Oil City First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church of Oil City

2 weeks ago

Morning Worship Service
Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 19, 2025
10:30 in the morning

The Gathering of God’s People
(Where you see an asterisk (*) please stand as you are able.)

Welcome and Announcements:

The Prelude: “Great Is The Lord” - Michael W. Smith
Steve Winslow, Organist
Call to Worship: <from Psalm 36>
Leader: Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
People: Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains; your judgments are like the great deep;
Leader: How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
People: All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Leader: They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
People: For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Opening Prayer:

*Hymn of Praise: “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” Insert

*Call to Confession:

*Unison Prayer of Confession: <from Cor. 12:2>
All: Almighty God, we confess that we have been led astray by the idols of our world. We have depended on our possessions and have not placed our trust in your grace. We have carelessly consumed the gifts you offer and have failed to be faithful stewards of the earth’s resources. We have sought security in the might of the sword rather than the strength of your Holy Spirit.
Forgive us. Lead us to true repentance that we may serve you faithfully. Through Christ we pray. Amen.
<a time for silent confession of personal sin is kept>

*Assurance of Forgiveness:
Leader: …In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
All: Thanks be to God!

*Passing of the Peace:
Leader: …The peace of the Lord be with you!
All: And also, with you!

*Gloria Patri: “Glory Be to the Father” #579

We Hear God’s Word
Anthem: “There is a Higher Throne”
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer for Illumination:

Scriptures:
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 62: 1-5
Psalm Reading: Psalm 36: 5-10 New Testament Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11
Gospel Reading: John 2: 1-11

Sermon: “Giving from Abundance” - Pastor Josh Botts

We Respond to God’s Word
*Hymn of Response: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” #92

*Affirmation of Faith: (from A Brief Statement of Faith)
All: We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. In a broken and fearful world, the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Sharing of Joys and Concerns:

Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer:

The Prayer Response: (Sung in unison)
Hear our prayer, O Lord; Hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline Thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.

Invitation to Offering:
The Giving of Our Offering:
Offertory: “On Eagle’s Wings” - Michael Joncas

*Doxology: “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #592

*Prayer of Dedication:
Sending Forth

*Closing Hymn: “Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us” #129

*Benediction:
The postlude provides the transition from sacred worship back into our varied lives and activities, equipped with renewed courage, energy, and a commitment to serve God and others, until we are able to meet again, in worship. We invite you to remain seated.

Postlude: “Trumpet Voluntary” - John Stainer
<Portions of the Liturgy adapted from the Presbyterian Outlook, the Abingdon Worship Annual, and other online resources>

Announcements
Carl Hohmann, Worship Assistant
Today’s Ushers are: Dawn Kerna, and John & Trudy Hammerschmidt.

Welcome to all visitors who have come to worship with us today! If you’re new here, today, please fill out the Welcome Card in your pew. We’d love to get to know you!

Nursery is open after the Anthem, and hearing-assist devices and large print bulletins are available. See an Usher for assistance.

Officer Installation & Luncheon: Join us, Today, after Service, for the Officer Installation, followed by a Luncheon.

The Annual Report is being assembled. If you have any additional reports to add, they need to be turned in by January 31.

Tithe Envelope Booklets have arrived, and are ready for pick up in the Narthex with your name and assigned number.

The 2025 Flower Reservation Chart is up on the bulletin board in the staff planning center. The cost is $30 to place flowers.

Women’s Bible Study has resumed, and meets every Tuesday at 1:30pm in the Adult Wing. In January, our stories will focus on Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Salvation Army Cookie Sale! Orders are due by January 26th and will be ready for pick up at church on February 11th. $5 a dozen. Sign up sheet in the Narthex.

Sunday School: Tom Huston is leading a study entitled, “Bible Stories for Grown-Ups,” by Josh Scott. Join us for this 6 week study as we listen to familiar bible stories, in a new way!

Trustees/Session Meetings will be held on January 23 at 12pm & 1pm.

SOUP-er Bowl!: We are gathering canned goods for a food drive to benefit Open Door. Please bring items in by Feb. 9th. Items needed include: Diced Tomatoes/Potatoes, V8 Juice, Spaghetti Sauce, Cream of Chicken Soup, & Canned Vegetables.

Movie Night: We’re hosting a movie night Feb. 7th at 6pm. We’ll be watching “Wicked.” Bring snacks and drinks, and let’s have a wicked good time!

2025 God’s Creation Calendars are available for a donation of $7 in the Narthex.

Need a ride to Church? Contact Dawn Kerna (814)-758-2168. ... See MoreSee Less

First Presbyterian Church of Oil City

3 weeks ago

Morning Worship Service
Baptism of the Lord
January 12, 2025
10:30 in the morning

The Gathering of God’s People
(Where you see an asterisk (*) please stand as you are able.)

