The First Presbyterian Church

Delhi, New York

May 17, 2020 10:30 a.m.

Sixth Sunday of Easter

“The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by

human hands.” Acts 17:24

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Prelude

Welcome and Church Life Notes

Introit

Call to Worship (from Psalm 66)

One: Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me. I cried aloud to him, and he was extolled with my tongue.

All: If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the words of my prayer.

One: Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer.

All: Blessed be God because he has not removed his steadfast love from me.

Hymn “Make a Joyful Noise to God!” #54

Make a joyful noise to God! All creation sings your praise! Great your wonders here displayed, unexcelled throughout our days. Glorious is your sacred name, ages old, yet still the same.

Come and see what God has done, great the blessings to the just: walked the chosen through the sea, brought their enemies to dust. Let us lift a thankful voice for God’s mercies, and rejoice.

Bless the Lord, our refuge sure; let our songs of praise be heard! By whose justice, we are tried; by whose grace, our guilt deferred. When our life’s sure end shall come, bring us to your heavenly home.

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession One: Jesus said: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

All: Eternal God, we confess that often we have failed to be an obedient church: we have not done your will; we have broken your law.

One: Jesus said: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

All: We have rebelled against your love; we have not loved our neighbors; we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(A moment for silent personal prayer of confession)

Assurance of Pardon

One: God’s anger lasts but a moment. His favor for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but God’s joy comes with the morning.

All: God has turned our sorrow into dancing. God has given us new and forgiven life through the sacrifice of the Son. Amen.

Choral Response Gloria Patri #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.

PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Interlude Billy Meredith

Prayer for Illumination O God, by your Spirit tell us what we need to hear, and show us what we ought to do, to

obey Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Acts 17:22-31 (attached) Leader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

John 14:15-21 (attached) Leader: The Gospel of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon “Listen to John” Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

Hymn “I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art” #624

I greet thee, who my sure Redeemer art, my only trust and Savior of my heart, who pain didst undergo for my poor sake; I pray thee from our hearts all cares to take.

Thou are the life, by which alone we live, and all our substance and our strength receive; sustain us by thy faith and by thy power, and give us strength in every trying hour.

Our hope is in no other save in thee; our faith is built upon thy promise free; Lord, give us peace, and make us calm and sure, that in thy strength we ever more endure.

Affirmation of Faith

One: Let us together affirm our faith in the Triune God.

All: We believe in God the Father, who reveals his love to us in Christ. We believe in God the Son, who pours out God's Holy Spirit on us. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who teaches us God's truth. We believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Presentation of Gifts and Offerings

Call to the Offering Offerings may be made online at https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering or by USPS mail service.

Offertory

Choral Response “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #606

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ all creatures here below; praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise Triune God, whom we adore.

Prayer of Dedication

All: Lord we give you thanks for your love toward us and for the community of Christ. Build us up for your works, O God, and may our gifts strengthen your kingdom in this place. In Jesus we pray. Amen.

Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer … “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”

Hymn “Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayers” (vs 1,3, 4) # 407

Spirit divine, attend our prayers, And make this house your home. Descend with all your gracious powers. O come, great Spirit, come!

Come as the light. To us reveal our emptiness and woe. And lead us in those paths of life where all the righteous go.

Come as the dove, and spread your wings, the wings of peaceful love. And let your Church on earth become blest as the church above.

Benediction

Song on the Way “Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayers” (vs 5) #407

Spirit divine, attend our prayers. Make a lost world your home. Descend with all your gracious powers. O come, great Spirit, come!.

Postlude CCLI License # 275648

*****

Leading us in worship this morning:

Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays, Pastor Billy Meredith, Music Director Elder Tom Philion, Liturgist

Thought for the Day: “In life, there are many promotions in spiritual growth, but there is no graduation.” —T.J. Bach

First Presbyterian Church

of Delhi, New York May 17, 2020

In the words of the psalmist: “Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard” (Psalm 66:8). Welcome to worship.

