Worship Sunday, February 21, 2021
Good Morning and welcome to Riviera’s worship service. We’re delighted that you are connecting with us today; even when we’re physically apart, the Holy Spirit unites us as one community!
Let us know you worshiped with us this morning by filling out the Friendship Form.
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. Don’t forget to keep checking our various social media outlets, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
HELPFUL LINKS FOR THIS WEEK:
- Download today’s Bulletin: Riviera Presbyterian Church Bulletin Script February 21, 2021 (PDF)
- Watch the video on Youtube or above. The premiere is at 11:00 a.m. Sunday. The video duration is 38.5 minutes.
- When the video finishes, join Zoom 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
- See a list of Lenten Season activities, devotionals and classes for now through Easter Sunday, which is April 4th.
We Believe – The Nicene Creed
THE CROSS WHICH IS ALSO A SWORD: A symbol for the Emperor Constantine and his successors because he called the ecumenical council which began the process of thinking which resulted in this creed; because he was the first Christian emperor and because he began the tradition of imperial Christianity. The cross is central here because the doctrine of Christ is central in the Creed.
THE BLUE TRIANGLE AND THE THREE SYMBOLS WITH IT: The doctrine of the Trinity formalized in the Nicene Creed.
THE HAND REACHING DOWN: God, the Father.
THE CHI RHO MONOGRAM: Christ – the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ, used by Constantine on shields and helmets of his Army.
THE DOVE: The Holy Spirit.
THE CROWNS: The rule and glory of GOD.
GATHERING
OPENING HYMN –
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
WELCOMING THE LIGHT
GREETINGS –Rev. Martha Shiverick
CALL TO WORSHIP — Karen Collier
One: People of the covenant: God does not remember us according to our sins and transgressions.
All: God remembers us according to God’s own steadfast love!
The God of our salvation teaches us right paths and leads us in truth. One: All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness; we put our trust in God.
All: Let us worship God!
CALL TO CONFESSION — Susan & Christian Mazzola
Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weakness, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION — unison
Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what for us has become for us a consuming fire of judgement.
Set us free from a past we cannot change; open us to a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ the light of the world.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the Good News! Hope does not disappoint us, for God’s love has
been poured into our hearts. Believe the good news and give thanks:
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven, Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S SERMON — Anna Rosas
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- Lenten Symbolism
CHILDREN’S SONG
THE WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION — Karen Collier
Gracious God, in rushing waters and in dry wilderness, in every season and circumstance, we need your sustaining word. By the power of your Holy Spirit, proclaim the good news among us today so that we may repent and believe and see anew how time is fulfilled and your realm has come near.
Amen.
CHORAL ANTHEM
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- Hymn #261: “Hear, O Lord, My Plea for Justice”
SCRIPTURE – Matthew 16:13-16
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[a] the Son of the living God.”
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH –
THE NICENE CREED (unison)
We believe in one God the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He shall come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, and his kingdom shall have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
SERMON — The Rev. Martha M. Shiverick
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- Lent #1 – We Believe – The Nicene Creed
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER — Kyle Dettloff
Steadfast God, thank you for sheltering us in the storms of life. Thank you
for ministering us through angels seen and unseen in times that test us.
Thank you for claiming us as a people beloved forever. Because of your great love and care for us, we trust you in our brightest joys and deepest needs.
We rejoice when dark clouds of trouble are overtaken by the light of your presence and new possibilities when things settle down after a long time of tossing about, when the great storm is over, when the promise of resurrection life takes hold in us with a sure and certain hope.
Hear our prayers, we ask for our world as we continue to live through this COVID pandemic. Give us the patience to stay safe as the months wear us down.
Hear our prayers, we ask for our country working to unify and be strong as one nation again. Help us to heal the diseases of racism and classism that plague us so that we work again for civility and the common good.
Loving God, in life and in death, we belong to you. So, in the midst of life, we entrust ourselves to your care. We are bold to ask for help when we are confused, lost, or afraid.
We are eager to ask for healing for our bodies and the bodies of those we love whether wounded, ill, or recovering. We desire to hear your voice of love, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and to see you clearly. Lead us to serve others faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ, 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.
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 CALL TO OFFERING
God of steadfast love and faithfulness, we are humbled as we try and do what is right and to walk in your ways. Receive, we ask, these offerings, and use them for your own good purposes in the church and in all creation. We pray in Jesus Christ. Amen.
CHARGE & BENEDICTION – Rev. Missy Shiverick
You are invited to Holy Grounds Fellowship Gathering via Zoom shortly after the worship service. Get yourself a cup of coffee or tea and reconnect with us at 11:45 am – Zoom Meeting ID: 829-1129-7119 | Passcode: 056833
This is a time to reconnect with one another and if you are new to our worship service we extend an invitation to join us and introduce yourself. We would love to meet you!
CLOSING HYMN
Thank you for worshipping online today. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to fill out the Friendship Form on our website to let us know you worshiped with us today and you may also share any prayer requests or joys which will be sent to our pastoral care team. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please send us an email at rivierachurch@gmail.com
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 every 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 Password: 2708.
UKULELE REHEARSALS: Ukulele Rehearsals are held on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of the month at 12:30 pm. If you are interested in participating, please email: rivierapresmusic@gmail.com
ANTI RACISM: March 5-7, 2021: “Breaking, Blessing, Building: A Call for the Common Good” is a national gathering, in which Riviera Church leadership will be participating online, as part of our commitment to being a Matthew 25 Congregation.
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.
Lenten Sermon Series: A Season of Confession: During Lent we will focus on the Book of Confessions, containing historical statements of what we as a church believe; how these confessions have helped form Riviera’s social justice ministries for the past 75 years; and how they are leading us in the present. Come and be a part of this journey through our history and rejoice in the light of God’s presence and new possibilities in your life.
- February 21 — Lent #1 – We Believe – The Nicene Creed (today)
- February 28 — Lent #2 – We Believe – The Apostles’ Creed
- March 7 – Lent#3 – We Believe – The Reformation Confessions
- March 14 – Lent #4 – We Believe – The Declaration of Barmen
- March 21 – Lent #5 – We Believe – The Confession of 1967
- March 28 – Lent #6 – We Believe – The Confession of Belhar
The practice of daily devotion during Lent emphasizes on deepening one’s faith through study and prayer. I hope you find these devotionals helpful in your faith journey.
LENTEN DEVOTIONAL LINKS:
- Lenten Prayers from Bread for the World 2021:
https://www.bread.org/Lent - PCUSA The Presbyterian Hunger Program:
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/resource/tread-lightly-for-lent/ - Presbyterian Today – Shalom: The Way to Justice:
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/today/lent2021/lent-week-1/ - Presbyterians for Earth Care:
https://presbyearthcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-Lenten-Devotional- web.pdf
If you missed Thursday’s spiritual practice here is a link to the resources used:
https://episcopalprayer.wordpress.com/lectio-divina/
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 © 2021 RIVIERA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. All rights reserved.
- Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
Descant Detail: David McKinley Williams Tune: © 1948, H W Gray/Jubilate Music Group Type: Music. - God Welcomes All,
#72484 Contributors: John Bell Text: © 2008, GIA/Iona Community / WGRG - Hear, O Lord, My Plea for Justice (Psalm 17)
#5f458b5a6b07f Contributors: Michael Morgan Text: Text © 2010 Michael Morgan from Psalter for Christian Worship. -
Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days
public domain
