Virtual Worship – November 15, 2020

Behind The Scenes What goes into making our virtual worship happen every week.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 WHENEVER “Think of today as a type of ‘walk and talk’ through the making of every week’s virtual worship.”

… RPS

Gathering Together for “Virtual” Worship

PRELUDE VIDEO “His Eye is on the Sparrow” (Sandi Patty) PRELUDE (Brandon Cook)

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 95: 1 -2, 5 – 6) O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to God with songs of praise!

O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For the Lord is our God, and we are the people of God’s pasture, and the sheep of God’s hand.

CHIMES OF THE HOLY TRINITY * HYMN # “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty”

GOING BEHIND THE CURTAIN: (A look behind the scenes at how our virtual worship comes into being.)

ANTHEM (Brandon Cook)

SCRIPTURE READING: Colossians 3: 12 – 17

EVEN FURTHER BEHIND THE CURTAIN: (What happens after taping before it actually becomes “Virtual Worship”)

CONCERNS AND CELEBRATIONS; ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PLANS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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.

OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND OURSELVES TO GOD As you listen to the offertory, please take a moment or two to be intentional in your support of our churches.

OFFERTORY (Brandon Cook)

* RESPONSE # 592 “Doxology” Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise

him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (From A Brief Statement of Faith) We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Amen.

Carrying the Word Into the World

* HYMN # 372 “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” * CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * POSTLUDE * VIDEO POSTLUDE “Because of Who You Are” (Sandi Patty)

(Italic words are spoken by the leader; Bold words are spoken by everyone.)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT (A newspaper article that speaks exactly to our situation): Before March, Pastor Derek Forbes of the First Presbyterian Church in Logan, Utah, had never tried video editing in his entire life. Now, it’s a weekly task. Forbes edits recordings of himself, other speakers and musicians into an hour-long video service. After editing sound and adding lyrics and speakers’ names, he uploads the video to YouTube every Saturday morning. He said the process has been challenging. “I miss the social nature of worship, you know, just being there, shaking hands, talking and giving hugs to each other,” he said. “Considering what the world is going through right now, this is still a way for us to connect with God and with each other.” A recorded service from Oct. 4 begins with Forbes standing in the chancel to make weekly announcements. The audio cuts out at one point, and words appear on the bottom of the screen to apologize for the audio trouble and clarify the announcement. He is followed by three masked members who sing a hymn. There are several speakers, all recorded separately from the church, their homes or outside. Forbes said the idea of returning to in-person services is discussed every month. “We have always stuck with online worship because infection rates keep going up. We think the chance of one person accidentally infecting a handful of others is too great.” Until then, people are enjoying the online option. Virtual attendance is up compared to in-person, and viewership is international. “We’ve had people from Finland, Singapore and all over the United States watch our services,” he said. “It’s pretty nice. I don’t know if that will continue.”

…from “The Utah Statesman,” Oct. 15, 2020

Colossians 3: 12 – 17: 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

SERVICE NOTES: Both today’s video prelude and postlude, “ His Eye is on the Sparrow” and “Because of Who You Are,” are songs recorded by award winning singer Sandi Patty. (Whose music has been expressly requested for our virtual worship: Carol, you can’t say that we don’t listen and respond, or aim to please!) Sandi Patty has been singing since she first sang “Jesus Loves Me” for her church at age two. Known for her wide soprano vocal range and expressive flexibility, Sandi’s gifts and talents have led to some music critics dubbing her “The Voice.” While she has retired from touring (to spend time with her grandchildren), she still sings for her church in Oklahoma City on a regular basis; and has been recovering from Covid-19 since late April.

Announcements and Notes

THANKS TO BRANDON COOK, who shares his musical gifts with us this morning playing in Sharon’s absence. Brandon, as always your presence is both noted and welcome!

FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Outdoor worship at 11 AM will continue to rotate between CPC and MPC the rest of this month. Both Christ’s and Mulberry’s Sessions are meeting this week to discuss plans for moving forward in light of the continuing Covid surge.

Current Worship Schedule at Christ (CPC) & Mulberry (MPC): Thurs, Nov. 19th: Worship taping at MPC Sunday, Nov. 22nd: Outdoor Worship at CPC NO VIDEO TAPING on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26th: A virtual Thanksgiving service will be

available online earlier that week. Sunday, Nov. 29th: Outdoor worship at MPC (1st Sunday of Advent.)

LISTEN TO WORSHIP ON THE RADIO: If it’s too chilly for you outdoors or the weather isn’t sunny and perfect, you can still come to worship and listen while staying in your car. At both churches, outdoor worship is now broadcast on FM 107.3 radio. IF THE WEATHER CAUSES A CANCELATION, EMAIL AND TEXT NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE SENT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. Call or text before you leave home if you are unsure.

NO WORSHIP TAPING on Thurs, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving break for all staff. There will be a virtual worship video available earlier in the week and outdoor worship will happen at Mulberry Sunday, Nov. 29th 11 AM.

2020 ADVENT DEVOTIONALS: Printed Advent devotionals, shared again as a gift to the larger church from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, will be available by Thanksgiving. You can pick one up at outdoor worship or drop by the church for a copy. We’ll mail copies to those who can’t get to worship.

10¢ / MEAL / AGAPE FUND OFFERINGS: We haven’t kept current with our 10¢ / meal / Agape Fund offerings during the Covid-19 pandemic. To catch up we will be collecting a second offering for these important outreach ministries on BOTH Nov. 22nd (CPC) and Nov. 29TH (MPC) during outdoor worship. Please plan to help us replenish both of these outreach funds.

Christ and Mulberry Prayer Concerns – November 15, 2020 (Updated as of Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020)

Pray for: Shane Layel (Jane Gregg’s son-in-law): Readmitted to Presbyterian hosp. with an infection. David Weddle (Jane Gregg’s and Mary Bass’ brother): Presbyterian hosp. Huntersville. Ashley Rhyne: Recovering from gall bladder surgery this past Wednesday. Keith Bigham (Deborah Ray’s husband): Biopsy results benign; recovering at home. Tymire Campbell: Dealing with some issues and problems. Hazel Sanders (friend of Linda Sadler’s): Covid-19 Steve Racz (Phil Egel’s cousin): Reoccurence of his esophageal cancer. Dorothy Childress (friend of Arlene Stone): Shingles. The family of Barbara Brillhart (friend of the Sellers), who died last Sunday in MD. Cookie Glines (Joyce Glines’ daughter-in law): Ongoing cancer treatment. Jane Guy: Continued nutrient protocol, recent and upcoming infusion treatments. Lupe Vidal: possible upcoming surgery. Continue praying for students, teachers, and staff in all our schools. Pray for everyone affected by the exploding rise in covid cases in every state here in the

U.S. and all over the world. Pray for MPC’s friends in the SDA congregation. Those out of work and struggling to make ends meet financially. Our friends and family who are homebound or in assisted living or nursing homes who

can’t have visitors, like Maggie Thrower, Lillian Williamson, Louise Carter, Lorenzo Conyers, Ruth Long, Melva Robinson, Sylvester Barbee, Fern Kisner.

The Lorien Academy of the Arts and the Creative Player Foundation, as the continued crisis affects their plans and programs.

Pray for the poll workers in some states that have worked so hard in such difficult circumstances this past week counting votes from last Tuesday’s election.