Worship from Home

July 31, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
August 2, 2020
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Psalm 17:1-7, 15

Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
    listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer—
    it does not rise from deceitful lips.
Let my vindication come from you;
    may your eyes see what is right.
Though you probe my heart,
    though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
    my mouth has not transgressed.
Though people tried to bribe me,
    I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
    through what your lips have commanded.
My steps have held to your paths;
    my feet have not stumbled.
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
    turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show me the wonders of your great love,
    you who save by your right hand
    those who take refuge in you from their foes.
As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
    when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Father, we confess that we have been unfaithful to our covenant with you and with one another. We have worshiped other gods: money, power, greed, and convenience. We have served our own self-interests instead of serving only you and your people. We have not loved our neighbor as you have commanded, nor have we rightly loved ourselves. Forgive us, we pray, and bring us back into the fullness of life with you and life together. (Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon - from Psalm 103

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. Hear this good news and rejoice: in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 3:7-12

Sermon – Losing & Gaining – Rev. Blake Daniel

Affirmation of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Father, you are our ultimate gain. Through your Son and by your Holy Spirit, you created us. You have redeemed us. And you sustain us. We praise you for taking hold of us through grace, and we ask for your help as we take hold of you by faith during these difficult days. Please continue to care for us and lead us in the way we should go. Please grant us protection against the coronavirus. Please grant us wisdom and discernment as we make decisions for ourselves, our church family, our businesses, our schools, and our community. Please grant us courage to engage difficult issues of race and politics, and to do so with love. Please grant us energy and creativity to serve our neighbors, that we might play our part in your kingdom come.
In humility and in hope, we offer our prayers to you today for:

Creation and its care… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our nation, its leaders, and its people… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our community, its leaders, and our neighbors… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal as it works on your behalf… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our local church in its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Friends and family with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Tithes and Offerings

With gratitude for the gospel, we share our time, talents, and resources with the Lord. (You may give financially by visiting www.sylvapres.org/giving, or by dropping a check off at the church or sending one to FPC at P.O. Box 2152, Sylva, NC 28779. Thank you!)

Online Giving

Offertory

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

A Prayer in the Absence of the Lord’s Supper

Lord Jesus, we believe that you are present in the Sacrament. We love you above all things and we long to receive you. Since we cannot at this time receive you sacramentally, we ask that you come spiritually into our hearts and unite yourself to us. Never let us be separated from you. We pray this in your name, amen.

Note: We will be offering “virtual communion” during our church-wide Zoom call on August 5. Please notify the church office if you would like to participate.

Closing Song

Benediction

May the peace of the risen Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Worship from Home

July 24, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
July 26, 2020
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Psalm 107:1-9

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
    those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
those he gathered from the lands,
    from east and west, from north and south.
Some wandered in desert wastelands,
    finding no way to a city where they could settle.
They were hungry and thirsty,
    and their lives ebbed away.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
    to a city where they could settle.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

God of grace, we confess that we have failed to be an obedient church: we have not done your will; we have broken your law; we have rebelled against your love; we have not loved our neighbors; we have ignored the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon

While it is true that we have sinned, it is a greater truth that we are forgiven through the grace of God in Christ. To all who humbly seek the mercy of God, we say: in Jesus Christ your sin is forgiven. Thanks be to God!

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 3:1-6

Sermon – Where’s Your Confidence? – Rev. Blake Daniel

Affirmation of Faith – from The Theological Declaration of Barmen

As Jesus Christ is God’s assurance of the forgiveness of all our sins, so in the same way and with the same seriousness is he also God’s mighty claim upon our whole life. Through him befalls us a joyful deliverance from the godless fetters of this world for a free, grateful service to his creatures. We reject the false doctrine, as though there were areas of our life in which we would not belong to Jesus Christ, but to other lords... Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body is joined and knit together.

Prayers of the People

Heavenly Father, you are worthy of our confidence. Through your Son and by your Holy Spirit, you created us. You have redeemed us. And you sustain us. We praise you for being our solid rock and our firm foundation, and we recommit ourselves to you.
As the world continues to shake beneath us and around us, we ask that you continue to care for us and lead us in the way we should go. Please grant us protection against the coronavirus. Please grant us wisdom and discernment as we make decisions for ourselves, our church family, our businesses, our schools, and our community. Please grant us courage to engage difficult issues of race and politics, and to do so with grace. Please grant us energy and creativity to love and serve our neighbors, that we might play our part in your kingdom come.
In humility and in hope, we offer our prayers to you today for:

Creation and its care… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our nation, its leaders, and its people… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our community, its leaders, and our neighbors… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal as it works on your behalf… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our local church in its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Friends and family with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Tithes and Offerings

Online Giving

Offertory

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Closing Song

Benediction

Worship from Home

July 17, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
July 19, 2020
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 2:19-30

Sermon – Loved Into Being – Rev. Blake Daniel

Affirmation of Faith – from The Heidelberg Catechism

Question: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
Response: That I am not my own, but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Prayers of the People

