October 25, 2020

Liturgical Color: Green

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Welcome to the church we love! As Terre Haute's first

established congregation, we maintain a 192-year tradition of
service to God in our community. We pray you will encounter
the Spirit in worship with us.
We ask that you sit as nearly as possible where we have
placed bulletins. Family units of any size may certainly sit
together!
We ask that if at any moment you begin to feel ill, if possible,
you immediately leave the sanctuary. If you need to use a
bathroom we ask that you use the one at the foot of the west
stairs, or the one at the end of the ramp if you exit via the door
at the northeast corner of the sanctuary.
For the time being we will offer no children's worship
programming. We do offer nursery care for children aged birth
through three years. We welcome children of all ages to
worship with us throughout the service.
In order to maintain as sanitary an environment as possible we
have removed all hymnals, Bibles, and pads. Disposable
children's activity bags are available.
We have removed hymn singing and congregational responses
from our liturgy. We have retained several elements that will be
spoken aloud by the liturgist and—if you so choose—by you
mouthing the words. We encourage you to hum along with the
music if you know it!

125 North Seventh Street Terre Haute, Indiana 47807

Church website: www.thcpc.org (812) 232-5049
 Prayer of the Day

You know each of us by name, O God,

and in your sight we have found favor,
yet our minds cannot comprehend
the vision of your glory
or the vastness of your love.
Grant that as we glimpse your greatness,
reflected in your many gifts,
we may always return to you
the praise that is yours alone.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR THE LORD’S DAY
GATHERING

Prelude My Shepherd Will Supply My Need RESIGNATION

WORDS OF WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH

OPENING PRAYER
O God, light of the hearts that see you,
life of the souls that love you,
strength of the thoughts that seek you:
to turn from you is to fall, to turn to you is to rise,
to abide in you is to stand fast forever.
Although we are unworthy to approach you,
or to ask anything of you at all,
we ask that you grant us your grace and blessing
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS FOR WORSHIP
MUSICAL INTERLUDE People Need the Lord arr. McHugh
GOD CALLS US TO CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

*CALL TO CONFESSION
Jesus said, Come to me,
all you who labor and are heavily burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Let us ask God to forgive us.
* CONFESSION OF SIN (To be read aloud by liturgist. The
congregation may choose to mouth the words.)
Merciful God, we confess
that we have often failed to be an obedient church.
We have not done your will, we have broken your law,
we have rebelled against your love.
We have not loved our neighbors,
and have refused to hear the cry of the needy.
Forgive us, we pray, and free us for joyful obedience;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Pause for silent reflection.)
* DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News!
Who is in a position to condemn?
Only Christ, and Christ died for us,
Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us,
Christ prays for us.
Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.
The old life has gone; a new life has begun.
Friends, believe the Gospel:
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
* RESPONSE Gloria Patri (You may mouth the words)
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 PEACE See John 20:19, 21, 26
Since God has forgiven us in Christ,
let us forgive one another.
 The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
(The people may exchange with one another, by words
and gesture, signs of peace and reconciliation.)

THE WORD

CHILDREN’S LESSON Rev. Mike Riggins

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 46:10-11
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
MEDITATIVE MUSIC

SCRIPTURE READING Acts 8:14-24

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem
heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God,
they sent Peter and John to them.
The two went down and prayed for them
that they might receive the Holy Spirit
(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them;
they had only been baptized
in the name of the Lord Jesus).
Then Peter and John laid their hands on them,
and they received the Holy Spirit.
Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given
through the laying on of the apostles’ hands,
he offered them money, saying,
“Give me also this power
 so that anyone on whom I lay my hands
may receive the Holy Spirit.”
But Peter said to him,
“May your silver perish with you,
because you thought you could obtain God’s gift
with money!
You have no part or share in this,
for your heart is not right before God.
Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours,
and pray to the Lord that, if possible,
the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness
and the chains of wickedness.”
Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord,
that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.”

