Service of the Lord's Day | May 17, 2020

CALL TO WORSHIP

Our call to worship is from Psalm 66:8-12,1 6-20. Read it aloud or listen to Paula Cohen read it aloud.

All you nations, bless our God!
Let the sound of his praise be heard!
God preserved us among the living;
he didn’t let our feet slip a bit.
But you, God, have tested us—
you’ve refined us like silver,
trapped us in a net,
laid burdens on our backs,
let other people run right over our heads—
we’ve been through fire and water.
But you brought us out to freedom!

Come close and listen,
all you who honor God;
I will tell you what God has done for me:
My mouth cried out to God
with praise on my tongue.
If I had cherished evil in my heart,
my Lord would not have listened.
But God definitely listened.
He heard the sound of my prayer.
Bless God who didn’t reject my prayer!
God didn’t withhold faithful love from me.

opening hymn

Prayer of Confession

Offer this prayer aloud.

Help us and guide us, O Lord.
Show us the way. Otherwise, we are lost.
Help us seek truth. Otherwise, we only hear what we want to believe.
Give us life and help us protect life.

After a moment of silence, offer this sung confession:

Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us.

We pray in the name of the One who is the way, the truth, and the life. It is in Jesus Christ that we can boldly say, “We are forgiven.” Amen.

THE WORD

Our affirmation of faith today comes from the United Church of Canada. Feel free to recite the affirmation along with this recording.

John 14:15-21

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”

Solo

Tom Sobieski offers a solo on the violin.

Affirmation of Faith

Our affirmation of faith today comes from the United Church of Canada.

We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Welcome & Prayers of the People

SENDING

Lisa sends us from this service with a message 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.

CCLI License #768739

Service of the Lord's Day | May 10, 2020

Prelude

Our Joyful Noize Choir sang with other children choirs on March 7, 2020 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Loveland. Our worship today begins with a selection from that service.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Our call to worship is from Psalm 31:1-5, 16. Read it aloud or listen to Suzanne Edwards read it aloud.

I take refuge in you, Lord.
    Please never let me be put to shame.
    Rescue me by your righteousness!
Listen closely to me!
    Deliver me quickly;
        be a rock that protects me;
        be a strong fortress that saves me!
You are definitely my rock and my fortress.
    Guide me and lead me for the sake of your good name!
Get me out of this net that’s been set for me
    because you are my protective fortress.
I entrust my spirit into your hands;
    you, Lord, God of faithfulness—you have redeemed me.
    My future is in your hands.

Shine your face on your servant;
    save me by your faithful love!

opening hymn

Prayer of Confession

Offer this prayer aloud.

Help us and guide us, O Lord.
Show us the way. Otherwise, we are lost.
Help us seek truth. Otherwise, we only hear what we want to believe.
Give us life and help us protect life.

After a moment of silence, offer this sung confession:

Lord have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us.

We pray in the name of the One who is the way, the truth, and the life. It is in Jesus Christ that we can boldly say, “We are forgiven.” Amen.

THE WORD

You are invited to close your eyes and listen to the scripture passage. You may also read the passages aloud yourself.

John 14:1-10

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”

Solo

Brian Shepard sings “In My Father's House Are Many Mansions.”

Affirmation of Faith

Our affirmation of faith today comes from the Brief Statement of Faith. Feel free to recite the affirmation with the congregation using the recording.

In life and in death we belong to God.
We trust in Jesus Christ,
fully human, fully God

Jesus proclaimed the reign of God:
preaching good news to the poor
and release to the captives,
teaching by word and deed and blessing the children,
healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted,
eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners,
and calling all to repent and believe the gospel.

In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit,
we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks
and live holy and joyful lives.

With believers in every time and place,
we rejoice that nothing in life or in death
can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Welcome & Prayers of the People

SENDING

Lisa and Michael sends us from this service with a special gift and charge especially for graduates.

We give thanks to God for Keith Fuge, McKenzi Renae Saunders (from Madison High School), Taylor Brooke Saunders (from Monroe High School), Jack Edward Newlin (from Monroe High School), and Emily Bursk (from Anderson High School.)

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.

CCLI License #768739

Service of the Lord's Day | May 3, 2020

CALL TO WORSHIP

OPENING HYMN

Our opening hymn today is “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need.”

Please sing along. The words are posted in the video.

Prayer of Confession

Place your hands palm up on your lap. Offer this prayer aloud followed with silence.

