CALL TO WORSHIP
We praise God because we are marvelously and wonderfully made.
Read Psalm 139:1-14 aloud or have Emily Sams read it for you using the audio file below.
O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light around me become night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
For it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
OPENING HYMN
Our opening hymn today is “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”
Please sing along to video posted below.
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Prayer of Confession
If you are able, sit up straight. Place your hand palms up on your lap and offer this prayer.
Make us still, O Lord. There is so much we do not know, and it makes us uneasy. Help us accept the things we cannot change. We worry and stress that we are not enough. This can harden our hearts, and we can misuse your gifts of reason and intellect.
Make us still, O Lord.
We pray in this name of the one who says, “Peace. Be still.” We pray with confidence because of the good news of Jesus Christ: We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.
THE WORD
You are invited to close your eyes and listen to Michael read these scripture passages. Alternatively, read it aloud yourself. If someone is with you, you may want to invite them to close their eyes.
Psalm 46:1-3,10a
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.
God says, “Be still and know that I am God!”
Philippians 4:6-9
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Romans 8:24-27
For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
SOLO
Tara Downie sings “It Is Well with My Soul.” Use this time to be still.
Affirmation of Faith
Our affirmation of faith today is form the Reformed Church of Australia. Feel free to recite the affirmation with First Presbyterian Church using the recording.
We believe in God, who made the world and reaches out to it with a love that is fierce and passionate, tender and kind.
We believe in Jesus the Christ; God revealed in a human life. Jesus touched the untouchable and pardoned the unforgivable. Raised by God, Jesus is parting the sea of evil and despair and leading us across into the land of freedom and promise.
We believe in the Holy Spirit; whose breathing gives life; whose fire purges and renews; whose wisdom awakens courage and hope. Gathered by the Spirit, we have been baptized into a common life: overflowing with love and mercy; richer than mind can measure; but appearing foolish to the world. And we trust that the foolishness of God will prove wiser than the wisdom of the world, and that the suffering of God will heal the earth and fulfill our hopes of justice and peace.
Prayers of the people
Michael will lead our prayers of the people today. Please add your own prayers by naming them aloud in the moments of silence.
SENDING
Lisa sends us from this service with a story for the whole family.
Benediction
And now as members of Christ’s church: Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak. Heal the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. And hear the voice of God say, “Be still and know that I am God.” Amen.
Postlude
CCLI License #768739