Sunday Worship Service for December 6, 2020

BULLETIN

Worship Sunday December 6, 2020
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT – “PEACE”
WITH COMMUNION

Good Morning!

Welcome to Riviera’s virtual worship service. We’re delighted that you joined us today. 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 on our website www.rivierachurch.org WORSHIP page.

If you are joining us via Facebook or YouTube, 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.

“The primary symbolism of the Advent Candles has to do with light growing in darkness- leading up to the coming of Jesus, the light of the world.
–– From the Book of Common Worship

The Liturgies for the lighting of the Advent Wreath were written by the staff of the
Presbytery of Tropical Florida. PCUSA churches throughout South Florida will be using
the same liturgies each Sunday symbolizing our being Vibrant Together. In unity and
connections with one another we anticipate the advent of Christ among us.

GATHERING

OPENING HYMN – Forest City String Band

• • Hymn 87: “Comfort, Comfort Now My People“

CHIMING OF THE HOUR

WELCOMING THE LIGHT

WELCOME – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE – Hannemann Family

Today the Candle of Peace is lit. Consider peace.
Peace is not found in the culture.
Peace is not what comes after the pandemic.
Peace, God’s eternal peace, is with us while we wait and pray.
(Light two candles) Jesus says: I am coming soon.
We lit the second candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
As the Lord promised, in days to come…
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
The leopard shall lie down with the kid,
The calf and the lion and the fatling will lie down together,
And a little child shall lead them. (Isa. 11:6)
Let us pray:
Holy God, allow us to feel your peace.
In circumstances of chaos,
You are our order and our ardor.
Form us into peacemakers who
Welcome this light among us.
God who gently leads us,
Set us aflame here and now with peace.
We wait in hope and peace with all your people
Through the ages and into tomorrow. Amen.

HYMN

• • Hymn 95 “Prepare the Way of the Lord”

CALL TO CONFESSION — John and Vivian German

God of all peoples, your servant John came baptizing and calling for
repentance. Help us to hear his voice of judgement, that we may also
rejoice in his word of promise. Let us together confess our sins before God.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Faithful God, we confess that we have not led lives of holiness. We
suffer from impatience, apathy, and greed; we have not been at peace.
We repent of these offenses and turn to you in love. Forgive our
iniquity and pardon our sins, that we may walk in righteousness to
the glory of your name.
Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Children of God, as John the Baptist promised, salvation is at hand for
those who turn to God. We are all forgiven and loved. Amen.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — Anna Rosas

HYMN

• • Hymn 115:  “AWAY IN A MANGER” (ONE VERSE PLAYED)

THE WORD

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION — Michele Ready

Mighty God, send your Holy Spirit to speak peace, that the good news of
this age may be proclaimed through your word, which stands forever.
Amen.

CHORAL ANTHEM

• • Hymn 82 – Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

SCRIPTURE READING — Michele Ready

• • Mark 1:1-8

SERMON — Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

• • ‘John the Baptist and the Prophet’

THE RESPONSE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE — Fabian Carrera

As we are heralds of God’s good tidings,
let us lift up our voices with strength this day,
praying for the One who comforts, restores, and heals.
Let us pray for all leaders and people of the world.
You have created one human family to live in righteousness and peace.
Give us the wisdom to order our common life according to your loving
purposes, that your glory may be revealed and all people shall see it
together.

Let us pray for your church.
You have given us the gift of Emmanuel, God with us, and we pray that we
live in a way that reflects the teachings and love that Jesus taught.
We pray for those who are feeling the weight of this season.
We pray for our siblings who are sick, who are grieving, who need comfort
in this time of insecurity and fear due to the Corona Virus pandemic.
You have made us for a holy purpose, to comfort and care for each other.

Give us the compassion to care for our neighbors and patience to care for
those in need.

And now let us pray in the manner Jesus taught us:

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

Gracious God, teach us to give thanks in all circumstances, for you are
always with us. Thank you for the privilege of sharing what we have with others,
of giving ourselves away in love, and of receiving the gifts that others share
with us. With our whole being, spirit, soul, and body, we rejoice in you.
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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

MINUTE FOR MISSION — by Rev. Dr. Stewart M. Pattison

• • Christmas Joy Offering – a testimonial

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

INVITATION TO COMMUNION – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

HYMN IN PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION

• • Hymn 121: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” 

WE WILL GO INTO THE ZOOM COMMUNION SERVICE

• • Use this zoom link:
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82911297119?pwd=clRaS3V6YjBTMlpmRGFTaEZuTlg0dz09
  • Meeting ID 829-1129-7119
  • Passcode 056833

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.

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

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

God of pregnant expectations, God of Christmas promise, God of child-like hope, we have indeed been fed once again at your Spiritual table. May this meal fill us with hope in a world of despair. May we be beacons of hope as we await your realm to come. Grant that this taste of Your banquet gives us a hunger for peace and justice in our community and around the world. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

COMMUNION IS FOLLOWED BY OUR VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR

‘HOLY GROUNDS’

Thank you for worshipping at Riviera today. Please take a moment fill out the Friendship Form on our website and share any prayer requests or joys which will be sent to our pastoral care team.

HOLY GROUNDS FELLOWSHIP

You are invited to join the zoom meeting for fellowship time.
http://bit.ly/rpcsunday

Starts at 11:45 a.m.

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.

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

RIVIERA 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:  Canned Veggies, fruits, soups, and tuna, pasta sauce, peanut butter and granola bars.  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 performed and 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.

COPYRIGHT © 2020 RIVIERA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. All rights reserved.