Virtual Worship – Sunday, August 15, 2021

First Presbyterian Church

Delavan, Illinois

Service for the Lord’s Day

15 August 2021

12th Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude “This Is My Father’s World”    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfBEvedXWCo&t=10s

Welcome and Announcements

Good morning everyone. We continue to do a new thing. 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 offer this service 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.

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

The word of God is living and active,

it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood

abide in me, and I in them, says the Lord.

^Opening Prayer

Ever-loving God, your Son, Jesus Christ, gave himself as living bread for the life of the world. Give us such a knowledge of his presence that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life to serve you continually; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

^Hymn     “O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee” #602 (1, 2, 4)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-_TzyBncKY

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

(Lord, have mercy on us) #300

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               Proverbs 9:1-6  

(Wisdom’s Feast)

¹      Wisdom has built her house,

      she has hewn her seven pillars.

²      She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,

      she has also set her table.

³      She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls

      from the highest places in the town,

⁴      “You that are simple, turn in here!”

      To those without sense she says,

⁵      “Come, eat of my bread

      and drink of the wine I have mixed.

⁶      Lay aside immaturity, and live,

      and walk in the way of insight.”

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm    34:9-14 (Seek the LORD and listen) Responsive

O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.

The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?

Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Second Reading           Ephesians 5:15-20  

(Live as wise people always giving thanks to God)

¹⁵Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, ²⁰giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading           John 6:51-58   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77_4tjVcszo

(The Bread from Heaven)

⁵¹I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

⁵²The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” ⁵³So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; ⁵⁵for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. ⁵⁶Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. ⁵⁷Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. ⁵⁸This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” 

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Sermon Fed By Our Saviour Into Eternal Life   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yNVjW58Wew

^Affirmation of Faith  Apostle’s 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 again 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.

^Hymn     “Hope Of The World” #538      (vs. 1, 2, 5) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Be2SV9YqpY

Prayers of the People

Almighty and merciful God, from whom comes all that is good, we praise you for your mercies, for your goodness that has created us, your grace that has sustained us, your discipline that has corrected us, your patience that has borne with us, and your love that has redeemed us. Hear us as we lift our concerns to you.

Remember your church. . . . Unite it in the truth of your Word and empower it in ministry to the world. Unite us as members of your kingdom with all who trust in you so your glory may shine.

Remember the world of nations. . . . By your Spirit renew the face of the earth; let peace and justice prevail. Bring the end to all wars and violence. Protect those who serve in the armed forces so they may return to their loved ones.

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.

We ask for the miracle of growth in this congregation, the revitalization of the main street, and your blessing on this community and its schools,

In union with your church in heaven and on earth, we pray, O God, that you will fulfill your eternal purpose in us and in all the world. Amen

Offering Invitation

Offertory  “Be Thou My Vision”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVBaLqWvPS8&t=18s

^Doxology (Praise God from Whom all blessings flow)     #46

^Prayer of Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Eternal God, creator of the world and giver of all good, we thank you for the earth, our home, and for the gift of life. We praise you for your love in Jesus Christ, who came to heal this broken world, who died rejected on the cross and rose triumphant from the dead. Because he lives, we live to praise you, our God forever. Gracious God, who called us from death to life, we give ourselves to you; and with the church through all ages we thank you for your saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

^Lord’s Prayer

We depart to serve Christ in the world

^Hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” #434 (1-3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZHrtHdbdOE

^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), 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 Loretta Holmes, Marge Tuley, Rev. Don Crannell, and Donna Diekhoff 

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., 8/15: 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., Compass deadline, 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