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!

CALL TO REFLECTION PRELUDE – Brethren, We Have Met to Worship Don Hustad

PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION

HYMN God Is Here! # 461 in the Blue Hymnals

God is here! As we Your people Meet to offer praise and prayer, May we find in fuller measure What it is in Christ we share. Here, as in the world around us, All our varied skills and arts Wait the coming of the Spirit Into open minds and hearts.

Here are symbols to remind us Of our lifelong need of grace; Here are table, font, and pulpit; Here the cross has central place. Here in honesty of preaching, Here in silence, as in speech, Here, in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each.

Here our children find a welcome In the Shepherd's flock and fold, Here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us as of old. Here the servants of the Servant Seek in worship to explore What it means in daily living To believe and to adore.

Lord of all, of church and kingdom, In an age of change and doubt Keep us faithful to the gospel, Help us work Your purpose out. Here, in this day's dedication, All we have to give, receive; We, who cannot live without You, We adore you! We believe!

PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS – (IN UNISON) Adapted from Eric Milner-White 1884 -1963

Suffer us, O Lord, never to think that we have knowledge enough to need no teaching, wisdom enough to need no correction, talents enough to need no grace, goodness enough to need no progress, humility enough to need no repentance,

devotion enough to need no inspiration, strength sufficient without your Spirit, lest standing still, we fall back forevermore. In the name of the One who can keep us from falling we pray. Amen.

A TIME OF SILENCE

Assurance of Forgiveness

*O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING (# 466, verses 2 and 4) Jesus, the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease; ’Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ’Tis life, and health, and peace. My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad The honors of Thy name.

ANTHEM — Now Let Us All Praise God and Sing Gordon Young Westminster Choir

A TIME WITH THE

The News of the Community

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

called by the Session for TODAY, January 26, 2020, immediately following worship.

9 th Annual Souper Bowl Competition February 2 nd $25 prize for first place.

Avoiding the Blindside Missing the Hits You Don’t See Coming Blindside One Pride Matthew 5: 5

Is this guy Superman? What’s the deal?

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

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Avoiding the Blindside Missing the Hits You Don’t See Coming Blindside One Pride Matthew 5: 5

This We Believe (in unison) Philippians 2: 5 -11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name which is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

HYMN When I Survey the Wondrous Cross # 101 in the Blue Hymnals

When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God; All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

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 — Here I Am, Lord arr. Jack Schrader Jasmine Williams and J'Von Brown

*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 Paul Iles, Writer

Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus was in the fullness of his power most gentle, and in his greatness most humble; bestow his mind and spirit upon us, who have no cause for pride;

that clothed in true humility we may discern the way of true greatness. Hear our prayer through the same Jesus who is now Lord and Christ. Amen.

*Hymn Called as Partners in Christ’s Service # 343 in the Blue Hymnal

Called as partners in Christ's service, Called to ministries of grace, We respond with deep commitment Fresh new lines of faith to trace. May we learn the art of sharing, Side by side and friend with friend, Equal partners in our caring To fulfill God's chosen end.

Christ's example, Christ's inspiring, Christ's clear call to work and worth, Let us follow, never faltering, Reconciling folk on earth. Men and women, richer, poorer, All God's people, young and old, Blending human skills together Gracious gifts from God unfold.

Thus new patterns for Christ's mission, In a small or global sense, Help us bear each other's burdens, Breaking down each wall or fence. Words of comfort, words of vision, Words of challenge, said with care, Bring new power and strength for action, Make us colleagues, free and fair.

So God grant us for tomorrow Ways to order human life That surround each person's sorrow With a calm that conquers strife. Make us partners in our living, Our compassion to increase, Messengers of faith, thus giving Hope and confidence and peace.

* 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 — Postlude on 'Praise to the Lord, the Almighty' Richard A. Williamson

MORE News of the Community

called by the Session for January 26, 2020, immediately following worship.

9 th Annual Souper Bowl Competition February 2 nd $25 prize for first place.

Monday, January 27 th, 9: 00 – Noon Friday, January 31 st, 9: 00 – Noon

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