First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Morning Worship
10:00 A.M. November 8, 2026
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(*Stand if you are able.)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 70:1
Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O LORD, make haste to help me!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Serenade Rausthorne
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Give ear, O my people, and listen to the words of my mouth
We will tell the coming generations of the Lord’s glorious deeds and
the wonders God has done.
Let us set our hope in God and not forget the works of the Lord.
As we wait, we will tell the story and keep the commandments.
We come together to worship the living God.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN 755 Alleluia! Laud and Blessing WEISSE FLAGGEN
Alleluia! Laud and blessing to our God, whose Word is sure;
By whose grace we find redemption, in whose love we live secure.
Righteousness and rich compassion shall attend us all our days;
May God’s promise to be faithful echo through our songs of praise!
Alleluia! God sustains us; matchless are the gifts we share;
Light in darkness, hope in conflict, answers to our deepest prayer.
Ours to give as we are given: arms to lift when others fall;
Images of God’s great goodness, faithful servants to God’s call.
Alleluia! Holy Parent, all your children now reclaim;
May our lives reflect your justice, heirs to your most sacred name.
Fill our hearts with understanding, brace our weakness by your might;
Awesome honor, born in wisdom; your great glory, our delight.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
God of grace, we have sinned against you by not honoring you or
loving one another. We sleep when you ask us to be awake. We
fall short in our preparations for the delays that inevitably come.
We fail to share what you have provided. We have lost our hope.
Forgive our sinful ways, tame our wayward wills and make us more
like Christ. Inspire us by your Spirit so that we will be prepared to
welcome the Lord when he appears. May our lives here and now be
a glimpse of what we hope all may one day enjoy.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
Friends, hear these words, and listen to this good news: Jesus died and
rose again, and will bring with him both those who have died and those
who are alive. In Jesus Christ, we are 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 78: 1-7
SPECIAL MUSIC Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning Arr. Scott
Keep your lamps trimmed and a-burning, for this work’s almost done. Children, don’t grow weary, for this work’s almost done. Darker midnight lies before us, for this work’s almost done. Christians, don’t grow weary. Lo the morning soon is breaking. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, for this work’s almost done.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Wisdom of Solomon 6: 17-20
MESSAGE Steps to Divine Wisdom Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 174 Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom MADELEINE
Come and see the ways of Wisdom, she who danced when earth was new.
Follow, closely what she teaches for her words are right and true.
Wisdom clears the path to justice, showing us what love must do.
Listen to the voice of Wisdom, crying in the market place.
Hear the Word made flesh among us, full of glory, truth, and grace.
When the word takes root and ripens, peace and righteousness embrace.
Sister Wisdom, come, assist us; nurture all who seek rebirth.
Spirit-guide and close companion, bring to light our sacred worth.
Free us to become your people, holy friends of God and earth.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (In Unison)
Biblical visions and images of the rule of Christ, such as a heavenly city, the household of God, a new heaven and earth, a marriage feast and an unending day culminate in the image of the kingdom. The kingdom represents God’s triumph over all that resists the divine will and disrupts God’s creation. Already God’s reign is present as a ferment in the world,stirring hope in all people and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption. With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Arr. Larkin
*DOXOLOGY 606 Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow OLD 100th
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS 470 (Vs. 1)
There is a Longing in Our Hearts LONGING
There is a longing in our hearts, O Lord, for you to reveal yourself to us.
There is a longing in our hearts for love we only find in you, our God.
For justice, for freedom for mercy: hear our prayer.
In sorrow, in grief: be near; hear our prayer, O God.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Responsive) Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (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 Let There Be Peace on Earth LET THERE BE PEACE
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God our creator, children all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
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