CALL TO WORSHIP
Read Psalm 86:1-5 loud enough for your neighbor to hear or listen to it read.
Lord, listen closely to me and answer me,
because I am poor and in need.
Guard my life because I am faithful.
Save your servant who trusts in you—you! My God!
Have mercy on me, Lord,
because I cry out to you all day long.
Make your servant’s life happy again
because, my Lord, I offer my life to you,
because, my Lord, you are good and forgiving,
full of faithful love for all those who cry out to you.
opening hymn
Prayer of Confession
Let us offer our life to our Lord Jesus Christ who is good and forgiving by offering this prayer aloud.
Merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you
with our whole heart and mind and strength.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be,
so that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your holy name.
We are forgiven in Jesus Christ. Sing along with this assurance of forgiveness.
We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
Minute for mission
Learn more about the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program at this link.
THE WORD
This is the third Sunday in our summer series on favorite passages of scripture submitted by people from throughout the congregation. The most and second most submitted passages were Philippians 4:6 and Philippians 4:13.
Philippians 4:4-13
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Duet
Julie Ramsey and Lara Moon sing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”
Affirmation of Faith
For our affirmation of faith, please take a moment to read the Rev. Dr. Martin Liuther King’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail sometime this week. Call someone and discuss it with them.
The letter can be found by clicking this photo of the letter:
Welcome & Prayers of the People
Join us at 10:30 a.m. for a a time of gathering. This will include a brief commentary on Philippians 4, prayer requests, and fellowship.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/3577569746
Call-in: (312) 626-6799 and use meeting ID 357 756 9746.
Circle time
Lisa shares a reflection for the whole family.
Benediction
And now as members of Christ’s church: Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak. Heal the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Amen.
Postlude & Offering
Contributions to the ministry of First Presbyterian Church may be made online by clicking the button below or mailed to First Presbyterian Church, 2910 Central Ave., Middletown, OH 45044.
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