First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Morning Worship
10:00 A.M. November 16, 2025
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(* = stand if you are able)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 98: 4
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP We Gather Together Arr. Held
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
And also with you.
Let us worship God!
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN 757 Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples KINGSFOLD
Today we all are called to be disciples of the Lord,
To help to set the captive free, make plow-share out of sword,
to feed the hungry, quench their thirst, make love and peace our fast,
to serve the poor and homeless first, our ease and comfort last.
God made the world and at its birth ordained our human race
to live as stewards of the earth, responding to God’s grace.
But we are vain and sadly proud; we sow not peace but strife.
Our discord spreads a deadly cloud that threatens all of life.
Pray justice may come rolling down as in a mighty stream,
with righteousness in field and town to cleanse us and redeem.
For God is longing to restore an earth where conflicts cease,
a world that was created for a harmony of peace.
May we in service to our God act out the living word,
and walk the road the saints have trod till all have seen and heard.
As stewards of the earth may we give thanks in one accord
to God who calls us all to be disciples of the Lord.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Gracious and loving God, we confess that we are troubled by the events of our lives and the state of this world. Headlines are full of wars, insurrections, suffering, earthquakes, famines, and death. These things are enough to shake our faith and undermine our confidence in your promise. Lord, we believe; help our unbelief. Deliver us from speculation that distracts us from faithful living and loving service. Forgive us when we doubt your promises. Help us to endure that we may gain our souls, always bearing witness to your love and grace in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God’s steadfast love toward those who fear him.”
“As far as the east is from the west, so far God removes our transgressions from us.”
Hear and believe the good news: In Jesus Christ, our sins 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 2 Thessalonians 36
SPECIAL MUSIC Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning Arr. Scott
Chancel Choir
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 Luke 21: 5-19
MESSAGE Relying on Gods Strengths Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN O Savior, Let Me Walk with You MARYTON
O Savior, let me walk with you in earthly paths of service true;
Tell me your secret, help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care.
Teach me your patience; let me be in closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong.
In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future’s broadening way,
In peace that only you can give, with you, O Savior, let me live.
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. 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!” 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. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Be Now My Vision Callahan
*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 evermore; praise Triune God, whom we adore.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS Come and Find the Quiet Center BEACH SPRING
Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,
Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes, that we can see,
All the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Responsive)
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
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 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less SOLID ROCK
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ love and righteousness;
I dare not trust this earthly frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.
When shadows veil my Savior’s face, I rest upon unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. Refrain
When Christ shall come with trumpet sound, oh, may I then in Love be found,
Dressed in God’s righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. Refrain
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
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