Welcome
Please use this link for the
Zoom Service July 19 , 2026 at 8:30 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81188368778?p30wd=QzZNMlFNNWVRVFIyUXZieWtNWkV0UT09
Acton Community Presbyterian Church
1888 – 2026 Celebrating Heritage and Sharing Hope
P.O. Box 177, 32142 Crown Valley Rd, Acton, CA 93510 Message: 661-208-8032 www.actonpc.org
July 19, 2026
“Not until we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God’s holiness and sovereignty, acknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours.” -- J. I. Packer
WELCOME, ANNOUNCMENTS, GUESTS AND SPECIAL DAYS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Truly God is good to his people,
People: To those who are pure in heart.
Leader: God calls us into his presence. In his sanctuary, we find perspective and hope.
People: Whom have we in heaven but God?
Leader: And there is nothing on earth we desire besides him.
People: God is the strength of our hearts and our portion forever. Let us worship God!
OPENING HYMN # 419 - Abide with Me
1 Abide with me! fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!
2 Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day.
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!
3 I need Thy presence ev'ry passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Thro' clouds and sunshine, oh, abide with me!
4 I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still if Thou abide with me!
5 Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine thro' the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee!
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Confession of 1967
In Jesus Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself. He is God with us. He came to be the presence of God among his people. In his life and ministry, Jesus proclaimed God’s reign to the poor and the needy, to the troubled and the sick, to sinners and those cast out by society. He gave himself fully for us, taking the judgment of the world upon himself. God raised him from the dead, vindicating his obedient life and conquering sin and death. We believe that in Jesus Christ, God’s new creation has begun, and that we are called to be his reconciled and reconciling people in the world.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy and gracious God, we confess that our hearts are often divided. We envy the prosperity of others, we resent the success of the proud, and we question your goodness when life is hard. We have spoken as if keeping our hearts pure was in vain.
We have forgotten your presence with us and your promise to set all things right.
Forgive us for our bitterness, our short-sightedness, and our love of comfort more than our love of you. Turn our eyes again toward you. Be the strength of our hearts and our portion forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
SILENT CONFESSION PRAYERS FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
Old Testament Reading Psalm 73, Pages 534-535
Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pain; their bodies are sound and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not plagued like other people. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes swell out with fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongues range over the earth. Therefore the people turn and praise them, and find no fault in them. And they say, ‘How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?’ Such are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain I have kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been plagued, and am punished every morning. If I had said, ‘I will talk on in this way’,
I would have been untrue to the circle of your children. But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end. Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; on awaking you despise their phantoms. When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was stupid and ignorant; I was like a brute beast towards you. Nevertheless I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards you will receive me with honour.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength[f] of my heart and my portion for ever. Indeed, those who are far from you will perish; you put an end to those who are false to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made thLord God my refuge, to tell of all your works. The Word of the Lord, Thanks Be To God
New Testament Reading Hebrews 12:1–3, Page 226
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of[b] the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. The Word of the Lord, Thanks Be To God
SERMON : “Seeing Clearly in the Presence of God”
CALL FOR OFFERING–Congregation sings Doxology - Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
HYMN # 354 - Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
1 What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain: Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms.
2 O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O, how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]
3 What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]
HOLY COMMUNION
CLOSING HYMN # 573 God of Our Fathers
1 God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor thru the skies,
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.
2 Thy love divine hath led us in the last,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast;
Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide, and Stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.
3 From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
4 Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never-ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine!
BENEDICTION – The Lord Be With You
Congregation sings
God be with you till we meet again, By his counsels guide, uphold you, With his sheep securely fold you God be with you till we meet again.
**Offerings 1. May be deposited in the Offering Box by the Narthex.
2. Processed through “E-Give” online at actonpc.org
3. Send a check to Acton Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 177 Acton, Ca. 93510
Don’t forget the Food Pantry - donations may be left in the basket located in the Church Narthex or in the Hall. Below is an example of items needed Canned tomatoes, Peanut Butter, Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Canned meat or beans Canned soup, Canned fruit or vegetables, Cereal, Dried beans or rice, Pasta, Diapers, Deodorant, Shampoo and Bar Soap, Toothbrush and toothpaste
