Sunday Worship Service for August 2, 2020

BULLETIN

Worship Sunday August 2, 2020
SERMON SUMMER SERIES
THE BOOK OF ACTS
COMMUNION SUNDAY
with Pastor Rev. Missy Shiverick

Good Morning!

Even when we’re physically apart, the Holy Spirit unites us as one community! Even when we can’t go to church, we are the church!

Let us know you worshiped with us today by filling out the Friendship Form located below on this page.

If you are joining in via Facebook, please check in or leave us a comment so we know you are worshiping with us today.

Don’t forget to keep checking our various social media outlets, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, for up-to-date information.

GATHERING

OPENING HYMN

• • Hymn 326: “For All The Saints”

CHIMING OF THE HOUR & WELCOMING THE LIGHT

WELCOME Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

CALL TO WORSHIP   – by Summer Interns

One: Let us rejoice, for morning has dawned. A new day has been born, and we are newly alive to enjoy it.

All: We know the beauty of God’s creation and the wonder of the human family. We remember those whose love has shaped our lives and those whose ministries which fight for justice has empowered us to do the same.

One: We gather in our online worship service to worship God, to share prayers and gifts, and to pledge ourselves to God’s work in the world.

All: May God bless us, so that what we do in this time together may be honest, sacred, and filled with hope.

One: Let us worship God!

CALL TO CONFESSION – Butch Sorenson

What God asks of us is to remember the promise: that God will be with us and work in us. Come before God now, ready to be a part of all that is good. Let go of what keeps you from God’s powerful call.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

So often, God of wholeness, we are a torn people.
We set ourselves apart based on differences, distinctions, judgments, and opinions.
We tear ourselves from within as we strive for independence and unique individuality.
We do not recognize our common longings for peace, for healing, and for deep meaning within life.
You come to us in reassuring love.
The power of your spirit blesses our living with hope and feeds us in joy.
In the unity of that Spirit we draw together to pray as your renewed children.
Refresh us now as we open who we are and who we may yet become. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.
The past is left behind;
everything has become fresh and new.
Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel:
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE-  Anna Rosas

WE ARE MARCHING IN THE LIGHT OF GOD

We are marching in the light of God; we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God’ we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, marching, we are marching, in the light of God.
We are marching, marching, we are marching in the light of God.

THE WORD

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION – Summer Interns

Providing God, by your Holy Spirit feed us with your Word, that we may be filled with the bread of life. Amen.

CHORAL ANTHEM

• • “All Who Hunger”

SCRIPTURE

• • Acts 11

SERMON – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

• • ‘And They Were First Called Christians’

THE RESPONSE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Claire Lardner, Cris Sweeny, and Sage

Let us pray for the needs of the world, saying,

O Lord, attend to our cry, give ear to our prayer.

God who hears us, holds us, and helps us,

you are our eternal source of blessing.

You are our endless source of provision.

In your compassion, you see our need;

you heal our sickness and satisfy our hunger.

Hear us now as we pray for the church, the world, and all in need:

O Lord, attend to our cry, give ear to our prayer.

For our sisters and brothers and siblings called by your name throughout the world,

O Lord, attend to our cry, give ear to our prayer.

Bless your church and help us move forward in mission with you.

O Lord, attend to our cry, give ear to our prayer.

For the healing and preservation of your creation in heaven and on earth.

O Lord, attend to our cry, give ear to our prayer.

For the need of the nations – wisdom for leaders, vindication and relief for the oppressed –

O Lord, attend to our cry, give ear to our prayer.

For those who are hungry, ill, vulnerable, or seeking refuge from adversaries and injustice,

O Lord, attend to our cry, give ear to our prayer.

For all who need you, near and far, for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, and especially those we now name in our hearts….

O Lord, attend to our cry, give ear to our prayer.

We pray all this in Christ’s name who also taught us when we prayed to pray in this manner:

THE LORD’S PRAYER

For the Lord’s Prayer we appreciate the diverse traditions and backgrounds that make up the Riviera family of faith, and encourage you to use whatever words for this prayer are meaningful for you.

Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

CALL TO OFFERING – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

O Gracious God, bless our offering that it may reach and touch those who hunger, who hurt, who seek new hope.  As part of the global village, we care about all of our sisters and brothers.  We pray for disarmament and world peace, for an end to bigotry and institutional racism, for liberty to those who are oppressed, for joy to those who are weary.  In honor of our Sovereign God. Amen.

PER CAPITA please remember to send in your $36 per member for your per capita. The Per Capita Apportionment is a share of the expense of the ecclesiastical/administrative work of the Presbyterian Church (USA) at each governing level (the General Assembly, the Synod of South Atlantic, and the Presbytery of Tropical Florida). It is how all the member churches pay for the administration of the larger church. You can pay your Per Capita on our website at
www.rivierachurch.org

INVITATION TO GIVE TITHES AND OFFERINGS

The Act of Gratitude

1. 1. You may donate today via credit/debit card by visiting our website at www.rivierachurch.org and clicking on the GIVE button
   2. You may download the free Give+ app (iOS & Android)
   3. You may consider setting up online payment via your bank bill pay program.
   4. You may also mail in your check to the church at Riviera Presbyterian Church at 5275 Sunset Drive, Miami FL 33143

If you are a member of another church, please donate to them during this time

SPECIAL OFFERING OPPORTUNITY

• • Frances Tucker Elementary School

DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God, ye hosts in heaven above;
Praise God, the Trinity of Love. Amen

PLEASE JOIN US NOW ON ZOOM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

• • https://bit.ly/rpcsunday  (starts at 11:45 a.m. Sunday August 2nd)

INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO COMMUNION

Prepare a space for communion.
Light a candle and place it on your table
With bread and a cup filled with wine or grape juice
add any other items (bible or cross) that will make your table a spiritual and holy place.

