Pastor's Letter

November 2, 2020 FPC Sylva

Lately I have been reflecting on the earliest creed in the Christian faith. It’s just three simple words:

“Jesus is Lord.”

I’m sure you’ve heard this creed before. It has been the cry of Christ’s disciples from the first century to today. But what does it mean?

First of all, it’s a theological claim. When we confess Jesus as our Lord, we are saying that he is God. He's not sort-of-God or less-than-God. He is, as the Nicene Creed tells us, “the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.” So, this is a claim about God the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord. We may not fully understand this claim but, as Christians, we believe it, profess it to be true, and depend upon it for our salvation.

As the same time, to call Jesus our Lord is say something political. The first Christians were members of the Roman Empire, which required all its citizens to affirm that Caesar was Lord. But those Christians wouldn’t do that, because to call Jesus “Lord” is to say that no one and nothing else is – not Caesar, not any other ruler, not a political party, not a popular ideology, not the Self. Only Jesus. Claiming this certainly put those Christians at odds with the status quo, but it also led them to bear faithful witness to a different way of life, the Kingdom of God. And as Christ’s disciples today, we must do the same by understanding our lives, including our political life, in terms of Christ our Lord and not the other way around.

Why do I bring all this up?

Because this creed is good news that rings out from the cross and empty tomb and we need to remember it today, in the year of our Lord, 2020.

As we turn the calendar into November and experience the most contentious election season in recent memory, we remember: Jesus is Lord.

As we continue to wear our masks, wash our hands, practice social distancing, and combat the coronavirus, we remember: Jesus is Lord.

As we try new things with Sunday worship, Zoom calls, and our life together, we remember: Jesus is Lord.

As we offer a response to racial injustices, social unrest, and the ongoing need for reconciliation, we remember: Jesus is Lord.

As we seek to fulfill our mission as a congregation to make disciples who love Jesus, the church, and their neighbors as themselves, we remember: Jesus is Lord.

To help us remember this, I will be preaching a short sermon series on this creed through the month of November. This series will culminate with Christ the King Sunday, which will lead us right into Advent. We have made our way through the Psalms of Lament on Sunday mornings; now let’s look to the Lordship of Jesus, and find our hope in him.

With you on the dusty road of discipleship,
Blake

Worship from Home

October 30, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
November 1, 2020
Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost
Reformation Sunday & All Saints Day

Prelude

Call to Worship – Psalm 34:1-8

I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him..

Opening Prayer

Fill our worship with grace, Lord Jesus Christ, that every thought, word, and deed may be acceptable to you, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

O God of shalom, we have built up walls to protect ourselves from our enemies, but those walls also shut us off from receiving your love. Break down those walls. Help us to see that the way to your heart is through the reconciliation of our own hearts with our enemies. Bless them and us, that we may come to grow in love for each other and for you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon – from Ephesians 2

Jesus Christ is our peace; in his flesh he has broken down the dividing wall of the hostility between us… So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. Hear this good news and rejoice: In Christ we are forgiven, reconciled, and restored! Amen.

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Luke 6:27-36

Sermon – The Law of Love – Rev. Mike Weiglein

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

God of grace, you love your enemies. When Adam and Eve turned from you, you did not turn from them. When Israel broke your covenant, you remained faithful. Even when we put you, Lord Jesus, to death, you did not condemn us but you cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” We praise you today and always for this grace. And we ask for your Spirit to lead us to show this grace to others. You know these are contentious times, Lord. Election day looms; tempers are running high; disagreements and misunderstandings are rampant. Help us to turn the other cheek, pray for those who persecute us, offer our coats, go the extra mile, and love our enemies — that we might give you glory, cultivate peace, and experience the surprising joy of your Kingdom.
On this Reformation Sunday and All Saints Day, we especially remember the great cloud of witnesses who surround your throne. We give thanks for the apostles and first believers; for those in the early church; for the martyrs of all ages; for those who have reformed the church; for those who have ministered to us personally; for those who have died this year. For these great examples of the faith we give you praise.
Today we lay our specific requests before you, trusting that you hear us. 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, our community, and our country. Please grant us courage to engage difficult issues of racism and politics and fear, and to do so with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.
In humility and in hope, we pray 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

Note: We will be offering “virtual communion” during our church-wide Zoom calls on the first Wednesday of the month. 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