Heavenly Father, we thank you for loving us into being. You fashioned us from the dust and breathed your life into us. You made a covenant with us and called us your own. You sent your Son Jesus to forgive our sins and to establish your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. And you poured out your Spirit so that we might believe these things and live them out. We praise you and recommit ourselves to following you on this dusty road of discipleship.
As we wind our way through this season of uncertainty, we ask for your special guidance and help. Please stem the tide of the coronavirus. Please help us to do our part in mitigating infection. Please grant your comfort and care to all who are sick, all who love and support them, all who work in healthcare and other helping professions, and all whose lives are clouded by fear and anxiety. Please surprise us with joy in the midst of sorrow and hope in the midst of despair, that we might carry out the work you have given us with faith, hope, and love.
In humility and in hope, we also offer our prayers to you today for:

Creation and its care… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our nation, its leaders, and its people… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our community, its leaders, and our neighbors… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal as it works on your behalf… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our local church in its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Friends and family with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Tithes and Offerings

Online Giving

Offertory

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Closing Song

Benediction

Worship from Home

July 10, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
July 12, 2020
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – from Psalm 119:105-112

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
    that I will follow your righteous laws.
I have suffered much;
    preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
    and teach me your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
    I will not forget your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me,
    but I have not strayed from your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever;
    they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees
    to the very end.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 2:12-18

Sermon – Salvation, Grumbling, and the Glory of God – Rev. Blake Daniel

Affirmation of Faith – The Nicene Creed

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 will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will 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 worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in 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.

Prayers of the People

Heavenly Father, we praise you for your constant faithfulness. When we turn from you, you do not turn from us. When we grumble and complain, you show us a better way to live and love. When we seek our own glory, you remind us who it is that sets the stars in the night sky. We thank you that we know these things are true because of your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we continue to wind our way through this season of uncertainty, we ask for the special leadership, guidance, and direction of your Holy Spirit. Please stem the tide of the spread of this virus. Please help us to do our part in mitigating infection. Please grant your comfort and care to all who are sick, all who love and support them, all who work in healthcare and other helping professions, and all whose lives are clouded by fear and anxiety. Please surprise us with joy in the midst of sorrow and hope in the midst of despair, that we might carry out the work you have given us with integrity and perseverance.
In humility and in hope, we also offer our prayers to you today for:

Creation and its care… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our nation, its leaders, and its people… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our community, its leaders, and our neighbors… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal as it works on your behalf… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our local church in its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Friends and family with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Tithes and Offerings

Online Giving

Offertory

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Closing Song

Benediction

Worship from Home

July 3, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
July 5, 2020
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

”F Sor Op 35 No 4” — performed by Michael Collings

Call to Worship – from Psalm 145:8-14

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
    and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.
The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 2:1-11

Sermon – He Made Himself Nothing – Rev. Blake Daniel

Song of Response

This is a favorite song of the Daniel family, written and performed by the very talented Randall Goodgame. It is used here with permission. Enjoy!

Affirmation of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Heavenly Father, we praise you for your goodness to us and your presence with us always. You made all things and declared them good. You made a covenant with us, even when we fell into sin. And, when the time was right, you sent your Jesus in humility and self-giving love so that we might know life everlasting. We rejoice in this good news and pray for your Spirit to lead us more deeply into Christ’s pattern of death and resurrection. Help us not to hoard the gifts you have given us to but to give them away and put others first — for your glory, for our benefit, and for the life of the world.
We especially pray for your help in the midst of the pandemic. Please stem the tide of the spread of this virus. Please help us to do our part in mitigating infection. Please grant your comfort and care to all who are sick, all who love and support them, all who work in healthcare and other helping professions, and all whose lives are clouded by fear and anxiety. Please surprise us with joy in the midst of sorrow and hope in the midst of despair, that we might bear witness to your goodness for such a time as this.
On this Fourth of July weekend, we ask you to keep this nation, and all nations, under your care, that we may be people who seek justice and freedom for all, who live in peace, and who are a blessing to others in this earth.
In humility and in hope, we also offer our prayers to you today for:

Creation and its care… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our nation, its leaders, and its people… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our community, its leaders, and our neighbors… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal as it works on your behalf… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our local church in its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Friends and family with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Tithes and Offerings

Online Giving

Offertory

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

A Prayer in the Absence of the Lord’s Supper

Closing Song

Benediction

Worship from Home

June 26, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
June 28, 2020
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

“The Houses of Healing” — performed by Michael Collings

Call to Worship – from Psalm 89

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
    through all generations.
I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
    that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
    I have sworn to David my servant,
‘I will establish your line forever
    and make your throne firm through all generations.’”
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
    who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
They rejoice in your name all day long;
    they celebrate your righteousness.
For you are their glory and strength,
    and by your favor you exalt our horn.
Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord,
    our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

Prayer of Confession – from Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. Please hear my prayers of repentance. (Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon

Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins, and he has done this: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Thanks be to God. Amen.

