FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WEEDSPORT
January 19, 2025
Rev. Brian Copeland
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE
OPENING SENTENCES (Responsive) Liturgist
God of the feast, God of abundance,
you are always turning water into fine wine.
Though the wine has run out,
you work miracles among us.
Though the work feels impossible,
you accomplish wonders through us.
Though many fail to perceive it,
you reveal your glory among us.
Help us to receive your good gifts this day,
that we might learn
to put our faith in you. Amen.
HYMN #446 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
Who among us has not been enticed
and led astray by idols?
All of us come with need to confess.
Let us do so with trust
in God’s endless desire to forgive.
Loving Lord,
we long to be your faithful people,
but our good intentions run out
and we come up empty.
For all the ways we fall short in our sin,
forgive us, Gracious One.
Change us—like water into wine—
to become what the world lacks,
that our community, our nation,
our church, and all creation
may know your justice and love.
A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION
God has lifted you up
from all that has pushed you down.
Gone are old names of derision:
Forsaken, Desolate, Loser, Nobody.
Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit,
God calls you by new names:
Wise, Knowing, Faithful,
Healer, Prophet, Mystic.
Hear, believe, and trust your new name:
In Jesus Christ, my name is Forgiven.
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME (Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison)
Saving God, source of our calling,
your Word is full of power and glory.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
so that we may receive your grace
and live as your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 36:5-10 Liturgist
5Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgments are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O LORD.
7How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
10O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Rev. Brian Copeland
1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. 3Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says "Let Jesus be cursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.
4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #435 We All Are One in Mission
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison)
God’s sovereign love is a mystery
beyond the reach of the human mind.
Human thought ascribes to God
superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness.
But God reveals divine love in Jesus Christ
by showing power in the form of a servant,
wisdom in the folly of the cross,
and goodness in receiving
sinful men and women.
The power of God’s love in Christ
to transform the world
discloses that the Redeemer
is the Lord and Creator
who made all things
to serve the purpose of God’s love.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.15
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Joining our hearts and minds in prayer,
let us call on the name of the Lord,
saying: O God of grace, bless us with peace.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are on the front and back tables. Offering plates are not passed.)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
We praise and thank you, Lord God,
for the majesty of your work,
the wisdom of your word,
and the generosity of your grace.
Let the gifts of our lives bear witness
to your goodness and mercy,
your faithfulness and justice,
and your steadfast love for all. Amen.
HYMN #335 Though I May Speak
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE
Reminder:
Jan. 26 – Congregational meeting and Installation of Officers
Jan. 30 – Doug’s to Go here to benefit Lion’s Club (11am-6pm)
