John Calvin Presbyterian Church

INTROIT “Kumbaya” sung by Ron Palmisano as vocalist.

CALL TO WORSHIP      

ONE: We remember who we are:

PEOPLE: We are the body of Christ.

ONE: We remember whose we are:

PEOPLE: We are God’s beloved children.

ONE: We remember our chief purpose:

PEOPLE: To glorify and enjoy God forever.

ONE: Let us worship God!                       

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

O God, light of the minds that know you, life of the souls that love you, strength of the thoughts that seek you: Help us so to know you that we may truly love you, so to love you that we may fully serve you,

whose service is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN[Blue#260] “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” 

REPENTANCE

*CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

 SILENT CONFESSION

 PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy God, we are pulled in many different directions.

We are distracted by the news, quick to point fingers and pass judgment. We are distracted by our fears.

We fear the loss of health, safety, and financial security. Instead of proclaiming your abundance, we operate from a mindset of scarcity. We are distracted by our tasks, by calendars that shape our priorities,

leaving us with less time and energy for what is most important. We confess our distraction, even as we acknowledge that sometimes we embrace it because it’s easier than sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning what it means to follow him.

Forgive us. Help us discern and choose the better path as we seek to follow Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

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, amen.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

RESPONSE  [Blue#586]  “Amen”

1st SCRIPTURE Jeremiah 31:34

2nd  SCRIPTURE Matthew 18:21-35       

                                

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God   

SERMON  “Is It Really Possible To Forgive and Forget (part one)”   Elder Robert Lowry

HYMN[BLUE#339] “Be Thou My Vision”

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY “The Lord’s Prayer” by A. H. Malotte  sung by Sandy Cranfill as vocalist

DOXOLOGY [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison)

Abundant God, we give thanks for your grace and provision in our lives. Use these gifts to meet the physical and spiritual needs of our community

and the world. May they witness to your love and care for all people, as we offer our time and energy to do the same. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

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.

RESPONSE “Hear Our Prayer O Lord”

HYMN “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

PARTING PRAYER    

Merciful Lord,

you have shown us boundless grace and forgiven us beyond measure; soften our hearts to forgive others as freely as you forgive us. Deliver us from bitterness and pride, and teach us to live in the freedom of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE[BLUE#298]  “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” verse 2 only

POSTLUDE     “Hail Thee Festival Day”        

*Liturgical material taken from the “Weekly Liturgy” of the Presbyterian Outlook. ©Presbyterian Outlook, 2026.

Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.

STAFF