Virtual Worship – Sunday, May 30, 2021

First Presbyterian Church

Delavan, Illinois

Service for the Lord’s Day

30 May 2021

Trinity Sunday

Prelude “Battle Hymn Of The Republic”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1dZr0ZH7h0&t=45s

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

Our Lord is a great God, who says:

I am the Alpha and Omega,

the first and the last,

the beginning and the end.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

the whole earth is full of God’s glory.

^Opening Prayer

Almighty and ever-living God, you have given us grace, by our confession of faith, to acknowledge and worship the eternal Trinity in the majesty of the Unity. Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your eternal glory, one God, now and forever. Amen.

^Hymn     “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!” # 4  vs. 1, 2, 4   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH6tbslLEaE

Call to Confession

Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weaknesses, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Confession of Sin

God of grace, love, and communion, we confess that we have failed to love you with all our heart, soul, and mind; and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We ignore your commandments, stray from your way, and follow other gods. Have mercy on us. Forgive our sin and raise us to new life that we may serve you faithfully and give honor to your holy name.

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. 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

God, source of all light, by your Word you give light to the soul. Pour out upon us the spirit of wisdom and understanding that, being taught by you in Holy Scripture, our hearts and minds may be opened to know the things that pertain to life and holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Reading   Isaiah 6:1-8 

(Called to speak the word of the LORD) 

¹In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. ²Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. ³And one called to another and said:

      “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;

      the whole earth is full of his glory.”

⁴The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. ⁵And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

⁶Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. ⁷The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” ⁸Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!” 

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 29   (The power of the LORD) Responsive

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters.

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.

The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, “Glory!”

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.

May the LORD give strength to his people!

May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Second Reading     Romans 8:12-17 

(Adopted as children of God)

¹²So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— ¹³for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. ¹⁵For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading   John 3:1-17  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7O1DsoncNA

(Born from above by the love of God) 

¹Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. ²He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” ³Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” ⁴Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” ⁵Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. ⁶What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘Youmust be born from above.’ ⁸The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” ⁹Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” ¹⁰Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

¹¹“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. ¹²If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. ¹⁴And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

¹⁶“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

¹⁷“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

The Word of The LORD.  Thanks be to God.

Sermon The Trinity Of Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe78M_XufMY

^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     “Eternal Father, Strong To Save” # 85  vs. 1-3  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDjwUzUnNpU

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. On this Memorial Day weekend, we especially remember with reverence and affection, O everlasting God, all our departed friends and relatives who died in service to their country. Keep us in union with them here, through faith and love toward you, that hereafter we may enter into your presence and be numbered with those who serve you and look upon your face in glory everlasting. Keep our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts, friends and neighbors from hate that hardens, or from scorekeeping with human lives. 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 “Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HyceHQbg04&t=10s

^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.

Gracious Father, giver of all good things: For our home on earth and for your unfailing mercy,

we give you thanks.

Christ, our Redeemer: For your sacrifice on the cross and rising from death that we might live,

we give you thanks and praise.

Holy Spirit, giver of life: For your abiding presence in our lives and for comforting and guiding us,

we give you thanks, praise, and glory.

O triune God: To you be glory and praise now and forever. Amen.

^Lord’s Prayer

We depart to serve Christ in the world

^Hymn “Come, Thou Almighty King” # 27  vs. 1-3  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgzRB4gEPf4

^Charge

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

Benediction (A word of blessing)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Alleluia! Amen.

Postlude

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), and Father Tim Nolan (vocal chord surgery)

The families and friends of Marian Allen and Gloria Cunningham

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., 5/30: Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 10:30 a.m., Pastor Jean Sparks preaching; Virtual option available.

Wed., 6/2: Cro-Knits, 9:00 a.m., Historical Society

Thurs., 6/3: NO Bible Study

Sat., 6/5: Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m., or Zoom, if requested 

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

Virtual option available.

Tues., 6/8: Threads of Love, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. 

Thurs., 6/10: Bible Study based on “The Chosen” 10-11:15 a.m. or 6-7:15 p.m.

Sat., 6/12: Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m., or Zoom, if requested Sun., 

Sun., 6/13: Worship, 10:30 a.m., Stephanie McCullough preaching; NO Virtual option available.

Wed., 6/16: Cro-Knits, 9:00 a.m., Historical Society; Session, 6:30 p.m. 

Thurs., 6/17: Bible Study based on “The Chosen” 10-11:15 a.m. or 6-7:15 p.m.

Sat., 6/19: Prayer Group, 9:00 a.m., or Zoom, if requested 

Sun., 6/20: Worship, 10:30 a.m., Pastor Jean Sparks preaching;

Virtual option available.

Thurs., 6/24: Bible Study based on “The Chosen” 10-11:15 a.m. or 6-7:15 p.m.

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