First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Morning Worship
10:00 A.M. August 16, 2026
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(*Stand if you are able.)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 133:1
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP What a Friend We Have in Jesus Arr. Hobby
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its increase; God has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN 301 (Vs. 1, 2, 4, 5) Let Us Build a House TWO OAKS
Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions: all are welcome;
all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus: all are welcome;
all are welcome all are welcome in this place.
Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger: all are welcome;
all are welcome all are welcome in this place.
Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
And loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace;
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter: all are welcome;
all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Merciful God, your world cries out. The fruits of our disobedience are harming your creation. You tasked us to be good stewards of your creation and we have fallen short. You challenged us to love God and love our neighbor, and we have failed to show that love. You promise to bring all people joyfully together in a house of prayer on your holy mountain. We find ways to stay apart. Bring us together, O Lord. Empower us with a spirit of love for you and love for all our neighbors. Help us live lives of service to you so that all your children will know your peace. Forgive us when we fall short and continue to transform your world, leading us to your promised kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
God has shown us mercy and God will be merciful to all. Hear and believe this good news: in Jesus Christ, we 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 Psalm 67
SPECIAL MUSIC Make Me a Channel Arr. Hayes
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Genesis 45:1-15
*HYMN 435 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy IN BABILONE
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgment given.
For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind.
And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God’s Word,
And our lives reflect thanksgiving for the goodness of our Lord.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (In Unison)
(The Confession of 1967, inclusive language)
God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of the human mind. Human thought ascribes to God superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness. But God reveals divine love in Jesus Christ by showing power in the form of a servant, wisdom in the folly of the cross, and goodness in receiving sinful men and women. The power of God’s love in Christ to transform the world discloses that the Redeemer is the Lord and Creator who made all things to serve the purpose of God’s love. Amen.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Softly and Tenderly Arr. Tournquist
*DOXOLOGY Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise God all creatures here below.
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit One. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS Here, Savior, in this Quiet Place LAND OF REST
Here, Savior, in this quiet place, where anyone may kneel,
I also come to ask for grace, believing you can heal.
You never said, “You ask too much,” to any troubled soul.
I long to feel your healing touch─ will you not make me whole?
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Responsive)
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
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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