Sunday Worship Service for December 13, 2020

BULLETIN

Worship Sunday December 13, 2020
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – “JOY”

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 here.

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 

• • Hymn 147: “The First Nowell“

CHIMING OF THE HOUR and WELCOMING THE LIGHT

WELCOME – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

LIGHTING OF THE THIRD ADVENT CANDLE – the Fouche Family

Today the candle of Joy is lit. Consider joy.
The joy of the Lord truly is our greatest strength for the journey.
This has been a long, long journey since we lit this candle last year. Present today, and all along, is the joy of the Risen Christ among us.
(Light three candles; last one is the Pink Candle) 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 days to come…
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
The dessert shall rejoice and blossom;
Like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
And rejoice with joy and singing. (Isaiah 35:1)

Let us pray:
Holy God, the Joy of the Lord, oh the Joy of the Lord, of such is our strength.
So we lift up our heads, we turn our faces to the Light, and we lift ourselves to your glory. Set us aflame with joy. We wait in hope, peace, and joy with all your people through the ages and into tomorrow. Amen.

• • HYMN 95: “Prepare the Way of the Lord”

CALL TO CONFESSION — Jackie Junco and Juliana Orozco

Old Habits and new wrongs wear ruts through our lives and relationships.

But God is able to restore us. Like water coursing through a desert, the waters of baptism flow through us, reminding us that we belong to God and are raised to new life.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Merciful God, you love justice; why, then, do we persist in wrongdoing? You have given us the gift of your Spirit; why, then, do we quench the Spirit among us? You have given us the words of the prophets;
why, then, do we despise and ignore what we have heard from you?
You have sent the light into the world; why, then, have we loved darkness rather than light? Forgive us. Restore us. Till and tend us as your garden until righteousness and praise spring up. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

In Jesus Christ, God has done great things for us! Even if we have gone out in tears, God brings us home shouting for joy. It is with absolute confidence that we state we are loved and forgiven. Thanks be to God!

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — Anna Rosas

CHILDREN’S HYMN

• • Hymn 114: “Away in A Manger”

THE WORD

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION — Cindy Hershey

Holy One, giver of life and light, as your word is read and proclaimed, illumine our hearts and minds, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, our lives may reflect God’s glory. Amen.

CHORAL ANTHEM

• • Hymn: “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”

SCRIPTURE READING — Cindy Hershey

• • Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

SERMON — Rev. Martha M. Shiverick

• • Where Have We Seen God at Work This Year?

THE RESPONSE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER – Carol and Abigail Thompson

God who restores,
you have done great things for us and we rejoice! So often you have filled us with laughter,
even turning tears of sadness into shouts of joy. You send prophets, who point the way to justice and show the way to you.
We thank you for sending good news to us and repairing so much that we have devastated.
In this season of light,
we lift up in prayer so many who wait in darkness: people oppressed by poverty and discrimination, by political upheaval or dangerous rulers;
people imprisoned wrongly and people without a voice who need empowerment. Make the brokenhearted whole again;
comfort those who mourn; repair our ruined cities.
In all the jostling and juggling of these days, do not let us lose sight of you
or those whom you especially came to serve:
people in need of healing,
people who are overlooked or underserved,
the ones who are lost,
and the ones we have made to feel little and least.
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

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.

MINUTE FOR MISSION — by Rev. Adelite Hategeka

• • Christmas Joy Offering – a testimonial

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. Missy Shiverick

CLOSING HYMN

• • Hymn 119: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

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: Peanut Butter, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Granola Bars, Canned Soup, Tuna, Veggies and Fruit, 1 lb rice bags, Dried beans. 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. You may also send monetary donations via our online service, via your bank’s bill pay, or mail a check to the church. –Thank you. 

–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.

• • The First Nowell
    Public domain. Hymn 147. English carol; Sandys’ Christmas Carols, 1833.  
  • Away In A Manger
    Public Domain 
  • Prepare the Way of the Lord
    Hymn 95. Composer Jacques Berthier. © 1984, Les Presses de Taizé, GIA Publications, Inc., agent 
  • Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
    Public Domain 
  • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!
    Author Charles Wesley, 1739. Composer Felix Mendelssohn, 1840. Arr. W Cummings, 1855.