Virtual Worship – Sunday, October 25, 2020

First Presbyterian Church

Delavan, Illinois

Service for the Lord’s Day

October 25, 2020

21st Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude “I Sing The Mighty Power Of God”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg4sJBt2zmg&t=16s

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 

Jesus said: Those who love me will keep my word,

and my Father will love them,

and we will come to them

and make our home with them.

^Opening Prayer

Send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, Almighty God, to rule and direct us according to your will, to comfort us in all our temptations and afflictions, to defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth; that we, being steadfast in the faith, may increase in love and in all good works, and in the end obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

^Hymn     “O God, Our Help In Ages Past”  (1, 4, 6)     # 67 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKP_XxCBDZY

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

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.

^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. Amen

First Reading               Deuteronomy 34:1-12

(Moses saw the Promised Land, died and was mourned)

¹Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the LORD showed him the whole land: Gilead as far as Dan, ²all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, ³the Negeb, and the Plain—that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees—as far as Zoar. ⁴The LORD said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.” ⁵Then Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, at the LORD’S command. ⁶He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. ⁷Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated. ⁸The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended.

⁹Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the LORD had commanded Moses.

¹⁰Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. ¹¹He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, ¹²and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 (God is eternal and humans are frail) Responsive

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn us back to dust, and say, “Turn back, you mortals.”

For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.

You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning;

in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.

Turn, O LORD! How long? Have compassion on your servants!

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil.

Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands— 

O prosper the work of our hands!

Second Reading                1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

(Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica)

¹You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, ²but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. ³For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, ⁴but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; ⁶nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, ⁷though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. ⁸So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading           Matthew 22:34-46 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKKE6dw22UY

(Questions asked and answered pointing to the Messiah)

³⁴When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, ³⁵and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ³⁶“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” ³⁷He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the greatest and first commandment. ³⁹And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

⁴¹Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ⁴²“What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” ⁴³He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,

⁴⁴      ‘The Lord said to my Lord,

      “Sit at my right hand,

      until I put your enemies under your feet” ’?

⁴⁵If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” ⁴⁶No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Sermon “What Is The Greatest Commandment?”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfKUNE1GtZE

^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 “More Love To Thee, O Christ”    (1, 2, 4)      # 527 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p89jQBLUvuw

Prayers of the People

Almighty God,  who taught us to pray not only for ourselves but for people everywhere, hear us as we pray for others, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Inspire the whole church with your power, unity, and peace. Grant that all who trust you may obey your Word, and live together in love.

Lead all nations in the way of justice and goodwill. Direct those who govern, that they may rule fairly, maintain order, uphold those in need, and defend oppressed people; that this world may claim your rule and know true peace.

Awaken all people to the danger we have inflicted upon the earth. Implant in each a reverence for all you have made that we may preserve the delicate balance of creation for all coming generations.

Give grace to all who proclaim the gospel through Word and Sacrament and deeds of mercy, that by their teaching and example they may reveal your love for all people.

Comfort and relieve, O Lord, all who are in trouble . . . sorrow . . . poverty . . . sickness . . . grief . . . especially those known to us, whom we name before you in silence. . . . We especially name those battling the Covid virus in any way.

Heal them in body, mind, or circumstance, working in them, by your grace, wonders beyond all they may dream or hope.

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,

Bring to our remembrance all those who, having served you on earth, now sing your praises eternally. May their endurance give us courage and their faithfulness give us hope; through Jesus Christ our Savior. 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 “His Name Is Wonderful” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbwR85eE1iE

^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.

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. Help us to love you, and to be thankful for all your gifts by serving you and delighting to do your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 Amen.

^Lord’s Prayer

We depart to serve Christ in the world

^Hymn        “Come Sing, O Church, In Joy”     (1, 3, 4) #INS  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsmeJ79lnm0

^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

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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., 10/25:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 21^st Sunday after Pentecost, Peace and Global Witness Offering collected, Pastor Jean Sparks preaching, 10:30 a.m.; Compass deadline

Mon., 10/26:  4^th Monday Free Meal, 5:30 p.m.; watch newspaper for instructions

Wed., 10/28:  Cro-Knits, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Historical Society; Session, 7:00 p.m.

Thurs., 10/29:  Bible Study, 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 

Sat., 10/31:  Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m. Set your clocks back tonight!

Sun., 10/25:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 21^st Sunday after Pentecost, Peace and Global Witness Offering collected, Pastor Jean Sparks preaching, 10:30 a.m.; Compass deadline

Mon., 10/26:  4^th Monday Free Meal, 5:30 p.m.; watch newspaper for instructions

Wed., 10/28:  Cro-Knits, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Historical Society

Thurs., 10/29:  Bible Study, 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 

Sat., 10/31:  Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m. Set your clocks back tonight!

Sun., 11/1:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 22^nd Sunday after Pentecost, Holy Communion, Pastor Jean Sparks preaching, 10:30 a.m.

Wed., 11/4:  Cro-Knits, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Historical Society

Thurs., 11/5:  Bible Study, 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 

Sat., 11/7:  Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m.

 Sun., 11/8:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 23^rd 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:  Cro-Knits, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Historical Society

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, 24^th Sunday after Pentecost,  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