Virtual Worship – Sunday, October 4, 2020

First Presbyterian Church

Delavan, Illinois

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Service for the Lord’s Day, 4 October 2020

18th Sunday after Pentecost

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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 “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKp6jFVnbHE&t=4s        

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

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I chose you and appointed you, says the Lord,

to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.

Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

^Hymn     “How Great Thou Art” # 33   (1, 3, 4)  https://vimeo.com/418990984

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

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

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  Philippians 3:4b-14    

(Pressing toward the goal)

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

7Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ,the righteousness from God based on faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

12Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 19 (God’s glory is seen in all creation including the law) 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    Matthew 21:33-46    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQqI2UExfyI

(The parable of the wicked tenants)

33“Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 34When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. 35But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. 37Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.’ 39So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.”

42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:

      ‘The stone that the builders rejected

      has become the cornerstone; 

      this was the Lord’s doing,

      and it is amazing in our eyes’?

43Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. 44The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”

45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. 46They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Sermon Living In The Vineyard”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2TDRZFhkEI

^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 “Let Us Talents And Tongues Employ”  # 422   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYnF86ZzHH8

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

^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=QHvruwIlG7k

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.

Holy God, Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, with joy we praise you and give thanks to your name. You commanded light to shine out of darkness, divided the sea and dry land, created the vast universe and called it good. You made us in your image to live with one another in love. You gave us the breath of life and freedom to choose your way. You promised yourself in covenant with Abraham and Sarah, told us your purpose in commandments through Moses, and called for justice in the cry of prophets. Through long generations you have been faithful and kind to all your children. Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Your ways are just and true. Therefore we lift our hearts in joyful praise, [. . . .] 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.

We praise you, most holy God, for sending your only Son to live among us, sharing our joy and sorrow. He told your story, healed the sick, and was a friend of sinners. Obeying you, he took up his cross and died that we might live. We praise you that he overcame death and is risen to rule the world. He is still the friend of sinners. We trust him to overcome every power that can hurt or divide us, and believe that when he comes in glory, we will celebrate victory with him. Remembering all your mighty and merciful acts, we break bread and share one cup giving thanks for your saving love in Jesus Christ. As you raised our Lord from death and call us with him from death to life, we give ourselves to you to live for him in joy and grateful praise.[. . .] Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.

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.

Send us out in the power of the Spirit to live for others, as Christ lived for us, announcing his death for the sins of the world, and telling his resurrection to all people and nations. By your Spirit draw us together into one body and join us to Christ the Lord, that we may remain his glad and faithful people until we feast with him 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

Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. You have fed us with the bread of life, and renewed us for your service. Help us who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to be his faithful disciples so that our daily living may be part of the life of your kingdom, and our love be your love reaching out into the life of the world; 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

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.

Postlude   “”              

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 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.

Calendar:

Sun., 10/4:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, Holy Communion, 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Jean Sparks preaching, 10:30 a.m.

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

Thurs., 10/8:  Bible Study, 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 

Sat., 10/10:  Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m.

Sun., 10/11:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Jean Sparks preaching, 10:30 a.m.

Tues., 10/13:  Threads of Love, with masks and social distancing, 9:00 a.m.-noon

Wed., 10/14:  Cro-Knits, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Historical Society

Thurs., 10/15:  Bible Study, 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 

Sat., 10/17:  Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m.

Sun., 10/18:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 20th Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Jean Sparks preaching, 10:30 a.m.

Wed., 10/21:  Cro-Knits, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Historical Society; Session 7:00 p.m.

Thurs., 10/22:  Bible Study, 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 

Sat., 10/24:  Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m.

Sun., 10/25:  Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 21st Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Jean Sparks preaching, 10:30 a.m.; Compass deadline

Mon., 10/26:  4th 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!

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