A Service for the Lord’s Day
May 17, 2020
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Prelude
“Be Thou My Vision” - performed by Michael Collings
Call to Worship – Psalm 66:8-12, 16-20
Praise our God, all peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
For you, God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.
You let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.
Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
Opening Prayer
Lord of life, by submitting to death, you conquered the grave. By being lifted on a cross, you draw all people to yourself. By being raised from the dead, you restored to humanity all that we had lost through sin. Throughout these days of Easter, help us to believe and live into the marvelous mystery of death and resurrection. For all praise is yours, now and forever. Amen.
Opening Song
“Thine is the Glory”
Prayer of Confession
Lord Jesus, you came to conquer the powers of sin and death. Yet we confess we still live in bondage to them. Turning from you, we prefer the ways of this world. Turning from one another, we prefer the ways of our own selfish desires. Forgive us, we pray, and lead us into your grace everlasting. (Silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon
Friends, it is true! Death has been swallowed up in victory, and we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Hear the good news and rejoice: in Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
Children’s Message
Scripture Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Sermon – Resurrection Hope (Part 3)
Hymn of Response
“Your Labor is Not in Vain”
Affirmation of Faith – The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of the People
We praise you, Risen Lord. You love this world, and you see all the suffering and all the beauty. Give us eyes to see both and let that transform us. Open our hearts to receive your right judgment and proper peace. Enable us to act with your compassion that we might be agents of faith, hope, and love in all we say and do. Trusting in your presence with us, we now offer you our prayers:
For those who are suffering in mind or body (especially __________), may they know your healing, comfort and care. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For those who are grieving (especially __________), may they lament and receive comfort in your love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For those who provide care (especially __________), give them strength, courage, and rest. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For the brokenness and evil that has been inflicted by the death of Ahmaud Arbery, we pray that your Kingdom would come and that you would bring justice, righteousness, healing, and peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For all those in public office, may they use their authority to safeguard the well-being and dignity of human life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For scientists and public health leaders, may you help them apply their skill with integrity to prevent and heal the effects of the virus. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For leaders in business, may they lead with wisdom and compassion, remembering all those who are affected by economic decisions. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For the church, that our willingness to love others in your name would bring hope to our world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Tithes and Offerings
With gratitude for the gospel, we share our time, talents, and resources with the Lord. (You may give financially by visiting www.sylvapres.org/giving, or by dropping a check off at the church or sending one to FPC at P.O. Box 2152, Sylva, NC 28779. Thank you!)
Offertory
“His Eye is on the Sparrow” - performed by Becki Veach
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Closing Song
“It Is Well With My Soul”
Benediction
May the peace of the risen Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
