First Presbyterian Church (USA) of Smithville
300 Burleson, Smithville, TX 78957
(512) 360-5231
As a Church we are committed to:
Glorifying God through worship
Welcoming all as children of God
Serving others in the light of God's love.
The First Presbyterian Church (USA) of Smithville welcomes you to our online ministry. Our Church is a church filled with life, serving the community of Smithville and surrounding areas for over 140 years . . . and just a short, pleasant drive from Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Flatonia, and towns throughout Bastrop County. If you are searching for a Church home, we would be pleased to welcome you into our fellowship. New members are received by our Session upon letter of transfer from another Christian congregation, or by profession of faith or reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Please come and visit us!
Pastor Rev. Kris Brown and family:
sons- Henry & Alex and husband David.
We are open in our church building for the 11 AM service but we will continue to provide a Facebook Live video and post the video here. If you decide to attend in person, please wear a mask and observe social distancing. We will not be serving food or having the Social Hour at this time. The videos will be available here and on Facebook. There are lots of reasons why we are glad it's 2021. One of them is that it is our church's 150th birthday. We have set up a special committee to help plan events to celebrate. Why don't you join this committee? Let Harleigh Elliot or Pastor Kris know if you are interested.
Announcements:
The video from the April 4th Easter service is now on the video page.
Here is the bulletin for the April 11th Service
Service for the Lord’s Day
First Presbyterian Church
Smithville, Texas
April 11, 2021 11:00AM
2nd Sunday of Easter
Welcome and Announcements
Welcome to First Presbyterian Church. We are glad you have joined us on the Lord’s Day to worship God. If you are looking for a church home, please speak with our pastor, or one of our elders.
* This is our week to work at the Born Again Emporium. We will work on Monday, and Wednesday from 10-2 and on Friday from 9-2. Everyone is welcome to come help.
The Annual Diaper Drive begins April 12 and runs until April 25th. Donations of disposable diapers in all sizes, newborn to adult are needed. Monetary donations are accepted also. There is a box in the Narthex for the diapers, please give checks or cash to Jane..
Happy Birthday: Jess Winslett (12); Sherry Ceder (16); Gloria Hurta (17)
Call to Worship
L: Life has been revealed to us in this Easter season. Gather once more to testify to life.
P: We declare to each other what we have experienced. In community we find the life God intends.
L: Early believers were of one heart and soul. We, too, are called to find common ground in Christ.
P: How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.
L: Peace be with you as we celebrate resurrection. Christ is with us to renew our faith.
P: We are here to testify to God’s grace. We will share our story and ourselves.
L: Our first hymn is “Thine is the Glory”
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering son; endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb; lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let his church with gladness hymns of triumph sing, for her Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting.
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son; endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life! Life is nought without thee; aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love; bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son; endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
Call to Confession
L: Life with eternity in it is God’s present gift to us. We have heard it, but we are slow to believe. We have received it, but we are slow to trust. It is ours to enjoy, but we have not lived it. Let us discuss the matter with our Creator. Let us confess our sins to God and one another.
Confession of Our Sins
We have taken the name Christian, but few of us are known primarily by that name. We have experienced Easter radiance, but we seldom reflect the light of our risen Savior. We have heard the message of salvation, but it grows cold on our lips and is of little influence on our lives. Sometimes we delude ourselves that, because we are basically good people, there is no sin in us. We deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Sin is separation from you, and we have allowed great chasms and built high walls to keep you out of our lives. Forgive us, we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
L: John wrote to the early church: If we walk in the light as Christ is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. If we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us. Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sin. When we are of one with God through Christ, we extend forgiveness to our sisters and brothers, that all may come to faith and have life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
P: Thanks be to God.
First Reading of Scripture 1 John 1:1-2:2
Second Reading of Scripture Acts 4:32-35
Time for the Children of Our Church
The Passing of the Peace
L: Our next hymn is “Spirit of the Loving God”
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me,
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, move among us all;
Make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love,
Humble, caring, selfless, sharing.
Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love.
Gospel Reading John 20:19-31
Sermon “Where We Are and Where We Are Headed”
Rev. Kris Brown
The 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.
The Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn My Faith Looks Up to Thee
My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine! Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away;
O let me from this day be wholly thine!
May thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire; as thou has died for me, O may my love to thee
Pure, warm and changeless be, a living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread, and griefs around me spread,
Be thou my guide; bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream, when death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll; Blest Savior, then, in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!
Blessing