First Presbyterian Church

1410 NE Veterans Blvd. Miami, OK, 74354

Church Telephone: 918-542-3388

Rev. Dr. Helen Hutchison  

A SERVICE FOR THE LORD'S DAY

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time        August 1, 2010

WE ASSEMBLE IN GOD'S NAME

Prelude:

Greetings, Passing of the Peace of Christ, Announcements:

Introit:

*Call to Worship:                                                                                                                                                               Lay Leader

Leader: We are here because we have collected the hurts and hatreds of living through another week.
People. We gather as the wounded people.
Leader: We are here because we have also seen joy and hope, creativity and new life in the week we have just lived through.
People: We gather as the wondering people.
Leader: We are here because we believe that Christ is the power that brings life together and makes it whole.
People: We gather as the worshiping people. We begin a new week as we celebrate resurrection — Christ’s victory over death, our victory over despair and hopelessness. We gather not to relive the past, but to be renewed that we might build the future.

*Hymn:                                                                                                "Amazing Grace"                                                       No. 280

*Call to Confession:                                                                                                                                                          Lay Leader

Leader: God gives all people the same gift of repentance that leads to life. Let us open that gift as together we confess our sins.

*Prayer of Confession: (unison)                                                                                                                                       Lay Leader

Peter once asked Jesus how often he should forgive people who did him wrong. Much to his disappointment, Jesus answered, "Not seven times, I tell you, but seventy-seven times." Jesus, this seems like a lot of abuse to take from anyone. Forgiving, even once, is not easy for us. In our world we are told not to get angry but to get even. So when you tell us to forgive seventy-seven times, please understand our problems with that. If that is your way, okay, but we will need your grace to be so forgiving. Once again, we ask for your grace to be ready to forgive and be reconciled. O God, come to our assistance.

*Silent Confession:

*Assurance of Pardon:                                                                                                                                                      Lay Leader

Leader: The Christ who taught us how to forgive continues to forgive us -- not once, but over and over again. The mercy of the Lord is everlasting. Friends, believe the Good News of the gospel. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

*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."

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

Time with Children:         

Prayer of Illumination: (unison)                                                                                                                                        Lay Leader

Baptize us with the Holy Spirit, O God. Bathe us in the Spirit, so that as we hear your word read, we would receive your good news with great joy. Amen.

1st Scripture Lesson:                                                                       Romans 14:7-12                                                     Lay Leader

Anthem:

2nd Scripture Lesson:                                                                    Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon:                                                                                     "Why Should I Forgive?"                        

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD

Hymn:                                                                                   "God, How Can We Forgive?"                                                 insert

Joys and Concerns: Servicemen and women and their families

                                  Marion Zajic

                                  EOP congregations seeking pastors

                                  Pilgrim Church, Vinita   

Prayers of the People:

Offertory:               

*Doxology:     Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

                        Praise Him all creatures here below;

                        Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

                        Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen   

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

  The Call to Communion:

  Minister: The Lord be with you.

  People:    And also with you.

  Minister: Lift up your hearts.

  People:    We Lift them up to the Lord!

*Affirmation of Faith:                                  The Apostles' Creed (Traditional) p. 14

*Closing Hymn and Communion Prayer:                                     The Lord’s Prayer   

WE GO IN GOD'S NAME

*The Charge and Benediction:

*Congregational Response:                                               “As You Travel From this Place”

As you travel from this place our love is with you,

When you journey near at hand or far abroad.

All the life we've shared together will continue,

as you grow in the knowledge, learn of the wisdom, and live in the spirit of our God.

*************

*Postlude:

As we go in God’s name, we begin by sharing some cookies, coffee, and juice. Please join us after worship in the fellowship hall.

Those serving you this morning:

Greeters: Doris Price and Frank Gray

Ushers: Kathy Prince and Frank Gray

Communion Preparers: Frank Gray and Harold Price

Communion Servers: C.B. Roberts,

Coffee Host: Frank Gray

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Staff:

Pastor: Reverend Dr. Helen Hutchison, DMin.

Secretary: Pam Blalock Treasurer: Barbara Reeves

Youth Director: Jamie Gray   Organist: Dolly Gray

Music Director: Ron Whaley    Custodian: Chris Rabel

Nursery Attendant: Kim Morey

    Church Committees: Moderators

    Membership/Fellowship:  Carol Carden

    Mission & Outreach:   Jeanne Fleming, Chair

    Worship:  

    Christian Education:  Susan Russell

    Property & Maintenance:  Bill Neill

    Finance:  

    Nominating: Cathy Rabel

    Personnel:   Sherry Hiebert

   Clerk of Session:  Jera Rendel

Youth Group Directors