Welcome and Announcements:

The Prelude: Prelude & Fugato on “Crusader’s Hymn”
- Gordon Young
Steve Winslow, Organist
Call to Worship:
Leader: Come, all who thirst for the living water, all who seek the Spirit’s touch.
People: We come to be renewed, refreshed, and reminded of God’s grace.
Leader: The heavens opened, and the Spirit descended. A voice declared, “You are my beloved; with you, I am well pleased.”
People: We gather to remember the waters of our baptism, to reclaim our identity as God’s children.
Leader: The Lord who called Jesus in the Jordan now calls us to lives of faith, hope, and love.
People: We come to worship the One who claims us, who calls us beloved, and who renews us with living water.
Leader: Let us worship with joy, for the Spirit moves among us and within us!
All: Thanks be to God! Amen.

Opening Prayer:

*Hymn of Praise: “Baptized in Water” #492

*Call to Confession:
*Responsive Prayer of Confession: <written by Teri Peterson>
Leader: You have called us by name, and we belong to You.
All: And we confess that sometimes we can’t hear, and sometimes we don’t want to belong to anyone. We like our independence.
Leader: You called us through the water and into new life, into new hope, into new community.
All: Forgive us when our answer is “if it’s convenient for me.”
Leader: We make promises to guide and nurture, to support and encourage, to learn and serve,
All: and often we do not keep those promises.
Leader: Faithful God, call us again, forgive us our brokenness, and lead us by your still waters.
All: Help us to live as you created us: for love and for your glory. Amen.
<a time for silent confession of personal sin is kept>

*Assurance of Forgiveness:
Leader: …In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
All: Thanks be to God!

*Passing of the Peace:
Leader: …The peace of the Lord be with you!
All: And also, with you!

*Gloria Patri: “Glory Be to the Father” #579

We Hear God’s Word
Anthem: “You Are Mine” - arr. Hayes
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer for Illumination:

Scriptures:
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 43: 1-7
Psalm Reading: Psalm 29 New Testament Reading: Acts 8: 14-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22

Sermon: “Grafted Into Christ” - Pastor Josh Botts

We Respond to God’s Word
*Hymn of Response: “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” #316

*Affirmation of Faith: (from A Brief Statement of Faith)
All: The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church.
The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church.
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Sharing of Joys and Concerns:

Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer: ( adapted from a prayer written by Teri McDowell Ott)

The Prayer Response: (Sung in unison)
Hear our prayer, O Lord; Hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline Thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.

Invitation to Offering:

The Giving of Our Offering:

Offertory: “Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song” - Peter Cutts

*Doxology: “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #592

*Prayer of Dedication:

Sending Forth

*Closing Hymn: “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” #326

*Benediction:
The postlude provides the transition from sacred worship back into our varied lives and activities, equipped with renewed courage, energy, and a commitment to serve God and others, until we are able to meet again, in worship. We invite you to remain seated.

Postlude: “The Glory of God in Nature” - Beethoven
<Portions of the Liturgy adapted from the Presbyterian Outlook, the Abingdon Worship Annual, and other online resources>

Announcements
Carl Hohmann, Worship Leader

Today’s Ushers are: Dawn Kerna, and John & Trudy Hammerschmidt.

Welcome to all visitors who have come to worship with us today! If you’re new here, today, please fill out the Welcome Card in your pew. We’d love to get to know you!

Nursery is open after the Anthem, and hearing-assist devices and large print bulletins are available. See an Usher for assistance.

Tithe Envelope Booklets have arrived, and are ready for pick up in the Narthex with your name and assigned number.

The 2025 Flower Reservation Chart is up on the bulletin board in the staff planning center. The cost is $30 to place flowers.

Women’s Bible Study resumes again on January 14th at 1:30pm in the Adult Wing. In January, our stories will focus on Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Book Club will meet January 14th, 5pm at Double Play Restaurant. We are reading, “We Were The Lucky Ones” by Georgia Hunter. See Kathy if you need a copy of the book.

2025 Budget is being finalized, so pledge cards need to be turned in ASAP.

Sunday School: Tom Huston is leading a study entitled, “Bible Stories for Grown-Ups,” by Josh Scott. Join us for this 6 week study as we listen to familiar bible stories, in a new way!

Presbyterian Women Meeting will take place January 15th at 1:30pm.

Rev. Dr. Donald Leroy Mitchell Jr. passed away December 21, 2024 after a prolonged illness. He was 90 years old. Don served as Pastor for First Pres. many years ago, along with many other local parishes. Celebration of life service TBD. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to CurePSP, or sharing a gift through the Presbyterian Giving Catalog.

Trustees/Session Meetings will be held on January 23 at 12pm & 1pm.

2025 God’s Creation Calendars are available for a donation of $7 in the Narthex.

Need a ride to Church? Contact Dawn Kerna (814)-758-2168. ... See MoreSee Less