CCLI license #1913561
Sunday, October 4, 2020
Lakeview P.C. pastors are participating with the Circle of Faith pastors in a joint ‘live-streamed’ service which can be viewed via http://facebook.com/circlestpete at 11:00 a.m. and/or http://circle.faith/youtube at a later time. Circle of Faith also streams a Contemporary service with Communion each week and can be viewed at 10:00 am via http://facebook.com/circlestpete
Our worship service for October 4, 2020, includes a celebration of Holy Communion. If you wish to partake of elements when appropriate in the service, we invite you to prepare your juice and your bread (or alternative) ahead of time.
Words of Reflection
Love is the most durable power in the world. This creative force, so beautifully exemplified in the life of our Christ, is the most potent instrument available in mankind’s quest for peace and security.
Martin Luther King, Jr. The Words of Martin Luther King
Prelude
Sing along with Keisha Prime
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you. You alone are my hearts desire and I long to worship you. You alone are my strength, my shield, To you alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my hearts desire and I long to worship you.
Call to Worship
Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you.
What does the Lord require of us: to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.
Opening Prayer
O God, in your infinite wisdom, you have called us to walk with Jesus and share the Good news of your mercy and grace. Help us to be faithful servants, that all might know of your love. In Christ we pray. Amen.
Music “Fairest Lord Jesus” Munster Gesangbuch, 1677
Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, O Thou of God to earth come down,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.
Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight, And all the twinkling, starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels heaven can boast.
CALL TO CONFESSION
If we call out in need, the Lord will answer. Trusting in Christ’s mercy, let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
We have fallen short of our covenant with you, O God, hoarding what we have, grasping for more, and ignoring those who hunger and thirst. We are complacent in the face of systems that oppress. Wake us up to the needs in the world around us. Forgive us; purify us; remake us, that we might love as you love. Amen.
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
The Lord welcomes all who return from the exile of greed and self-interest. Be at peace, for in Christ we find our way home again where all are forgiven, loved, and restored.
Prayer for Illumination
Comforting God, by your Holy Spirit lift the burdens from our souls through the reading of your Word for us, that we may learn to live in loving relationships with you and with others. Amen
A Reading from Scripture Luke 16:19-31CEV
There was once a rich man who wore expensive clothes and every day ate the best food. But a poor beggar named Lazarus was brought to the gate of the rich man’s house. He was happy just to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. His body was covered with sores, and dogs kept coming up to lick them. The poor man died, and angels took him to the place of honor next to Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. He went to hades and was suffering terribly. When he looked up and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side, he said to Abraham, “Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and touch my tongue. I’m suffering terribly in this fire.”
Abraham answered, “My friend, remember that while you lived, you had everything good, and Lazarus had everything bad. Now he is happy, and you are in pain. And besides, there is a deep chasm between us, and no one from either side can cross over.”
But the rich man said, “Abraham, then please send Lazarus to my father’s home. Let him warn my five brothers, so they won’t come to this horrible place.”
Abraham answered, “Your brothers can read what Moses and the prophets wrote. They should pay attention to that.”
Then the rich man said, “No, that’s not enough! If only someone from the dead would go to them, they would listen and turn to God.”
So Abraham said, “If they won’t pay attention to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even to someone who comes back from the dead.”
Sermon “Together at the Table” Rev. Lois Robinson Lehman
MUSIC Innocent written and sung by Keisha Prime
Mysterious You are a God who would defend
A breaker of your law.
Unexplainable You are a God of no pretense.
You opened up Your heart.
For a world of sinners gone astray,
And I am one among
The many who stand guilty,
But I am innocent by means of the blood.
Chief of sinners though I be
You sent Your only Son to die my death for me.
Ungrateful though I be
You grace me with each breath so I can sing for thee.
For the Lamb who died on Calvary and rose in victory.
Your honor I plead guilty,
But He says: “Child you’re innocent by means of my blood!”
Holy is the blood of the Almighty
Precious is the blood of the holy One
Cleansing is the blood of my Savior.
Jesus died on Calvary so I could sing this song
To tell you though you’re guilty
You are innocent by means of the blood.
Peace and Global Witness Offering
Peacemaking is active, not passive; doing, not waiting. In our Peace and Global Witness Special Offering we are focused on seeking peace and reconciliation. Together we are building God’s house of peace where all are welcome, where all can find compassion, peace and justice
Offering our Gifts
Friends, God is faithful and gracious to us, upholds us, and raises us up. Let us show our thanksgiving by giving generously to support ministries that ease burdens and give rest to those in need.
Donations can be mailed to Lakeview Presbyterian Church at 1310 22nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705 or given online through our website @lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Prayer of Dedication
Extend your peace to us, O Christ, that we might build places of kindness and generosity, reconciliation and compassion. May our gifts join our voices in blessing all of creation with your justice and peace, at all times, in all ways. Amen
Service of Holy Communion
The Invitation
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.” O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy are those who find refuge in God!
The Words of Institution
On the night of his arrest, our Lord took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, and said, “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Every time you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy, holy, holy Lord—we praise you for your love: bringing order out of chaos, breathing life into dust, leading captives into freedom, calling wandering children home, giving bread to the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, raising the dead to life.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, the Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come.
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!
Thank you, Lord.
We thank you for Jesus: Word made flesh, light of the world, living water, shepherd and gate, way and truth, bread of heaven, cup of salvation, resurrection and life.
Take this bread and cup, O God –a feast of grace;
Take our hearts and lives—an offering of praise.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus:
Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
Partaking the Elements
We, many as we are, are one body, for it is the loaf of bread Christ offers us of which we partake.
When we break the bread, is it not sharing in the body of Christ? (partake of bread)
When we give thanks over the cup, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? (cup)
Prayer after Communion
Holy God, we thank you for this feast of grace and life. Send us out to answer the summons of our Lord Jesus Christ to a new life, and to follow him with joy and gladness. Set our feet in his holy way, that our lives may be signs of his life and all we do may show forth his love. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer (sung by Keisha Prime)
Benediction RSV Hebrews 13:20
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Postlude-Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing