RIVIERA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MIAMI FLA.
WORSHIP SERVICE – MAY 16, 2021
11:00 am EST
DOWNLOAD: 05-16-2021 Bulletin Script.PDF
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 #300 – We Are One in The Spirit
CHIMING OF THE HOUR & WELCOMING THE LIGHT
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
INTRODUCTION OF NEW RIVIERA MEMBERS JAMES AND CAROL
CALL TO WORSHIP — James and Carol
We come to worship today with songs aching to be sung, with words aching to be spoken, with questions aching to be answered, with feelings aching to be expressed, with hearts aching for love, with arms aching for embracing.
We begin worship today with wounds aching to be healed with emptiness
aching to be filled, with joy aching to overfill.
Let your love soak into our spirits and our skin like a soothing salve and leave a tingle where once there was an ache, that we all may say, we have met with God today, and everyone was touched, and no one was turned away. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION – Elaine and Matthew
Through Jesus Christ, let us be reconciled to God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of life, you created the world and saw that it was good. Yet, because of our greed and consumption, we cut down jungles, we eliminate plants and animals. We are destroying the earth. We pray for wisdom and strength. Empower us by your Spirit to restore life for the dying creatures. In your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of justice, you command us to establish justice for all. Yet, because of our self-centeredness and indifference, we let the gap between the rich and the poor widen; we do not have legal protection for migrant workers; we ignore children living on the street; we feel helpless seeing young men and women trapped in human trafficking. We pray for wisdom and courage. Empower us by your Spirit to strive for justice and share your abundance.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of peace, you command us to love one another and live in peace with our neighbors. Yet, because of our closed minds, prejudice, and suspicion of difference, we frequently choose violence and war, we discriminate against minorities and the marginalized, we suppress basic human rights, we contribute to conflict amongst ethnic and religious groups. We pray for wisdom and humility. Empower us by your Spirit to embrace one another and walk peacefully together.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.
Tender and compassionate God sustain in our hearts the spirit of loving- kindness. Strengthen our work with neighbors of different creeds and beliefs, cultures, and ethnicities. Guide us as we brig healing to this earth and all its creatures. Preserve in our hearts songs of peace and rhythms of justice.
In your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
There is no greater joy in the heart of God than this moment now!
For in this moment, we call upon God to grant us new life in the center of our wounded hearts. It is with great joy that God grants us new life and forgiveness of our sin.In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven by grace! With great joy, we are made alive! Thanks be to God. Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON Anna Rosas
CHILDREN’S SONG
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- HYMN #399: “Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks”
THE WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION — Carol and James
Lord God pour out your Spirit upon us to bring good news to the oppressed, and let your word be fulfilled among us; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
CHORAL ANTHEM — Guitar Solo Fabian
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- “La fille aux cheveux de lin“ (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair) by Claude Debussy
SCRIPTURE — Carol, James,
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- Luke 10: 29-37
29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii,[a] gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
FROM THE CONFESSION OF 1967 Michelle and Stephanie
9.31 To be reconciled to God is to be sent into the world as God’s reconciling community. This community, the church universal, is entrusted with God’s message of reconciliation and shares God’s labor of healing the enmities which separate people from God and from each other. Christ has called the church to this mission and given it the gift of the Holy Spirit. The church maintains continuity with the apostles and with Israel by faithful obedience to this call.
SERMON – Rev. Martha M. Shiverick
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- ‘The Prophetic Community Responds in Compassion’
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER – Michelle and Stephanie
Tender and compassionate God sustain in our hearts the spirit of loving- kindness. Strengthen our work with neighbors of different creeds and beliefs, cultures, and ethnicities. Guide us as we bring healing to this earth and all its creatures. Preserve in our hearts songs of peace and rhythms of justice.
And now we pray in the manner that Jesus did praying:
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.
CALL TO OFFERING – Martha Shiverick
God has told us what is good; and what does the Lord require? To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. God, we present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God knowing, that every generous act of giving is itself a gift from God above. Amen.
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 #700: “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” (Hymn
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
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.
MISSION SDG – SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Join us for the next Mission:SDG discussion on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on May 26 @ 6:30pm by registering on Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/missionsdg
PENTECOST OFFERING
The Pentecost Offering unites us in a church-wide effort to support young people and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world. Investing in our greatest resource.
Psalm 71 testifies that a foundation of faith established during childhood helps ensure lifelong faith and service. The patterns and lessons established during these formative years continue to bear fruit throughout a person’s life. By receiving the Pentecost Offering, you are nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come — children, youth, and young adults.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR ANNUAL GIFT TO THE PENTECOST OFFERING.
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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- We Are One in the Spirit – They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love List#81199 Detail: Peter Scholtes Tune: Text: Peter Scholtes. Text and music © 1966, FEL Publications, assigned to the Lorenz Corporation, Dayton, Ohio. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Type: Words and Music
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- Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks #22011Donald Fishel Words and Music
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Public Domain Hymns
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- La fille aux cheveux de lin (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair), piano masterpiece composed by French composer Claude Debussy
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- I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me #95386 Tune: African-American Spiritual. Text: African-American Spiritual
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