Worship of the PeopleFirst Presbyterian Church

November 19, 2017We Gather in God’s Presence

PRELUDE Thanks Be to Thee George Frederic Handel

Lighting of the candles – Jack Lingenfelter, acolyteAs the worship leaders and acolyte process,

let us pause as we begin our worship.

OUR LIFE TOGETHER…During the announcements, please fill out the

“Welcome Sheets” and any prayers you would like toshare this morning. Pass them to the outside of your pewto be collected by the ushers during the Gathering Song.

GATHERING The Earth Belongs to God Alone Hymn No. 715 (Stz. 1)

Congregation and choir singing together

The earth belongs to God alone;hard clay, rich soil, fine sand.

Give thanks wherever food is grownon borrowed holy land.

CALL TO WORSHIPTo the God who dwells among us,let us open our hearts.Let us rejoice in the presence of the Lord!We will sing out with thanksgiving!We will shout for joy!God has blessed us in all things.We praise the Lord now and always!

+ signifies, those who are able, please stand

+HYMN No. 336 We Gather Together KRESMER (Claire Murray, trumpet)

+OPENING PRAYER AND CONFESSION 

God of the spirit of kindness, in the glory of earthand sea and stars, in the kaleidoscope of colorand shade and shapeliness, in the patterns ofhumor and tenderness and touch, we celebrateyour generosity.Forgive us when we forget the gift in ourevery breath, the care that sustains ourevery moment, the grace that can transform

our every day.Set us free from the prison of grudging hearts,mean desires, resentful spirits.Give us thankful hearts and the courage to actwith justice and generosity, and draw us intolove that does not calculate or keep scores.

+ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE

+RESPONSE Change My Heart, O God No. 695

Change my heart, O God; make it ever true. Change my heart, O God; may I be like you. You are the Potter; I am the clay. Mold me and make me; this is what I pray. Change my heart, O God; make it ever true. Change my heart, O God; may I be like you.

+PASSING THE PEACE

We Grow as We Listen to God’s WordMESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN

This, this is where children belong, welcomed as part of the worshiping throng. Water, God’s word, bread and cup, prayer and song:

This is where children belong.– James Ritchie

Following the message, children are invited to leave worship to work on the Christmas program or return to sit with their parents. Nursery care is available for our youngest children.

ANTHEM Creator of the Stars of Night Michael BurkhardtCreator of the stars of night, Your people’s everlasting light,O Christ, Redeemer of us all, we pray You, hear us when we call.

When this old world drew on toward night, You came, but not in splendor bright,Not as a monarch, but the child of Mary, chosen mother mild.

At Your great name, O Jesus, now all knees must bend, all hearts must bow;All things on earth with one accord, like those in heav’n, shall call You Lord.

To God Creator, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One,Praise, honor, might, and glory be from age to age eternally. Amen

PRAYER BEFORE THE READINGLet us pray:When we ask our questions,You hear us.When we speak to you,You listen to us.When we seek you out,You show yourself to us.When we do not understand,You tell us again.

READING: Daniel 3:1, 8-30 (O.T. pg. 822)

SERMON “What’s an Ebenezer anyway?”

+AFFIRMATION OF FAITHLet us stand together and affirm our faithWe believe in God the Creator, who createdand is creating everything: the universe,the world, the plants and animals, and us;each of us, unique, individual and belovedof God.

We believe in God the Christ, who savedand is saving everything: the universe,the world, the plants and animals, and us:each of us; unique, individual and belovedof the Christ.We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who guidedand is guiding everything: the universe,the world, the plants and animals, and us;each of us, unique, individual and belovedof the Spirit.We believe that this one God in three persons,is present among us, working directly in ourlives and the lives of all who are born into thisworld; striving to bring us back into harmonywith all creation and with God; forgiving,healing, touching everyone, never rejectingany who willingly receive this freely offeredgift of love and grace and eternal life.

+HYMN No. 475 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing NETTLETON

We Give in Response to God’s LovePRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS Offertory Anthem Now Thankful People, Come Sharon Elery Rogers

(Angel Ringers Handbells)

+Doxology No. 606 Old HundredthPraise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise him, all creatures here below;Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

+PRAYER OF DEDICATIONLet us give thanks to God, our rock of help.For our faith and livesWe praise the Lord.For our homes and goods.We praise the LordFor our family and friendsWe praise the Lord.For our community and nationWe praise the Lord.For all nations and peoples of the worldWe praise the Lord.For our mother earth and all creationWe praise the Lord now and always! Amen!

O Lord of all, bless our Ebenezers that they maybe a symbol of your love and care in our daily lives.May we always remember that without you we arerootless trees, foundations on sand, incapable ofbeing whole and strong without your continuingpresence in us. Grant that each of theseremembrances of your presence becomes atouchstone for us of your helping us back intoharmony with you and all creation.Amen.

+THE LORD’S PRAYERAs God’s children let us pray as Christ taught us.Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed bethy 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

We Go to Serve God’s World+HYMN Sing of the Lord’s Goodness Ernest Sands

CHARGE & BLESSINGGo out into the world in peace;have courage;hold on to what is good;return no one evil for evil;strengthen the fainthearted;support the weak, and help the suffering;honor all people;love and serve the Lord,rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

turn to the people on either side of you,to make the sign of the cross on their handand repeat this blessing:

God is always with you.

CHORAL BENEDICTION Sing to the Lord of Harvest arr. Healey Willan

*POSTLUDE Now Thank We All Our God Johann Crüger/arr. Douglas Smith (Claire Murray, trumpet)