Virtual Worship – Sunday, August 1, 2021

First Presbyterian Church

Delavan, Illinois

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Service for the Lord’s Day, 1 August 2021

10th Sunday after Pentecost

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We do not presume to come to Your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own goodness, but in Your all-embracing love and mercy.  We are not worthy even to gather up the crumbs under Your table, but it is Your nature always to have mercy.  So feed us with the body and blood of Jesus Christ, Your Son, that we may forever live in Him and He in us.  Amen.

Prelude “Glorify Thy Name”    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paWdSkDRqMc            

Welcome and Announcements

Good morning everyone. We continue to do a new thing in this time of social distancing. We are still a community of faith, even though we are separated for the safety of ourselves, our families, our congregation, and our communities. We will continue to meet like this for the foreseeable future. 

In this bulletin, you will find links to the hymns which also show the lyrics (or are shown below). If you get an ad (and you likely will) you can skip it by clicking the SKIP AD usually found in the lower right corner of the video. There are also links to the Gospel reading and the sermon.

We have included virtual communion in today’s service. Please have a small glass of grape juice and a piece of bread or cracker at hand. The communion liturgy is both recorded and in the service below.

For inclusion in next week’s service, please email or phone the church or Pastor Jean (who can also receive texts) with any prayer requests.

We have resumed in-person worship. Please read the guidelines below!

We offer praise and prayer to God

^Call to Worship

If you have been raised with Christ,

seek the things that are above, where Christ is,

seated at the right hand of God.

Praise the Lord.

Prayer

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ fed the hungry with the bread of his life and the Word of his kingdom. Renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your true and living bread, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

^Hymn     “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” #  16     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgkGF7NanuE

Call to Confession

Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weaknesses, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Confession of Sin

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

Time of Silent Confession

Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,

grant us peace.

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen.

^Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) #35

^Passing the Peace

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

We listen to God’s Word

Prayer for Illumination

Prepare our hearts, O God, to accept your Word. Silence in us any voice but your own, that, hearing, we may also obey your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

First Reading  Ephesians 4:1-16    

(Called to Unity in the Body of Christ)

1I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

7But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it is said,

      “When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;

      he gave gifts to his people.”

9(When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 51:1-12 (A prayer for mercy trusting in God’s love)  Responsive

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.

Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.

You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,and put a new and right spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Gospel Reading   John 6:24-35   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0vx7AkDIpw

(The Bread of Life) 

24So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Sermon Called By Our Saviour”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_8Gp2mOojw

^Affirmation of Faith  Nicene Creed (325/381 A.D.)

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen;

I 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 shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom shall have no end.

I 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 together is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.  I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.  I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.  I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.  Amen.

^Hymn “One Bread, One Body”  #393   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uF4MykgT4M

Holy Communion

Offering invitation

It might seem a bit strange to see an invitation to offering in this time of social distancing and virtual worship. Some of you may be financially affected as well. I would like to remind you that offering of ourselves is always a three-part process – our time, our talent and our treasure. So I invite you to offer yourself in whatever way(s) are most appropriate to our heavenly Father.

Offertory    “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTwZ7aIicos

^Doxology #46

Blessed are You, God of all creation; through Your goodness we have these gifts to share.  Accept and use our offerings for Your glory and for the service of Your kingdom.

Blessed be God forever.

Invitation to the Lord’s Table   

Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God! They will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast which he has prepared.

Great Thanksgiving

Invitation to the Lord’s Table     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHvruwIlG7k

Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God! They will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast which he has prepared.

Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up Your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Holy God, Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, with joy we praise you and give thanks to your name. You commanded light to shine out of darkness, divided the sea and dry land, created the vast universe and called it good. You made us in your image to live with one another in love. You gave us the breath of life and freedom to choose your way. You promised yourself in covenant with Abraham and Sarah, told us your purpose in commandments through Moses, and called for justice in the cry of prophets. Through long generations you have been faithful and kind to all your children. Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Your ways are just and true. Therefore we lift our hearts in joyful praise, [. . . .] joining our voices with choirs of angels, and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of Your glory.  Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

We praise you, most holy God, for sending your only Son to live among us, sharing our joy and sorrow. He told your story, healed the sick, and was a friend of sinners. Obeying you, he took up his cross and died that we might live. We praise you that he overcame death and is risen to rule the world. He is still the friend of sinners. We trust him to overcome every power that can hurt or divide us, and believe that when he comes in glory, we will celebrate victory with him. Remembering all your mighty and merciful acts, we break bread and share one cup giving thanks for your saving love in Jesus Christ. As you raised our Lord from death and call us with him from death to life, we give ourselves to you to live for him in joy and grateful praise.[. . .] Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.

