A Service for the Lord’s Day
July 5, 2020
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude
”F Sor Op 35 No 4” — performed by Michael Collings
Call to Worship – from Psalm 145:8-14
The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.
The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
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
Prayer of Confession
God of grace, we confess that we have failed to be an obedient church: we have not done your will; we have broken your law; we have rebelled against your love; we have not loved our neighbors; we have ignored the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon
While it is true that we have sinned, it is a greater truth that we are forgiven through the grace of God in Christ. To all who humbly seek the mercy of God, we say: in Jesus Christ your sin is forgiven. Thanks be to God!
Children’s Message
Song of Response
This is a favorite song of the Daniel family, written and performed by the very talented Randall Goodgame. It is used here with permission. Enjoy!
Affirmation of Faith – 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.
Prayers of the People
Heavenly Father, we praise you for your goodness to us and your presence with us always. You made all things and declared them good. You made a covenant with us, even when we fell into sin. And, when the time was right, you sent your Jesus in humility and self-giving love so that we might know life everlasting. We rejoice in this good news and pray for your Spirit to lead us more deeply into Christ’s pattern of death and resurrection. Help us not to hoard the gifts you have given us to but to give them away and put others first — for your glory, for our benefit, and for the life of the world.
We especially pray for your help in the midst of the pandemic. Please stem the tide of the spread of this virus. Please help us to do our part in mitigating infection. Please grant your comfort and care to all who are sick, all who love and support them, all who work in healthcare and other helping professions, and all whose lives are clouded by fear and anxiety. Please surprise us with joy in the midst of sorrow and hope in the midst of despair, that we might bear witness to your goodness for such a time as this.
On this Fourth of July weekend, we ask you to keep this nation, and all nations, under your care, that we may be people who seek justice and freedom for all, who live in peace, and who are a blessing to others in this earth.
In humility and in hope, we also offer our prayers to you today 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.
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
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.
A Prayer in the Absence of the Lord’s Supper
Lord Jesus, we believe that you are present in the Sacrament. We love you above all things and we long to receive you. Since we cannot at this time receive you sacramentally, we ask that you come spiritually into our hearts and unite yourself to us. Never let us be separated from you. We pray this in your name, amen.
Closing Song
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.