First Presbyterian Church-Edenton
November 16, 2025-23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Clayton Brooks-video
The Gathering
Tolling of the Hour
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to worship at First Presbyterian Church.
This is the day the Lord has made—let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Whether you come every week or are joining us for the first time,
we gather as one family in Christ, welcomed by God’s grace and peace.
Together, let us open our hearts to the Spirit and worship God with joy.
Announcements
Visitors, please fill out the connection card in the bulletin so we can send you a note.
* Indicates, please stand.
(Listen quietly as we enter into worship with the opening prayer and a prelude)
Opening Prayer
God of all creation, you have called us to live as one:
to bear one another’s burdens,
to speak truth in love,
to grow up into the likeness of Christ.
Forgive us when we build walls instead of bridges, when we prize our opinions more than your peace.
In this hour, bind us together by your Spirit, that our worship may glorify you and our lives may tell the story of your grace. Amen.
Prelude
(Please stand in body or spirit for the responsive call to worship)
*Call to Worship
We gather as many parts, yet one body
Called by one Spirit, bound by one hope.
We come with different gifts, different voices, different stories,
Yet all belong to the same household of God.
Let us worship the One who knits us together in love,
And who calls us to live as one body in Christ.
(Please remain standing for our opening hymn number 309, Come, Great God of All the Ages)
*Hymn Come, Great God of All the Ages GTG#309
(Please be seated)
Call to Confession and Silent Prayers of Confession
We are one body with many members, yet too often we forget who we are.
We prize our differences more than our common calling.
We cling to our own ways instead of the way of Christ.
But God, who gathers us in mercy, invites us to bring our brokenness and division to be made whole.
Let us come together in confession, trusting in the grace that makes us one, first in silence, and then together using the prayer printed in your bulletin.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, you have made us one body with many members, but we confess that we have not always acted like it. We turn away from those who think differently, we ignore gifts we do not understand, and we let fear or pride divide what your Spirit has joined. Forgive us, Lord. Heal our fractures.
Teach us again what it means to belong to one another in Christ. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: Christ’s love is wide enough to gather all creation, deep enough to heal every wound.
In him, we are forgiven, and made one by grace. Thanks be to God!
Passing of the Peace
Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The passing of the peace is a sign of that forgiveness and blessing to each other. Come let us offer a sign of peace to one another.
Then, let us stand together as we sing our congregational response. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, And also with you.
Congregational Response In My Life GTG#468 v.1,4
In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In my life, Lord, be glorified today.
In your world, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In your world, Lord, be glorified today.
The Word
(You may be seated and join me as I pray)
Prayer of Illumination
Spirit of unity and truth, break open your Word to us. Silence our distractions, soften our hearts, and help us hear what your Spirit is saying to the church that we might grow together in faith, hope, and love. Amen.
Scripture Ephesians 4:1-16
Word in Music
Scripture 1st Corinthians 12:4-27
Sermon "The Eternal Struggle: Unity or Diversity?" Rev. Clayton Brooks
*Hymn Though I May Speak GTG #693
(Let us remain standing as we affirm our faith using the words printed in the bulletin. Together we boldy proclaim.)
Affirmation of Faith Apostles 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.
(Please be seated.)
Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer
The church is not built of bricks and mortar, but of hearts and hands each one different, yet joined by the same Spirit.
When we pray together, our voices rise as one, woven into the great chorus of creation that never ceases to praise God.
So now, as one body with many members, let us lift our prayers for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
God of many gifts and one Spirit, we give you thanks for the beauty of your diverse creation
for mountain and marshland,
for laughter that rises and tears that fall,
for the melody of many voices and the steady rhythm of faithful hands.
We thank you for the church—imperfect yet beloved—for all the ways your Spirit binds us together across pews and continents, across generations and differences, reminding us that we belong to one another because we belong to you.
Bind us together as your church, O Christ.
When we are tempted to measure who belongs and who does not, soften our hearts.
When we speak more than we listen, teach us patience and humility.
When we grow weary in well-doing, renew our strength to serve as one body in your name.
We pray for unity where there is division—in our families, our churches, and our communities.
Where fear builds walls, may your peace open doors.
Where words have wounded, may forgiveness take root.
Where pride has kept us apart, may your Spirit lead us to reconciliation.
We pray for courage where there is fear—
for those who stand alone in the face of injustice,
for those whose voices go unheard,
for those who risk love and kindness in a world that rewards power.
Give us the courage to live your gospel even when it costs us comfort.
We pray for compassion where there is pain—
for those who are grieving or ill,
for the lonely and the overlooked,
for those living without shelter, safety, or enough to eat.
May your healing Spirit move among them,
and may our hands and hearts be instruments of your mercy.
God of unity and grace, make us one, O Christ, as you and the Father are one—
not in sameness, but in love, so that the world may believe in your goodness and know your peace through us.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray, saying: Our Father…
The Sending
Offering
We are one body, yet not all serve the same way.
Some teach, some comfort, some give, some lead.
But together, we reflect the fullness of Christ’s grace.
Let us offer our gifts—our time, talents, and treasures—
to build up the body of Christ in love. Let us give of our tithes and offerings.
*Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
Holy One, bless these gifts and the hearts that give them.
Use them to strengthen your church, to mend divisions, and to bring your love to a world in need.
Make us one in service and in spirit, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Hymn Together We Serve GTG #767
(Let us say together God’s invitation to a life of Christian discipleship)
*Charge and Blessing
Go now as one body in Christ: many members, yet one people, each with gifts to share and grace to give.
We go, united by the Spirit, to love and serve as one.
Let the Spirit who binds us in love stretch us toward understanding, and send us out in peace to serve the world God so loves.
We will go where Christ leads, living as his hands and heart in the world.
And as you go, may the love of God surround you,
the grace of Christ sustain you, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit keep you one now and always.
Amen.
(Please be seated. Respectful clapping is an appropriate way to end this service of worship)
Postlude