Here is what a Sunday service looks like . . .

 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

100 Main Street / Post Office Box 212

Stanhope, New Jersey 07874

(973) 347-5142

www.fpcstanhope.org

Rev. Hugh Matlack, Pastor

Prayer of the Day

Help us be prudent, O Ruler of heaven, to prepare for your coming into our lives and world. Let us receive the gifts of your Spirit, so that we may be ready to greet you with confidence and rejoicing. Amen.

*Please stand, if able

Assemble in God’s Name

GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE The ringing of the steeple bell

Welcome and Announcements // The Passing of the Peace

THE PRELUDE "Day by Day" (H. Livingston)

*CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 78:1-2, 4b / CEV Hugh Matlack

Leader:

My friends, I beg you to listen as I teach. I will give you instruction and explain the mystery of what happened so long ago.

People:

We won’t keep secret the glorious deeds and the mighty miracles of the Lord.

*HYMN OF PRAISE "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" # 2

THE CALL TO CONFESSION (Leader)

We have promised so much and so often. We have promised to serve the Lord our God. We have promised to listen and obey the commandments. We have promised never to forsake God, to honor and follow. We are promise breakers. Let us confess our sin.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) and SILENT CONFESSION

Gracious God, you are the host of our lives and the host of the wedding banquet in heaven when we are received into your divine presence. We certainly have times when we feel fatigue and weariness – and we have earned those moments. We certainly have times when we are distracted – and we have so many responsibilities. We may feel and be overwhelmed. Help us to set our priorities and attention to keep our mind on your worship and service, so we will not lock ourselves outside of your gifts and benefits. We ask, in spite of ourselves, to keep the heavenly door open for us. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Leader:

Hear the Good News! All who call upon God’s holy name will be saved. Friends, believe the Good News!

People:In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

RESPONSE TO FORGIVENESS "Hear Our Prayer, O Lord" (sung)

Hear our prayer, O Lord; hear our prayer, O Lord. Incline thine ear to us and grant us thy peace.

Proclaim God’s Word

THE PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE READINGS Joshua 24:1-4a, 14-15, Kathy Gardner;

Matthew 25:1-13, Rev. Matlack

RESPONSE "Alleluia"

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, thanks be to God.

SERMON "Choices"

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH A Declaration of Faith, Chapter Nine, (3), 29-37

Christ calls us to live in the presence of God. Jesus lived with a constant sense of his Father’s presence. He put God’s claim on his life above all else. He joined others in God’s worship and praise. He drew strength from the Scriptures. He prayed and taught his disciples to pray. We believe Christ gives us and demands of us personal lives that are centered in God and open to God’s reality and rule.

*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. Amen.Give Thanks to God

OFFERING AND OFFERTORY "A Joyful Trumpet" (P. Harris)

*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION

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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Go In God’s Name



*CLOSING HYMN "Take My Life and Let It Be" # 379 (stanzas 1, 2, 4, 6)



*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION



POSTLUDE 

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