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September 27 Worship

 

CCLI license #1913561

Sunday, September 27, 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

Question for Reflection

  Do you ever compare yourself to others?  How does it make you feel?  What would happen if you were to assume you do not know why others do what they do and drop the comparisons? 

Prelude

As the Deer, sing along with Keisha Prime

Call to Worship

At the name of Jesus every knee should bend and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Glory to God. Amen.

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, we thank you for being ever present with us. We know that we are never alone. Your mercies have been faithful and rich.  Pour out your Spirit upon us, that we might do the work of your will. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CALL TO CONFESSION

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor, trusting in the promise of forgiveness.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, we have been wandering in the wilderness of sin. We have complained in the face of your mercy. We have been selfish and conceited in the face of your sacrifice. We have not done your will. Teach us humility. Teach us gratitude. Infuse your spirit into our beings so that we might be reconciled to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

People of God, our sins are forgiven.  The Lord is loving, and we are reconciled to God.  Therefore, let us humble and surrender ourselves to the will of God for the glory of the Lord.

MUSIC Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

Sung by Keisha Prime

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand.
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliv’rer, strong Deliv’rer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.

Lord, I trust Thy mighty power,
Wondrous are Thy works of old;
Thou deliver’st Thine from thralldom,
Who for naught themselves had sold:
Thou didst conquer, Thou didst conquer
Sin and Satan and the grave,
Sin and Satan and the grave.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell’s Destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to Thee;
I will ever give to Thee.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21: 23—32 NRSV

     When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?"  Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.  Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'  But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet."  So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

     "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'   He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went.30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go.  Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.  For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

Message           “Better Than All the Rest”     The Rev. Russell Lehman

Sermon by Rev. Russell Lehman

Music Your Way Yahweh composed and sung by Keisha Prime

Composed and sung by Keisha Prime

Your Way Yahweh
(Repeat) Your Way Yahweh

Prayer

Lord, in the midst of the deep chasms of division that divide your people, we seek your healing.  As we speak and seek to do your will, we find ourselves at odds with those who speak and act differently.  We wonder how you can be Lod of all.  Save us from the mire of despair and the pit of hatred.  Free us to continue seeking your will and let your love shine in our broken world.  Amen.

A Statement about 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

Charge    (Romans 13: 8)

Owe no one anything, except to love one another. By doing this, God’s whole law is fulfilled.

Benediction

May the God who is always near bless and keep you on your journey. Glory, honor, and praise be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen

Postlude-Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing

Please sing with Keisha Prime