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Genesis 1:1-10, Revelation 3:20

Sermon – Open the Door – Rev. Bill Serjak

Affirmation of Faith – from The Heidelberg Catechism

Question: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
Response: That I am not my own, but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Prayers of the People

Heavenly Father, we praise you for your goodness to us and your presence with us always. You have made all things and declared them good. Even though we turned from you and from your good creation, you did not abandon us, but you sent your Son to lead us back to life. We rejoice in this good news, and we pray for the courage to live as Jesus’ disciples in this difficult time. Help us to walk with your Holy Spirit — for your glory, for our benefit, and for the life of the world around us.
In humility and in hope, we offer our prayers to you today for:

Creation and its care… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our nation, its leaders, and its people… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our community, its leaders, and our neighbors… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal as it works on your behalf… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our local church in its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Friends and family with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Tithes and Offerings

Online Giving

Offertory

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” – performed by Becki Veach and Margaret Hale

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Closing Song

“Amazing Grace”

Benediction

God Moment - 6/22/2020

June 22, 2020 FPC Sylva

God Moment - Marjorie Eyre - June 22, 2020

Worship from Home

June 20, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
June 21, 2020
Third Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” - performed by Michael Collings

Call to Worship – Psalm 116:13-19

I will lift up the cup of salvation
    and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
    is the death of his faithful servants.
Truly I am your servant, Lord;
    I serve you just as my mother did;
    you have freed me from my chains.
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
    and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord—
    in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and soul and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy, forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. (Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news! Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Believe the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ you are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 1:12-30

Sermon – The Gospel in Chains

Affirmation of Faith – from The Theological Declaration of Barmen

Prayers of the People

Heavenly Father, we praise you for your goodness to us and your presence with us always. You love us with a never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love. Help us to abide in that love in all that we do. When we get too comfortable with our own agendas and the status quo, please challenge us and convict us. When we feel overcome with guilt, grief, and despair, please comfort us and care for us. In this difficult season, teach us what it means to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you through your Son Jesus and by your Holy Spirit.
As we celebrate this Father’s Day, we thank you for the fathers in our lives. Whatever our experiences are with our own fathers – good and bad – we remember those men whom we call “dad.” We pray for those men who have been dads for a long time, and for those who are new fathers. We pray for those who might wish to be fathers, yet for whatever reason can’t be. Grant your blessing to all these men, and to us as recipients of their care, so that through these relationships or these memories we all would learn more about the unconditional love you show all of us.
In humility and in hope, we offer our prayers for:

Creation and its care… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our nation, its leaders, and its people… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our community, its leaders, and our neighbors… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal as it works on your behalf… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our local church in its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Friends and family with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Tithes and Offerings

Online Giving

Offertory

“The Lord’s Prayer” - performed by Margaret Hale

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Closing Song

“Take My Life and Let It Be”

Benediction

God Moment - 6/19/2020

June 19, 2020 FPC Sylva

God Moment - Beth Baxley - June 19, 2020

It isn't very often when something from Chronicles I or II grabs me. It's just not the most gripping pair of books in the Bible. But this passage seemed so pertinent to our moment in time as we seek to trust God, discern his will and endeavor to follow what we know is best human wisdom in this time of pandemic.

Setting the stage....Hezekiah was one of the few truly faithful kings of Judah, who loved the Lord with his whole heart. He knew that the king of Assyria was about to attack Jerusalem. Hezekiah never wavered in his faith in God, but he was also proactive in using state-of-the-art technology and brilliant organizational skills. Read on...

"When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to wage war against Jerusalem, he consulted with his officials and military staff about blocking off the water from the springs outside the city, and they helped him. They gathered a large group of people who blocked all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. "“Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?"” they said. Then he worked hard repairing all the broken sections of the wall and building towers on it. He built another wall outside that one and reinforced the terraces of the City of David. He also made large numbers of weapons and shields. He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: “"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.”" And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said."

(BTW, in the end, God sent an angel who swept over the Assyrian forces and ended the battle before it ever began).

What this passage says to me is that God continues to call us to remain faithful, but to utilize the wisdom of our medical and scientific community in our battle with COVID. We must continue to pay attention to the increasing numbers and adhere to the precautions that our medical experts have provided. We cannot relax our vigilance. The country may be moving on in places, but COVID has not. We are a community of faith and a community who are always seeking God's ways and wisdom.

God Moment - 6/17/2020

June 17, 2020 FPC Sylva

God Moment - Linda Kelley - June 17, 2020

Fifteen years ago, on June 13, my mom passed away at the age of 95. At her funeral, Josh, a WCU music major attending her church, sang "How Great Thou Art," one of my mom's favorite songs. As I reflected on thoughts of my mom over the weekend, What a blessing it was for me to hear "How Great Thou Art" sung by Chris Rice in our online Sunday service. Perfect timing and definitely a God Moment.

Worship from Home

June 13, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
June 14, 2020
Second Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

“El Mestre” - performed by Michael Collings

Call to Worship – Psalm 116:1-9

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
    he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
    I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me,
    the anguish of the grave came over me;
    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    “Lord, save me!”
The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.
For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
    my eyes from tears,
    my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord
    in the land of the living.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

“How Great Thou Art”

Prayer of Confession

God of grace, we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have broken your laws. We have followed too much the desires of our own hearts. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to the world in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O merciful God, for his sake, that we may live a holy, just, and humble life to the glory of your holy name. (Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news and rejoice: as far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and set free. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 1:3-11

Sermon – The Apostle’s Prayer

Affirmation of Faith – The Nicene Creed

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 will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will 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 worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in 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.

Prayers of the People

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we praise you for your goodness to us and your presence with us. Father, you created all things and made us all in your image, according to your likeness. Lord Jesus, you walked among us, died for us, and rose again in victory to show us a different way to be in the world: a way of love, discernment, and righteousness that bears witness to you. Holy Spirit, you move in us even now to challenge, comfort, and care for us and to build up your church.
Triune God of grace, teach us to lean in during this difficult time of division and separation, so that we might truly listen to others, learn from them, and live a life of love, always to your glory, for our benefit and for the life of the world.
In humility and in hope, we offer our prayers to you today for:

Creation and its care… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our nation, its leaders, and its people… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our community, its leaders, and our neighbors… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal as it works on your behalf… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our local church in its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Friends and family with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Tithes and Offerings

Online Giving

Offertory

“I Will Sing of My Redeemer” - performed by Steve Baxley

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Closing Song

“O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go”

Benediction

Worship from Home

June 7, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
June 7, 2020
Trinity Sunday

Prelude

“The Potter’s Hand” - performed by Courtney Umphlett

Call to Worship – Psalm 8 (The Message)

God, brilliant Lord,
    yours is a household name.
Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
    toddlers shout the songs
That drown out enemy talk,
    and silence atheist babble.
I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
    your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
    Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
    Why take a second look our way?
Yet we’ve so narrowly missed being gods,
    bright with Eden’s dawn light.
You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,
    repeated to us your Genesis-charge,
Made us lords of sheep and cattle,
    even animals out in the wild,
Birds flying and fish swimming,
    whales singing in the ocean deeps.
God, brilliant Lord,
    your name echoes around the world.

Opening Prayer

Holy, holy, holy God, we worship and adore you—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today in our worship we long for a glimpse of your glory, seen perfectly in Christ, our Lord. As we worship, may we gain new insight about the mystery and wonder of your love. And may we find new ways to mirror that love in our world, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Opening Song

“Holy, Holy, Holy”

Prayer of Confession

Father, you have come to meet us as we return to you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, you died on the cross for our sins.
Christ, have mercy.
Spirit, you give us life and peace.
Lord, have mercy.
Please hear us as we confess our sins and shortcomings, confident of your grace.
(Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon

Friends, hear the good news and rejoice: We did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but we have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”, it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. In him, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 1:1-2

Sermon – A Letter of Friendship

Song of Response

“Who Is Like The Lord Our God”

Affirmation of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed

Prayers of the People

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: we adore you for your threeness and oneness, a holy mystery. We are in awe of that same unfathomable mystery reflected in the world around us: your beautiful creation; the complexity of an atom; the birth of a child; relationships of mutuality, reciprocity, trust, and love. We praise you for who you are, and for who you have created us to be as your image-bearers and partakers of the divine nature.

We come to you today with heavy hearts, for though you have created us for love, we have turned away and created such hate instead. Our world, our nation, our community, and our hearts bear witness to this. These days are filled with the cries of the lonely, the angry, the marginalized, and the oppressed. Help us to hear them. Help us to respond with grace. Most of all, help us to trust in you as the one who promises to send justice down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Break our hearts for what breaks yours, that we might truly be the church you are calling us to be and learn to live in love.

In humility and in hope, we offer our prayers to you today for:

Creation and its care… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our nation, its leaders, and its people… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our community and those in authority… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal as it works on your behalf… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Our local church in its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Friends and family with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Tithes and Offerings

Online Giving

Offertory

“Let Us Break Bread Together”

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

A Prayer in the Absence of the Lord’s Supper

Closing Song

“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God our Father,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you now and forever.
Amen.

*Russian icon by Andrei Rublev (1360-1430) depicting the three visitors to Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 18).*

Trinity Sunday

June 5, 2020 FPC Sylva

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday! We invite you to join us in worship from home during this difficult time. Our order of worship will be posted first thing on Sunday morning on our webpage. Curious about Trinity Sunday? Here is some more info…

From the Presbyterian Mission Agency:

On Trinity Sunday we proclaim the mystery of our faith in the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One-in-Three and Three-in-One.

The celebration of Trinity Sunday began among Western Christians in the 10th century and developed slowly until it was formally established on the Sunday after Pentecost by Pope John XXII (1316-1334).

From the Companion to the Book of Worship:

Unlike other festivals in the church’s liturgical calendar, Trinity Sunday centers on a doctrine of the church, rather than an event. It celebrates the unfathomable mystery of God’s being as Holy Trinity. It is a day of adoration and praise of the one, eternal, incomprehensible God.

Trinity Sunday, in a sense, synthesizes all we have celebrated over the past months which have centered on God’s mighty acts: Christmas-Epiphany celebrating God’s taking flesh and dwelling among us in Jesus Christ; Easter celebrating Christ’s death and resurrection for us; Pentecost celebrating God the Holy Spirit becoming our Sanctifier, Guide, and Teacher. It is, therefore, a fitting transition to that part of the year when Sunday by Sunday the work of God among us is unfolded in a more general way.

The triune God is the basis of all we are and do as Christians. In the name of this triune God we are baptized. As the baptized ones we bear the name of the triune God in our being. We are of the family of the triune God. We affirm this parentage when, in reciting the creeds, we say what we believe. Our discipleship is rooted in the mighty acts of this triune God who is active in redeeming the world. The triune God is the basis of all our prayers — we pray to God the Father, through Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit. The Trinity holds central place in our faith.

