First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
November 3, 2024
All Saints’ Day
Rev. Brian Copeland
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE
- TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Liturgist
Fling wide the temple gates!
Open up the ancient doors!
The mighty and glorious one is coming.
Who is this mighty and glorious one?
This is the Lord for whom we have waited.
Let us be glad and rejoice in God.
HYMN #367 Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love
CALL TO CONFESSION Liturgist
God has promised to make of us a new creation, laying to rest the former things, making all things new. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
- OF CONFESSION (Unison) Liturgist
Almighty Lord and God, in Jesus Christ you came from heaven to dwell among us, calling us to be your faithful people. Yet we remain shrouded in sin— we hurt and disgrace ourselves; we abuse and destroy one another; we dishonor your holy name. Forgive us; unbind us and let us go so that we may stand among your saints, rejoicing in your saving grace; through Jesus Christ our redeemer. Amen.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Liturgist
Listen! The one who is seated on the throne says: See, I am making all things new. And now it is finished! Hear the good news: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME (Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.)
- FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Liturgist
Almighty God, your word is life, and your promise is trustworthy and true. By the power of your Holy Spirit write your word upon our hearts so that we may be your new creation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 24 Liturgist
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it,
for he has founded it on the seas
and established it on the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false
and do not swear deceitfully.
They will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from the God of their salvation.
Such is the company of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [a]
Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in!
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in!
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 12:28-34 Rev. Brian Copeland
28One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?"
Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.'
The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 32Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that '"he is one, and besides him there is no other'; 33and 'to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and 'to love one's neighbor as oneself,'-this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that no one dared to ask him any question.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN #359 More Love to Thee
SERMON “Firstly and Secondly” Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #359 More Love to Thee
Affirmation of Faith. Adapted from the Scots Confession (Unison)
We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to Whom we must cleave, Whom alone we must serve, Whom only we must worship, and in Whom alone we put our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. We most surely believe that God preserved, instructed, multiplied, honored, adorned, and called from death to life His Kirk in all ages since Adam until the coming of Christ Jesus in the flesh. Amen
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION and SAINTS REMEMBERED (Responsive)
Watching for a new heaven, waiting for a new earth, we pray to the Lord, saying, O Lord our God, have mercy, and wipe away our tears.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are on the front and back tables. Offering plates are not passed.)
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Unison)
The earth belongs to you, O God, the world and all its people. For the blessings of this life and the gift of your salvation we give you thanks and praise. As you have sought us out to save us help us to seek your face among our neighbors so that all may know the wonder of your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
HYMN #526 For All the Saints
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE
Those we are remembering today: Joanie Bollinger and Jane Hunt (our West Shore friends), Rick Cathy, Beverly Clark, Alice Garhardt, Gary Hurd, Reverend Don Repsher, Donna Scanlon, and Roger Sturgis.
Reminders:
Nov. 7 – Blood drive
Nov. 10 – Committees and Session meetings following worship
Nov. 11 – Veteran’s Day
Nov. 13 – Doug’s to Go to benefit our church
Nov. 17 – Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes due
Help is needed at the Clothes Closet, Tues. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thurs. 3-5:30 p.m.
