Virtual Worship – Sunday, June 20, 2021

First Presbyterian Church

Delavan, Illinois

Service for the Lord’s Day

20 June 2021

4th Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude “Majesty” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6m3lO9XmLI

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 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

In Christ God was reconciling the world to Godself,

not counting their trespasses against them,

and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.

Praise be to God!

^Opening Prayer

O God our defender, storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us all from unbelief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

^Hymn     “For The Beauty Of The Earth” # 56     (1, 4, 5)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFbfbx2-dyU

Call to Confession

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God.

Confession of Sin

Eternal God, our judge and redeemer, we confess that we have tried to hide from you, for we have done wrong. We have lived for ourselves, and apart from you. We have turned from our neighbors, and refused to bear the burdens of others. We have ignored the pain of the world, and passed by the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed. In your great mercy forgive our sins and free us from selfishness, that we may choose your will and obey your commandments; through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Time of Silent Confession

(Lord, have mercy on us) #300

Assurance of Pardon

The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives you all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. 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

Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen

First Reading   Job 38:1-11

(Where were you when everything was created)

1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:

2      “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

3      Gird up your loins like a man,

      I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

4      “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

      Tell me, if you have understanding.

5      Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

      Or who stretched the line upon it?

6      On what were its bases sunk,

      or who laid its cornerstone

7      when the morning stars sang together

      and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?

8      “Or who shut in the sea with doors

      when it burst out from the womb?—

9      when I made the clouds its garment,

      and thick darkness its swaddling band,

10      and prescribed bounds for it,

      and set bars and doors,

11      and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,

      and here shall your proud waves be stopped’?

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32   (The LORD rescues from the storm) Responsive

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble

and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters;

they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.

For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.

They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity;

they reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their wits’ end.

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress;

he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, 

and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Second Reading     2 Corinthians 6:1-13

(Salvation is now, open your hearts)

1As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2For he says,

      “At an acceptable time I have listened to you,

      and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 3We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, 7truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

11We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 12There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. 13In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also. 

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading   Mark 4:35-41    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWMyo0DJhrQ

(Jesus calms the great tempest)

35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Sermon The Stormy Seas of Our Lives   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqsn2orJe4Q

^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     “How Firm A Foundation” # 618  (1, 2, 3)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sbgARp5Eww

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 “Close To Thee” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEhw-zBVk6E&t=9s

^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 “Just As I Am, Without One Plea” #339   (1, 2, 3)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxA0TFe3-Uo

^Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.

^Benediction

May the God of peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being-spirit, soul, and body-free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Alleluia! Amen.

Please remember in your prayers

Marge Donley (Pekin Manor), Helen Hopkins (shoulder surgery), Barb Day, Verbie Hoffman (broken ankle), Susan (Sinn) Funke, Glenn and Loretta (numerous falls) Holmes, Meryl Place (Pastor Jean’s cousin), Joyce Culbertson (broken bone in foot), Mardelle Neumann (Apostolic Christian Skylines), Donna Diekhoff, Dick Temple, Myrna and Don (blood clots) Brose, Margaret Altine, Blake Renner (Diane Allen Renner’s son), Lyndee Lewis’ niece, Jeremy Warner, Rose Goeken, Richard Hopkins (cancer surgery), Dick Watts, Kyle Diekhoff (second spinal surgery) Rick Woodrow (Crohn’s), Father Tim Nolan (vocal chord surgery), Martha Dunnam (multiple health issues and a fall) and Judy Johnson (pneumonia)

The families and friends of Marian Allen, Gloria Cunningham, Charles Houston, and Loretta Holmes

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 and when offered, a communion cup. We will continue to practice social distancing inside the sanctuary, asking that those who live in the same household sit together and to space yourselves out if you do not. 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., 6/20: Worship, 10:30 a.m., Pastor Jean Sparks preaching;

Virtual option available.

Thurs., 6/24: Bible Study based on “The Chosen” 6-7:15 p.m. only

Sat., 6/26: Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m., or Zoom, if requested

Sun., 6/27: Worship, 10:30 a.m., Pastor Jean Sparks preaching;

Virtual option available.

Mon., 6/28: 4th Monday Meal, watch Delavan Times for directions

First Presbyterian Church

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