Lord Jesus, as the ark carried Noah and his family through the flood waters to a new beginning, you have carried me through the waters of baptism to new life (1 Peter 3:20-21). For this I praise you!

A special welcome is extended to all who are visiting with us this morning. We hope that your virtual worship experience will be meaningful and enjoyable. If you are interested in learning more about First Presbyterian Church or becoming a member of this congregation, please speak with Pastor Lisa Ruth, the Church Office or any Elder.

Your tithes and offerings may be made online via PayPal, click the donate button at https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering , or by regular USPS mail service (4 Clinton Street, Delhi, NY 13753).

Monday evening Spiritual Fitness will be taking a two-week break. The group will resume meeting on June 1 and begin a new study on the book of Ephesians.

The group meets at 5:00 pm on Monday evenings. All are welcome to join in the new study! Please contact Pastor Lisa to receive online meeting information.

The last Sunday of each month is a BOUNTIFUL GIVING SUNDAY. However due to the State of Emergency for Covid-19, the food bank has stopped accepting outside donors' food donations. Only cash donations can be accepted from donors at any site providing emergency food pantries in Delaware County. We ask that you please hold your food solid donations until the restrictions are lifted. The food already at the closed church will be forwarded at that time. We recommend online https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering and cash donations, designated for food bank, in the meantime. Please make checks out to First Presbyterian Church. Checks may be mailed via regular mail to the church at 4 Clinton Street, Delhi NY 13753.

The May – June newsletter is available via email and on the church website. Hard copies are available for pick up on the manse porch. If you need a hard copy mailed to you, please let Nancy A. know.

Devotional booklets (Upper Room and Daily Bread) are available on the porch of the manse. Please take one for your daily devotions touching only those you intend to take with you. Please respect all social distancing rules during pick up.

If you do not have access to internet or cell phone or computer and would like to have a hymnal and bulletin delivered to you, please contact Pastor Lisa or the church office and we will arrange to have a hymnal left at your door.

Watch for the reopening of the Kirk Thrift Shoppe as soon as everyone’s health permits! Save your donations to be offered when we can safely reopen the building.

Ladies Lunch will meet again when activities resume. Please watch for more details as we go through this time together.

SPARKS Bible study group will resume meeting in the future. Please watch the church life for more information.

Anyone in need of a cloth mask, please contact Betty Bell who is offering them free of charge to our church family and friends.

May Mission Emphasis – Food Bank (Cash donations only for now)

THOUGHTS ON GIVING: "For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:17) The old line says “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Many of us are diligent in our planning and making sure things are progressing smoothly. Then disaster strikes, we don’t get the result that was intended or an unforeseen problem arises. Many times we may respond negatively and ask, “Why me? I did everything right!” Here’s the thing – adversity humbles us and reminds us of our dependence on God and not on our own self-reliance. Rest assured, God has a better plan in store for you. STEWARDSHIP PRAYER: That we recognize that things don’t always go the way we plan, and God has a better plan in store for us.

The Per Capita amount for 2020 has been set at $40.55 per member.

Virtual Attendance Sunday 5-10-20 Approximately 54

The amount needed each week The amount given week of 5-10-20

$2,245.00* $1,950.55

The amount needed year-to-date The amount given YTD as of 5-10-20 Fuel Fund given YTD as of 5-10-20

Kirk Receipts week of 5-3 to 5-9 Mission giving week of 5-10-20 Mission giving YTD as of 5-10-20

$42,655.00 $42,096.73 $2,391.00

$0 (shop closed) $30.00

$1,678.00

Apportionment Needed 2020 Apportionment received YTD as of 5-10-20

$7,380.10 $1,814.20

**The amount needed each week is total expenses minus budgeted savings transfers.

Youth Group Hanging Basket orders will be available for pick up on May 22nd. The plants

will be delivered to the parking lot of the church where we can social distance and create a

pick up assembly line! Porch Delivery can also be an option, especially if someone wants

to purchase for someone else. Watch for more information on times and procedures

coming soon!

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we discover new ways to be the church. We are called by God to serve in creative ways during these ever-changing times!