RIVIERA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Sunday Worship Service, March 28, 2021
Good Morning! Welcome to Riviera’s worship service. Today is the end of our Lenten Sermon Series on The Confessions and we hope that you now have a better understanding of our PCUSA and Riviera’s theological tenets in today’s world.
Thank you for connecting with us in our digital sacred space united in community. Let us know you worshiped with us this morning by filling out the Friendship Form located on our website https://rivierachurch.org/ If you are joining us via Facebook or YouTube, please check in or leave us a comment so we may connect with you after the service. Don’t forget to keep checking our main social media outlets, Facebook and Instagram, for up-to-date information, find us @RivieraChurch
Let us know you worshiped with us this morning by filling out the Friendship Form.
HELPFUL LINKS FOR THIS WEEK:
- Download today’s Bulletin: Riviera Presbyterian Church Bulletin Script March 28, 2021 (PDF)
- Watch the video on Youtube or above. The premiere is at 11:00 a.m. Sunday. The video duration is 42 minutes.
- When the video finishes please join the Zoom Holy Grounds gathering.: (Zoom ID 829 1129 7119 PW 056833)
- Let us know you attended worship with us today / submit a prayer of praise or concern
“We Believe – The Confession of Belhar”
The Belhar Confession focuses on unity in the church, reconciliation between Christians, and justice in the world. When the Confession of Belhar was added to the PCUSA Book of Confessions a banner was not included, this led to many churches to create their own banner. We encourage you to read the confession and design a banner with your interpretation of the confession’s meaning. We would love for you to share it with us throughout the week.
GATHERING
OPENING HYMN –
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
WELCOMING THE LIGHT
GREETINGS –Rev. Martha Shiverick
CALL TO WORSHIP—– Ruth Admire & Susan Admire
(Mark 11:1-6)
When Jesus and his disciples were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, you will find there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this? just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’ They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them. “What are you doing untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Blessed is the coming Kin- dom. Hosanna in the highest!
CALL TO CONFESSION –— Bryan Page
Let us confess our sins to God, whose steadfast love endures forever.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Sovereign God, we confess that we are as fickle as the crowds in Jerusalem so long ago. When everything seems to be going well, we join the hosanna chorus. But in times of weariness or wandering, our praise goes silent and even turns to insults and frustration. We hide our faith, when it is under attack and link ourselves with the scoffers. When there is opportunity to speak a good word for Jesus Christ, we are silent.
Our church lifts an uncertain word before the world, for we, its members, have not been faithful. We need your forgiving love today, O God, more than ever. Give us the courage to follow where the one on the donkey might lead us. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
God sweeps into our human scene, redeeming all who turn from evil and do good. There is grace, mercy, and renewed strength for all who earnestly seek the new life Christ brings. Let us rejoice together, for even the stones cry out good news. God forgives. We are freed from the burden of our sin. Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON — Anna Rosas
CHILDREN’S SONG
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- Hymn 399: ‘God Welcomes All’
THE WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION — Bryan Page
Eternal God, whose word silences the shouts of the mighty: Quiet within us every voice but your own. Speak to us that by the power of your Holy Spirit we may receive grace to show Christ’s love in lives given to your service. Amen.
SCRIPTURE — BryanPage
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- John 13:31-35
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him,[a] God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
THE CONFESSION OF BELHAR 10.7 — Ruth Admire & Susan Admire
We believe
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- that God has revealed himself as the one who wishes to bring about justice and true peace among people;
- that God, in a world full of injustice and enmity, is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor and the wronged
- that God calls the church to follow him in this; for God brings justice to the oppressed and gives bread to the hungry;
- that God frees the prisoner and restores sight to the blind;
- that God supports the downtrodden, protects the stranger, helps orphans and widows and blocks the path of the ungodly;
- that for God pure and undefiled religion is to visit the orphans and the widows in their suffering;
- that God wishes to teach the church to do what is good and to seek the right;
- that the church must therefore stand by people in any form of suffering and need, which implies, among other things, that the church must witness against and strive against any form of injustice, so that justice may roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream;
- that the church as the possession of God must stand where the Lord stands, namely against injustice and with the wronged; that in following Christ the church must witness against all the powerful and privileged who selfishly seek their own interests and thus control and harm others
CHORAL ANTHEM
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- Hymn #400: “I Rejoiced When I Heard Them Say”
SERMON
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- “LENT #6- We Believe – The Confession of Belhar”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORD’S PRAYER — Amparo Hernandez
Dear Lord, this morning we begin our final leg of the Lenten Journey. We know where the path goes…
The high we feel today, and the pain as we try and comprehend the betrayal and denial on Thursday, and then your gruesome, awful death on Friday.