In celebrating Trinity Sunday, remember that every Lord’s Day is consecrated to the triune God. On the first day of the week, God began creation. On the first day of the week, God raised Jesus from the grave. On the first day of the week, the Holy Spirit descended on the newly born church. Every Sunday is special. Every Sunday is a day of the Holy Trinity.

From Lutheran Satire:

God Moment - 6/2/2020

June 2, 2020 FPC Sylva

God Moment - Blake Daniel - 6/2/2020

Not all God Moments are cheerful. Sometimes, perhaps most of the time, God meets us in situations of deep pain and difficulty. Such is the case in Scripture. Such was the case for me last week, when I learned of the sudden death of my friend, the Rev. Michael Richard Boone.

I first met Mike at Duke Divinity School in Durham, NC around 2009. He was a year ahead of me in the M.Div program — and he was hard to miss. Big and blonde, Mike was the embodiment of joy. He was funny. He was brilliant. He had a zeal for life and kind eyes that expressed warmth and concern in an educational atmosphere that was notoriously competitive and stressful. As fellow southerners, we bonded especially over college football and conversations about the challenges of faithful ministry in the Bible belt. We weren’t the closest of friends, but he was in my inner social circle as a confidante and faithful brother in Christ, for which I’ll always be grateful.

After I left Duke, I took a two-year pastoral call in Raleigh, and Mike came to visit me. Ostensibly he was on business with Cokesbury (with whom he was working at the time), but really he just wanted to check in and catch up. We would sit in my cramped little pastor’s study and talk about life before going out to eat a big meal together (he was especially fond of The Pit bbq). An ordained Anglican priest himself, Mike had much wisdom to share — but most of the time he would just listen. Those conversations were sacred to me, a sweet reminder of the camaraderie of seminary carrying over into the “real world,” with our friendship bridging the gap.

A year after my family and I moved to Sylva in 2015, Mike came to preach for me. I put out a call for pulpit supply to my friends back in Durham, and he was the only one to respond in the affirmative. So he drove out and preached on October 23, 2016 amidst the changing leaves and lovely fall colors. Erin and I were honored that he would take the time and effort to come all the way to the mountains, and I was especially proud to show off our new church family. There can be something scary, risky, and a bit lonely about moving and starting off in a new place, and, once again, our friendship helped bridge the gap.

After years of discernment and transition, Mike accepted a call to be pastor (technically, dean of the cathedral) of St. Charles Anglican Cathedral in Washington State in 2017. Serving as a pastor was a role he was born for, that he had trained for, that God had assuredly called him to — and I know he served the people of his congregation well as he fell in love with life in the Pacific Northwest. We saw each other only one other time, I think, before he moved and we did not see each other in person again after that. Emails and texts were our primary means of communication, and I took comfort in knowing that he was right where he was supposed to be.

And then, last Wednesday, a mutual friend called to tell me that Mike had died. Suddenly and unexpectedly. He was 35 — my age. He was at his home in Washington. At the time of my writing this, no cause is known and no foul play is expected. He is simply gone. His funeral service is this afternoon. To add insult to injury, it will take place online due to virus precautions.

The news hit me like a ton of bricks. In the midst of an already heavy week, with the pain of racism and protest and the ever-looming threat of the coronavirus, I was bowled over. Surely this couldn’t be the case. Surely such a thing couldn’t have happened, not to any of my friends and peers but especially not to my old buddy Mike. I was devastated. What about his congregation? What about his girlfriend (soon to be fiancee) and other family members left behind? What about the decades of life he had left to live? It was too much. Nearly a week later, it still is. I can’t believe the world is so broken. I can’t believe he is gone.

Over the weekend, wading in grief as I processed everything, I pulled up the sermon that Mike preached for us in Sylva. We keep audio recordings of our sermons on our church website, and I had forgotten that Mike preached on the sixth commandment, “you shall not kill,” during our sermon series on the Ten Commandments. It’s a passage that’s especially relevant today, in our culture of fear and division. As I listened to it, I heard Mike’s familiar voice. I heard his love for Jesus. I heard his knowledge of Scripture. I heard his prophetic witness and his call for the church to live a cross-shaped life. I heard all these things and was reminded of something Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, that we need each other to be reminded of the truth, to bear witness to the Word of God; for our own hearts might be weak, but our brother’s heart is sure.

And so my God Moment today is my friend and brother Mike. I remember the ways he bore witness to the Word of God. I give thanks for the ways he was my friend, and for the legacy he leaves behind. And I wait in groaning hope for the time when we will see each other again in God’s kingdom come.

