Service of the Lord's Day | August 30, 2020

Outdoor Service

There is an outdoor worship service, weather-permitting, at 9:30 in the West Parking Lot. (See our recent update regarding outdoor worship.)

Live-stream

The service will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel.

Order of Worship

Welcome & Prayer of Adoration

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c

   O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name,
          make known his deeds among the peoples.
   Sing to him, sing praises to him;
          tell of all his wonderful works.
  Glory in his holy name;
          let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
   Seek the LORD and his strength;
          seek his presence continually.
   Remember the wonderful works he has done,
          his miracles, and the judgments he has uttered,
   O offspring of his servant Abraham,
          children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

  Then Israel came to Egypt;
          Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham.
  And the LORD made his people very fruitful,
          and made them stronger than their foes,
  whose hearts he then turned to hate his people,
          to deal craftily with his servants.

  He sent his servant Moses,
          and Aaron whom he had chosen.

Praise the LORD!

Opening Hymn: Here I am Lord

Silent Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Forgiveness

Gloria Patri

Circle Time

Prayer of Illumination

Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:21-28

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:1-15

Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Then the LORD said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.”

But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’: This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.”

Sermon: “The Great Becoming”

Special Music: Tara Downie and Cyndi Zopff

Epistle Reading: Romans 12:9-21

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Prayers of the People

Postlude

Benediction

CCLI License #768739

Service of the Lord's Day | August 23, 2020

Worship options

There is an outdoor worship service, weather-permitting, at 9:30 in the West Parking Lot. (See our recent update regarding outdoor worship.)

The service will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel.

Below you will also find a virtual version of the worship service. As we improve our live-streaming abilities, we hope to phase-out this format. This may possibly be next Sunday.

Live-stream

CALL TO WORSHIP

Our Call to Worship today is a selection of verses from Psalm 124.

   If it had not been the LORD who was on our side
          — let Israel now say —
  if it had not been the LORD who was on our side,
          when our enemies attacked us,
  then they would have swallowed us up alive,
          when their anger was kindled against us;
   then the flood would have swept us away,
          the torrent would have gone over us;
   then over us would have gone
          the raging waters.

   Blessed be the LORD,
          who has not given us
          as prey to their teeth.
   We have escaped like a bird
          from the snare of the fowlers;
     the snare is broken,
          and we have escaped.

   Our help is in the name of the LORD,
          who made heaven and earth.

Opening Hymn

Prayer of Confession

Trusting in the grace of God, honor a moment of silence admitting the places how you separate yourself from God and one another.

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

Exodus 1:8-2:10

Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. 10Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. They built supply cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites. and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them.

The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live.”

Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him.

The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him, “This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,” she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, “because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

Duet

Affirmation of Faith

Our affirmation of faith today is the Apostles’ Creed.

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.

Welcome & Prayer

Circle Time

Lisa shares a story for the whole family.

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 | August 16, 2020

Worship options

There is an outdoor worship service, weather-permitting, at 9:30 in the West Parking Lot. (See our recent update regarding outdoor worship.) We will attempt to live-stream that service on our YouTube channel. Below you will also find a virtual version of the worship service. As we improve our live-streaming abilities, we hope to ease-out this format.

Sunday morning updates:

7:45 a.m.: We still plan to worship in the West Parking Lot at 9:30 this morning. There is a small chance of rain, but we think we could play baseball through it (the probability of rain increases midday). We will adapt the service, if needed, to ensure that we make it at least "five innings," to extend the metaphor.

9:00 a.m.: Everything is a “go.” We will be gathering in the parking lot and live-streaming.

Live-stream

Here is a recording of the live-stream from the outdoor service.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Our Call to Worship today is a selection of verses from Psalm 133.

   How very good and pleasant it is
          when kindred live together in unity!
   It is like the precious oil on the head,
          running down upon the beard,
     on the beard of Aaron,
          running down over the collar of his robes.
   It is like the dew of Hermon,
          which falls on the mountains of Zion.
     For there the LORD ordained his blessing,
          life forevermore.

Opening Hymn

Prayer of Confession

Trusting in the grace of God, honor a moment of silence admitting the places how you separate yourself from God and one another.

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

Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Solo

Affirmation of Faith

Our affirmation of faith today is the Apostles’ Creed.

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.

Welcome & Prayer

Circle Time

Lisa shares a story for the whole family.

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 | August 9, 2020

Worship options

Outdoor worship begins today, August 9, at 9:30 in the West Parking Lot. (See our recent update regarding outdoor worship.) We will attempt to live-stream that service on our YouTube channel. Below you will also find a virtual version of the worship service. As we improve our live-streaming abilities, we hope to ease-out this format.

Livestream

CALL TO WORSHIP

Our Call to Worship today is a selection of verses from Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b.

   O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,
          make known his deeds among the peoples.
   Sing to him, sing praises to him;
          tell of all his wonderful works.
   Glory in his holy name;
          let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
   Seek the Lord and his strength;
          seek his presence continually.
  Remember the wonderful works he has done,
          his miracles, and the judgments he has uttered,
   O offspring of his servant Abraham,
          children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

When he summoned famine against the land,
          and broke every staff of bread,
  he had sent a man ahead of them,
          Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
  His feet were hurt with fetters,
          his neck was put in a collar of iron;
  until what he had said came to pass,
          the word of the Lord kept testing him.
  The king sent and released him;
          the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house,
          and ruler of all his possessions,
to instruct his officials at his pleasure,
          and to teach his elders wisdom.

Praise the Lord!

Opening Hymn

Prayer of Confession

Trusting in the grace of God, honor a moment of silence admitting the places how you separate yourself from God and one another.

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

Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Solo

Affirmation of Faith

Our affirmation of faith today is the Apostles’ Creed.

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.

Welcome & Prayer

Circle Time

Lisa shares a story for the whole family.

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 | August 2, 2020

CALL TO WORSHIP

Our Call to Worship today is a selection of verses from Psalm 17:1-7, 15.

Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry;
          give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
  From you let my vindication come;
          let your eyes see the right.

  If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,
          if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
          my mouth does not transgress.
  As for what others do, by the word of your lips
          I have avoided the ways of the violent.
  My steps have held fast to your paths;
          my feet have not slipped.

  I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
          incline your ear to me, hear my words.
Wondrously show your steadfast love,
          O savior of those who seek refuge
          from their adversaries at your right hand.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
           when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.

Opening Hymn

Prayer of Confession

Trusting in the grace of God, offer this prayer aloud confessing the ways we separate ourselves from God and one another.

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, your face is hidden from us by our sin. We forget your mercy in the stubornness of our hearts. Cleanse us and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires. With reverent and humble hearts, may we draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength.

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

Genesis 32:22-31

The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

Affirmation of Faith

Our affirmation of faith today is the Apostles’ Creed.

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.

Circle Time

Lisa shares a story for the whole family.

Song of Preparation

The Lord’s Supper

Please join us for the Lord’s Supper at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 2, 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.

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