INTERCESSIONS FOR THE WORLD

Remember your church. . . . Unite it in the truth of your Word and empower it in ministry to the world. Remember the world of nations. We especially name racial discrimination and violence against the innocent . . . By your Spirit renew the face of the earth; let peace and justice prevail. Remember our family and friends. . . . Bless them and watch over them; be gracious to them and give them peace. Remember the sick and the suffering, the aged and the dying. . . . Encourage them and give them hope. Rejoicing in the communion of saints, we remember with thanksgiving all your faithful servants, and those dear to us, whom you have called from this life. . . . We are grateful that for them death is no more, nor is there sorrow, crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away.

As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.

Send us out in the power of the Spirit to live for others, as Christ lived for us, announcing his death for the sins of the world, and telling his resurrection to all people and nations. By your Spirit draw us together into one body and join us to Christ the Lord, that we may remain his glad and faithful people until we feast with him in glory.

Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, forever and ever. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

Breaking of the Bread

The Lord Jesus, on the night before he died, took bread, and after giving thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.

Communion of the People

Prayer after Communion

Almighty God, you provide the true bread from heaven, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant that we who have received the Sacrament of his body and blood may abide in him and he in us, that we may be filled with the power of his endless life, now and forever. Amen.

We depart to serve Christ in the world

^Hymn “In Christ There Is No East Or West”  #687  (1, 2, 4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEwLle8Ue4Y

^Charge

Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous and strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

^Benediction 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Alleluia! Amen.

Please remember in your prayers:

Marge Donley (Pekin Manor), Helen Hopkins, Barb Day, Verbie Hoffman (broken ankle), Susan (Sinn) Funke, Glenn Holmes, Meryl Place (Pastor Jean’s cousin), Joyce Culbertson, Mardelle Neumann (Apostolic Christian Skylines), Donna Diekhoff, Dick Temple (home after surgery), Myrna and Don Brose, Margaret Altine, Blake Renner (Diane Allen Renner’s son), Jeremy Warner, Rose Goeken, Richard Hopkins (cancer surgery), Dick Watts, Kyle Diekhoff, Rick Woodrow (Crohn’s), Father Tim Nolan (vocal chord surgery infection and death of sister), Martha Dunnam (multiple health issues and a fall) and Millie Alexander

The families and friends of Gloria Cunningham, Charles Houston, Loretta Holmes, and Marge Tuley 

All affected by the Covid-19 virus, those caring for them in any way, and those working to find a cure

WORSHIP RESUMES – I’m sure many of you are overjoyed to see these words but they come with some precautions. Based on the latest CDC guidelines, masks are optional if you are fully immunized but please feel free to continue to wear them if you so desire. (Masks are available if you wish to use them.) When you enter please use the provided hand sanitizer then pick up a bulletin. We will not move around during the Passing of the Peace, instead wave, bow, or give air hugs. The offering plates will not be passed. Instead, they will be located at the rear of the sanctuary so you may make your offering as you enter or leave. Some may feel these restrictions are too much, others may feel they are not enough. Your Session has considered all the available information in making these changes. If you are uncomfortable in attending worship, please know we are continuing the virtual services. PLEASE, IF YOU FEEL AT ALL ILL, STAY AT HOME and use the virtual option.

Calendar:

Sun., 8/1: Worship, 10:30 a.m., Holy Communion, Pastor Jean Sparks preaching. Virtual option available

Wed., 8/4: Cro-Knits, 9:00 a.m., Historical Society

Thurs., 8/5: Bible Study based on “The Chosen,” 10-11:15 a.m. or 6-7:15 p.m.

Sat., 8/7: Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m., or Zoom, if requested

Sun., 8/8: Worship, 10:30 a.m.; Virtual option available. Pastor Jean Sparks preaching; recognition of Jack Andrews for his many years of service to the church for his accounting experience

Tues., 8/10: Threads of Love, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Thurs., 8/12: Bible Study based on “The Chosen,” 10-11:15 a.m. or 6-7:15 p.m.

Sat., 8/14: Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m., or Zoom, if requested

Sun., 8/15: Worship, 10:30 a.m.; Virtual option available. Pastor Jean Sparks preaching

Wed., 8/18: Cro-Knits, 9:00 a.m., Historical Society; Session, 6:30 p.m.

Thurs., 8/19: Bible Study based on “The Chosen,” 10-11:15 a.m. or 6-7:15 p.m.

Sat., 8/21: Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m., or Zoom, if requested

Sun., 8/22: Worship, 10:30 a.m.; Virtual option available. Pastor Jean Sparks preaching

Mon., 8/23: 4th Monday Meal, 5:30 p.m., watch Delavan Times for directions

Thurs., 8/26: Bible Study based on “The Chosen,” 10-11:15 a.m. or 6-7:15 p.m.

Sat., 8/28: Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m., or Zoom, if requested

Sun., 8/29: Worship, 10:30 a.m.; Virtual option available. Pastor Jean Sparks preaching

P.O. Box 602, 201 W. Fourth Street, Delavan, IL 61734

(309) 244-7105

E-mail: firstpresdelavan@gmail.com

www.firstpresdelavan.org

Rev. Jean Sparks, Pastor

Linda Clauser, Organist