We live in tumultuous times. The world can be confusing and sometimes even frightening. But we are the people of a risen savior who conquered death and blazed a trail for us to follow. The world is in desperate need of such people. Not just in theory, but in practice. In our families, in our workplaces, in our communities. We must be the people who bring the peace of Christ into the middle of a world that is often at war with itself. We do this by our words, by our actions, by our attitudes. Only through carrying this peace into the world can we be the people Christ calls us to be. And if you are following the risen Jesus, and if you’re committed to carrying your witness to that out into the world on a daily basis, then you will be a gift to those around you. It is a challenge that we all have to embrace… [God’s mercy] can come to life only as you and I carry it into the world each and every day. Thanks be to God for such merciful opportunities to witness to the One who has shown us mercy. Amen.
— Rev. Michael Boone

Worship from Home

May 30, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
May 31, 2020
Pentecost Sunday

Prelude

“There is a Hope” - Steve Baxley, soloist; Michael Collings, guitars/bass

Call to Worship – Psalm 104:24-33

How many are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number — living things both large and small.
There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.
All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time.
When you give it to them, they gather it up.
When you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.
When you hide your face, they are terrified.
When you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.
When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works — he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Opening Prayer

Spirit of the living God, visit us again on this day of Pentecost.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Like a rushing wind that sweeps away all barriers,
come, Holy Spirit.
Like tongues of fire that set our hearts aflame,
come, Holy Spirit.
With speech that unites the Babel of our tongues,
come, Holy Spirit.
With love that overlaps the boundaries of race and nation,
come, Holy Spirit.
With power from above to make our weakness strong,
come, Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Song

“Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God”

Prayer of Confession

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. Whoever has my commands and obeys them is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” Guided by the truth, let us confess our sin to God. (Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon

Friends, hear the good news and rejoice: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life sets us free from the law of sin and death. And if the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, God who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through the Spirit, who lives in us.” Thanks be to God!

Children’s Message

Scripture Readings

Sermon – The Descent of the Spirit

Song of Response

“Breathe on Me, Breath of God”

Affirmation of Faith – from The Westminster Confession of Faith

The Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Trinity, proceeding from the Father and the Son, of the same substance and equal in power and glory, is, together with the Father and the Son, to be believed in, loved, obeyed, and worshipped throughout all ages. He is the Lord and Giver of life, everywhere present, and is the source of all good thoughts, pure desires, and holy counsels in men… The Holy Spirit, whom the Father is ever willing to give to all who ask him, is the only efficient agent in the application of redemption. He regenerates men and women by his grace, convicts them of sin, moves them to repentance, and persuades and enables them to embrace Jesus Christ by faith. He unites all believers to Christ, dwells in them as their Comforter and Sanctifier, gives to them the spirit of Adoption and Prayer, and performs all those gracious offices by which they are sanctified and sealed unto the day of redemption. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit all believers being vitally united to Christ, who is the Head, are thus united one to another in the Church, which is his body.

Prayers of the People

We praise you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for your creative power and redeeming love.
Spirit of fire, you came as a rushing wind, breathing life and hope into dead bones and cold hearts on Pentecost. We thank you for your presence in creation, in the church universal, in our worship, and in our lives. We pray now for your intercession as we lift up…

Those who are sick and alone (especially ___________), may they know your healing, comfort and care. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those who are grieving (especially ___________), may they lament and receive hope because of you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those who lack food, shelter, and are in situations that are unsafe (especially ___________), bring help. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For those who provide care (especially ___________), give them strength, courage, and rest. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those who work and reside in places with limited resources for safe practices (nursing homes, military facilities, prisons), please make a way for justice and fair treatment. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Adults and children who suffer from mental illness or addiction, grant them provision, friendship, and freedom. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those who are profiled, mistreated, or even killed because of the color of their skin, bless them and lead all of us to repent of the sins of racism and to strive for your kingdom in which all people are valued and loved. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Civic leaders, that they would use their authority to pursue justice and safeguard the well-being and dignity of all. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Leaders in education, businesses, and faith-communities, that they would have wisdom and courage for good decision-making around the topic of reopening. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church, that we would breathe and so bear witness to your love and power in us. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Tithes and Offerings

Online Giving

Offertory

“Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” - performed by Margaret Hale

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Closing Song

“The Blessing - South Africa”

This song was recently shared with Blake as a response to the death of George Floyd and the ensuing race riots. We offer it as a part of our worship and as a reminder of God’s kingdom of justice and peace, in which people of “every nation, tribe, people and language will stand before the throne and before the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9).

Benediction

May the love of the Father enfold us.
May the wisdom of the Son enlighten us.
May the fire of the Spirit kindle us.
And may the blessing of the Lord God
come down upon us and remain with us,
now and forevermore.
Amen.

God Moment - 5/28/2020

May 28, 2020 FPC Sylva

God Moment - Gloria Stockton - 5/28/2020

My God Moment — to open the mail on Wednesday morning, midweek, and find the uplifting “FPC Weekly Update”. Hearing and seeing on YouTube, Pastor Blake commending to us the Holy Breath of God — it comes right along with my prayers this morning — for Renewal, Revival and Pentecost for our families, community, state, country and world – and for the Mighty Breath of God, the Holy Spirit — on all!

Seeing and hearing Margaret’s video and hear her playing for Becki’s sweet singing of “His Eye is on the Sparrow” — another precious God Moment for me! I saw Margaret and the family in those pictures — wonderful!! I do love that song!

Because of the PRMI (Presbyterian Reformed International Ministries) invitation and outreach, for the past few days and up to Pentecost Sunday, I agreed, and set my cellphone to remind me three times a day to pray for Revival, Renewal, and Holy Spirit empowerment on all who look to God. It has become sweet praying time for me, a blessing in this Covid 19 response quietness.

If you find yourself praying for revival too, for the Holy Spirit to come — set your cell for three times a day and pray a simple short prayer, and see the blessing of His welcome presence in our lives.

