RIVIERA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE – MAY 9, 2021 MOTHER’S DAY
11:00 am EST
RECONCILIATION | This sermon series defines the DNA of Riviera Church.
But we should never rest on our laurels as these issues are the issues of our day and the ones to which we are called as a Matthew 25 Church – by building a vital congregation who is working towards dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty.
GATHERING
OPENING HYMN
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- Hymn 693: “Though I May Speak” (The Gift of Love)
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
WELCOMING THE LIGHT
MOTHER’S DAY VIDEO TRIBUTES
GREETINGS Rev. Martha Shiverick
Welcome and thank you for connecting with us in our digital sacred space united as one community. Let us know you worshiped with us by filling out the Friendship Form located on our website https://rivierachurch.org/ Joining us via Facebook, please check in or YouTube, leave us a comment so we know you worshiped with us. You may also share any prayer requests or joys which will be sent to our pastoral care team. Don’t forget to keep checking our main social media outlets, Facebook and Instagram, for up-to-date information, find us @RivieraChurch
CALL TO WORSHIP Sandy and Tracey
We have gathered in the presence of the God in whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its name.
We come, in the prayer that the peace of Christ might dwell in our family relationships.
We come, in the prayer that the peace of God might permeate the life of every family.
May the love of Christ fill our hearts, our lives, and our world, to the glory of God.
Let us worship God!
CALL TO CONFESSION — Barbie and Nicole
Too often our hearts are cold and without gratitude.
Too often our hands are passive and unwilling to carry out acts of mercy. Too often our lips are pursed tightly, unwilling to speak words of love.
Too often we are indeed separated and alienated from our better self; separated and alienated from God.
Let us confess our separation and alienation. Let us join together in the prayer of confession.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving God, we realize that we have not made our homes the dwelling place for your love that we would like. Too often, we act like individuals who happen to share the same building, rather than family members who care for one another. Help us to renew our commitments to the welfare and development of our family members whether they are with us or apart.
Help us to communicate openly with one another and speak of and show
our love to others. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
God says to us: You are my chosen ones. I love you. I am proud of you. Stand firm in your renewed commitment. Know that I have forgiven you; I call you by name; you are mine. I have entered into covenant with you and will stand by you in all times and all places. Dare to live fully the life to which I have called you. Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON — Anna Rosas
CHILDREN’S SONG
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- Hymn 399: Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks
THE WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION — Sandy and Tracey
May the reading of your Word sanctify us in the truth and bring us to perfect joy. Amen.
SCRIPTURE
1 John 3:16-24
16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17 How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister[a] in need and yet refuses help?
18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before
him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
CHORAL ANTHEM The Lord Bless You and Keep You Peter Lutkin
From the Confession of 1967 Barbie and Nicole 9.44a. God has created the peoples of the earth to be one universal family. In God’s reconciling love, God overcomes the barriers between siblings and breaks down every form of discrimination based on racial or ethnic differences, real or imaginary. The church is called to bring all people to receive and uphold one another as persons in all relationships of life: in employment, housing, education, leisure, marriage, family, church, and the exercise of political rights. Therefore, the church labors for the abolition of all racial discrimination and ministers to those injured by it. Congregations, individuals, or groups of Christians who exclude, dominate, or patronize others, however subtly, resist the Spirit of God and bring contempt on the faith which they profess.
SERMON — Rev. Martha M. Shiverick
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- ‘The Prophetic Community Works for Justice’
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER — Amy and Sophia
O God, this morning we celebrate love and our call to love others as we love you.
We thank you for the many examples of Christian love we have and particularly today the love within families and families of choice who are made up of friends. As we witness selfless love, love between a parent and a child, love between a pet and its owner, and the love and beauty which is found within all of nature, we thank you.
You have bound us and all of creation together in common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect, through Jesus Christ, who also taught us to pray in this manner:
Our Creator, who is in heaven and within us, we call upon your names. Your wisdom come. Your will be done, in all the spaces in which you dwell. Give us each day sustenance and perseverance. Remind us of our limits as we give grace to the limits of others. Separate us from the temptation of empire but deliver us into community. For you are the dwelling place within us, the empowerment around us, and the celebration among us now and forever. Amen.
MOTHER’S DAY VIDEO TRIBUTES
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Be in the Know – read the bulletin and see what opportunities for ministry you are interested in making a connection with, events to participate in and classes to expand your faith journey in.
CALL TO OFFERING — Rev. Martha Shiverick
God invites us to give the testimony of our hearts in practical offerings of money and time. Therefore, let us testify to God’s love by bringing our gifts, our tithes, and our offerings.
The Act of Gratitude
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- You may donate today with a credit/debit card at www.rivierachurch.org and click on the GIVE button or use the scan me code with your phone camera.
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- You may download the free Give+ app (iOS & Android)
- You may set 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
DOXOLOGY: AN EXPRESSION OF FAITH TO GOD
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
CLOSING HYMN
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- Hymn 316: “Where Charity and Love Prevail”
THANK YOU
Thank you for worshipping online. Take a moment to fill out the Friendship Form on our website to let us know you worshiped with us. 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.
Reminder for Riviera Members
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.”
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Are you ready to dig deeper into the scripture passage for this Sunday’s Sermon? Begin Your Sunday Morning with Zoom Online Adult Bible Study Class, 10:00 am – 10:30 am. This is a great opportunity to study Sunday’s sermon liturgy with Pastor Missy. Meeting 860-148-3445 / Password: 2708
READING TIME WITH ANNA
Did you enjoy watching The Chronicles of Narnia movies? Here is an opportunity to continue the journey with the Youth Reading Group Upper Elementary and up. You don’t need to have the book. Just log in on Sundays at 3:45 pm. Email Anna at rivierapreschristianed@gmail.com to obtain the Zoom Meeting information.
STORY TIME WITH PASTOR MISSY AND FRIENDS
Sunday May 16th at 9:00am on Zoom. Meeting ID 860-148-3445 password 2708
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- Stick and Stone: a warm, rhyming text that includes a subtle anti-bullying message even the youngest reader will understand.
- Plant a Kiss: a message of hope and to remind us all of the joys to be gained from being open and unselfish.
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MUSIC AND MEDIA CREDITS
Video and audio were recorded by various members of the church staff and members for the purpose of providing online worship to all and produced by Robertson Adams Digital, Inc.
Reprinted/streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE#A-713957. All rights reserved.
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- Though I May Speak – GIFT OF LOVE Detail: Hal H Hopson Tune: © 1972, Hope Publishing Company Type: Words and Music
- Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks #22011Donald Fishel Words and Music
Public Domain Hymns
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- The Lord Bless You and Keep You Peter C Lutkin
