A Service for the Lord’s Day
September 27, 2020
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude
Call to Worship – from Hebrews 4:14-16
Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, may the Word you speak this day take root in our hearts and bear fruit to your honor and glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Opening Song
Prayer of Confession
God of grace, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your image and likeness. (Silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon – from Psalm 145
The Lord is faithful in all his words and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. Hear the good news and rejoice: in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.
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
Lord our God, we thank you that you are just. When this world feels like it is unraveling, you are our refuge, our shield, and our righteous judge. Help us to learn from you how to pursue justice in a manner that is pleasing to you. Teach us what it means to lament. Keep us from denial, despair, and defensiveness. And lead us, by your Spirit’s power, to receive your grace and share your grace with others — that we might play our part in your kingdom come.
During this difficult season, we lay our specific requests before you, trusting that you hear our prayers. Please grant us protection against the coronavirus. Please grant us wisdom and discernment as we make decisions for ourselves, our church family, our businesses, our schools, and our community. Please grant us courage to engage difficult issues of racism and politics, and to do so with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.
In humility and in hope, we especially 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.