October 23, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
October 25, 2020
Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Revelation 4:11

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, may the Word you speak this day take root in our hearts and bear fruit to your honor and glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

God of grace, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your image and likeness. (Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon – from Psalm 145

The Lord is faithful in all his words and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. Hear the good news and rejoice: in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Psalm 44

Sermon – Praying for Rescue – Rev. Blake Daniel

Affirmation of Faith – from The Second Helvetic Confession

Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world, and the true awaited messiah. For we teach and believe that this Jesus Christ our Lord is the unique and eternal Savior of the human race, and thus of the whole world, in whom by faith are saved all who before the law, under the law, and under the Gospel were saved, and however many will be saved at the end of the world… Now there only remains for all of us to give all glory to Christ, believe in him, rest in him alone, despising and rejecting all other aids in life.

Prayers of the People

Heavenly Father, if you are for us, who can be against us? You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all. You will also, along with him, graciously give us all things. Today we rejoice that, in Christ, we are more than conquerors! And now nothing can separate us from your love. Help us to remember this when things are hard. Save us from denial, despair, and defensiveness, and teach us to be honest about our sins and struggles. Lead us, by your Spirit’s power, to put our hope in you, again and again, and to share this hope with others.
Today we lay our specific requests before you, trusting that you hear our prayers. 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, our community, and our country. Please grant us courage to engage difficult issues of racism and politics and fear, and to do so with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.
In humility and in hope, we especially pray 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

October 16, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
October 18, 2020
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Hebrews 4:14-16

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon – from Psalm 145

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Psalm 39

Sermon – Praying in Silence – Rev. Blake Daniel

Affirmation of Faith – from The Heidelberg Catechism

Question: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
Answer: 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, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to us. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him is life, and that life is the light of all humankind, which shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. We thank you and praise you for this good news. We ask that you would help us to walk in this light always, by the power of your Holy Spirit. Teach us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. When we do speak, open our lips that our mouths would declare your praise. Help us to tell the truth in love and so to bear witness to the Word made flesh, especially during this difficult season.
Today we lay our specific requests before you, trusting that you hear our prayers. 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, our community, and our country. Please grant us courage to engage difficult issues of racism and politics and fear, and to do so with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.
In humility and in hope, we especially pray 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

October 9, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
October 11, 2020
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon – from Psalm 145

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Psalm 38

Sermon – Praying Through Suffering – 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

Lord our God, from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, blessed be your name. You are the one who called all things into being. You are the one who seeks and saves the lost. You are the one who knows all about suffering because you took it upon yourself so as to redeem it, once and for all. Draw us more deeply into life with you. Kindle within us your hope that cannot die. Lead us to share that hope with others through friendship, service, and sacrificial love.
During this strange and difficult season, we lay our specific requests before you, trusting that you hear our prayers. 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, our community, and our country. Please grant us courage to engage difficult issues of racism and politics and fear, and to do so with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.
In humility and in hope, we especially pray 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

October 2, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
October 4, 2020
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost & World Communion Sunday

Prelude

Call to Worship – from Romans 12:1-2

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon – from Psalm 145

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Psalm 32

Sermon – Praying to Forgive – Rev. Blake Daniel

Affirmation of Faith – The Apostles' Creed

Prayers of the People

Heavenly Father, you are good and your love endures forever. Today we thank you for forgiving us. While we were sinners, you sent your Son to die for us! So help us to experience new life in his name and by the power of your Holy Spirit. Teach us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. Teach us to receive forgiveness as we have received it from you. Teach us to forgive ourselves that we would live in shame and separation no more.
On this World Communion Sunday, we also pray that this forgiven life would overflow through the church at large. Keep us, as the body of Christ, from petty disagreements or significant divisions. Bring us together and unite us to yourself, that we might bear witness to a better way of life as your kingdom people.
During this difficult season, we lay our specific requests before you, trusting that you hear our prayers. 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 racism and politics and fear, and to do so with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.
In humility and in hope, we especially pray 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

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 calls on the first Wednesday of the month. Please notify the church office if you would like to participate.

