First Presbyterian Church of Niles
10:00 A.M. October 12, 2025
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(* = stand if you are able)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 111:1
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP My Jesus, I Love Thee Arr. Binkes
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth!
Sing to the glory of God’s name.
All of creation worships, singing praise to God.
Sing to the glory of God’s name.
Let us give glory to God.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN 54 Make a Joyful Noise to God! DIX
Make a joyful noise to God! All creation sings your praise!
Great your wonders here displayed, unexcelled throughout our days.
Glorious is your sacred name, ages old, yet still the same.
Come and see what God has done, great the blessings to the just:
walked the chosen through the sea, brought their enemies to dust.
Let us lift a thankful voice for God’s mercies, and rejoice!
Bless the Lord, our refuge sure; let our songs of praise be heard!
By whose justice, we are tried; by whose grace, our guilt deferred.
When our life’s sure end shall come, bring us to your heavenly home.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Holy God, when we are in need, we cry out for your mercy and healing. Yet, we confess that too often, we are confident in our own strength. We take the blessings to which we feel entitled and continue on our way, rather than returning to you in worship and praise. Jesus, have mercy on us! It is easy to take for granted the ease of life we so often experience, while failing to question why others are pushed to the margins and excluded. It is tempting to take pride in our health and strength rather than confronting ableism in all its forms. Jesus, have mercy on us! Help us to grow in compassion for all people. Redirect our paths so that we return to you, offering our praise and gratitude, now and always. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
The saying is sure: If we have died with Christ, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. We are clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Our sin is forgiven!
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 to you and me.
Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
His love is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me.
Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 66:1-12
SPECIAL MUSIC A Joyous Call To Praise Pethel
Chancel Choir
O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace! O for a thousand tongues to sing His wonderful, glorious praise. We crown Him Savior, Redeemer, and King. Forever His song we will raise. My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread through all the earth abroad the honors of Thy name. Jesus, the name that calms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease; ‘tis music in the sinner’s ears; ‘tis life and health and peace.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Luke 17: 11-19
MESSAGE “Expressing Gratitude Through Faith” Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 716 God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending BEACH SPRING
God, whose giving knows no ending, from your rich and endless store,
Nature’s wonder, Jesus’ wisdom, costly cross, grave’s shattered door:
Gifted by you, we turn to you, offering up ourselves in praise;
thankful song shall rise forever, gracious donor of our days.
Skills and time are ours for pressing toward the goals of Christ, your Son:
All at peace in health and freedom, races joined, the church made one.
Now direct our daily labor, lest we strive for self alone.
Born with talents, make us servants fit to answer at your throne.
Treasure, too, you have entrusted, gain through powers your grace conferred:
Ours to use for home and kindred, and to spread the gospel word.
Open wide our hands in sharing, as we heed Christ’s ageless call,
Healing, teaching, and reclaiming, serving you by loving all.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (In Unison)
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.
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 to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory How Great Thou Art Arr. Carter
*DOXOLOGY 607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow OLD 100TH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit ever more; praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS
469 Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying CHILDREN PRAYING
Lord, listen to your children praying. Lord, send you Spirit in this place.
Lord, listen to your children praying. Send us love; send us power; send us grace.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Responsive)
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayers.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (In Unison)
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 546 (Vs. 1, 2) Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing SICILIAN MARINERS
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace:
O refresh us, O refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
We give thanks and adoration for your gospel’s joyful sound;
May the fruits of your salvation in our hearts and lives abound:
Ever faithful, ever faithful to the truth may we be found.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
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