Front Royal Presbyterian Church
July 27, 2025, 10:30 am
Liturgist – Marta Steane
Minister - Rev. Jaci Smith Patman
Prelude Theme & Bicinium on "Father, We Thank Thee
Who Hast Planted" attr. Louis Bourgeois/David Schelat
Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer & Gathering #391 Take My Life, vs. 1
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Call to Worship
You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the Lord:
My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.
The Lord executes justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, sets the prisoners free, opens the eyes of the blind, lifts up those who are bowed down, watches over those who are estranged, and upholds the orphan and the widow.
The Lord loves the righteous, but the way of the wicked God brings to ruin. Come, people of God,
let us pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Let all generations praise the Lord!
Opening Hymn #253 I'll Praise My Maker While I've Breath
(Please remain standing through the Gloria Patri)
Call to Confession
Looking at Jesus, we see that we have fallen short of the glory of God. Yet Jesus looks at us with mercy and grace. Therefore, let us offer our confession in faith.
Prayer of Confession
God of justice and righteousness, you lift up the lowly and fill the empty; yet we adore the high and the mighty. You reach out to the poor; yet we ceaselessly pursue wealth. You talk about treasure in heaven; yet we want dollars in our accounts right now. Correct our misguided ways. Forgive our lack of generosity. Free us from striving for more and more. Change our hearts so that we can tend to things that matter and find our life in Jesus Christ.
Assurance of Forgiveness and Exchange of Peace
Without regard for the cost, the precious love of God
is poured out in Jesus Christ. This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
May the peace of Christ be with you; And also with you.
Please exchange the peace of Christ with your neighbors.
Gloria Patria
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.
Sermon for Faith Builders Children are invited to go to Children’s Worship with our Children’s Worship Leader, Ms. Marisa. Children will return during the final hymn.
Prayers of the People & The Lord's Prayer
Call to Offering
Offertory Kum Ba Yah Spiritual/Adolphus Hailstork
Doxology
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
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn #234 I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes
Scripture Reading John 4:34-38
Solo Amazing Grace Trad. American/Sharon Elery Rogers
Heather Ankerbrand, handbells
Joan Brubaker, piano
Sermon Being God’s Person in Messy Times: How’s Your Tool Kit?
Affirmation of Faith - (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 suffering of humanity 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 inhumane way that humans can relate to one another, 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.
Closing Hymn #540 God Be with You Till We Meet Again
Benediction
Postlude. Pedal Solo on "Father, We Thank Thee
Who Hast Planted" attr. Louis Bourgeois/David Schelat