Closing Song

Benediction

Pastor's Letter

October 1, 2020 FPC Sylva

What’s your prayer? If you had to write a prayer to encapsulate this season, what would you include? Joy and celebration? Petition and lament? Would you want to pray for yourself, your family, and friends? Can you also pray for your enemies? Would you pray for racial justice? For the election? Seriously — give it some thought. Ask God to help you. Take a look at the prayers below. Then put pen to paper, write your prayer down, and keep it in your Bible or by your bedside to pray each and every day through the month of October. Such focus and repetition can be a really good thing; it keeps our minds from wandering too widely and lead us more deeply into life with Christ.

One of the reasons I love the Psalms is because they are a collection of prayers. These were literally the words of David and other members of God’s people, Israel, as they walked with the Lord. Some of the prayers are happy; some of the prayers are sad. Some of the prayers are prim and proper; others are raw and unchained. Yet they are all included. They are all welcomed. Because they are all honest. Which is how we should pray: with honesty before the Lord.

We know that Jesus prayed the Psalms. Growing up in a traditional Jewish community meant he would have learned them from an early age. He would have studied in the synagogue and on the way to the Temple in Jerusalem. The prayers of his people would have traveled through his ears to sink deep into his heart. We see this in Scripture, of course. The Psalms issued forth in Jesus’ life and teachings and, most notably, in his cries from the cross. Indeed, is it any wonder that the Word Made Flesh would be filled to overflowing by the written Word of God?

Which means Jesus also knows something about lament. Lament — there’s that word again. If you’ve been listening on Sunday mornings, then it will not be new to you. The Psalms of Lament comprise a good portion of the book of Psalms, and I am preaching on a handful of them this fall. While we often want to avoid them, these prayers are so important. They teach us how to sidestep denial, despair, and defensiveness and how to fill our lives with humility and hope. Ultimately, they help us find our way to Jesus, the One who has already found his way to us.

No one can deny that we are living in lamentable times. The stress of politics, the coronavirus, and culture at large has gotten everyone down. Yet there is a way forward. And it’s the way of prayer in Jesus’ name. As we pray in and through Christ, we are opened up to see things in a whole new way. Let’s commit to praying together in this strange yet significant season, trusting that the Lord is at work to renew our hearts and remake the world — and, if we let him, he will show us our part to play.

Yours in Christ,
Blake

Sermon Scriptures for October

10/4/2020 - Psalm 32
10/11/2020 - Psalm 38
10/18/2020 - Psalm 39
10/25/2020 - Psalm 44

Prayers for this Season (in addition to the Psalms)

The Lord’s Prayer

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.

The Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Prayer for Serenity

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that you will make all things right
if I surrender to your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with you forever in the next. Amen.

– Reinhold Niebuhr

Prayer at the Time of an Election

Under your law we live, great God, and by your will we govern ourselves. Help us as good citizens to respect neighbors whose views differ from ours, so that without partisan anger, we may work out issues that divide us, and elect candidates to serve the common welfare; through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

– From The Book of Common Worship, PCUSA

Prayer for Responsible Citizenship

Lord, keep this nation under your care. Bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Help us elect trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and thus serve you faithfully in our generation, to the honor of your holy name; through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

– From The Book of Common Worship, PCUSA

Worship from Home

September 25, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
September 27, 2020
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – from Hebrews 4:14-16

Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon – from Psalm 145

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Psalm 7

Sermon – Praying For Justice – 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

Lord our God, we thank you that you are just. When this world feels like it is unraveling, you are our refuge, our shield, and our righteous judge. Help us to learn from you how to pursue justice in a manner that is pleasing to you. Teach us what it means to lament. Keep us from denial, despair, and defensiveness. And lead us, by your Spirit’s power, to receive your grace and share your grace with others — that we might play our part in your kingdom come.
During this difficult season, we lay our specific requests before you, trusting that you hear our prayers. 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 racism and politics, and to do so with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.
In humility and in hope, we especially pray 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

God Moment - 9/22/2020

September 22, 2020 FPC Sylva

God Moment - written by Richard Rohr, shared by Judy McManus - September 22, 2020

Some simple but urgent guidance to get us through these next months.

I awoke on Saturday, September 19, with three sources in my mind for guidance: Etty Hillesum (1914 – 1943), the young Jewish woman who suffered much more injustice in the concentration camp than we are suffering now; Psalm 62, which must have been written in a time of a major oppression of the Jewish people; and the Irish Poet, W.B. Yeats (1965 – 1939), who wrote his “Second Coming” during the horrors of the World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic.

