Sunday Worship Service for August 23, 2020

BULLETIN

Worship Sunday August 23, 2020
SERMON SUMMER SERIES
THE BOOK OF ACTS

Blessing of Backpacks Sunday

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 298: “Lord, You Give the Great Commission”

CHIMING OF THE HOUR & WELCOMING THE LIGHT

WELCOME – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

CALL TO WORSHIP – Bonnie Hannemann

One: Oh God we come to worship you so that you can lead us into life in all its fullness.
All: Help us to worship with all we are and have.
One: Let our laughter and our tears be instruments of prayer.
All: Let our loves and our delights color our world and our worship with color and sound.
One: Make our doubt the clay from which we shape our faith.
All: Let our fears boil within us until they emerge as shining hope.
One: And let the light of the world be born within us until we radiate your love to the world.

CALL TO CONFESSION – Michelle Garcia and Stephanie Godoy

Too often our hearts are cold and without gratitude,
Too often our hands are passive and unwilling to carry out acts of mercy.
Too often our lips are pursed tightly, unwilling to speak words of love.
Too often we are separated and alienated from our better self, separated and alienated from God.
Let us confess our separation and alienation,
Let us join together in the Prayer of Confession.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

O Lord, our God, you call us to work for a world where all will be fed and have dignity, but we find ourselves distracted by our own desires.

You call us to seek justice and peace, but we are satisfied with injustice and discord. You call us to bring liberty to the oppressed, but we do not insist on freedom for all.

Forgive us, O Lord. Turn us to your will by the power of the Spirit, so that all may know justice and peace. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

God says to us, “You are my chosen ones. I love you, I am proud of you.

Stand firm in your renewed commitment. Know that I have forgiven you and will stand by you in all times and in all places. Dare to live fully the life to which I have called you.”

Friends: Believe the Good News. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven and restored to new life.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Anna Rosas

BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS

THE WORD

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION Lexie Hannemann

Lord our God, your name and your word are exalted above everything. We are listening for your word; we are looking for your light. By the power of the Holy Spirit, renew our minds and hearts so we will discern your will and respond in faith. Amen.

CHORAL ANTHEM

• • Seek Ye (Marques L. A. Garrett)

SERMON – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

• • “Journey #2”
  • Scripture:  Acts 16 – 18:2

THE RESPONSE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Bryan Page

God of all, we thank you for hearing these prayers:

For the human family with whom we share this world –

Those closest to us and those whose names we will never know –

We give you thanks and ask your help in living into our identity as your children.

We pray especially for those in our Riviera community who are grieving the loss of loved ones and we also pray for all people who have lost loved ones to the pandemics of our day, whether that be to the COVID-19 virus, gun violence, or institutional racism.

God, we pray for the world we share with all creation –

The plants and animals we see each day and those who live in the wilderness who we have never seen –

We give you thanks and ask your help in living into our identity as stewards of your earth.

We pray especially for our fragile planet who is warming day by day and the fragile ecosystem in which we live. As we approach the height of the hurricane season we pray that this be a mild one.

God, we pray for local, national, and international leaders –

For those whose policies we appreciate and those with whom we struggle –

We give you thanks and ask that you be at their side guiding them to act in justice and mercy.

We pray especially for our country as the election campaigns continue to ramp up their rhetoric. We pray that our country can be unified instead of torn apart by the politics of our day.

God, we especially pray for the joys and concerns that occupy our thoughts today –

Those we have spoken and those we ponder inwardly –

We give you thanks and ask that you are at our side,

Guiding us to recognize that our help is in the name of the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

We pray all this in Christ’s name who taught us 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

We give thanks to you, O Lord, for your sustaining presence and abundant grace. Receive now these gifts we bring to you out of your generous provision in our lives. May they be used to satisfy the hungry in famine, relieve the oppressed in their time of trouble, and proclaim everywhere the good news of your unconditional love. Amen.

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

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

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION Rev. Martha Shiverick

CLOSING HYMN 

• • • Hymn 749: “Come! Live in the Light!”

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.

  • Join Mission@TheMovies in a Wed., August 26th discussion about the video “Ocean to Everglades” by registering here on Eventbrite.

  • Adult Bible Study. Join us next Sunday Morning for Online Adult Bible Study Class, 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

  • Grab a cup of coffee and join us after the worship service on Zoom Holy Grounds to connect with others in the Riviera church family.  Sundays at 11:45 a.m.

  • 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:

    • Peanut Butter – Pasta – Granola Bars – Tuna – Mac and Cheese – Canned soup, fruit and veggies.

    • UNUSED Hotel size shampoo bottles

    • Toothpaste and Toothbrushes

      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.

–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.