First Presbyterian Church
Order of Worship

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Sunday Worship
October 19, 2025 - 10 a.m. EDT

Prelude - The Rhythm of Life (Lloyd Larson)

Ringing of the Church Bell
The Swisher Family

Invitation to Worship
Charlie Ream

One: Come, praise God, who made each child in God’s image.

All: We will praise God by recognizing each child’s sacred worth.

One: Come, praise Jesus, who welcomed and blessed the children.

All: We will praise Jesus by being a blessing to children in need.

One: Come, praise the Spirit, who moves among us and draws us together.

All: We will praise the Spirit by putting our faith into action, in the service of all God’s children.

Hymn 175 - Seek Ye First

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And its righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Allelu, alleluia.

Ask, and it shall be given unto you,
Seek, and you shall find
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.
Allelu, alleluia.

You shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God.
Allelu, Alleluia.

Prayer of the Day [unison]
Maggie Carrington

O God, you came as a baby when we were expecting a king. You called us to be last when we were expecting to be first. You welcomed a child when we thought grown-ups were more important. You rose to new life when we thought death had the last word. Surprise us again this day with what you have to say to us. By your Holy Spirit, open our ears and eyes and hearts to find you where we least expect you, and to be led by you where we least expect to go; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Canticle 390 - Praise, Praise, Praise the Lord!

Praise, praise, praise the Lord!
Praise God’s holy name. Alleluia!
Praise, praise, praise the Lord!
Praise God’s holy name. Alleluia!

Praise God’s holy name. Alleluia!
Praise God’s holy name. Alleluia!
Praise God’s holy name. Alleluia!
Praise God’s holy name. Alleluia!

Sharing the Peace

Welcome and Announcements

Old Testament Reading - Psalm 8
Parker Bruce

Anthem - I Will Sing (Priscilla Murphy)
Children’s Choir
Aaron Wilburn, director
Thaison Nguyenba, violin

Word with Children
Kristin Ream

New Testament Reading - Luke 18:15-17
Wallace Bubar

Sermon - “As a Little Child”

Hymn 188 - Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me! This I know,
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong.
They are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! This I know,
as he loved so long ago,
taking children on his knee,
saying, “Let them come to me.”

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Affirmation of Faith [unison] - A Child’s Creed

I believe that God is my Father in heaven. I believe that he made the world, that he gives me life, that he helps me grow. I believe that Jesus is the son of God, and the son of Mary. Jesus shows me that God is love. Jesus lived and died for me. Jesus is alive now, alive in me and in my neighbor. I believe in the Holy Spirit who helps me love others, who makes me holy, who helps me to know God better. I believe in God's family, the church. I believe that I will be happy with God forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers of the People

One: Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

The Lord’s Prayer [unison]

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Stewardship Moment
Liz Adams

Offering

Offertory - How Big is God (Stuart Hamblen, arr. Fred Bock)
Chancel Choir

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Doxology 606 - Praise God, from Whom All Blessing Flow

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 157 - I Danced in the Morning

I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had my birth.

“Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance,” said he.
“I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
I will lead you all in the Dance,” said he.

I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they wouldn’t follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and for John;
They came with me and the dance went on.

“Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance,” said he.
“I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
I will lead you all in the Dance,” said he.

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame,
The holy people, they said it was a shame;
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
And they left me there on a cross to die.

“Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance,” said he.
“I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
I will lead you all in the Dance,” said he.

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back;
They buried my body, and they thought I’d gone,
But I am the dance and I still go on.

“Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance,” said he.
“I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
I will lead you all in the Dance,” said he.

They cut me down and I leapt up high,
I am the life that’ll never, never die,
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
“I am the Lord of the Dance,” said he.

“Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance,” said he.
“I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
I will lead you all in the Dance,” said he.

Benediction

Postlude - Built on a Rock (arr. Edwin T. Childs)
Philip Everingham

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