These three sources form the core of my invitation. Read each one slowly as your first practice. Let us begin with Etty:

There is a really deep well inside me. And in it dwells God. Sometimes I am there, too … And that is all we can manage these days and also all that really matters: that we safeguard that little piece of You, God, in ourselves.
—Etty Hillesum, Westerbork transit camp

Note her second-person usage, talking to “You, God” quite directly and personally. There is a Presence with her, even as she is surrounded by so much suffering.

Then, the perennial classic wisdom of the Psalms:

In God alone is my soul at rest.
God is the source of my hope.
In God I find shelter, my rock, and my safety.
Men are but a puff of wind,
Men who think themselves important are a delusion.
Put them on a scale,
They are gone in a puff of wind.
—Psalm 62:5–9

What could it mean to find rest like this in a world such as ours? Every day more and more people are facing the catastrophe of extreme weather. The neurotic news cycle is increasingly driven by a single narcissistic leader whose words and deeds incite hatred, sow discord, and amplify the daily chaos. The pandemic that seems to be returning in waves continues to wreak suffering and disorder with no end in sight, and there is no guarantee of the future in an economy designed to protect the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor and those subsisting at the margins of society.

It’s no wonder the mental and emotional health among a large portion of the American population is in tangible decline! We have wholesale abandoned any sense of truth, objectivity, science or religion in civil conversation; we now recognize we are living with the catastrophic results of several centuries of what philosophers call nihilism or post-modernism (nothing means anything, there are no universal patterns).

We are without doubt in an apocalyptic time (the Latin word apocalypsis refers to an urgent unveiling of an ultimate state of affairs). Yeats’ oft-quoted poem “The Second Coming” then feels like a direct prophecy. See if you do not agree:

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Somehow our occupation and vocation as believers in this sad time must be to first restore the Divine Center by holding it and fully occupying it ourselves. If contemplation means anything, it means that we can “safeguard that little piece of You, God,” as Etty Hillesum describes it. What other power do we have now? All else is tearing us apart, inside and out, no matter who wins the election or who is on the Supreme Court. We cannot abide in such a place for any length of time or it will become our prison.

God cannot abide with us in a place of fear.
God cannot abide with us in a place of ill will or hatred.
God cannot abide with us inside a nonstop volley of claim and counterclaim.
God cannot abide with us in an endless flow of online punditry and analysis.
God cannot speak inside of so much angry noise and conscious deceit.
God cannot be found when all sides are so far from “the Falconer.”
God cannot be born except in a womb of Love.
So offer God that womb.

Stand as a sentry at the door of your senses for these coming months, so “the blood-dimmed tide” cannot make its way into your soul.

If you allow it for too long, it will become who you are, and you will no longer have natural access to the “really deep well” that Etty Hillesum returned to so often and that held so much vitality and freedom for her.

If you will allow, I recommend for your spiritual practice for the next four months that you impose a moratorium on exactly how much news you are subject to—hopefully not more than an hour a day of television, social media, internet news, magazine and newspaper commentary, and/or political discussions. It will only tear you apart and pull you into the dualistic world of opinion and counter-opinion, not Divine Truth, which is always found in a bigger place.

Instead, I suggest that you use this time for some form of public service, volunteerism, mystical reading from the masters, prayer—or, preferably, all of the above.

You have much to gain now and nothing to lose. Nothing at all. And the world—with you as a stable center—has nothing to lose. And everything to gain.

Richard Rohr, September 19, 2020

Worship from Home

September 18, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
September 20, 2020
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Romans 11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon - from Psalm 145

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Psalm 6

Sermon – Praying Through Tears – Rev. Blake Daniel

Affirmation of Faith – from The Heidelberg Catechism

Leader: How are you right with God?
People: Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God’s commandments, and of never having kept any of them, and even though I am still inclined toward all evil, nevertheless, without my deserving it at all, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart. Thanks be to God!

Prayers of the People

Heavenly Father, you are good and your love endures forever. We thank you today for your grace. Even when we turn from you, you do not turn from us; even when we fall into idolatry, you offer us intimacy; even when we weep with lament, you lead us in the way of love. We know these things are true because of your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Help us to abide in him by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we might display your grace to others in all that we do.
During this difficult season, we lay our specific requests before you with gratitude that you accept our prayers. 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 racism and politics, and to do so with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. Please grant us the means to serve our neighbors, that we might play our part in your kingdom come.
In humility and in hope, we especially pray for:

All who are affected by wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
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

Outdoor Worship

September 15, 2020 FPC Sylva

Gathering for Worship

After much discussion and discernment, and in collaboration with our Safety Task Force, the session has approved outdoor worship gatherings at First Presbyterian Church.