Worship from Home

May 24, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
May 24, 2020
Seventh Sunday of Easter & Ascension of the Lord

Prelude

“Take My Hand, Precious Lord” - performed by Duncan LeMay and Michael Collings

Call to Worship – Psalm 93

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;
    the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
    indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
Your throne was established long ago;
    you are from all eternity.
The seas have lifted up, Lord,
    the seas have lifted up their voice;
    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
    mightier than the breakers of the sea—
    the Lord on high is mighty.
Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;
    holiness adorns your house
    for endless days.

Opening Prayer

Lord of life, by submitting to death, you conquered the grave. By being lifted on a cross, you draw all people to yourself. By being raised from the dead, you restored to humanity all that we had lost through sin. By ascending into heaven, you reign over all things and promise to return. Throughout these days of Easter, help us to believe and live into this marvelous mystery. For all praise is yours, now and forever. Amen.

Opening Song

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;
His the scepter, His the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood;
"Jesus out of ev'ry nation
has redeemed us by His blood.

Alleluia! Not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now.
Alleluia! He is near us;
faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received Him
when the forty days were o'er,
shall our hearts forget His promise,
"I am with you evermore"?

Alleluia! Bread of heaven,
here on earth our food, our stay.
Alleluia! Here the sinful
flee to You from day to day.
Intercessor, Friend of sinners,
earth's Redeemer, hear our plea
where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.

Prayer of Confession

Father, show us another way. Your thoughts towards us are love, yet we are too small-minded to think of our neighbors. Your ways lead to life, yet our actions value some lives, but not others. Have mercy on us. For we have diminished ourselves, disregarded our neighbors, and dishonored you. But in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, you have opened a new way. By your Holy Spirit, lead us on the path that leads to life and love. (Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon

Friends, hear the good news and rejoice: while we were sinners, Christ died for us. In him we are forgiven and made new. Thanks be to God!

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Sermon – The Ascent of the Lord

Affirmation of Faith – from The Scots Confession

We do not doubt that the same body of Christ which was born of the virgin, was crucified, dead, and buried, and which did rise again, did ascend into the heavens for the accomplishment of all things, where in our name and for our comfort he has received all power in heaven and earth, where he sits at the right hand of the Father, having received his kingdom, the only advocate and mediator for us… We believe that the same Lord Jesus shall visibly return for the Last Judgment as he was seen to ascend. And then, we firmly believe, the time of refreshing and restitution of all things shall come, so that those who from the beginning have suffered violence, injury, and wrong for righteousness’ sake, shall inherit that blessed immortality promised them from the beginning.

Prayers of the People

We praise you, Risen Lord. You appeared to your friends and followers and offered your peace, and you do the same for us today by the power of your Spirit. Help us to recognize you in our midst, to trust in your rule and reign, and to hope for your coming again.
Lord Jesus, in this time of social distancing, please build up your church. By your Holy Spirit, knit us together in you, our foundation. Lead us to display your love, wisdom, and power to a weary world. And give us the faith and the will to follow as you lead us into this week.
Trusting that you hear us and intercede for us, we lift up our prayers…

With gratitude for those who have courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. Bless their families this Memorial Day, and inspire us all to live lives of self-giving love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For our community leaders, governor, president and lawmakers, that they would use their authority to safeguard the well-being and dignity of everyone, especially those most vulnerable at this time. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For all those who lack food, shelter, and are in situations that are unsafe, bring help. Release compassion among those who can help. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For those who work and reside in places with limited resources for safe practices (nursing homes, military facilities, prisons), make a way to be as just as possible. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For those who are sick and alone (especially ________), may they know your healing, comfort and care. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For those adults and children who are in need or in situations that are unsafe. We pray for provision, friendship, and help. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For those who provide care (especially ________), give them strength, courage, and rest. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For those who are grieving (especially ________), may they lament and receive comfort in your love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For the church, that our willingness to love others in your name would bring hope to our world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Tithes and Offerings

Online Giving

Offertory

“Indescribable” - performed by Becki Veach

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Closing Song

“Before the Throne of God Above”

Benediction

*Mural of Christ on a graffiti wall in Bristol, England*

God Moment - 5/22/2020

May 22, 2020 FPC Sylva

God Moment - Lynda Parlett - May 22, 2020

In June of 2010, I was in Haiti on a mission trip to an orphanage in Bohoc during which our group visited a church/feeding center out in the countryside. We found the church to be a tin-roofed shelter with two benches situated on a hillside with the mountains in the distance. It was beautiful! Standing there out of the blazing hot sun looking at the hills, the clouds and the mountains, I felt reverence for God’s creation, even in one of the poorest countries in the world.

Our group had brought rice, beans and vegetable oil (for extra calories) to cook and serve to the youngest children in the community, those from infancy through 6 years-of-age. One of several feeding centers operated by Matthew 28, the organization run by our friend Hein Vingerling, it provided three meals a week which was often the only meals these children ate. The children brought their own bowls and spoons (if they had spoons) for their meal. Once all of the youngest children were served, any leftover food was then distributed to older children.

