A Service for the Lord’s Day
November 8, 2020
Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost
Call to Worship – Isaiah 2:2-5
In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Prayer of Confession
Heavenly Father, you have loved us with a never-stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love. But we have not loved you. You constantly call us, but we do not listen. You ask us to love others, but we walk away from our neighbors in need. We condone evil, warfare, prejudice, and greed; we perpetuate divisions rather than reconciliation and peace. As you come to us in mercy, we repent in spirit and in truth, admitting our sin and gratefully receiving your forgiveness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.
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. He came and proclaimed peace to those who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we all have access in one Spirit to the Father. Hear this good news and rejoice: In Christ we are forgiven, reconciled, and restored! Amen.
Scripture Reading
Sermon – Jesus, Lord of Creation – Rev. Blake Daniel
For those who prefer to worship from home this Sunday, we will be live-streaming the service rather than pre-recording separate videos. Simply visit our YouTube page at 11:00am to tune in. The service will also be saved as a video for you to view later if you wish. We thank you in advance for your grace and patience as we try this new endeavor!
Affirmation of Faith – The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, today we praise you as the one who made all things, the one who holds all things together, and the one who brought peace to all creation. We renew our trust in you as we lift up our voices in humility and in hope, asking:
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray for our country in this important season of election and transition. We remember that it’s under your holy law that we live, Lord, and it’s by your sovereign will that we govern ourselves. Thank you for the democratic process in which we have been engaged. Forgive us for our selfishness and despair. Help us, as good citizens, to respect our neighbors whose views differ from our own. Lead us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Open us up to new possibilities, grant us imaginations of shalom, and lead us more and more into the abundant life of your kingdom. We pray for President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence as they end their terms, and for president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris as they prepare to lead our country in January. Please allow for a smooth and peaceful transfer of power, and for unity in our land.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Please hear us, yet again, as we pray for your help during the pandemic. Save us from fear, and grant us faithfulness, wisdom, and discernment as we make decisions for ourselves, our church family, our businesses, our schools, our community, and beyond. Please lead us to a place of health in body and in soul.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
And we pray for the work of your church during this difficult time. Remind us of our primary calling to be the body of Christ. Unite us to yourself and to each other, and keep us from getting distracted from our mission: to make disciples who love you and love their neighbors as themselves. Help us to be courageous witnesses as we follow you on the dusty road of discipleship.
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.
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.