A Service for the Lord’s Day
October 4, 2020
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost & World Communion Sunday
Prelude
Call to Worship – from Romans 12:1-2
I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
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 – 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, you are good and your love endures forever. Today we thank you for forgiving us. While we were sinners, you sent your Son to die for us! So help us to experience new life in his name and by the power of your Holy Spirit. Teach us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. Teach us to receive forgiveness as we have received it from you. Teach us to forgive ourselves that we would live in shame and separation no more.
On this World Communion Sunday, we also pray that this forgiven life would overflow through the church at large. Keep us, as the body of Christ, from petty disagreements or significant divisions. Bring us together and unite us to yourself, that we might bear witness to a better way of life as your kingdom people.
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 fear, 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.
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.
Note: We will be offering “virtual communion” during our church-wide Zoom calls on the first Wednesday of the month. Please notify the church office if you would like to participate.
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.