Sunday Worship Service for May 24, 2020

BULLETIN TEXT FOLLOWS:

WORSHIP SUNDAY MAY 24, 2020
‘Nuggets of Joy in a Time of Turmoil’
MEMORIAL DAY SUNDAY

Good Morning! We’re delighted that you are joining us today. We thank God for the gift of technology and the ability to worship together even when we are apart. Let us know you worshiped with us today by filling out the Friendship Form located on our website WORSHIP page www.rivierachurch.org.

If you are joining in via Facebook, please leave us a comment and don’t forget to keep checking our various social media outlets, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, for up-to-date information.

GATHERING

OPENING HYMN

• • Hymn #337 – ‘My Country, Tis of Thee’

CHIMING OF THE HOUR and WELCOMING THE LIGHT

WELCOME – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

CALL TO WORSHIP – Elder John German

One: In a world filled with violence and war,

All: we gather together to celebrate the promise of peace.

One: In a world filled with tyranny and oppression,

All: we gather together to celebrate the promise of justice for all.

One: In a world filled with hunger and greed,

All: we gather together to celebrate the promise of plenty for all.

One: Our hope is in the name of the Almighty God,

All: the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of heaven and earth.

One: Let us worship God!

CALL TO CONFESSION – Elder Karen Collier

If we claim to be sinless, we are self-deceived and strangers to the truth. If we confess our sins, God is just and may be trusted to forgive our sins and cleanse us from every kind of wrong.

Let us confess our sins before God.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison – Elder Karen Collier

God of every nation, as we remember those who gave their lives for our sake and ask that we be stirred into a passion for peace in their memory. We confess that we do not always work for peace and build community in our fractured world. We have not loved our neighbors, or even tried to love those who are not our neighbors and who are different than ourselves. Forgive us for failing to live up to your commandments and help us to work for your realm to come on earth as it is in heaven.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Elder Karen Collier

Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.

Anyone in Christ is of the new creation; Old things have passed away, all things are new. Friends: Believe the Good News of the Gospel. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Rev. Martha Shiverick

THE WORD

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION  – Elder John German

Spirit of Glory, Spirit of God, bless us with a word of life this day
to restore, support, and strengthen us as we seek to be one with you.
Amen.

SCRIPTURE Acts 1: 6-14

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of[a] James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

SERMON – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

• • ‘The Promise and the Charge’

THE RESPONSE

VIDEO MONTAGE 

• • Honoring our Armed Forces

CHORAL ANTHEM

• • This is My Song

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – The Rev. Dr. David Welton & The Rev. Rosemary Noga Welton

A Prayer for Memorial Day by Mark Koenig

Eternal God,

from whom all life comes and to whom all life returns,

we remember all who served our country in the military.

We remember and we give thanks.

We give thanks for the sacrifices made and the losses endured.

We give thanks for acts of courage, grace, and hope.

We give thanks for our brothers and sisters who gave the full measure of devotion.

We give thanks for those we knew and those we never met.

For the life, goodness, faith, courage, and love that was in each one, we give thanks.

We pray for our brothers and sisters who are recovering from wounds in body, mind, or soul.

Work healing in them in all the forms healing takes.

We pray for those who provide care for them.

Show us ways that we can extend care and support. 

We pray for families and friends and all who grieve for loved ones who have died.

Meet them in the valley of death’s shadow.

Embrace them in the healing warmth of your comfort, grace, and love.

Grant them and all of us the assurance

that nothing in life or in death

can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord,

in whose name we pray.

May the day soon come when swords are beaten into plowshares, war is studied no more, and all peoples in your world will know peace.

May we work for that day.

We pray all this in Jesus’ name who also taught us to pray in this manner:

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.

THE LORD’S PRAYER unison

Our Creator 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 us 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 Shiverick

CALL TO OFFERING – Rev. Martha Shiverick

Glorious God, everything that is given to us rains forth from the abundance of your love. Bless these gifts and our lives together as your community that all we are and all we offer give glory to you. Amen.

INVITATION TO GIVE TITHES AND OFFERINGS

The Act of Gratitude

1. 1. 1. You may donate today via credit/debit card by visiting our website atwww.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 #338, “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies”

NOTES 

PARTIAL LISTING OF OUR ARMED FORCES 

With our deep gratitude for men and women serving in the armed forces who have made the greatest sacrifice for our freedom is our thanksgiving for members of Riviera and the Riviera community who have served in the military.

We salute:

• • Alan Fothergill, corporal, US Army 1943 (Laura Fothergill’s grandfather)
  • Brian Ross, Major, active duty USAF at Offutt AFB (Laura’s cousin)
  • Leo Schatz, Third Class Pharmacist Mate, USN (Ellen Anderson’s dad)
  • Carol Fulton, First Class Navy Counselor, USN (Ellen Anderson’s sister)
  • Rev. Daniel Morales, Lt JG Chaplain Candidate, US Navy, 2012-2016 at Ft. Jackson S.C.
  • Justin Harrison, corporal, USMC at Quantico Va. (Kathy Stults’ nephew, Troy + Mary Harrison’s son)
  • Lt. Howard Wilcox, US Army (Served in the European theatre during WW2. He was on Omaha Beach on D Day plus 1 with the US Army’s Second Infantry Division) (Karen Moyer’s dad)
  • Henry ‘Butch’ Sorenson, Staff Sergeant, USAF 1965-69
  • Julio Gonzalez, US Army in 1960s (Ruth’s father)
  • Capt. Christian Mazzola, U.S. Army and Reserve, 1963-1972
  • Karen Bergman, Paul Enchelmayer; Steven Enchelmayer; Carl Enchelmayer; Bob Adams, Victor Enchelmayer, Peter Enchelmayer (Robertson’s relatives)
  • Gage German, U.S. Marines
  • Dani German, U.S. Navy
  • We are thankful for John German, Becky Fouche, and Brandon Bestard and many others who bravely served.

Don’t forget to fill out the Friendship Form below on this page, or leave us a comment on Facebook so we know you worship with us today. Please include any prayer requests you have which will be sent to our pastoral care team.

ZOOM

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.

• • Meeting ID: 931-409-506   // Password: 5275

FOOD PANTRY

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.

If you would like to shop for the food pantry the following items are needed: peanut butter, pasta sauce, pasta, crackers, tuna, rice -1lb bags, canned soup, cereal or granola bars, canned veggies, and canned fruit.

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

NOTES

1. 1. 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.
   2. Music reprinted under OneLicense.net A-713957
   3. Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-713957.