A Service for the Lord’s Day
November 15, 2020
Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Call to Worship – Psalm 18:1-3, 16-19
I love you, Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I have been saved from my enemies.
He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
Prayer of Confession
Lord Jesus, we come to you this morning like Thomas. Full of doubts. Full of ourselves. We confess this to you, as we ask for your gentle grace. Show us the holes in your hands and feet, the wound in your side. Set us free from our own pride and performance. Teach us what it truly means to call you our Lord and our God. 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 the Church – 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 – from The Heidelberg Catechism
Question: Why are you called a Christian?
Response: Because by faith I am a member of Christ and so I share in his anointing. I am anointed to confess his name, to present myself to him as a living sacrifice of thanks, to strive with a free conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation.
Prayers of the People
Heavenly Father, once we were alienated from you and enemies because of our evil behavior. Yet you, through your Son, Jesus, have reconciled us to yourself so that now we are holy and blameless in your sight. We recognize, Lord, that this is all a gift of grace that we receive through faith. Help us to live in faith together, so that we might be established and firm in the hope of the gospel, and so that we might share this hope with others. Trusting that you are present to us now by the power of your Holy Spirit, we lift up our specific prayers 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.
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!)
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.