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, off. YOU, yourbut Godplease may beturn calling probably on your cellnot phone. Please turn off your cell phone, or put it on vibrate.

CALL TO REFLECTION PRELUDE – Awake, Awake to Love and Work Wilbur Held

The News of the Community

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

Monday, September 23 rd, 9: 00 – Noon Friday, September 27 th, 9: 00 – Noon

Sign up to attend a House meeting!! Get to know your neighbors in the pew, and share your hopes and concerns for our church and community! See the bulletin insert.

— CHOIR REHEARSALS — Bell Choir, Sundays, 9: 30 a. m. Westminster Choir, Sundays, 10 a. m. ; Contact Jerry Myers for information.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE (Now through May 25, 2020) 8: 30 a. m. : Morning Glory Service 10: 00 a. m. : Waumba. Land 10: 20 a. m. : Bible Study 11: 00 a. m. : Classic Service

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

PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION

HYMN When Morning Gilds the Skies # 487 in the Blue Hymnals

When morning gilds the skies, My heart awaking cries: May Jesus Christ be praised! Alike at work and prayer To Jesus I repair: May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find: May Jesus Christ be praised! Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this: May Jesus Christ be praised!

Let earth's wide circle round In joyful notes resound: May Jesus Christ be praised! Let air and sea and sky From depth to height reply: May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine, My canticle divine: May Jesus Christ be praised! Be this the eternal song Through all the ages long: May Jesus Christ be praised!

PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS – (IN UNISON) Lord of all, you have entrusted us with much treasure, and commissioned us to use it wisely and diligently, that your kingdom of love and justice may increase.

Yet we have shown ourselves unfaithful, even with small things you have entrusted us with. Forgive our carelessness with your treasures. Stir us up by your Spirit to dedicate back to you all you have so richly bestowed upon us.

Keep us ever mindful that all we have, and all that we are, comes from you and belongs to you, through the redeeming work of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

A TIME OF SILENCE

Assurance of Forgiveness

*Great Is Thy Faithfulness (# 276, verse 3) Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Anthem — Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven Mark Andrews

The News of the Community

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

Presbyterian Women’s Fall Luncheon at Orangebrook Country Club, Saturday, October 19 th, 11: 30 a. m. Please sign up with Helen Cohen in the lobby before or after church, or call Kathryn Tyahla at 954 -444 -6492.

Luke 15: 11 -32 The Forgotten Son

Thanksgiving for the Word

O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky: We praise You for the radiance That from the hallowed page, A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.

SCRIPTURE READINGS — Jeremiah 8: 18 – 9: 1 (Old Testament, Page 709 in NRSV pew Bible)

My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick. Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land:

“Is the LORD not in Zion? Is her King not in her? ” (“Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols? ”) “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. ”

For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?

O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people!

SCRIPTURE READINGS — Luke 15: 11 -32 (New Testament, Page 78 in NRSV pew Bible)

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me. ’ So he divided his property between them.

A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.

So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.

But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!

I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands. ”’ So he set off and went to his father.

But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ’

But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it,

and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound. ’

Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command;

yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’

Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found. ’”

Luke 15: 11 -32 The Forgotten Son

* This We Believe (CONGREGATION READS WORDS IN BOLD) The Apostles’ Creed

Sisters and Brothers, what do you believe concerning God the Father? I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, Sisters and Brothers, what do you believe concerning God the Son?

I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. Sisters and brothers, what do you believe concerning God, the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

HYMN Just As I Am # 370 in the Blue Hymnals

Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, Thy love unknown Has broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come!

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 — Give Me Jesus arr. Mark Hayes J'Von Brown, soloist

* The Response of Praise — DOXOLOGY (#592) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; O, praise Him! Alleluia! Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. O praise Him, O praise Him! Alleluia!

Offering of Prayer (in unison) Adapted from An Ancient Celtic Prayer from Scotland

We are serene because you love us. Because you love us, nothing can move us from your peace. Because you love us, we are one to whom all good has come.

Use us and our offerings to carry this good news into this community and around the world. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

HYMN Take My Life and Let It Be # 391 in the Blue Hymnals

Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love. Take my feet, and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee, Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King. Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee, Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold; Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose, Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne, It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee, Ever, only, all for Thee.

* CHARGE AND BLESSING Congregational Response: God be with you till we meet again; Loving counsels guide, uphold you, With a Shepherd’s care enfold you; God be with you till we meet again.

Postlude — Rigaudon Andre Campra

MORE News of the Community

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

Monday, September 23 rd, 9: 00 – Noon Friday, September 27 th, 9: 00 – Noon

Sign up to attend a House meeting!! Get to know your neighbors in the pew, and share your hopes and concerns for our church and community! See the bulletin insert.

— CHOIR REHEARSALS — Bell Choir, Sundays, 9: 30 a. m. Westminster Choir, Sundays, 10 a. m. ; Contact Jerry Myers for information.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE (Now through May 25, 2020) 8: 30 a. m. : Morning Glory Service 10: 00 a. m. : Waumba. Land 10: 20 a. m. : Bible Study 11: 00 a. m. : Classic Service

Presbyterian Women’s Fall Luncheon at Orangebrook Country Club, Saturday, October 19 th, 11: 30 a. m. Please sign up with Helen Cohen in the lobby before or after church, or call Kathryn Tyahla at 954 -444 -6492.

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