HYMN 

• • • Hymn 753: “Make Me A Channel of Your Peace”

THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

Let us pray.

God, we ask you to be present with us as we meet knowing that you transcend our physical distance from one another. You are not tied to time or space and you part the veil between us as we come together to share your holy meal. We know that we are only a computer or phone screen apart and that through this sacrament we are your body whether physically distanced or together. Amen.

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

At Riviera Church we practice open communion. You need not be a member of Riviera or any church to share in this sacramental meal.

Communion is a tactile, sensory experience where we symbolically serve a meal that has been handed down to us from the ancient Hebrews at their Passover Table and adapted by Jesus as he shared his last meal with his disciples. You are invited to participate in this communion in any way that fits your faith journey at this time. Taste the love that we share together even in this time of worshipping online.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

One: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: Lift up your hearts!

All: We lift them up to the Lord.

One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

God, we thank you for this holy time, when even though we are separated by space out of our love and respect for each other, we have the ability to come together in other ways. You have called us to be your church, your body, your hands and heart, and although we dearly miss our community, within this virus we realize that you call us to ministry outside our church building in the world you have created. We thank you for our appreciation of the little things you have given us in the beauty of the blue sky, the majesty of a sunrise or sunset, and the love we have within our families and friends.

Through your son Jesus, we have learned the great power of love and forgiveness. We live using Christ’s life and ministries of caring for others as our model. And because of this we raise up our personal prayers to you at this time. Be with our community, those who are healthy and those who pray for healing. We pray for those who are grieving the death of loved ones in our community and in the greater community as well. Be with us and comfort us in this time of upheaval caused by the COVID virus, the economic downturn, and those who are feeling the pain of the institutional racism which also is a virus in our society. We ask that we be your arms, your hands, doing your work on earth and bringing your creation to shalom.

We thank you, God, for the gift of your Holy Spirit which brings us such comfort and allows us to know that you are always with us and we are held in your love now and always.

Heavenly Creator, we thank you for these gifts of bread and wine which are at my table and also at the tables of our homes. May they be for us a holy and spiritual meal where we feel your presence. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE COMMUNION 

THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Because the broken bread has meant our life, and the outpoured cup has meant our healing by your love, and because our common sharing of this meal has meant the communion of our souls and because we have been graced by your presence, God, we give you thanks and pray that our lives may be renewed in the life and love of Jesus Christ. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION – Rev. Martha Shiverick

PLEASE STAY FOR OUR VIRTUAL ‘HOLY GROUNDS’ COFFEE HOUR

NOTES

• • Don’t forget to fill out the Friendship Form below, or leave us a comment on Facebook so we know you worshiped with us today. Please include any prayer requests you have which will be sent to our pastoral care team.

  • Riviera’s Food Pantry Ministry will be distributing food on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon on the east entrance of the sanctuary.

     Our Current Needs:

    Spaghetti/Pasta/Ramen Spaghetti Sauce Peanut Butter Canned Veggies Rice or Dry beans (1lb.) Soup Crackers (1lb.) Tuna

    Lg. Box Cereal Mac and Cheese Chef Boyardee Cans Fruit Cups or cans Toothbrush/Toothpaste Sm. Shampoo/Conditioner Granola bars Cash is also welcome!

  • Donations can be dropped off at the church Fellowship Hall doors on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. If you are ordering the food to be delivered please schedule them for Tuesdays or Thursdays. –Thank you.

    • Sunday Morning Adult Education Online
      Via ZOOM
      10:00 am – 10:30 am
      This is a great opportunity to study Sunday’s sermon passage with Pastor Missy. Meeting # 860-148-3445

  –Thank you.

  ---

  COPYRIGHT NOTICES

  Video and audio was recorded by various members of the church’s staff and family for the purpose of providing online worship to the members of Riviera Presbyterian and others who view the link.

  Reprinted/streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE#A-713957. All rights reserved.

  For All the Saints

  Public Domain

  TEXT: William Walsham How, 1864

  MUSIC: Ralph Vaughan Williams 1906

  Siyahamba/We Are Marching In the Light of God

  #65063 Type: Words and Music; First Line: We Are Marching In the Light of God

  Contributors: Anders Nyberg

  All Who Hunger

  MUSIC: Rowland H. Prichard

  TEXT: Sylvia G. Dunstan, 1991, GIA

  Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

  Type: Words and Music; First Line: Make me a channel of your peace

  Dedicated to Mrs. Frances Tracy. Text and music © 1967, OCP. All rights reserved.

  Contributors: Sebastian Temple