HELPFUL LINKS FOR THIS WEEK:
- Download today’s Bulletin: Riviera Presbyterian Church Bulletin Script December 20, 2020 (PDF)
- Watch the video on Youtube or above. Premiere is at 11:00 a.m. Sunday. The video duration is 35 minutes.
- When the video finishes, join our HOLY GROUNDS Zoom call at 11:45 a.m.: (Zoom ID 829 1129 7119 pw 056833)
- Let us know you attended worship with us today / submit a prayer of praise or concern
- We offer Adult Sunday School on Sundays before worship. Email the church office for a Zoom link.
- Join Riviera online Thursday evening, 12/24, for Christmas Eve. The service will be found on this page.
- Read the devotional PDF for the Season of Advent
BULLETIN
Worship Sunday December 20, 2020
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – “LOVE”
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 –
CHIMING OF THE HOUR – Ellen Anderson
WELCOMING THE LIGHT
WELCOME – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick
LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH ADVENT CANDLE – Laura Fothergill and David German and Family
Today the Candle of Love is lit. Consider love.
See what God has given us…
God’s love becomes incarnate in the one born. This wondrous love lives in us today.
(Light four candles) Jesus says: I am coming soon.
We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
As the lord has promised, in the days to come…
The Lord will give you a sign.
Look the young woman is with child. She will bear a son,
And name him Emmanuel: “God is with us.” (Isa.7:14)
Let us pray:
Holy God, your love surrounds us. Your love draws us in, Enfolds us with grace, And keeps us in the struggle of today.
Allow your holy love to shine in us. Let your love and light shine in us,
Set us aflame with love. We wait in hope, peace, joy, and love with all your people,
Through the ages and into tomorrow. Amen.
CANDLE LIGHTING HYMN
CALL TO CONFESSION – Susan and Christian Mazzola
Let us confess our sins to the One whose mercy endures from generation to generation.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Faithful God, we know that you are always there to guide us, yet we often make plans without listening to you and discover that our human agendas can drown out our ability to hear your will for us. We repent of these sins, that our lives may magnify your holy name forever. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Siblings in Christ, your sins are forgiven. Blessed be the God of our salvation whose mercy is everlasting.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Anna Rosas
THE WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION – Sandy Barrow
Who are we, God, that you should come to us? Yet you have visited your people and redeemed us in your Son. As we prepare to celebrate his birth, make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your word and move us by your Spirit to bless your wonderful works. Amen.
CHORAL ANTHEM
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- Hymn 99: “My Soul Gives Glory to My God”
SCRIPTURE READING – Sandy Barrow
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- Luke 1:26-38
SERMON – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick
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- ‘The Miracle of Childbirth!’
THE RESPONSE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE — Elaine Lanaris
Let us join our voices with Mary, who celebrates God’s greatness and sings of God’s blessing for all the poor and oppressed.
We pray for the mission of your church, that we may proclaim the good news of this age as we rejoice at the gift of our Savior.
We pray for all who suffer, that we may feed the hungry and lift up the lowly; may you help us to offer comfort to people separated from those they love because of the pandemic in which we live.
We pray for your creation, that we may safeguard its well-being from generation to generation as good stewards of all that you have given us.
We remember those who have died and that there are among us people who
will be grieving this Christmas for who is not at the holiday table.
We pray all this in Christ’s name who also 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
Joining Mary’s joyful song, our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord, and our spirits rejoice in you our God and Savior. So, it is with humble and grateful hearts that we bring to you our tithes and offerings. We ask you to bless the gifts we offer to lift up the lowly and fill the hungry in your coming reign of justice and peace. Amen.
MINUTE FOR MISSION
INVITATION TO GIVE TITHES AND OFFERINGS
The Act of Gratitude
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- You may donate today via credit/debit card by visiting our website at www.rivierachurch.org and clicking on the GIVE button
- You may download the free Give+ app (iOS & Android)
- You may consider setting up online payment via your bank bill pay program.
- 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. Missy Shiverick
CLOSING HYMN
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
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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.
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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.
Angels We Have Heard on High
Hymn 113. #84241. Type: Words and Music; First Line: Angels we have heard on high. Text: 77 77 with refrain; French, ca. 18th cent.; tr. from Crown of Jesus Music, London, 1862. Music: Trad. French carol. Contributors: GLORIA
Prepare the way of the Lord
Hymn 95. Text: Taize Community 1984; Music: Jacques Berthier, 1984; ©1984 Les Presses de Taize GIA Publications, Inc.
Away In A Manger
Hymn 115. Public Domain
My Soul Gives Glory to My God
Hymn 99. #91855 List. Type: Words; First Line: My soul gives glory to my God. Contributors: Medical Mission Sisters. Text: Text by Miriam Therese Winter, MMS, © 1987, Medical Mission Sisters
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Hymn 123. Public Domain
