Virtual Worship – Sunday, March 7, 2021

First Presbyterian Church

Delavan, Illinois

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Service for the Lord’s Day, 7 March 2021

3rd Sunday in Lent

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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 “Are We Able” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQX6gJU87S8&t=7s        

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.

Please note that we have begun having LIMITED in-person worship services. Please read the guidelines below.

We offer praise and prayer to God

^Call to Worship

The Lord God said:

I will give you a new heart and a new mind.

I will take away your stubborn heart of stone

and give you an obedient heart.

^Opening Prayer

Eternal God, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your Word and obey it, that we may become instruments of your saving love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

^Hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” #86   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiQzzc41z5Q

Call to Confession

This is the proof of God’s love: While we still were sinners, Christ died for us. Now, in Christ Jesus, we are reconciled to God, saved from judgment and raised to new life.

With faith and hope, let us confess our sin. 

Confession of Sin

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

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. 

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

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

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

God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand. (Rom. 5:1-11)

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

^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

God our helper, by your Holy Spirit, open our minds, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may be led into your truth and taught your will, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Reading            1 Corinthians 1:18–25        Pew Bible, NT, pg. 124

(The foolishness of the Cross is the true wisdom of God.)

18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written,

      “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

      and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 19 (God’s glory seen everywhere) Responsive

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;

yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,

which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;

the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.

Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Gospel Reading           John 2:13–22   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txhg7tO6Mb0

(Jesus cleanses the Temple.)

13The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Sermon The Road To The Cross – Wisdom or Foolishness?”    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErqOR5qkby0

^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 “We Come As Guests Invited”  # 386  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jafdLyZ0Dw8

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    “Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhx-fgtR6Q4&t=10s

^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   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD4eC3wAZCg

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.

It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, O God our creator and redeemer. In your wisdom, you made all things and sustain them by your power.  You formed us in your image to love and serve you, but we forgot your promises and abandoned your commandments. In your mercy, you did not reject us but still claimed us as your own. When we were slaves in Egypt you freed us and led us through the waters of the sea. You fed us with heavenly food in the wilderness, and satisfied our thirst from desert springs. On the holy mountain you gave us your law to guide us in your way. Through the waters of Jordan you led us into the land of your promise, and you sustained us in times of trial. You spoke through prophets calling us to turn from our willful ways to new obedience and righteousness. You sent your only Son to be the way to eternal life. Therefore we praise you, 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.

You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. He took upon himself the weight of our sin and carried the burden of our guilt. He shared our life in every way, and though tempted, was sinless to the end.  Baptized as your own, he went willingly to his death and by your power was raised to new life. In his dying and rising, you gave birth to your church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.  Remembering all your mighty and merciful acts, we take this bread and this wine from the gifts you have given us, and celebrate with joy the redemption won for us in Jesus Christ. Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as a living and holy offering of ourselves, that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen.  According to his commandment:

We remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory.

Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit unite us with the living Christ, and with all who are baptized in his name, that we may be one in ministry in every place. 

INTERCESSIONS FOR THE WORLD

Heavenly Father we ask that you hear our 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.

 Help us, O God, to be obedient to your call to love all your children, to do justice and show mercy, and to live in peace with your whole creation. Guide us through the desert of life, quench our thirst with the living waters, satisfy our hunger with the bread of heaven. Give us strength to serve you faithfully until the promised day of resurrection, when with the redeemed of all the ages we will feast with you at your table 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

O God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works, a continual thank-offering to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We depart to serve Christ in the world

^Hymn      “Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation”   # 275 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bC0tgG_blE

^Charge

As God’s own, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, and patience, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, and crown all these things with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Benediction (A word of blessing)

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, remain with you always.

Please remember in your prayers

Marian Allen, Marge Donley (Pekin Manor), Helen Hopkins (shoulder surgery), Barb Day, Verbie Hoffman, Susan (Sinn) Funke, Glenn and Loretta (broken shoulder) Holmes, Meryl Place (Pastor Jean’s cousin), Diane Schlosser, 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), Joy Heaton, Lyndee Lewis’ niece, Jeremy Warner, Rose Goeken, Richard Hopkins (cancer), Dick Watts, Kyle Diekhoff (second spinal surgery), Rick Woodrow (Crohn’s)

The family and friends of Dick Place

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. Please wear a mask to protect others, as it is astonishing to see the number of people who are ill but asymptomatic. (Masks will be available if you don’t have your own.) When you enter please use the provided hand sanitizer then pick up a bulletin and when offered, a communion cup. We will 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. Please keep your mask on throughout the service, especially when singing. 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 before resuming in-person worship. 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.

Pastor Jean will be on retreat this week beginning today, mid-afternoon. In case of emergency she can be reached by cell but requests you please call an Elder first. Thank you for the time away.

Calendar:

Sun., 3/7:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 10:30 a.m., Pastor Jean Sparks preaching; Virtual option available. Community Lenten Service, 6:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s, Andy Goewey preaching

Tues., 3/9: Threads of Love, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Thurs., 3/11:  NO Lenten Bible Study

Sat., 3:13:  NO Prayer Group

Sun., 3/14:  Daylight Savings Time begins (move your clocks forward), Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 10:30 a.m., Pastor Jean Sparks preaching; Virtual option available. Community Lenten Service, 6:00 p.m. at Crosswalk Fellowship, Jean Sparks preaching

Wed., 3/17:  Session, 6:30 p.m.

Thurs., 3/18:  Lenten Bible Study, 10-11:30 a.m. or 6-7:30 p.m., or Zoom, if requested

Sat., 3:20:  Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m. or Zoom, if requested

Sun., 3/21:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 10:30 a.m., Pastor Jean Sparks preaching; Virtual option available. Community Lenten Service, 6:00 p.m. at Baptist Church, Charlie Graul preaching

Mon., 3/22: 4th Monday Free Meal, 5:30 p.m., probably will be drive-by pick-up, watch your newspaper for details

Thurs., 3/25:  Lenten Bible Study, 10-11:30 a.m. or 6-7:30 p.m., or Zoom, if requested

Sat., 3:27:  Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m. or Zoom, if requested

Sun., 3/28:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 10:30 a.m., Pastor Jean Sparks preaching; Virtual option available. Community Lenten Service, 6:00 p.m. at United Methodist Church, Father Tim Nolan preaching

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