We rejoice because you, O Lord, are risen!
In our hearts and on our tongues that we confess that you are Lord.
We confess those things that prevent us from trusting you in this moment of silence…

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.

THE WORD

You are invited to close your eyes and listen to the scripture passage or read along with the audio file. You may also read the passages aloud yourself.

John 10:1-10

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Affirmation of Faith

You are invited to recite the Apostles’ Creed. Reflect on it. What phrases, if any, cause you to shake? Feel free to recite the creed with the congregation using the recording.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Song of preparation

Please join in singing “Let Us Break Bread Together.” The words are in the video.

The Lord’s Supper

Please join us for the Lord’s Supper at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, by Zoom. Please provide your own bread and cup.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/3577569746

Call-in: (312) 626-6799 and use meeting ID 357 756 9746.

If there are technical difficulties on Sunday morning, this link can be used as a backup from 10:30 until 10:45. Please click here for the backup video.

SENDING

Lisa sends us from this service with a story for the whole family. Download the resource described in the Circle Time message.

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.

CCLI License #768739

Service of the Lord's Day | April 26, 2020

CALL TO WORSHIP

Our call to worship is from Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19. Either read it aloud or listen to it in the audio player.

I love the Lord because he hears
my requests for mercy.
I’ll call out to him as long as I live,
because he listens closely to me.
Death’s ropes bound me;
the distress of the grave found me—
I came face-to-face with trouble and grief.
So I called on the Lord’s name:
“Lord, please save me!”

What shall I return to the Lord
for all his bounty to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,
I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord
is his faithful ones even as they die.
O Lord, I am your servant;
You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!

OPENING HYMN

Our opening hymn today is “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!!”

Please sing along. The words are posted in the video.

Prayer of Confession

Place your hands palm up on your lap. Offer this prayer aloud followed with silence.

We rejoice because you, O Lord, are risen!
In our hearts and on our tongues that we confess that you are Lord.
We confess those things that prevent us from trusting you in this moment of silence…

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.

THE WORD

You are invited to close your eyes and listen to David Jenkins read the scripture passage or read along with the audio file. You may also read the passages aloud yourself.

LUKE 24:13-35

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Duet

Sarah and Phil Thornbery sing “His Strength is Perfect.”

Affirmation of Faith

Our affirmation of faith today comes from the United Church of Canada. Feel free to recite the affirmation along with this recording.

We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Welcome & Prayers of the People

SENDING

Lisa sends us from this service with a story 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.

Passing of the Peace

Call or e-mail someone and offer them the peace of Jesus Christ.

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.

CCLI License #768739

Service of the Lord's Day | April 19, 2020

CALL TO WORSHIP

Our call to worship is from Psalm 16:1-2, 7-11. Either read it aloud or listen to it read by Lynne Mack.

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to the grave,
or let your faithful one see the pit.

You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

OPENING HYMN

Our opening hymn today is “Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!”

Please sing along. The words are posted in the video.

Prayer of Confession

Place your hands palm up on your lap. Offer this prayer aloud followed with silence.

We rejoice because you, O Lord, are risen!
In our hearts and on our tongues that we confess that you are Lord.
We confess those things that prevent us from trusting you in this moment of silence…

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.

THE WORD

You are invited to close your eyes and listen to Lea Thoman read the scripture passage or read along with the audio file. You may also read the passages aloud yourself.

John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Judeans, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

SOLO

Lara Moon sings “Crown Him, the Risen King!”

Affirmation of Faith

Our affirmation of faith today comes from Colossians 1:15-20. Feel free to recite the affirmation along with this recording.

The Son is the image of the invisible God,
the one who is first over all creation,

Because all things were created by him:
both in the heavens and on the earth,
the things that are visible and the things that are invisible.
Whether they are thrones or powers,
or rulers or authorities,
all things were created through him and for him.

He existed before all things,
and all things are held together in him.

He is the head of the body, the church,
who is the beginning,
the one who is firstborn from among the dead
so that he might occupy the first place in everything.

Because all the fullness of God was pleased to live in him,
and he reconciled all things to himself through him—
whether things on earth or in the heavens.
He brought peace through the blood of his cross. Amen.

Welcome & Prayers of the People

In our prayers today, Michael will say, “Through your victory, we pray to you.” You are invited to respond, “Hear us, Lord of glory.”

SENDING

Lisa sends us from this service with a story 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. And hear the voice of God say, “Peace be with you. As God has sent me, I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit.” Amen.

Passing of the Peace

Call or e-mail someone and offer them the peace of Jesus Christ.

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.

CCLI License #768739