A Service for the Lord’s Day
March 7, 2021
Third Sunday in Lent & Communion Sunday
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship —Psalm 19:7-14
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Prayer of Confession: from Psalm 51
Have mercy on us, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out our transgressions. Wash away all our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin. For surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach us wisdom in the inmost place. Create in us pure hearts, O God, and renew steadfast spirits within us. Do not cast us from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and grant us a willing spirit, to sustain us. 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.
Scripture Reading
Sermon – “The Way of Christ: Self-Denial”
In-person services resume this week in our Fellowship Hall. Please wear a face covering, bring a chair to sit in, and practice social distancing while attending. A live-stream of the service is available at the link above. Simply click the link or 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.
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.
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.
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Leader: The Lord be with you!
Response: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
Response: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Response: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The Lord's Prayer
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.
Words of Institution, Communion of the People, and Prayer after Communion
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!)
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.