Virtual Worship – Sunday, November 8, 2020

First Presbyterian Church

Delavan, Illinois

Service for the Lord’s Day

November 8, 2020

23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude “Let There Be Peace On Earth”  

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.

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 

Watch and be ready, for you do not know 

on what day your Lord is coming.

Jesus Christ, the firstborn of the dead;

to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.

^Opening Prayer

Lord our God, in Jesus Christ you have taught us that love is the fulfilling of the law. Send your Holy Spirit upon us, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, that we may love you with our whole being, and our neighbors as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

^Hymn     “Rejoice, The Lord Is King”      #699 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N0iVysrykU

Call to Confession

The proof of God’s amazing love is this: While we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

Confession of Sin

Almighty and merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to the world in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O merciful God, for his sake, that we may live a holy, just, and humble life to the glory of your holy name.

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

Guide us, O God, by your Word and Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Reading               Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25

(The tribes renew the Covenant)

1Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. 2And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors—Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor—lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods. 3Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan and made his offspring many.

14“Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

16Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; 17for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; 18and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

19But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good.” 21And the people said to Joshua, “No, we will serve the LORD!” 22Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” 23He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” 24The people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” 25So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 78:1-7 (God’s goodness) Responsive

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,

things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us.

We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children;

that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children,

so that they should set their hope in God,

and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;

Second Reading                1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

(The coming of the Lord)

13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. 15For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. 16For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading           Matthew 25:1-13    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlFXnW8oo0Y

(The parable of the 10 bridesmaids)

1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Sermon The Lord Is Coming – Will We Be Ready?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ0FnpqYqis

^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 “My Lord, What a Morning”     #708    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkF2VYouoj0 

Prayers of the People 

Almighty God, in Jesus Christ you taught us to pray, and to offer our petitions to you in his name. Guide us by your Holy Spirit, that our prayers for others may serve your will and show your steadfast love. Let us pray for the world.

God our creator, you made all things in your wisdom, and in your love you save us. We pray for the whole creation. Overthrow evil powers, right what is wrong, feed and satisfy those who thirst for justice, so that all your children may freely enjoy the earth you have made, and joyfully sing your praises. Let us pray for the church.

Gracious God, you have called us to be the church of Jesus Christ. Keep us one in faith and service, breaking bread together, and proclaiming the good news to the world, that all may believe you are love, turn to your ways, and live in the light of your truth. Let us pray for peace.

Eternal God, you sent us a Savior, Christ Jesus, to break down the walls of hostility that divide us. Send peace on earth, and put down greed, pride, and anger, which turn nation against nation and race against race. Speed the day when wars will end and the whole world accepts your rule. Let us pray for enemies. 

O God, whom we cannot love unless we love our neighbors, remove hate and prejudice from us and from all people, so that your children may be reconciled with those we fear, resent, or threaten; and live together in your peace. Let us pray for those who govern us.

Mighty God, sovereign over the nations, direct those who make, administer, and judge our laws; the President of the United States and others in authority among us (especially N., N.); that, guided by your wisdom, they may lead us in the way of righteousness. Let us pray for world leaders.

Eternal Ruler, hope of all the earth, give vision to those who serve the United Nations, and to those who govern all countries; that, with goodwill and justice, they may take down barriers, and draw together one new world in peace. Let us pray for the sick.

Merciful God, you bear the pain of the world. Look with compassion on those who are sick (especially on N., N.); cheer them by your word, and bring healing as a sign of your grace. Let us pray for those who sorrow.

God of comfort, stand with those who sorrow (especially N., N.); that they may be sure that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, shall separate them from your love. Let us pray for friends and families.

God of compassion, bless us and those we love, our friends and families; that, drawing close to you, we may be drawn closer to each other.

God of all generations, we praise you for all your servants who, having been faithful to you on earth, now live with you in heaven. Keep us in fellowship with them, until we meet with all your children in the joy of your eternal kingdom.

Mighty God, whose Word we trust, whose Spirit enables us to pray: Accept our requests and further those which will bring about your purpose for the earth; through Jesus Christ, who rules over all things. Amen.

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 “Give Thanks”    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x63Mf4hrzc

^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 offer thanks and praise.

God of all mercies, we give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all people. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your boundless love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory now and forever. Amen.

^Lord’s Prayer

We depart to serve Christ in the world

^Hymn        “Blessed Assurance”   #543 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDeiy9-t2GE

^Charge

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through him. 

^Benediction 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.

Alleluia! Amen.

Please remember in your prayers

Marian Allen, Marge Donley, Helen Hopkins (shoulder surgery), Barb Day, Verbie Hoffman (cochlear implants), Susan (Sinn) Funke, Glenn and Loretta (broken shoulder) Holmes, Meryl (Pastor Jean’s cousin) and Dick Place, Diane Schlosser, Joyce Culbertson, Mardelle Neumann (Apostolic Christian Skylines), Donna Diekhoff, Dick Temple, Myrna and Don (blood clots) Brose, Margaret Altine, Fran (Alzheimer’s), Val (cancer diagnosis), Roland Rich (due to a fall), Blake Renner (Diane Allen Renner’s son), Joy Heaton, Lyndee Lewis’ niece, Jeremy Warner, Rose Goeken, Richard Hopkins (cancer), Dick Watts and Kyle Diekhoff (spinal surgery)

The families and friends of Steve Higdon, Tom Lough and Amanda Mammen

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 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.

Calendar:

Sun., 11/8:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Holy Communion, Pastor Jean Sparks preaching, 10:30 a.m.

Mon., 11/9: Threads of Love (change of date this month only) 9 a.m.

Wed., 11/11:  NO Cro-Knits this week

Thurs., 11/12:  Bible Study, 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 

Sat., 11/14:  Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m.

Sun., 11/15:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 24th Sunday after Pentecost,  Pastor Jean Sparks preaching, 10:30 a.m.

Wed., 11/18:  Cro-Knits, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Historical Society

Thurs., 11/19:  Bible Study, 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 

Sat., 11/21:  Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m.

Sun., 11/22:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 25th Sunday after Pentecost,  Pastor Jean Sparks preaching, 10:30 a.m.; Congregational Meeting after Worship, followed by lunch downstairs, followed by the Hanging of the Greens

Mon., 11:23: No 4th Monday Meal

Wed., 11/25:  Cro-Knits, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Historical Society

Thurs., 11:26: Happy Thanksgiving! No Bible Study.

Sat., 11/28:  Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m.

Sun., 11/29:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 1st Sunday of Lent, Pastor Jean Sparks preaching, 10:30 a.m.

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