SERMON “Knowing What Not to Say”

Rev. Mike Riggins
RESPONSE from the Confession of 1967
(To be read aloud by the liturgist. You may choose
to mouth the words.)
God’s sovereign love is a mystery
beyond the reach of humanity’s mind.
Human thought ascribes to God superlatives of power,
wisdom, and goodness.
But God reveals his love in Jesus Christ
by showing power in the form of a servant,
wisdom in the folly of the cross,
and goodness in receiving sinful humanity.
The power of God’s love in Christ
to transform the world discloses
that the Redeemer is the Lord and Creator
who made all things to serve the purpose of his love.
GOD CALLS US TO RESPOND TO THE WORD
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
HYMN PRESENTATION Be Thou My Vision SLANE

(You may mouth the words)

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night;
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and thou with me, Lord;
Thou my soul’s shelter, and thou my high tower;
raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise;

thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

may I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
(You may place your offerings in the baskets provided
as you depart.)
* DOXOLOGY (You may mouth the words.)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

* BENEDICTION
* POSTLUDE Rigaudon
Campra
Liturgist: Kevin Christ

CALENDAR
Sun. 10:30 a.m. Worship
6:00 p.m. Highpoint Youth meet at Unity
Presbyterian Church
Herald Deadline – please submit articles to
the church office
Tues. 10:00 a.m. Seekers & Searchers Bible study
Wed. 12:30 p.m. Personnel Committee
7:30 p.m. Bible study and beer

Attendance last week: 46

For updated information please consult the main church

calendar, which may be found online at our church website
(www.thcpc.org).

Check us out on Facebook

It’s that time again!!! The church’s monthly newsletter, The

Herald, will be produced this week. Please submit your articles
for inclusion to Sarah at sarah@thcpc.org.

It’s hard to believe preparing for the Advent season is upon us.
For those you who agreed to write a short devotional for the
2020 Advent booklet, the time to be working on your
devotional is now. Please return your submission to Steve
Mead at ssmead74@yahoo.com by October 31.

As we approach All Saint’s Day (Nov. 1), we invite you to

participate in what has become a tradition at CPC; our
remembrance and celebration of those who have gone on
to the next phase of their walk with God  If you would like
to add a ribbon to the Saints Tree in memory of someone
special to you who has died since last November, please
let the church office know.  Either
1. Send the name to Cheryl to have a ribbon
prepared, or
2. Stop by the church and pick up a ribbon to
prepare on your own. 
‘Preparing’ a ribbon means writing the individual’s name
with a permanent marker. 
If you chose the second option, please know that you will
have to have the completed ribbon back to the church
office by Tuesday, October 27.  If you have any questions,
please contact Cheryl at the church office.
 

Church Staff
Rev. Mike Riggins, Pastor
Mrs. Cheryl Moles, Christian Education Director
Mrs. Sarah Kelsheimer, Secretary
Dr. Mark Carlisle, Choir Director
Mr. Steve McCullough, Organist
Mrs. Linda Riggins, Kids Hope Director
Mr. Tim Ghogle, Youth Director
Mrs. Kelly Stinnett, Volunteer Coordinator
Mr. Alvin Stinnett, Caretaker & Bus Driver
 Prayers for the Week
Morning

Ah, cement me to Thee, O true Lord!

I offer Thee my love
because Thou art altogether dulcet and pleasant,
my Lord, full of delight.
I vow obedience to Thee
because Thy parental charity allures me,
Thy loving kindness and gentleness attracts me.
In observing Thy will, I tie myself to Thee,
because clinging to Thee is lovable above everything. Amen
   -- Gertrude The Great (1256-1302), slightly edited

Evening

O Holy Spirit, most merciful Comforter:

You proceed from the Father in a manner
beyond our understanding.
Come I beseech You, and take up Your abode in my heart.
Purify and cleanse me from all sin, and sanctify my soul.
Cleanse it from every impurity, water its dryness,
melt its coldness, and save it from sinful ways.
Make me truly humble and resigned,
that I may be pleasing to You,
and that You abide with me forever.
Most blessed Light, most amiable Light, enlighten me ....
My God, give Yourself to me,
and kindle in my innermost soul the fire of Your love.
My Lord, please instruct, direct, and defend me in all things.
Give me strength against all immoderate fears
and against despondency.
Bestow upon me a true faith, a firm hope,
and a sincere and perfect love.
Grant that I always do Your most gracious will. Amen
   -- Antiochus (D. 410)
 Orders are now being taken for
poinsettias to be used in decorating the
sanctuary for the Christmas season. If you
would like to order one of these plants,
please complete the form below and place it
in the offering plate or leave it at the church
office.

The cost is $9.00 each. Payment for the plants is to be made

when the order is placed.

The poinsettias may be picked up after the candlelight

service on Christmas Eve.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

POINSETTIAS

I/WE would like to order ________ poinsettias to be used to

decorate the sanctuary this Christmas.

________ Red ________ White

_____ I will pick up my plant after the Christmas Eve service on

December 24.

This plant is to be in memory of or in honor of:

_____________________________________________

Given by:

_____________________________________________

ORDER DEADLINE: Sunday, November 16, 2020