Sunday Worship Service for November 29, 2020

BULLETIN

Worship Sunday November 29, 2020
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 

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. Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet?

GATHERING

OPENING HYMN

• • Hymn 83: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus“

CHIMING OF THE HOUR

WELCOMING THE LIGHT

WELCOME – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

CALL TO WORSHIP — Morgan, Dylan and Dustin

Today the Candle of Hope is lit. Consider hope.
As a church, we are a community of hope in the long night of the global pandemic.
Our hope is in Christ, and even as we wait, such hope lights the way.
(Light Candle)
Jesus says: I am coming soon.

We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
As it was promised in the days to come:
The nations shall beat their swords into plowshares.
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore. (Isa 2:4)

Let us pray:
Holy God, the darkness is long.
We long to dance in the sunlight,
And yet the extended nights of loneliness
Stretch so very long as we wait.
In the dimness we long for that flicker,
We long for that star-light of hope;
For it burns bright like a candle in the dark.
Our hope, our longing is in You, our God.
Set us aflame with hope.
We wait in hope with all your people
Through the ages and into tomorrow.
Amen.

• • HYMN #95 – “Prepare the Way of the Lord” 

CALL TO CONFESSION – Karen Collier

How can we stand in the presence of God?
Let us confess those places where we need to grow to prepare for Christ to come into our lives.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God-with-us,
even in Advent,
we confess that you seem far away.
You are hidden when we need you near.
In our hurt, doubt, and fear,
we do not try to draw closer to you;
instead we lash out –
against you, our neighbor, even those we love.
Forgive us, we pray and come to save us!
Let your face shine until our tears are dried,
our sins are faded, and our hope is restored.
After all, we belong to you,
and in your hands, we can be made new.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

We ask God to tear open the heavens and come down;
But God will not perform according to our wants and whims.
Instead, God comes like the sound of sheer silence:
Thin, Quiet.
Instead God is born among us as an infant.
Instead God shows us how love is made perfect in weakness.
So we will stay alert through this Advent, knowing God loves us and that we are God’s people, and that there is no other God besides ours.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — Anna Rosas

• • HYMN 114 – “Away in A Manger”

THE WORD

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION Sandy Barrow

Gracious God, heaven and earth will pass away,
but your word will not pass away:
Your Word stands forever.
May our generation be attentive so that,
by the power of your Holy Spirit,
we remember your ways and gladly do right,
meeting you where ever and whenever you appear.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

CHORAL ANTHEM

• • “Light One Candle”

SCRIPTURE READING — Sandy Barrow

• • Matthew 1:18-23

SERMON — Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

• • ‘Messianic Hopes and Expectations’

THE RESPONSE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER – Michelle Garcia and Stephanie Godoy

God of power and glory, we remember your awesome deeds across the ages. – The times you saved us and brought us home.
Yet we also remember the times when we have felt alone and afraid and ask that you look upon us with love in our times of need.

We pray for those who look to you for healing and hope…
for those who are sick or recuperating from illness or injury…
for those who are lonely and need companionship and care…
for those for whom the holidays bring sorrow or pain,
whose deep sadness overshadows any joy.
We pray that they feel your presence and love.
We pray for people in need of reconciliation
for those who battle addictions and for whom this holiday season is tough to live one day at a time.
We pray for people who feel the weight of grief while others are filled with merriment and joy,
and we pray for those who are far from home while others surround themselves with family and loved ones.

God, as we begin this season of Advent, we hold each other in prayer, knowing that as a community and family of faith, we will usher in the holiday celebrating the one born in a manger as we also try and bring hope, love, and joy to this world.

Now let us together pray in the manner that Christ 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

Lord, we give you thanks that in the coming of Christ
your steadfast love and faithfulness have met
and your righteousness and peace have kissed.
May the gifts we offer this day lift up those in need
and prepare the way of your salvation. 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

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

CLOSING HYMN

• • Hymn 115: “Away in A Manger” 

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.

MUSIC CREDITS

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.

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Presbyterian Hymnal #83. Public Domain

Prepare the Way of the Lord
Presbyterian Hymnal #95. Text: Taizé community, 1984. Music: Jacques Berthier, 1984. Text and Music © 1984 Les Presses de Taizé (admin GIA Publications Inc.) 

Away in A Manger
Presbyterian Hymnal #114. Text: Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families, 1885. Music: William James Kirkpatrick, 1895.

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah
Traditional Yiddish folk song.

Away in a Manger
Presbyterian Hymnal #115. Text: Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families, 1885. Music: James R. Murray, 1887.