First Presbyterian Church of Niles Morning Worship
10:00 A.M. April 28, 2024
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(* = stand if you are able)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 22: 25-26
From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live forever!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Morning Glory Austin
Celebration Ringers
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
We gather this day in joy and Christian fellowship,
for we are the church of Jesus Christ!
We pray for the Holy Spirit to be among us,
opening our hearts and minds to the worship of God!
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN 485 (Vs. 1, 2, 4) We Know That Christ Is Raised ENGLEBERG
We know that Christ is raised and dies no more.
Embraced by death he broke its fearful hold,
and our despair he turned to blazing joy. Alleluia! Alleluia!
We share by water in his saving death.
Reborn we share with him an Easter life
as living members of a living Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!
A new creation comes to life and grows
as Christ’s new body takes on flesh and blood.
The universe, restored and whole, will sing: Alleluia! Alleluia!
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Gracious God, our hearts are restless until they find their home in you. Forgive our pursuit of things that separate us from you. We pursue success, realizing it will never be enough. We desire more possessions, knowing they are empty. We turn toward the world and hope we will find peace, knowing the world cannot provide it. Forgive us, we pray, and may our wandering hearts find their rest in you alone. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
Hear the good news! In Christ, we are new creations. The old life is gone, thank God! A new life has begun. Know 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 of you and me.
Flowing out into the dessert, setting all the captives free.
His love is flowing like a river flowing out of you and me.
Flowing out into the dessert, setting all the captives free.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Acts 8: 26-40
SPECIAL MUSIC Holy, Holy, Holy Arr. Helman
Celebration Ringers
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING John 15: 1-8
MESSAGE Bearing God’s Fruits with Love Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN Be Now My Vision SLANE
Be now my vision, O God of my heart;
nothing surpasses the love you impart-
You my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, your presence my light.
Be now my wisdom, and be my true word;
ever within me, my soul is assured;
Mother and Father, you are both to me,
now and forever your child I will be.
Sovereign of heaven, my victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision O Ruler of all.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (In Unison)
(adapted from Belonging to God: A First Catechism)
We are the church: the people who believe the good news about Jesus, who are baptized, and who share in the Lord’s Supper. Through these means of grace, the Spirit renews us so that we may serve God in love. We believe the good news that gives us comfort that we belong to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for our sake, so that nothing will ever separate us from God’s love. We know this good news through reading the Bible and hearing it taught and preached. The Holy Spirit inspired those who wrote the Bible and helps us rely on its promises today.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior Arr. Angerman
*DOXOLOGY Easter Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
Let trumpets sound and voices sing! Let all on earth their praises bring!
For Christ has conquered sin and death and given life eternal breath. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS Jesus – The Very Thought to Me ST. AGNES
Jesus the very thought to me with sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far your face to see, and in your presence rest.
No voice can sing, no heart can frame, nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than your blessed name, Savior of humankind.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Respond after each prayer)
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (In Unison) Christopher
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 549 May the Love of the Lord SOON TI
May the love of the Lord rest upon your soul.
May God’s love dwell in you, throughout every day.
May God’s countenance shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May God’s Spirit be upon you as you leave this place.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
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