A Service for the Lord’s Day
January 24, 2021
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship — Psalm 62:1-8
Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
How long will you assault me?
Would all of you throw me down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
Surely they intend to topple me
from my lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Prayer of Confession
God of grace, we confess that we have sinned against you and one another in both our actions and our inactions. We recognize that in Jesus Christ our light has come, yet often we choose to walk in shadows and ignore the light. Please forgive our sins and remove from us the veil of darkness that shrouds our lives. Illumined by your Word and sacrament, lead us into the radiance of Christ’s glory. It is in his name that we pray, amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: Christ our Savior has come! While we were sinners, Jesus was born. Jesus died. Jesus rose in victory. And in him we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.
New Officer Ordination & Installation
Congregational questions:
Do we, the members of the church, accept these deacons and this elder, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation, to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ? (“We do”)
Do we agree to pray for them, encourage them, respect their decisions, and follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is Head of the Church? (“We do”)
Children’s Message
Due to rising cases of COVID-19, in-person worship services are suspended. We will instead be live-streaming the service with a small worship team. 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 for your continued grace and patience as we try this new endeavor.
Affirmation of Faith – from The Second Helvetic Confession
Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world, and the true awaited messiah. For we teach and believe that this Jesus Christ our Lord is the unique and eternal Savior of the human race, and thus of the whole world, in whom by faith are saved all who before the law, under the law, and under the Gospel were saved, and however many will be saved at the end of the world… Now there only remains for all of us to give all glory to Christ, believe in him, rest in him alone, despising and rejecting all other aids in life.
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.
Prayers of the People
Father, you sent your Son, Jesus, to forgive our sins and to be our friend. Help us today to live in friendship with him and with one another, that we might receive your good gifts and bear witness to your grace. We lift our prayers to you, trusting that you hear them: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
We pray for…
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those in authority… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The needs of the community… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal, its mission, and those who minister… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The local congregation and its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
We pray together now as Jesus taught us, saying:
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.
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.