A Service for the Lord’s Day
November 1, 2020
Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost
Reformation Sunday & All Saints Day
Prelude
Call to Worship – Psalm 34:1-8
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him..
Opening Prayer
Fill our worship with grace, Lord Jesus Christ, that every thought, word, and deed may be acceptable to you, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
Opening Song
Prayer of Confession
O God of shalom, we have built up walls to protect ourselves from our enemies, but those walls also shut us off from receiving your love. Break down those walls. Help us to see that the way to your heart is through the reconciliation of our own hearts with our enemies. Bless them and us, that we may come to grow in love for each other and for you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon – from Ephesians 2
Jesus Christ is our peace; in his flesh he has broken down the dividing wall of the hostility between us… So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. Hear this good news and rejoice: In Christ we are forgiven, reconciled, and restored! 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
God of grace, you love your enemies. When Adam and Eve turned from you, you did not turn from them. When Israel broke your covenant, you remained faithful. Even when we put you, Lord Jesus, to death, you did not condemn us but you cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” We praise you today and always for this grace. And we ask for your Spirit to lead us to show this grace to others. You know these are contentious times, Lord. Election day looms; tempers are running high; disagreements and misunderstandings are rampant. Help us to turn the other cheek, pray for those who persecute us, offer our coats, go the extra mile, and love our enemies — that we might give you glory, cultivate peace, and experience the surprising joy of your Kingdom.
On this Reformation Sunday and All Saints Day, we especially remember the great cloud of witnesses who surround your throne. We give thanks for the apostles and first believers; for those in the early church; for the martyrs of all ages; for those who have reformed the church; for those who have ministered to us personally; for those who have died this year. For these great examples of the faith we give you praise.
Today we lay our specific requests before you, trusting that you hear us. 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, our community, and our country. 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 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.