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 here in our building or on Facebook!
In addition to our cookbook sale, we are conducting an engraved brick sale. Individuals and businesses can have their names and a short message engraved on a brick. Once we see how many we have, we will build something beautiful with these bricks. I hope you will consider buying one for your family and helping us get the word out to Smithville so that others might join in. We have information available about these bricks and will send it out soon.
See News and Newsletters for announcement of our new auction being planned - wreaths instead of baskets!
Lydia (I am sure she would like some others to volunteer to help) will be selling cookbooks in the front of the church building on Sundays starting in October. My, won’t they make good Christmas presents? There will also be copies of my book, The Bleed of Heaven, available for purchase. All proceeds will go to
our building repair and updating fund.
Sunday, October 3rd, we had our St. Francis Day youth-led animal blessing service. The meeting was outside on the lawn, and we had dogs, ferrets, cat pictures and more dogs and all were blessed!
Important Announcements:
Due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in our area, we have reinstated our mandatory mask requirement for services. Please mask up to protect your friends, family, and fellow worshippers.
MEET PASTOR KRIS AND HER FAMILY - HUSBAND DAVID AND SONS ALEX AND HENRY
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.
The videos from Facebook Live will be available here and on Facebook. The video from Oct. 10th is now available. 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 had a great celebration on Sept. 19th!
Here is the bulletin for the October 17th service:
October 17, 2021 Eleven o’clock
21th Sunday after Pentecost
The Gathering
Chiming of the Hour
Prelude and Lighting of the Candles
Welcome and Sharing in the Life of the Congregation
Call to Worship
The Lord is our dwelling place,
a home of peace and plenty.
The Lord is our dwelling place,
a refuge when trouble is near.
The Lord is our dwelling place,
a temple that will stand forever.
Invocation
Opening Hymn
No. 569 - God of Grace and God of Glory
God of grace and God of glory, on your people
pour your power; crown your ancient Church’s story, bring it’s
bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom , grant us courage
for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.
Lo! The hosts of evil round us scorn your Christ, as-
sail his ways! Fears and doubts too long have bound us ---free our
hearts to work and praise. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the living of these days, for the living of these days.
Heal your children’s warring madness, bend our pride to
your control; shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in
things and poor in soul. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal, lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.
Save us from weak resignation to the evils
We deplore; let the gift of you salvation be or
Glory ever more. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving you whom we adore, serving you whom we adore.
Call to Confession
Confession of Our Sins
Holy God, you know us better than we know ourselves. You see our need when we are blind to it. You have made us to be yours. In your compassion, forgive us for our lack of faith and the harm we do to others and to your earth. Forgive us for turning away from your will, for ignoring the cries of our neighbors, for failing to listen to what is most nourishing even for ourselves. Let our faults fall from your eyes as you open ours. (silent, personal prayer) Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
*Gloria Patri Hymn No. 734
The Word
The Prayer for Illumination
The First Reading of Scripture Ruth 1: 1-18
The Second Reading of Scripture Hebrews 7: 23-28
A Time for the Children of Our Church
The Passing of the Peace
Hymn 505 - All the Way my Savior Leads me
All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his ender mercy, who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in him to dwell,
for I know whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;
for I know whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread.
gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living bread;
though my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be,
gushing from the rock before me, lo! a spring of joy I see;
gushing from the rock before me, lo! a spring of joy I see.
All the way my Savior leads me; O the fullness of his love!
Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father’s house above;
When my spirit , clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way.
Our Gospel Reading Mark 10: 46-52
Sermon “getting on our feet” Rev. Kris Brown
Our Statement of Faith
The Prayers of the People
The Morning Offering
The Offertory
The Doxology
The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
The Sending
Closing Hymn
No. 422 Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.
‘Twas grace taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
The lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come;
‘tis grace that brought me safe this far, and grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been here ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
Blessing
Postlude