Date, Time, and Location

We will begin meeting on Sunday, October 4 at 10:30 a.m. and will continue meeting weekly as long as weather and other conditions allow for us to do so. We will meet in the church pavilion, with the church parking lot as a backup/overflow space. Any last-minute changes will be shared via email and/or on our website, so please check ahead of time.

Please note: Online Worship will remain in place, concurrent with the outdoor service, at www.sylvapres.org. We encourage our congregation to do what they are most comfortable with and to use their own judgment as to whether or not to attend. Those with at-risk conditions or showing signs of illness are asked to wait until safety is more assured.

Safety Procedures

Participants should bring their own folding chair to sit on, and everyone will sit socially-distanced at six feet apart, and/or in family clusters.
The church building will remain closed to any traffic due to sanitizing concerns. (Please use the restroom ahead of time!)
Everyone will need to wear masks, except for Blake and other worship leaders while leading the service.
We will not sing together, hug, shake hands, or have any physical contact. (We recognize this will be difficult, as we have been apart for so long, but it is in the best interest of our safety and state guidelines.)
Blake will lead a brief service with prayer, Scripture, and sermon. Michael and others will play instrumental music and/or music will be projected via speakers.
Childcare will not be available as we begin meeting, but we hope to have activities for children on-hand and to consider providing childcare at a later date.
At this time, the Lord’s Supper will be limited to our first Wednesday church-wide Zoom meetings, but it may be added in-person at a later date.
At the end of service, we will exit as directed. Please do not remove your masks until clear of the area where others are still exiting.

We encourage you to do your best to follow these guidelines and to encourage younger children to follow them as well. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to notify Blake or a member of the session.

Worship from Home

September 11, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
September 13, 2020
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon - from Psalm 145

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Psalm 5

Sermon – Praying with Honesty – 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 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, our King and our God, it is to you we pray. Through your Son and by your Spirit, you draw near to hear our cries and to make all things new. Thank you. We ask that you would teach us today what it means to lament. Help us to be honest about our situations, ourselves, and you. Keep us from arrogance, wrongdoing, lies, and deceit. Lead us in your righteousness and make your way straight before us, that we might ever sing for joy.
During this difficult season, we lay our specific requests before you. 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 racism and politics, and to do so with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. Please grant us the means to serve our neighbors, that we might play our part in your kingdom come.
In humility and in hope, we especially pray 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

The Psalms of Lament

September 8, 2020 FPC Sylva

For years I have read the psalms.

These prayers of Israel – which became the prayers of Jesus and the prayers of his church – have steered me through so many seasons of life. When I have experienced blessings, the words of Psalm 136 have sprung from my lips: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” When I have fumbled in the darkness, the words of Psalm 13 have guided my cries: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” And, like so many of you, I have been comforted by those familiar words of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Whether we realize it or not, we have all been shaped by the psalms.

One of most significant genres of psalms is the Psalms of Lament. This is a broad category within the Psalter (the book of Psalms) in which either an individual or the community expresses lament – which is a very particular spiritual discipline in the Bible. Lament doesn’t mean pretending that a problem does not exist (which is really just denial), nor does it mean letting a problem take over one’s life (which usually winds up leading to despair); no, lament is something unique. When God’s people lament, they name a particular sin or struggle, they grieve over it, and then they offer it up to the Lord for redemption. For this reason, lamenting is not a depressing act — but a hopeful one.

In this next season of our life together, we are going to pray the Psalms of Lament – for ourselves, our community, and our world.

Many of us continue to feel anxious, lonely, angry, or afraid. What can we do? We can pray the psalms. Our community is wracked with divisions and discord, with calls for justice and cries for peace. What can we do? We can pray the psalms. Our country is entering into one of the most contentious election cycles in recent memory. What can we do? We can pray the psalms. Why? Because this is what Israel did. Because this is what Jesus did and does. And because this is what the church has done for centuries. I invite you to join us as we pray these prayers together.

