First Presbyterian Church
November 15, 2020
10:00 AM
Worship Service Unified
Order of Worship
CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 95:1-2, 5-6)
O come, let us sing to
the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into God’s
presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to God with songs of
praise!
O come, let us worship
and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
For the Lord is our God,
and we are the people of God’s pasture, and the sheep of God’s hand.
Let us worship the Living
God.
Hymn
of Praise: “Lead on Oh King Eternal”
1.
Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come; henceforth in fields of
conquest thy tents shall be our home. Through days of preparation thy grace has
made us strong; and now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song.
2.
Lead on, O King eternal, till sin's fierce war shall cease, and holiness shall
whisper the sweet amen of peace. For not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of
stirring drums; with deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
God you are merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast
love. Yet we test the limits of your grace, constantly turning away from you
and toward that which is evil in your sight. We do not understand our own
actions, why we know what is right but do what is wrong despite your clear
commandments. In a world awash in hate and fear, we are to be those who love
others and trust you. Forgive us when instead we resemble the worst rhetoric of
our culture rather than the compassion of our Lord. We place ourselves before you,
asking again for your transformative grace, honest in our confession because we
know you will not abandon us. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
*SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
*THE GLORIA
PATRI
Glory be to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is
now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Our God is merciful, slow to
anger and abounding in steadfast love. God hears our confession and responds
with forgiveness and mercy. Friends, believe the good news and be at peace,
through Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
INVITATION: “Dear Lord, I
need You, please come into my life today.
Amen”
LESSON: Matthew
25: 14-30
14“For
it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his
property to them; 15to one he gave five talents, to another
two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16The
one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them,
and made five more talents. 17In the same way, the one who had
the two talents made two more talents. 18But the one who had
received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his
master’s money. 19After a long time the master of those slaves
came and settled accounts with them. 20Then the one who had
received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying,
‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more
talents.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy
slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of
many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22And the one
with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me
two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23His master
said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy
in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of
your master.’ 24Then the one who had received the one talent
also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping
where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25so
I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what
is yours.’ 26But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy
slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I
did not scatter? 27Then you ought to have invested my money
with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with
interest. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to the one
with the ten talents. 29For to all those who have, more will be
given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even
what they have will be taken away. 30As for this worthless
slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.’
SERMON: “Sanctification
and the Kingdom of Heaven” Rev. Peter Hofstra
AFFIRMATION OF
FAITH (The Apostles’ Creed)
I believe in
God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus
Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of
the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and
buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He
ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the
Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness
of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PASSING OF THE
PEACE
THE OFFERING OF
OUR TITHES & GIFTS
If
unable to drop the tithe and offering at church for Sunday morning worship, it
can be mailed to First Presbyterian Church, 45 Market St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 or sent via Venmo, search email address
office@fpcperthamboy.org
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from
whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him
above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*OFFERTORY
PRAYER
JOYS AND
CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE
PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Gracious
God, we come to you in prayer knowing that our voices are accompanied by the
communion of the saints and the Holy Spirit. When we struggle to find the words
or cannot articulate our longings, hopes and fears, we trust that you know our
needs even when we are unable to speak them aloud. We rest in your presence,
trusting your compassion, rejoicing in your covenant love that refuses to let
us go.
We
pray that the church would be a near reflection of its head, Jesus Christ. When
the world roils in violence make of us peacemakers. When the oppressed cry out
for help send us to bring good news in the form of justice and relief. When
your children are hungry help us to feed your sheep. May our unity in Christ be
leaven for reconciliation and healing in our communities.
We
pray for our nation. In the wake of a divisive election we recognize the tears
in the fabric of our communal life. We do not have the power to overcome
animosity and rancor on our own. We need your intervention and transformation.
Grant those in positions of earthly power humility and wisdom, spiritual
maturity and a willingness to listen. May each of us be catalysts for good
wherever we have influence.
We
pray for the welfare of the world. We do not want to neglect any corner of
creation because all the earth belongs to you, Lord God, and you named every
inch of it good. As we live and move and have our being in you, reveal to us
how to tend and nurture all you have entrusted to us. Knowing that you make us
stewards of that which does not belong to us, we ask for the courage to use all
we have for your sake and in your service.
We
pray for those who suffer in body, mind or spirit. There are those known to us
who we name now (the lifting of names). There are those known only to
you who we remember in silence. Bring healing, wholeness, relief and peace to
those most in need of your presence and love. We pray for ourselves, that we
would better love you and neighbor with all our heart, soul, mind and strength,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who taught us to say when we pray,
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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil; for Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
SONG OF RESPONSE: “And Can
It Be That I Should Gain”
1. And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's
blood! Died he for me? who caused his pain! For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing
love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2. 'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies! Who can explore his
strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries to sound the depths of love
divine. 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no more. 'Tis
mercy all! Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no more.
*BENEDICTION
*THREE FOLD AMEN
Elements of Order of Worship drawn from The Presbyterian Outlook,
written by Jill Duffield.
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