A Service for the Lord’s Day
June 21, 2020
Third Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” - performed by Michael Collings
Call to Worship – Psalm 116:13-19
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.
Truly I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Opening Song
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and soul and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy, forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. (Silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news! Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Believe the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ you are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
Children’s Message
Affirmation of Faith – from The Theological Declaration of Barmen
As Jesus Christ is God’s assurance of the forgiveness of all our sins, so in the same way and with the same seriousness is he also God’s mighty claim upon our whole life. Through him befalls us a joyful deliverance from the godless fetters of this world for a free, grateful service to his creatures. We reject the false doctrine, as though there were areas of our life in which we would not belong to Jesus Christ, but to other lords... Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body is joined and knit together.
Prayers of the People
Heavenly Father, we praise you for your goodness to us and your presence with us always. You love us with a never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love. Help us to abide in that love in all that we do. When we get too comfortable with our own agendas and the status quo, please challenge us and convict us. When we feel overcome with guilt, grief, and despair, please comfort us and care for us. In this difficult season, teach us what it means to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you through your Son Jesus and by your Holy Spirit.
As we celebrate this Father’s Day, we thank you for the fathers in our lives. Whatever our experiences are with our own fathers – good and bad – we remember those men whom we call “dad.” We pray for those men who have been dads for a long time, and for those who are new fathers. We pray for those who might wish to be fathers, yet for whatever reason can’t be. Grant your blessing to all these men, and to us as recipients of their care, so that through these relationships or these memories we all would learn more about the unconditional love you show all of us.
In humility and in hope, we offer our prayers for:
Creation and its care… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our nation, its leaders, and its people… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our community, its leaders, and our neighbors… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal as it works on your behalf… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our local church in its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Friends and family with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
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
“The Lord’s Prayer” - performed by Margaret Hale
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
“Take My Life and Let It Be”
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.