Click here for a PDF of the psalms we will be studying this fall. You can print this document, cut out each psalm, and pray through them week-by-week.

In hope,
Blake

Worship from Home

September 4, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
September 6, 2020
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Psalm 149:1-5

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon - from Psalm 145

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Psalm 26

Sermon – Standing in Christ in the Neighborhood of Chaos – Rev. Tommy Grimm

Affirmation of Faith – The Apostles' Creed

Prayers of the People

We praise you, Lord, for your vindication. When we were trapped in sin, you came to rescue us. When we were lost in darkness, you shone the light of life. When we were and are covered in chaos, you stand with us and offer your peace. Help us to love you, trust you, and follow you in all that we do.
During this difficult season, we present our requests to you through prayer and petition. 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 energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. Please grant us the means to serve our neighbors, that we might play our part in your kingdom come.
In humility and in hope, we especially pray 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

Note: We will be offering “virtual communion” during our church-wide Zoom calls on the first Wednesday of the month. Please notify the church office if you would like to participate.

Closing Song

Benediction

God Moment - 9/2/2020

September 2, 2020 FPC Sylva

God Moment - Courtney Umphlett - September 2, 2020

I went for a walk the other night heavy hearted. There’s a lot going on in the world and to, bring more heaviness, there is also a lot going on with my blood family. I was having one of those nights of being overwhelmed with the immensity of it all, weighed down by the weight of hatred, sickness, destruction, and loss of normalcy.

As I was walking, I would notice briefly some cool cloud shapes outlined by the light of the moon shining behind. It kept grabbing my attention and suddenly I felt God say “Stop. Sit. Watch.”

I plopped down in the middle of my very secluded driveway(no chance of random cars to come flying by) and watched. The clouds suddenly began to move. The voice of God whispered to me one of my favorite parts of scripture “A light shines in the darkness and darkness has not overcome it.” Slowly but determinedly, the moon pushed its way out from behind the clouds and shined bright for all the world to see. The word of God kept repeating itself “A light shines in the darkness and darkness has not overcome it.”

Friends, we must remember that the love, grace, and power of God is far more than we can ever imagine. It is so easy to put God in a box, to think that He is unconcerned with our small and big worries, to believe that, yes, He is omnipotent but maybe not completely powerful. But, those our doubts we must push aside at this moment of history. We must let our lights shine like this moon through the clouds. We must let the love of God rise up in us until it overflows and spills to our neighbors and our enemies. We must know that God cares even about the lilies. How much more does He care for us?

With God’s love, our light shines in the darkness and darkness will not overcome it.

Worship from Home

August 28, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
August 30, 2020
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Psalm 131

My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord
    both now and forevermore.

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 4:10-23

Sermon – True Contentment – Rev. Blake Daniel

Affirmation of Faith – from The Second Helvetic Confession

Prayers of the People

Heavenly Father, you have made us for yourself and are hearts are not at rest until they rest in you. Thank you for drawing near to us, despite our sin, through your Son, Jesus. Thank you for leading us and guiding us by the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for filling us with your strength so that we might live as your people and have true contentment in all things.
During this difficult season, we present our requests to you through prayer and petition, honored that you would hear them.
We pray for our nation and many others where there is distrust and polarization. We pray for those in our nation and in other nations who are poor and vulnerable. We pray for refugees, for widows and orphans, and for all who are in distress.
We also pray for our children in this season of turmoil. We pray for their education and that each child would have access to learn. We pray that you would help us to make sure that each child would be provided for. We pray for energy, intelligence, imagination, and love for the parents and caregivers of our children. May we be a community that cares for one another.
And we pray for your mercy to rescue us from the virus. Protect the most vulnerable. Protect those who care for them. Help us to be wise, and grant that a cure could be found and readily distributed.
In humility and in hope, we also pray 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

August 21, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
August 23, 2020
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Psalm 138

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
    and will praise your name
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.
When I called, you answered me;
    you greatly emboldened me.
May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
    when they hear what you have decreed.
May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for the glory of the Lord is great.
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
    though lofty, he sees them from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
    with your right hand you save me.
The Lord will vindicate me;
    your love, Lord, endures forever—
    do not abandon the works of your hands.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon - from Psalm 103

