience to God’s call.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God!...
…Our Savior invites all who trust him to share the feast which he has prepared.
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 come to your table hungry for a taste of your kingdom…
In awe and gratitude, 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, you have been building a lineage of love and liberation…
…You may now take the elements.
PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory The Gift of Love Arr. Carter
*DOXOLOGY 608 Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS 392 (Vs. 1, 4) Jesus, We Are Here JESUS, TAWA PANO
Jesus, we are here; Jesus, we are here; Jesus, we are here; we are here for you.
Spirit, we are here; Spirit, we are here; Spirit, we are here; we are here for you.
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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