Worship Sunday, March 7, 2021
Good Morning! Welcome to Riviera’s worship service. Today we continue with our Lenten Sermon Series on The Confessions and we are delighted that you are connecting with us in our digital sacred space united 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 March 7, 2021 (PDF)
- Watch the video on Youtube or above. The premiere is at 11:00 a.m. Sunday. The video duration is 42.5 minutes long..
- When the video finishes mute your mic and join the Sacrament of Communion on 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 Shorter Catechism”
THE THREE LONG PANELS AND THE MAROON
TRIANGLE: The Trinity.
THE EYE: God’s providence and control of all life and history-a dominant theme of Westminster.
THE CROWN: God’s rule.
THE OPEN BIBLE: The authority of the written Word, basic to this Confession’s teachings.
THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA: The A and Z of the Greek alphabet, the first and last-referring to Christ and His death for us as central to our faith.
GATHERING
OPENING HYMN –
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
WELCOMING THE LIGHT
GREETINGS –Rev. Martha Shiverick
CALL TO WORSHIP — Amy Bogardus
One: The law of God is perfect,
All: reviving the soul;
One: the decrees of God are sure, All: making the wise simple; One: God’s precepts are right, All: rejoicing the heart;
One: God’s commandment is clear,
All: enlightening the eyes; One: the fear of God is pure, All: enduring forever;
One: the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, and sweeter than honey. In keeping them is great reward.
All: Let us worship God!
CALL TO CONFESSION— Bonnie Hannemann
We come before God not as despised sinners, but as beloved children. With the confidence of children of God, let us humbly confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison
Merciful God, you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you. We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy. We have not loved you with a pure heart, nor have we loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not done justice, loved kindness, or walked humbly with you, our God. Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving kindness. In your great compassion, cleanse us from our sin. Do not cast us away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
This is the good news of Jesus Christ. We can stand before God, not through our own goodness, but through God’s great kindness to us. Rejoice and be glad, for God comes to you!
CHILDREN’S SERMON — Anna Rosas
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- Lenten Symbolism
CHILDREN’S SONG
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- Hymn 399: “God Welcomes All”
THE WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION –– Amy Bogardus
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- Psalm 19:14
Holy Spirit of God, let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O God, our rock and redeemer. Amen.
SCRIPTURE — Amy Bogardus
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- Psalm 73:21-28
When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, 22 I was stupid and ignorant; I was like a brute beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor.[a]25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength[b] of my heart and my portion forever. 27 Indeed, those who are far from you will perish; you put an end to those who are false to you. 28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, to tell of all your works.
CHORAL ANTHEM
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Hosea (Come Back To Me)
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THE SHORTER CATECHISM — Bonnie Hannemann
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- Questions and Answers 1-11
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
Q. 4. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Q. 5. Are there more Gods than one?
A. There is but one only, the living and true God.
Q. 6. How many Persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three Persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Q. 7. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Q. 8. How doth God execute his degrees?
A. God executes his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
Q. 9. What is the work of creation?
A. The work of creation is God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.
Q. 10. How did God create man?
A. God created male and female, after his own image, in knowledge,
righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
Q. 11. What are God’s works of providence?
A. God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.
SERMON –The Rev.Martha M.Shiverick
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- We Believe – #3 – The Reformation Confessions
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER — Allison Anderson
Jesus said, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry. Whoever believes in me will never thirst.
Let us pray to the Triune God who is the source of all life.
You are the bread of life, O God, and we give you thanks. You create all things good and nourish your creation with tender gifts. Thank you for the ways we see you at work in the world even in this COVID pandemic and we pray for people recovering from the virus now and the families of people across the world who grieve the loss of their loved ones.
We hear your words, O Bread of Life, and yet we are hungry.
We are hungry for peace: for an end of violence in our neighborhoods and in our world. For people who fear for their lives and the lives of those they love because of the color of their skin, we are hungry for peace, O God.
We are hungry for justice: for an end of oppression in our nation and in our world. For people who suffer because of racism, sexism, poverty, and the fear of the other, we are hungry for justice, O God.
We hear your words, O Cup of Blessing, and yet we are thirsty. We are thirsty for righteousness: We are thirsty to know your truth. We are thirsty to feel your presence. We are thirsty for your Spirit to quench our parched souls. We are thirsty for righteousness, O God.
O God, you are the bread of life, and you nourish and sustain our souls.
We give thanks for who you are and offer our whole selves to you as we also pray in the manner you taught us:
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 kin-dom 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 kin-dom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
MOMENT FOR MISSION — Barbara Overton
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One Great Hour of Sharing – donate safely on our website here
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO OFFERING
O God, we want to follow all your commandments – to love only you, not worshipping the things of this world; to love our neighbor freely, not desiring for ourselves anything they possess. Accept these offerings, we pray, and teach us to be generous, giving fully of ourselves that we may truly be the body of Christ in this world. Amen.