We travel this road each year and it still surprises us, moves us, pains us. We thank you that we know you are with us on the journey. We are grateful that you hold us and walk with us and carry us as well.
And God, we know that you walk with us not just through Holy Week but through the joyous and painful times in our lives as well. So we pray for our world and ourselves, imperfect and needing your direction, your comfort, and your love.
We pray for those who are ill with the Corona Virus and those who have lost loved ones this past year because of our pandemic. We pray for patience and comfort as we live through the second year with this virus. And God we pray for our country. We pray for unity in a divisive world, where we will learn to live with civility and a mutual respect of differences. Be with us all and teach us how to be your body bringing your realm to earth.
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.
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS — Rev. Martha Shiverick
Be in the Know – read the bulletin and see what opportunities for ministry you are interested in making a connection with.
CALL TO OFFERING — Martha Shiverick
God of all true power and glory, we thank you that Jesus Christ came to Jerusalem not with a sword to challenge the power of this world, but with love, recognizing your authority in human life. Enable your church to choose your ways, winning the victory over sin and death. Establish your righteous realm on earth. Use our gifts and our lives to your glory, through Jesus, who comes in your name. Amen.
INVITATION TO GIVE TITHES AND OFFERINGS
The Act of Gratitude
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You may donate today via credit/debit card by visiting our website at www.rivierachurch.org/give and clicking on the GIVE button or use the scan me code below with your phone camera.- You may download the free Give+ app (iOS & Android)
- You may consider setting up online payment via your bank bill pay program.
- 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.
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://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.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION — Rev. Missy Shiverick
CLOSING HYMN
NOTES
We invite you to connect and virtually gather with us as we celebrate Holy Week and Easter, starting on March 28th with Palm Sunday service.
Here is a video to create your own Palm Leaf Cross.
EASTER ARTS & CRAFTS: April 3 at 3:00 pm
Zoom event with Anna Rosas
SAVE THE DATE
Connect with us Holy Week for special online worship services starting with Maundy Thursday Communion Service on Thursday, April 1st at 7:00pm
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.
Good Friday Tri-Lingual Worship online
Connect on Good Friday with us and our friends at Coral Gables UCC for a Noon service.
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
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
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING:
In a world of disaster, hunger, and oppression…
Millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources,
clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity.
The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and 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. If all members give $10 we will surpass our goal. Please help if you are able.
https://rivierachurch.org/give/
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. Please see the “One More Thing” email for the latest list of what’s needed. 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.
THIS EASTER, YOU CAN DONATE A PINE TREE
Having Memorial Easter Lilies is a tradition in every church I have ever served. People donate money to the church for an Easter Lily to be placed in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday in memory or tribute to someone they wish to remember that day. The name of the person being remembered and the person who made the donation is included in the bulletin that Sunday.
BUT this year…. since we will once again be worshipping on line, Easter Lilies are not needed. This presents an opportunity to be an earth keeper and donate a tree instead. A Pine Rockland Restoration is taking place in Gould’s park, a high crime/low income neighborhood. The area is undergoing a landscape restoration and trees are being planted. For a $15 contribution, you can donate a tree. Our goal is that Riviera will donate 30 trees for Easter. Please send your donation along with the name of the person you are memorializing in the Easter Bulletin.
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.
COPYRIGHT © 2021 RIVIERA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. All rights reserved.
Video and audio were recorded by various members of the church staff and members for the purpose of providing online worship to all.
Reprinted/streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE#A-713957. All rights reserved.
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- God Welcomes All, #72484 Contributors: John Bell Text: © 2008, GIA/Iona Community / WGRG
- I Rejoiced When I Heard Them Say (Psalm 122) OneLic#98231 Type: Words and Music; First Line: I Rejoiced Language: English © 1992, Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP. All rights reserved. Contributors: Bernadette Farrell
Public Domain Hymns
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- All Glory, Laud & Honor
- Ride On! Ride On in Majesty!
Video copyright
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- ANTHEM – “Royalty free video clips provided by Mixkit.co, Videezy.com and Videvo.net”
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