A Service for the Lord’s Day
August 30, 2020
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude
Call to Worship – Psalm 131
My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Opening Song
Prayer of Confession
Father, we confess that we have been unfaithful to our covenant with you and with one another. We have worshiped other gods: money, power, greed, and convenience. We have served our own self-interests instead of serving only you and your people. We have not loved our neighbor as you have commanded, nor have we rightly loved ourselves. Forgive us, we pray, and bring us back into the fullness of life with you and life together. (Silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon - from Psalm 103
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. Hear this good news and rejoice: in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Children’s Message
Affirmation of Faith – from The Second Helvetic Confession
Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world, and the true awaited messiah. For we teach and believe that this Jesus Christ our Lord is the unique and eternal Savior of the human race, and thus of the whole world, in whom by faith are saved all who before the law, under the law, and under the Gospel were saved, and however many will be saved at the end of the world… Now there only remains for all of us to give all glory to Christ, believe in him, rest in him alone, despising and rejecting all other aids in life.
Prayers of the People
Heavenly Father, you have made us for yourself and are hearts are not at rest until they rest in you. Thank you for drawing near to us, despite our sin, through your Son, Jesus. Thank you for leading us and guiding us by the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for filling us with your strength so that we might live as your people and have true contentment in all things.
During this difficult season, we present our requests to you through prayer and petition, honored that you would hear them.
We pray for our nation and many others where there is distrust and polarization. We pray for those in our nation and in other nations who are poor and vulnerable. We pray for refugees, for widows and orphans, and for all who are in distress.
We also pray for our children in this season of turmoil. We pray for their education and that each child would have access to learn. We pray that you would help us to make sure that each child would be provided for. We pray for energy, intelligence, imagination, and love for the parents and caregivers of our children. May we be a community that cares for one another.
And we pray for your mercy to rescue us from the virus. Protect the most vulnerable. Protect those who care for them. Help us to be wise, and grant that a cure could be found and readily distributed.
In humility and in hope, we also pray 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.
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.