The 2021 Per Capita is $37 per member. Each church is asked to pay this annual apportionment. If you would like to help us defray the cost, we welcome your donation. You may donate online https://www.rivierachurch.org/give under Per Capita.
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
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
After the last hymn we will go into the Zoom Communion Service
Meeting ID 829-1129-7119 | Passcode 056833
INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO COMMUNION
Prepare a space for communion.
Light a candle and place it on your table, with bread and a cup filled with wine or grape juice;
add any other items (bible or cross) that will make your table a spiritual and holy place.
HYMN IN PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Let us pray.
God, we ask you to be present with us as we meet knowing that you transcend our physical distance from one another. You are not tied to time or space and you part the veil between us as we come together to share your holy meal. We know that we are only a computer or phone screen apart and that through this sacrament we are your body whether physically distanced or together. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
At Riviera Church we practice open communion. You need not be a member of Riviera or any church to share in this sacramental meal. Communion is a tactile, sensory experience where we symbolically serve a meal that has been handed down to us from the ancient Hebrews at their Passover Table and adapted by Jesus as he shared his last meal with his disciples. You are invited to participate in this communion in any way that fits your faith journey at this time. Taste the love that we share together even in this time of worshipping online.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts!
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
God, we thank you for this holy time, when even though we are separated by space out of our love and respect for each other, we have the ability to come together in other ways. You have called us to be your church and given us the example of Jesus our Christ as to how we are to love and live and be your body, your hands and heart here on earth.
Lead us, O God, by the power of your Spirit
to live as the Lord requires:
to do justice, to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with you, our God.
Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ
until this mortal life is ended,
and all that is earthly has turned to dust.
Give us the strength to serve you faithfully until the day of resurrection,
when we will feast with you at your table in glory. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours.
Heavenly Creator, we thank you for these gifts of bread and wine which
are at my table and also at the tables of our homes. May they be for us a holy and spiritual meal where we feel your presence. May they feed us to minister where you call. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE COMMUNION
THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
God of compassion,
through your son Jesus Christ
you reconciled your people to yourself.
Following his example of prayer and through our Lenten disciplines
may we obey you with willing hearts
and serve one another in holy love.. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
After Communion you are invited to Holy Grounds Fellowship Gathering 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!
NOTES
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
PALM SUNDAY PROCESSIONAL: 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. We know that we will not be having the traditional Palm Sunday again this year. In past years, we all enjoyed meeting out on the church steps and getting the largest palm branches we could find. We enjoyed waving them as we marched into the church sanctuary to the organ music playing as we sang our loud hosannas. And… alas, not this year…… But, as we have found, being online does offer new possibilities. So…. we would like to make a video of your palms for Palm Sunday. Write a prayer on the palm of your hand and send in a photo of it or a video of your waving your palm and your palm prayer in the air. Please send in these photos and videos by March 21st.
Palm Sunday is coming, AND we will have a palm processional! A very unique and different one for a very different time in our world. Please send pictures to robertson.adams@gmail.com
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.
Despite the physical space that separates us these days, we believe our virtual togetherness can make all the difference. Will you join us March 5-7 for the 2021 NEXT Church National Gathering as we Break, Bless, and Build: A Call for the Common Good?
Register: https://nextchurch.net/product/national-gathering-registration/
Schedule: https://nextchurch.net/gathering/2021-national-gathering/#schedule
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING:
The pandemic has stretched the Church in many ways — but we are still very much … here. Although it was surely hard at first, we have expanded our thinking, and our doing, in new and innovative ways to close the distance, and be together. We have continued to worship. We have continued to build and shape community; we have continued to take care of one another. And on top of all that, we have continued to come together to serve those in need; both here in our own community and all over the world through our participation in special offerings and in the spirit of shared mission. Despite the difficulty, struggle and loss, the Church continues to declare its presence in the world, through different means, certainly, but toward the same purpose.
Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. The 3 programs supported by OGHS(One Great Hour of Sharing) – PDA(Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, PHP(Presbyterian Hunger Program, and SDOP(Self-Development of People – all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.
The Mission Committee has set a challenge goal of $400 for the 2021 OGHS Offering and in light of the challenges we have witnessed over the past year they encourage you give strong consideration of participating in this offering; if you are able.
https://rivierachurch.org/give/
MISSION: SDG – Learn more about this Zoom event series here. The next night of Mission:SDG is Wednesday, March 24th at 6:30 pm. Register using this link on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/missionsdg.
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
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.
- Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing
Hymn 475. Public domain. - God Welcomes All,
#72484 Contributors: John Bell Text: © 2008, GIA/Iona Community / WGRG - Come to the Water,
Hymn 145. Public domain. - Kum ba Yah,
Hymn 472. Public domain.
VIDEO COPYRIGHT
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- ANTHEM – “Royalty free video clips provided by Mixkit.co, Videezy.com and Videvo.net”