As we were completing the cooking of the meal over a fire in the kitchen hut, the children and their families began arriving. They were all dressed in the very best clothes they had and they watched our Bible School puppet show while the meal was brought over to be served. They waited patiently until we had served every child and said a blessing then savored every single bite. Some older siblings looked on in obvious hunger, a number of them showing evidence of protein deficiency and malnutrition through the orange-tinted ends of their hair. Fortunately we were able to provide them with a serving as well.

The mother of a tiny infant asked if we would take a picture of Hein holding the baby (who appeared to be a premature newborn but was actually 5 months old). The mother explained that she wanted proof that the baby had been born in case it died of starvation (they had no birth certificates or other evidence of a baby’s birth in the countryside). With starvation the greatest threat to young children there, Hein gave the mother some of the water/oil from the beans and rice to feed the baby and a few spoons full of beans and rice for her own nutrition.

What struck me the most was the absolute simplicity of their place of worship and the extreme poverty in which they lived yet their hearts overflowed with love for the Lord and gratitude for the meager assistance that we had provided. As I think about the times we’re in now here in Sylva, NC with a pandemic causing us to modify how we’re living and causing some insecurities, I realize that the people of Haiti know this and even worse as their every day reality. The small villages of people in the countryside are spread far and wide. Their sources of water are often miles away and they must walk with whatever containers they have to bring water back for drinking and cooking. Their food sources are insecure- the growing of crops on the volcanic soil is completely dependent upon regular rain which becomes rarer as the season progresses. They must protect what they can harvest from rats and other animals. Their health is always threatened. Yet, they are thankful for what they have and they draw strength from God and one another.

I am thankful for having had this experience and for the lessons it has renewed for me during these unsteady times. I am thankful for my church family with whom I can share this story and am confident that we’ll all be back together sometime soon. With prayers for everyone here at home and around the world….

God Moment - 5/20/2020

May 20, 2020 FPC Sylva

God Moment - James McManus - May 20, 2020

There is something special about being "in" the sunrise and two times it hits home for me is deer hunting and fishing. The quiet time spent alone waiting on either clients or the big ones gives me that thin space where I'm able to just sit, no calls, no talking or doing, just sitting. I don't read scripture or pray consciously, but am definitely in the presence of God. It's a renewing time when the rest of the world seems distant and unimportant and prepares me for what's coming down the road. I feel like this COVID time can be a similar space so hope to take advantage before we get back to normalcy. One thing I really enjoy is sharing some of this with guiding, it sometimes leads to talking about God and other times just exposes folks to what He has created.

Worship from Home

May 17, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
May 17, 2020
Sixth Sunday of Easter

Prelude

“Be Thou My Vision” - performed by Michael Collings

Call to Worship – Psalm 66:8-12, 16-20

Praise our God, all peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives
    and kept our feet from slipping.
For you, God, tested us;
    you refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison
    and laid burdens on our backs.
You let people ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and water,
    but you brought us to a place of abundance.

Come and hear, all you who fear God;
    let me tell you what he has done for me.
I cried out to him with my mouth;
    his praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened;
but God has surely listened
    and has heard my prayer.
Praise be to God,
    who has not rejected my prayer
    or withheld his love from me!

Opening Prayer

Lord of life, by submitting to death, you conquered the grave. By being lifted on a cross, you draw all people to yourself. By being raised from the dead, you restored to humanity all that we had lost through sin. Throughout these days of Easter, help us to believe and live into the marvelous mystery of death and resurrection. For all praise is yours, now and forever. Amen.

Opening Song

“Thine is the Glory”

Prayer of Confession

Lord Jesus, you came to conquer the powers of sin and death. Yet we confess we still live in bondage to them. Turning from you, we prefer the ways of this world. Turning from one another, we prefer the ways of our own selfish desires. Forgive us, we pray, and lead us into your grace everlasting. (Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon

Friends, it is true! Death has been swallowed up in victory, and we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Hear the good news and rejoice: in Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Sermon – Resurrection Hope (Part 3)

Hymn of Response

“Your Labor is Not in Vain”

Affirmation of Faith – The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

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 worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in 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.

Prayers of the People

We praise you, Risen Lord. You love this world, and you see all the suffering and all the beauty. Give us eyes to see both and let that transform us. Open our hearts to receive your right judgment and proper peace. Enable us to act with your compassion that we might be agents of faith, hope, and love in all we say and do. Trusting in your presence with us, we now offer you our prayers:

For those who are suffering in mind or body (especially __________), may they know your healing, comfort and care. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For those who are grieving (especially __________), may they lament and receive comfort in your love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For those who provide care (especially __________), give them strength, courage, and rest. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For the brokenness and evil that has been inflicted by the death of Ahmaud Arbery, we pray that your Kingdom would come and that you would bring justice, righteousness, healing, and peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For all those in public office, may they use their authority to safeguard the well-being and dignity of human life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For scientists and public health leaders, may you help them apply their skill with integrity to prevent and heal the effects of the virus. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For leaders in business, may they lead with wisdom and compassion, remembering all those who are affected by economic decisions. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
For the church, that our willingness to love others in your name would bring hope to our world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Tithes and Offerings

Online Giving

Offertory

“His Eye is on the Sparrow” - performed by Becki Veach

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Closing Song

“It Is Well With My Soul”

Benediction

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