First AME Zion Church Virtual Worship
Sunday, December 13, 2020
The Call to Worship and Invocation
This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. On this third Sunday of Advent, we pray for joy, unspeakable joy through God's grace and mercy towards us.
Morning Hymn -- Joy to the World
Performed by Oakwood University Aeolians
Gloria Patri
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.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;
The third day he rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Scripture Reading -- I Corinthians 4:1-5
4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.
2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
Third Sunday of Advent:
The Lighting of the Joy Candle
Altar Call/Pastoral Prayer -- Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross
Performed by Dorothy Norwood
We are praying for you:
Rev. Keith Johnson, Octavian Rodriquez, Angelikka Carter, James Spaulding, Rev. and Mrs. Braxton, Dwaine Giggans,
Johnie Mae Williams, Christine Ferguson, Rev. Michael Henderson, Rev. Veronica Buckner, Alisha Taliafero, Connie Nunez in the loss of her father, and Mrs. Carol Goode in the loss of her husband, Jerome Goode.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you today with adoration in our hearts. We adore you and bless your name for the goodness and mercy that you have shown unto us. We confess our manifold sins against thee and beg your forgiveness of every one of them.
Father, we thank you for your blessings. You have given us food and shelter, protected us from the plagues of this cold world, and spared our lives from the Coronavirus.
Dear God, First Church stands in the need of prayer. We pray for a portion of strength as we face battles from outside and from within. We know that you have all power in your hand and that you are our protector and our guide. Father, give us the wisdom to accept your will and way in our lives. Let us come before you as little children, obedient to their father's will.
We fall to our knees in supplication and our hearts are open to reveal that we yield to you. We pray a prayer of intervention for those in our families and all those who don't know you in the pardon of their sins. We ask that you will touch them and that they may come to the knowledge that you are the savior of the world.
As we go into the week ahead, we ask that you go ahead of us and that you bind our hearts together with everylasting love. Amen
Song of Praise -- Jesus the Light of the World
Performed by Alfred Street Baptist Church
Tithes and Offerings
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2nd Chronicles 9:7
Visit our Gift section on the Gift tab. You may give via credit cards, PayPal and Givelify.com (Download Givelify to your Smartphone). If you prefer, mail your tithes and offerings to First AMEZ Church, 95 S. 20th Street, San Jose CA 95116
Announcements
Pastor and First Lady, Rogers wish you a joyous and blessed Christmas.
Please check your text messages and email for further updates on the events and news about the schedule for all local AMEZ services. In accordance with the directives of the Board of Bishops, our on-site services are suspended until further notice. This includes Bible Study and choir rehearsals. Our next on-site service to be announced.
The Sermonic Scripture - 2nd Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (KJV)
Song of Preparation -- Lord Do It for Me Right Now
Performed by Donald Malloy
Sermon -- It's Complicated
Ronald L. Rogers, Pastor
First AME Zion Church San Jose
Click icon for sound
Invitation to Christian Discipleship
The door of the church is open. Now is the time when we offer Christ to you. If you need to make a tough decision, now is the time. Without discussion, dialogue or debate, take that step and unite with First AME Zion Church today. Call (408) 688-6980 and First Church will celebrate with you as you make the best decision of your life.
Benediction
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.