Dear Church Family,
While we are apart, we continue to look for ways to connect and be together in the Spirit.
It is my goal to share with you each week the liturgy I prepare for the Sunday service. We will email it to our members and mail it to those who do not utilize social media. As you will see, the worship content will even include some of the hymns’ stanzas. I will also post a sermon on our Facebook Page which will be available to you by Sunday morning.
By doing this, we can all say the Call to Worship, pray the Invocation, sing the Goria Patri and stanzas of the hymns (if you know the tune), read the Scriptures, and conclude with the Benediction. If you’re with your spouse or another family member, you may want to worship together on Sunday at 10:00 AM. You can also pick another day and/or time to go through the service and listen to the sermon.
The idea is to be “together” as we lift our praises and prayers to our God in our homes. Our hearts will resonate with the presence of Jesus Christ and each other. Listen to the words of the disciples who met the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus, for I believe we will experience the same thing.
“They said to each other, were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)
Blessings,
Pastor Felix Carrión
CALL TO WORSHIP
M: God is in our midst, watching over us and strengthening our faith.
C: Though the way will be difficult, God’s faithfulness remains with
us and it will not fail.
M: We need not fear. We only need to believe.
C: In the Lord we will take refuge, for God is our strength.
M: Come to the Lord who will surround you with God’s own love and
light.
C: Lord, open our hearts and our spirits so that we may remain
United in the Spirit, Strong in our Love, and Steady in our Faith.
AMEN.
HYMN #407 “How Firm a Foundation” vs. 1 & 2
How firm a foundation for you has been laid,
by God in the Word, in the sacrifice paid!
What more can God say than to you has been said,
to you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“Fear not, I am with you, oh, be not dismayed,
for I am your God, I will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand
up held by my gracious, omnipotent hand.”
INVOCATION God of all peace, you are the source of our hope and strength in life. Our circumstances are far from peaceful at this time, as we face a pandemic that disrupts our ways of life and disturbs our peace. In these days, Lord Jesus Christ, remind us of the great truth that your peace is not the peace that the world offers. Your peace is greater than the situation we find ourselves in. Your peace surpasses all understanding. It is this peace and this blessed
reassurance that takes away our fear and emboldens our faith. So, we cry out to you: grant us your peace and let it transform our minds, our hearts and our actions. We pray this for ourselves, our nation and our world, in and through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAISE #759 “Gloria Patri”
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 31:1-5
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
₁In you, O LORD, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
₂Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
₃You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
₄take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
₅Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
SCRIPTURE John 14:25-27
₂₅I have said these things to you while I am still with you. ₂₆But the
Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will
teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
₂₇Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as
the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubles, and do not let them
be afraid.
HYMN #573 “Lead On Eternal Sovereign” vs. 1 & 2
Lead on eternal Sovereign, we follow in your way;
loud rings your cry for justice, your call for peace this day:
Through prayerful preparation, your grace will make us strong,
to carry on the struggle to triumph over wrong.
Lead on eternal Sovereign, we follow not with fear,
for in each human conflict your words of strength we hear:
That when we serve with gladness, you will not let us fall,
our trust is in your promise that love will conquer all.
SERMON “My Peace I Give to You” Rev. Felix Carrión
PASTORAL PRAYER/THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN #436 “God of Grace and God of Glory” vs. 1, 2 & 5
God of grace and God of glory, on your people
pour your power; crown your ancient church’s story;
bring its bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.
From the evils that surround us and assail the
Savior’s ways, from the fears that long have bound us-
free our hearts for faith and praise. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the living of these days, for the living of these days.
Save us from weak resignation to the evils
we deplore; let the search for your salvation
be our glory evermore. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving you whom we adore, serving you whom we adore.
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
M: “May God bless us and keep us safe. May God’s face shine upon us and be gracious to one and all. May God look upon us with kindness and grant us peace.”