​There were no services due to weather conditions. We at First United Presbyterian church decided not to have church services these weeks for everyone's safety.

​There were no services due to weather conditions. We at First United Presbyterian church decided not to have church services these weeks for everyone's safety.

​January 7th
Gathering
 
MUSICAL OFFERING
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Please join us in Calvin Hall following worship today for a time of fellowship..
· Taking Down Christmas Decoration  January 9th @ 9am
· Ladies Lunch Bunch  Jan. 10 Ricky’s Place Sign up Next to Karla’s Office
· The Gathering Place will reconvene Jan. 11.
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
·  JoAnn Grimm and Joan Boyd residents of Fieldstone in DeWitt.
· Joan Pinkston, on hospice.
· Ellen and Keith Miller who struggle with health issues. Ellen is at Eagle Point Care Center
· Bev Hermann having hip surgery
· For our brothers and sisters in Israel and Palestine and Ukraine.
 
PRELUDE
 
 
*CALL TO WORSHIP    (Philippians 3:12 – 16)
 
I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
 
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
 
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
 
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus
 
All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things, and if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
 
Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
 
 
*GATHERING PRAYER
Father, make clear to us your will for our lives that we may press on toward the goal. When our gaze falls back to earthly things, lift our heads once again to gaze upon you.                                      
*HYMN                       The King of Love My Shepherd Is                                       #171                                                                                          
                                                (You may be seated.)
 
 
 
CALL TO CONFESSION
Make ready our hearts to receive your Word, Oh Lord that we may fulfill all that you have for us. Please join me in the prayer of confession. 
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Wash us o lord, and we shall be whiter than snow. Forgive us our sins for they are many. Never stop seeking us, Lord, for we are as sheep and we lose our way. Thank you that you always welcome us back into the fold and that your mercies are new every morning. Help us to forgive ourselves, Lord Jesus, and live a worthy life. Amen                                                               
 
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
In God’s wisdom and grace, he forgives sin and Jesus atones our sin. Walk freely now in His love and grace.                                                                          
SONG OF PRAISE                Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise   #263
 
PASSING THE PEACE
  May the peace of Christ be with you. 
    And also with you.
 
INTERLUDE
Word
 
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION 
Lord God, With the words spoken this day, may we, too, be nudged to declare, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon us, anointing us to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted.”  We open our ears and our hearts to you, Gracious Lord. Amen.
 
 
SCRIPTURE LESSONS: 
 Isaiah 43: 18-19
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”          .
 
                                            Matthew  5:13 – 16
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
 
 
 
SERMON            Seasonings Greetings: Salt and Light       
                        
*HYMN                                Here I am Lord                                                            #525                                                                             
                                     (you may be seated.)
 
PASTORAL PRAYER  AND 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.
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, now and forever. Amen.
 
OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND OUR PLEDGESTO GOD
 
*DOXOLOGY  Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow                           #592
 
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
 
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
 
 
HYMN                           Praise Ye the Lord, the almighty                                              #482                            
                                             
 
 
 
Sending Forth
*CHARGE AND BLESSING
You are called to be salt and light, to live with the assurance of your redemption, and to expect that God can and will do more than we ask or pray for. Go forth, then, living with the boldness of your calling.
  
 POSTLUDE
* Sections of the service preceded with * are times to stand if you are able to do so.        
Bold text is to be read together aloud as a congregation.