Welcome We are so glad you are here

Welcome! We are so glad you are here!

It is our hope that you will feel INVITED, WELCOMED, and LOVED as you worship with us.

Before the worship service begins, please turn off your cell phone. But before doing that, be sure to let folks know you’re here – check in at your favorite social media. Let’s share with our friends and neighbors where we are, and how glad we are to be here!

For information about First Church and our activities, please visit our website: fpcoh. org

CALL TO REFLECTION PRELUDE – Introduction (from Suite for Organ) John Stanley

PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION

* HYMN Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! #138 in the Blue Hymnal

Holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinfulness Thy glory may not see, Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS – (IN UNISON) Adapted from the Syrian liturgy of St. Clement of Alexandria (150 -215)

O God, you are the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love, and the fountain of blessings. Water us with plenteous streams from the riches of your grace;

and from the most sweet springs of your kindness, make us children of quietness and heirs of peace. In the name of the one who is the Prince of Peace we pray. Amen.

A TIME OF SILENCE

Assurance of Forgiveness

*Live Into Hope (#332, verse 4) Live into hope of captives freed From chains of fear or want or greed. God now proclaims our full release To faith and hope and joy and peace.

ANTHEM — The Gift of Love Hal H. Hopson Westminster Choir Carolyn Smylie, soloist

A TIME WITH THE

The News of the Community

Visitors, to First Church! Following worship, please join us on the patio for refreshments!

TODAY, 12: 30 p. m. in the chapel: a 45 -minute meeting to get our congregation ready for Bold Justice!

And next week, February 23 rd , invite your friends to join us at 3 Sons after worship – A great way to invite, welcome and love!

Avoiding the Blindside Missing the Hits You Don’t See Coming Blindside Six Burnout Matthew 5: 8

Want to Avoid the Blindside of Disconnection? Text the word “welcomed” to 555888 and we’ll connect you to a life group

Thanksgiving for the Word

Christians, we have met to worship and adore the living God; will you pray with all your power, while we try to preach the word? All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down; Christians, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.

SCRIPTURE READINGS — Matthew 5: 8 (New Testament, Page 4 in NRSV pew Bible)

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Avoiding the Blindside Missing the Hits You Don’t See Coming Blindside Six Burnout Matthew 5: 8

* This We Believe (in unison) Psalm 46, NRSV

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

“Be still and know that I am God I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. ”

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

HYMN Open My Eyes That I May See # 324, in the Blue Hymnals

Open my eyes, that I may See glimpses of truth thou hast for me. Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my eyes; illumine me, Spirit divine!

Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear. And while the wave notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my ears; illumine me, Spirit divine!

Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere. Open my heart, and let me prepare love with thy children thus to share.

Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my heart; illumine me, Spirit divine!

The Prayers of the People

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in his wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace.

Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer (Debtors version)

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. Forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory. Amen.

OFFERING OUR TITHES AND GIFTS (Visitors, in the pew rack you will find a Guest Information card. Please complete the card, then place it in the offering plate. )

OFFERTORY ANTHEM — Lord, I Want to Be a Christian Albin C. Whitworth

*THE RESPONSE OF PRAISE – DOXOLOGY (#592) 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.

Offering of Prayer (in unison) Adapted from David Adam

Circle us, O God. Keep peace within. Keep turmoil out.

Circle us, O God. Keep calm within. Keep storms without.

Circle us, O God. Keep strength within. Keep weakness out.

In the blessed name of the God who surrounds us with love in every moment, we pray. Amen.

*THE HYMN OF COMMITMENT – Lord Speak to Me, That I May Speak # 426, in the Blue Hymnals

Lord, speak to me, that I may speak In living echoes of Thy tone; As Thou has sought, so let me seek Thine erring children lost and lone.

O lead me, Lord, that I may lead The wandering and the wavering feet; O feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.

O teach me, Lord, that I may teach The precious things Thou dost impart; And wing my words, that they may reach The hidden depths of many a heart.

O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord, Until my very heart o'erflow In kindling thought and glowing word, Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.

O use me, Lord, use even me, Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where; Until Thy blessed face I see, Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.

*CHARGE AND BLESSING – Choral Benediction: Go Ye Now in Peace Joyce Elaine Eilers

Postlude — Trumpet Voluntary (from Suite for Organ) John Stanley

MORE News of the Community

TODAY 12: 30 p. m. in the chapel: a 45 -minute meeting to get our congregation ready for Bold Justice!

And next week, February 23 rd , invite your friends to join us at 3 Sons after worship – A great way to invite, welcome and love!

Want to Avoid the Blindside of Disconnection? Text the word “welcomed” to 555888 and we’ll connect you to a life group

Service February 26 th, 7: 00 p. m. in the chapel

March 4 th

Friday, February 21 st, 9: 00 – Noon

For information about First Church and our activities, please visit our website: fpcoh. org