First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
November 15, 2026
Rev. Brian Copeland
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
CHIMES (Preparing ourselves for worship.)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE
OPENING SENTENCES (Responsive) Liturgist
We lift our eyes to you. We raise our voices.
The day of the Lord is near, coming like a thief in the night.
The day of the Lord is near; the day is coming quickly.
The day of the Lord is near, and we are your good and faithful servants.
HYMN #482 Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
As children of God, we come to God in our joys, in our sorrows, in our fears, and in our guilt.
Knowing that God loves us and embraces us, let us bring our confessions to God.
God of abundance, you have given us so many gifts. You bless us with talents, resources, skills, and knowledge, and yet we hide them under a bushel. We hoard these gifts, instead of following you and sharing with those in need. We have been poor stewards of all you have given. Forgive us, and help us grow what we are given,
that it might be returned in service to you.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
God has destined us not for wrath, but for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that we may live with him. Praise be to Christ! Alleluia!
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME (If there are children present.) Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Liturgist
Sovereign God, let your Word rule in our hearts and your Spirit govern our lives until at
last we see the fulfillment of your realm of justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 123:1-4 Liturgist
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Rev. Brian Copeland
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN (Insert) Will You Let Me Be Your Servant
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.32–33
The life, death, resurrection, and promised coming of Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the church’s mission. His human life involves the church in the common life of all people. His service to men and women commits the church to work for every form of human well-being. His suffering makes the church sensitive to all human suffering
so that it sees the face of Christ in the faces of persons in every kind of need.
His crucifixion discloses to the church God’s judgment on the inhumanity that marks human relations, and the awful consequences of the church’s own complicity in injustice. In the power of the risen Christ and the hope of his coming, the church sees the promise of God’s renewal of human life in society and of God’s victory over all wrong. The church follows this pattern in the form of its life and in the method of its action. So to live and serve is to confess Christ as Lord.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (Hymnal p. 16 Traditional)
Our shepherd satisfies our needs; in faith, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are not passed. Offering plates are on the front and back tables.)
DOXOLOGY (Hymn 592)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
God of the harvest, you are continually planting the seeds of your love in our world and in our lives. As we bring our gifts to you, may they be seeds of your grace, peace, and hope, planted deeply in our community. Amen.
HYMN (Insert) Will You Let Me Be Your Servant
BLESSING AND CHARGE
POSTLUDE
*LARGE PRINT BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE. Please ask the greeter.
Reminders:
Nov. 15 – Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes returned
Dec. 13 – Session and committee meeting following worship
Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve worship, 7 p.m.