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 4:8-9

Sermon – Contemplation & Action – Rev. Blake Daniel

Affirmation of Faith – from The Heidelberg Catechism

Question: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
Answer: 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, you sent your Son Jesus to forgive us and to lead us into a new way of life. Help us to abide in him that we might grow up, go out, and bear much fruit: loving others as we have been loved, forgiving others as we have been forgiven, offering peace in response to the peace we have received. We know none of this is possible apart from you — so come, Holy Spirit, and guide us in this way of contemplation and action in Jesus’ name.
During this difficult season, we present our requests to you through prayer and petition. 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 energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. Please grant us the means to serve our neighbors, that we might play our part in your kingdom come.
In humility and in hope, we especially pray 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

Partnership with Princeton

August 18, 2020 FPC Sylva

We at First Presbyterian Church of Sylva have the unique opportunity to partner with researchers from the “Imagining Church Research Project” at Princeton Theological Seminary this fall, 2020.

What is this research for?

From George Mikoski, Associate Professor of Christian Education and Principle Investigator for this project:

Princeton Theological Seminary is conducting a qualitative study on congregational thriving, and your congregation has been highly recommended to us as a dynamic and creative worshiping community. After initial analysis, we have determined that we would like to include your congregation in our study. Your congregation would be part of a select group of 24 Protestant congregations in the USA!

We are interested in congregations that renew faith and hope in the expansiveness of God, the ministry of Jesus Christ, the creativity of the Holy Spirit, are doing interesting, exciting things, and are willing to share with us. Our study, which is part of a Lilly Endowment, Inc. grant will involve online data collection from a student researcher in late summer/fall of 2020, during which the researcher will view recordings of meetings and virtual worship, and conduct semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 2-8 congregational and community members via online video-chat. Based on this data (approximately 12-15 hours of time), our researchers will generate portraits of thriving congregations and communities to be shared for scholarly and public audiences. Before sharing the depiction of your congregation with scholars and the wider public, you and your leaders would have a chance to provide feedback and suggestions for revision.

At the beginning of 2021, we then will select 12 congregations from the initial pool of 24 to continue in our participatory research study of thriving congregations. This latter phase of the study will involve: giving each church a small financial grant, bringing congregational teams to the Princeton Theological Seminary campus (when it is safe to do so in 2021 and/or 2022 with all expenses paid); and having an in-person visit to your congregation by one of our researchers.

Who is our researcher?

From Ben Kreider, research assistant:

I’m from central Kansas and am a 2nd year Master of Divinity Student at Princeton Seminary. I have a background in social work, prison ministry, and hope to serve within the Mennonite Church. I love cooking, BBQ, soccer, and the outdoors. I'm especially intrigued to learn from your experiences as a smaller church in a beautiful location (I wish I could meet you all in person!) and how you all have been impacted in these past months.

Please contact the church office or Pastor Blake if you would like to talk further.

Worship from Home

August 14, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
August 16, 2020
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Psalm 67

May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
The land yields its harvest;
    God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us still,
    so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon - from Psalm 103

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 4:1-7

Sermon – Rejoice! – Rev. Blake Daniel

Affirmation of Faith – from The Scots Confession

We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone we put our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. By whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by his inscrutable providence for such end as his eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice have appointed, and to the manifestation of his own glory.

Prayers of the People

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we give you thanks and praise for your goodness to us and your presence with us always. You, Lord, are near. When we stray from you, you do not stray from us but you love us through and through. Help us to trust you in all things, that we might stand firm, receive your peace that passes all understanding, and rejoice.
During this difficult season, we present our requests to you through prayer and petition. 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 energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. Please grant us the means to serve our neighbors, that we might play our part in your kingdom come.
In humility and in hope, we especially pray 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

August 7, 2020 FPC Sylva

A Service for the Lord’s Day
August 9, 2020
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Call to Worship – Psalm 85:8-13

I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon - from Psalm 103

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 3:13-21

Sermon – Press On – 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 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 give you thanks and praise for the grace we have received. You have created us. You have redeemed us. And you sustain us in all things. We ask for your help to live up to this grace in everything we do. Please help us to love others as we have been loved. Please help us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. Please help us to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which you have called us heavenward, that we might come into your presence and hear you say, “well done, good and faithful servant.”
During this difficult season, we ask for your continued grace as we run the race set before us. 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 energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. Please grant us the means 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:

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

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