"What is Good"

WE GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HOMEWOOD
MISSION STATEMENT

Through the grace of God, faith in Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we prayerfully seek to discern God’s will for this congregation and to reach beyond ourselves to feed the hungry, body and soul. Adopted by Session 7/31/17

PRAYER FOR PEACE Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

PRELUDE

 
*CALL TO CONTINUING WORSHIP
Blessed:
the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek.
We gather to hear who Christ calls blessed;
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted.
Blessed.

*HYMN 749 ||| Come! Live in the Light! ||| We Are Called

CALL TO CONFESSION
God has told us what is good, what is required: Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly with God. These commands are so simple, yet we know we have not always followed them. With that knowledge, we confess.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we fail to do what is right. Instead, we pursue evil and do not speak the truth. Even when we try our best to be faithful, still we turn away from you. Forgive us, accept us, and redeem us, that we may seek to do what you call good.
(silent prayer)
Amen.

*DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption, is the one who judges us. Christ is the one who was born for us and forgives us with abundant love.
We will boast of all the good God has done for us! Thanks be to God!

*THE GLORIA 581

MOMENT WITH OUR CHILDREN ||| Rev. Matt Lang
WELCOME AND CHURCH COMMUNICATIONS

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING ||| Micah 6:1-8
1Hear what the LORD says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. 2Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. 3“O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! 4For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. 5O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the LORD.” 6“With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” 8He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

SPECIAL MUSIC

 
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING ||| ||| Matthew 5:1-12
1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God!

SERMON ||| What Is Good ||| Rev. Matt Lang

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

*HYMN 172 ||| Blest Are They ||| Blest Are They

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH ||| The Brief Statement of Faith 1983
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
…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.

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS

INVITATION TO OFFERING
There is only one Lord and God, from whom all things come and for whom we live. Let us offer our lives to the Lord.

OFFERTORY

*DOXOLOGY 606 ||| Old Hundredth
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
We give you thanks and praise, O God, that you have blessed us with your mercy and poured out your Spirit in this place. Continue to inspire and fill us each day that we may live as your beloved people; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

*HYMN UMH 465 ||| Holy Spirit, Truth ||| Divine Canterbury

BLESSING & CHARGE
Beloved children of God, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the blessing of the Lord forever.
Alleluia! 
As Jesus called the first disciples, so he calls to us this day: Follow me.
Amen.

POSTLUDE

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!

Rev. Matt Lang, Pastor
Mrs. Mary Ann Wenzelman, Interim Organist/Pianist

Worship Liturgist: Laura Dillman
Usher: Laura Dillman

Web Techs: Shirley Armistead, Nancy Beaudoin, Phil Dillman, Kathie Hazlett

Congratulations and many thanks to everyone who answered the call to lead. I look forward to serving with you in the years ahead. ~ Matt

New Session Members: Laura Dillman, Paul Gerrish
New Trustee Members: Earl Anker, Jan Bunker, Phil Dillman, Marge Errant

2022 ANNUAL REPORTS ARE DUE! – If you are a church leader, your report is due into the office by Friday, February 3rd. Debra would appreciate reports e-mailed in Word format (14 point, Times New Roman, one inch margins) if you are able to do so. E-mail your annual report to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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WELCOME –.In the name of Christ Jesus, welcome! Here at First Presbyterian Church of Homewood, we recognize one another as forgiven sinners, we honor one another as children of God, and we seek to serve one another as fellow travelers through life. We are so pleased you are here to offer your worship and praise to the God who loves us all. Come again soon…and often!

WORSHIP AIDS – Large print copies of the bulletin, scriptures and hymns are available before the service. Please request these items from an usher.

SCRIPTURES IN WORSHIP – Next Sunday we will be reading Isaiah 58:1-12 and Matthew 5:13-20.

PRAYER CHAIN – If you want prayer requests included on the prayer chain, contact Shirley Armistead at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..