Sunday Worship Service for September 6, 2020 with Rev. Rosemary Noga Welton

BULLETIN

Worship Sunday September 6, 2020
SERMON SUMMER SERIES
THE BOOK OF ACTS / COMMUNION 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 624: “I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art”

CHIMING OF THE HOUR & WELCOMING THE LIGHT

WELCOME – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

CALL TO WORSHIP Ruth González

• • Psalm 145

One: The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.

All: The LORD upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.

One: The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.

All: The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

One: Let us worship God!

CALL TO CONFESSION Rev. Dr. David Welton

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 unison

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. Hear now our silent prayers…..

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

One: 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:

All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Rev. Rosemary Noga Welton

SIYAHAMBA / 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 FOR ILLUMINATION Ruth González

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

CHORAL ANTHEM

• • Take My Life, Let It Be

SCRIPTURE

• • Acts 28.25-31

SERMON Rev. Rosemary Noga Welton

• • ‘Come to the Welcome Table’

THE RESPONSE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Rev. Dr. David Welton

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

Thank you God, for the opportunity to share in your creative and restorative work among people. Because you have blessed us, we have much to give. These offerings express our gratitude and our aspirations to be more fully your own loyal community. 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 

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

• • https://bit.ly/rpcsunday

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.

PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION – Rev. Martha Shiverick

HYMN OF PREPARATION 

• • • “I’m Gonna Eat At The Welcome Table”

THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER – all are welcome to participate

• • Please visit THIS ZOOM LINK to join Communion at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday September 6, 2020

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 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.

Eternal God, we praise you that you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. You made us in your image and called us to be your people. Even when we turned away from you, you were faithful and steadfast. You execute justice for the oppressed and give food to the hungry, and you call us to do the same. There is nothing that can separate us from your love for us.

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 fills us and empowers us to be your witnesses in the world. Let your Spirit move among us now, drawing us together in community with each other and all your saints.

Heavenly Creator, we thank you for these gifts of bread and wine which are at this table and also at the tables of our homes. May they be for us a holy and spiritual meal in which 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. Rosemary Noga Welton

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.

  • There’s an important “Called Congregational Meeting” set for Sunday Sept. 13th after worship on the zoom call. The purpose of the meeting is to elect the 2023 class of Elders for Riviera and the 2021 Nominating Committee.

  • Join Mission@TheMovies. First, watch “To Breathe Free” — a movie that follows the 5-year journey of a Syrian family fleeing the war in Homs to the refugee camps in Jordan and starting a new life in Washington, D.C. —  and then sign up on Eventbrite to join a community discussion about the issues around immigration to America, on Wed., Sept. 23.

  • 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.

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

• I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art
  Public Domain
  TEXT: Psalms, Strasbourg, 1545; trans. Elizabeth Lee Smith, 1868
  MUSIC: Genevan Psalter, 1551

• 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
• Take My Life and Let It Be
  #97292 List
  Type: Words and Music; First Line: Take My Life and Let It Be
  Contributors: Public Domain
  Tune: John B. Dykes, 1823–1876 Text: Frances R. Havergal, 1836–1879; alt. Alice Edwards, 1899–1973

• I’m Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table
  Public Domain