Trinity Presbyterian Church Online Worship Service
for November 1, 2020 – Commitment Sunday
Welcome and Announcements
Welcome to Trinity Presbyterian Church’s online worship service!
If you prefer, you can view this service on our Worship Service Player. In the player, the service plays from start to finish without interruption. To try that version of the worship service, click HERE.
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
2024/04/19-22:40:47-UTC 32nd ols; 34th woc
Today is COMMITMENT Sunday! After you’ve finished watching and participating in the service, please prayerfully consider your pledge and complete the pledge card. If you never received a pledge card or have misplaced it, contact the church office for a replacement or print your own by clicking this link or the pledge card image. After completing the card, please mail it to the church or drop it off at the church office Monday through Thursday from 9am until noon.
An Outdoor Worship Service is planned for TODAY Sunday November 1st at 10:00 a.m. (weather permitting). We hope this is not a surprise if you are reading this page on Sunday morning! If you do rush out the door, please don’t forget to: (1) bring your mask, (2) a chair, (3) bulletin (or use your mobile device), and (4) practice social distancing while on the campus.
Reminder: Sunday Vespers has MOVED to a once-a-month service. The next planned vesper service is November 22nd at 4:00 p.m.
Hymn books are available to borrow. You could use them at home to follow along with the online worship service, bring it to Sunday Vespers, or a Outdoor Worship Service. The Hymn books can be checked out in the Church office, Monday-Thursday from 9am-12pm.
Trinity’s Bible Study is available online. Visit our website or Facebook page to view a video from Rev. Beebe. A new video will be released each week and will be available to watch whenever it is convenient for you. You can also ‘catch-up’ anytime at the Bible Study archive. To be included in our weekly email, simply subscribe to the website or join our Facebook group. Links to subscribe and join are at the bottom of our webpage.
Briefly, a word concerning the technical presentation of this service. If you are having difficulty reading the words, look for your web browser’s “Zoom” settings. The keystrokes are typically ‘Ctrl-Shift-+’ to increase the zoom or ‘Ctrl-Shift-(minus)’ to decrease the zoom. Other devices may have a different mechanism (‘finger pinch’), but most support zoom.
Although the sanctuary doors will not be open, we hope you will have a meaningful Sunday worship experience!
This week’s bulletin is available at any time by clicking this link. The bulletin will open in a separate tab or window.
Please note the bulletin matches the order of service on this page, but there are additional items that may be of interest to you that are not included on this worship page.
The service this day contains:
Preparation for Worship
Prelude “The Church’s One Foundation”
Call to Worship
Hymn #450 “Be Thou My Vision”
Prayer of the Day
Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Gloria Patri (Hymn #581)
Scripture Readings
Anthem “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me”
Children’s Sermon
Scripture Readings
Meditation “The ATM”
Affirmation of Faith
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn #326 “For All the Saints”
Benediction
Congregational Response (Hymn #306)
Prayer of Dedication for the Offering
Offering to God
Postlude “Let All Things Now Living”
Preparation for Worship
Let us join together now and prepare for worship.
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
To exalt or humble is to position one’s self in relationship to one another. Christ calls his followers to be servants since there is only one master. Let us then be in a position to serve the other person. For then the other’s needs and concerns will be raised above our own and Christ will be faithful in meeting our needs.
Prelude “The Church’s One Foundation”
Heasuk Che, organist.
Aurellia
Call to Worship
Tammy Venti, lay reader.
from Psalm 43:3-5; NRSV
O send out your light and truth; let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy;
and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
Hymn #450 “Be Thou My Vision”
Pricilla Cahill, Carol Corson, Barbara Davis, Martha Gioielli, Kathy Link, Norma Rogero, Bob Sanders, Judith Spurrell, and Lillian Warner. Accompanied by Heasuk Che (pianist) and Jillian Koenig (flutist).
Slane
1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art;
thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my soul’s shelter, and thou my high tower;
raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
3 Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
thou, mine inheritance, now and always;
thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.
4 High King of Heaven, my victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Prayer of the Day
Tammy Venti, lay reader.
Loving God, the truth of your love is like a rare treasure; its value exceeds comprehension and its scope is beyond the farthest limits of our imagination. To grasp it for a moment is to be lifted high above whatever may threaten us; to be nurtured by it is to be held in an embrace that protects us from ultimate, eternal harm. Your truth leads us along the way of life that develops discipleship, challenging our self-centered vision, and helping us to focus on your commands and desires. It breeds acts of compassion, causing us to take steps that will bring justice to light. It holds within it hope for tomorrow and puts in perspective the toil of today. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Please join in our Prayer of Confession …
Lord God, forgive us: In our words, we are tempted to speak truth in whispered tones. In our work, we are tempted to serve you with halfhearted energy. In our worship, we are tempted to thank you with leftover gifts. As you forgive and make us whole again, give us, we pray, a gentle boldness, a fresh chore, and a new spirit within us. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
–from James S. Lowry
Assurance of Pardon
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you. –Ephesians 4:32; NRSV
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
Gloria Patri
Heasuk Che, organist.
Hymn #581
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
Scripture Reading
Tammy Venti, lay reader.
Joshua 3:7-17 – Israel Crosses the Jordan. Listen for God speaking to you today.
The Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that I will be with you as I was with Moses. 8 You are the one who shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’” 9 Joshua then said to the Israelites, “Draw near and hear the words of the Lord your God.” 10 Joshua said, “By this you shall know that among you is the living God who without fail will drive out from before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites: 11 the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is going to pass before you into the Jordan. 12 So now select twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan flowing from above shall be cut off; they shall stand in a single heap.” 14 When the people set out from their tents to cross over the Jordan, the priests bearing the ark of the covenant were in front of the people. 15 Now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest. So when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the water, 16 the waters flowing from above stood still, rising up in a single heap far off at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, while those flowing toward the sea of the Arabah, the Dead Sea, were wholly cut off. Then the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 While all Israel were crossing over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, until the entire nation finished crossing over the Jordan.
Scripture Reading
Tammy Venti, lay reader.
Psalm 107:1-9, 43 – Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles. Listen for God speaking to you today.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to an inhabited town;
5 hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress;
7 he led them by a straight way,
until they reached an inhabited town.
8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
9 For he satisfies the thirsty,
and the hungry he fills with good things.
43 Let those who are wise give heed to these things,
and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
Anthem “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me”
Pricilla Cahill, Kathy Link, Norma Rogero, Judith Spurrell, and Lillian Warner. Accompanied by Heasuk Che (pianist) and Jillian Koenig (flutist).
African American Spiritual
Children’s Sermon
Brooke Tucker, Director of Faith Formation.
Scripture Reading
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 – Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica. Listen for God speaking to you today.
You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. 11 As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, 12 urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 13 We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.
Scripture Reading
Matthew 23:1-12 – Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees. Listen for God speaking to you today.
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; 3 therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. 6 They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. 9 And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
Meditation “The ATM”
Rev Dan Graham
Affirmation of Faith
Tammy Venti, lay reader
from “A Declaration of Faith” passim; 1977
We believe in one true and living God. We acknowledge one God alone, whose demands on us are absolute, whose help for us is sufficient. That One is the Lord, whom we worship, serve, and love …
We praise and enjoy God. To worship God is highest joy. To serve God is perfect freedom …
Jesus was what we should be. He served his Father with complete trust and unwavering obedience. He loved all kinds of people and accepted their love. In constant dependence upon the Holy Spirit, Jesus allowed no temptation or threat to keep him from loving God with his whole being and his neighbor as himself …
We believe Christ gives us and demands of us personal lives that are centered in God and open to God’s reality and rule. Christ teaches us to…offer God joyously our money, ability, and time, to go beyond legal requirements in serving and helping our neighbor, to treat our neighbor’s needs as our own, to care passionately for the other’s good, to share what we have.
Prayers of the People
Source of all wisdom, we give you thanks for Christ Jesus, who makes your love known. It is through him that we claim our inheritance and participate in the promise of a day without end. As he taught his disciples what it means to serve others, so also, we learn how we ought to live. As he sacrificed himself on the cross for our salvation, so also, we know that we may suffer abuse. As the grave could not hold him, since he dwells by your side, so also our foes will not harm us, since we abide by your grace.
O God, as we reaffirm our confession in Christ our redeemer, help us to pass on to others the truth of your love. May we be for them a treasure trove of understanding and acceptance, so that they can discover the wealth of your blessings. We pray for guidance as we act out Christ’s gospel, for each individual has a particular need to be met. Help us to treat your people as unique sisters and brothers. Help us to make the most of the unexpected opportunities to share your benevolent mercy and care, so that others are led to confess you as their God. Amen.
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.
Hymn #326 “For All the Saints”
Pricilla Cahill, Carol Corson, Barbara Davis, Martha Gioielli, Kathy Link, Norma Rogero, Bob Sanders, Judith Spurrell, and Lillian Warner. Accompanied by Heasuk Che (pianist) and Jillian Koenig (flutist).
Sine Nomine
1 For all the saints who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
2 Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
3 O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle; they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
4 And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
5 From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Benediction
Rev Dan Graham
Congregational Response
Heasuk Che, organist.
Hymn #306
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Prayer of Dedication for the Offering
You are witness, O God, to the work we do for the sake of Christ Jesus. To your name all honor is due. Help us to raise the needs of others above those of our own and, thereby, be more faithful in our commitment and faith. Take the gifts that we bring, and enhance our endeavors. Make us ever bolder in our love for neighbors and use us to lead others to the truth of your gospel.
Offering
Please continue to give your offering.
God calls us to give all of who we are, and all of what we have to be used in and thru the Church. So let us present our lives. Let us present our gifts unto God. Offerings can be received in the church by mail or you may use online banking options.
You can click the image to the right or this link to give online now. At the online Giving site, select “2020 Pledge” as the Fund to fulfill your 2020 pledge or use another fund if you’re directing your gift elsewhere. Note, the church must pay a small processing fee to receive your contribution via online giving. Increasing your gift would help cover the cost of processing and would be greatly appreciated.
If you’d like to see alternatives to online giving, please take a look at our Contribute page.
Postlude “Let All Things Now Living”
Heasuk Che, organist.
Ash Grove
The Service has Ended
May the Peace of Christ be with you!
Thank you for joining us online! We hope you will join us again as long as we need to be apart. We pray for the day when we can all meet again and worship God in the sanctuary and Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Today is COMMITMENT Sunday! After you’ve finished watching and participating in the service, please prayerfully consider your pledge and complete the pledge card. If you never received a pledge card or have misplaced it, contact the church office for a replacement or print your own by clicking this link or the pledge card image. After completing the card, please mail it to the church or drop it off at the church office Monday through Thursday from 9am until noon.
Trinity’s Bible Study is available online. Visit our website or Facebook page to view a video from Rev. Beebe. A new video will be released each week and will be available to watch whenever it is convenient for you. You can also ‘catch-up’ anytime at the Bible Study archive. To be included in our weekly email, simply subscribe to the website or join our Facebook group. Links to subscribe and join are at the bottom of our webpage.
separate tab or window.
You can click the image to the right or this link to give online now. At the online Giving site, select “2020 Pledge” as the Fund to fulfill your 2020 pledge or use another fund if you’re directing your gift elsewhere. Note, the church must pay a small processing fee to receive your contribution via online giving. Increasing your gift would help cover the cost of processing and would be greatly appreciated.