First AME Zion Church Virtual Worship
Sunday, May 23, 2021
The Call to Worship and Invocation
We come into your house this morning, to praise your Holy Name and to declare that we are holding fast to our faith in You our heavenly Father. We seek your presence with us today and thank you for your grace and mercy in the year 2021.
Heavenly Father, we seek Your joy and magnify your Holy Name. Fill us with Your peace and love today. Amen.
Morning Hymn -- Praise Him
Performed by First Baptist Church of
Garden Grove Choir
Scripture Reading -- Acts 2:1-8. 12-21 Pentecost Sunday
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.
7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?
8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?
12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!
16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
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.
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.
Altar Call/Pastoral Prayer -- Take it to the Lord in Prayer
Performed by Dr. Charles G. Hayes and
the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir
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, Betty Jo Smith, Mrs. Barbara Hill, Beola Baker, Pinky Westry, J. Johnson, David Williams, the Greater Cooper Church family, and Pastor Jawwad Love and Family
Loving and Gracious God, Father, we thank You for the restoration of our past glory in Jesus name.
Father we have fallen short of your Word, and we pray for Your forgiveness and for the all-round restoration in our lives through this prayer.
We are ashamed and command that all evil unknown forces organized against our lives to be scattered. We bind the spirit of stagnation, frustration and disillusionment in our lives. We lean and depend on You to open doors and let the light of Your Spirit shine through us.
Father, please have mercy on those who have suffered loss in the days of the pandemic; bless and keep those who have been stricken by the disease and strengthen their families, friends, and caretakers. We pray for all bereaved families.
As we face the next second, the next, minute, the next hour, the next day -- we pray that your Loving Hand will protect us. It is only the hedge that you keep around us that protects us from this world's ills and we magnify and glorify Your Precious Name. Thank You, God for every blessing. In Jesus Name we pray this prayer. Amen.
Song of Praise - Oh Lord, How Excellent
Performed by United Voices, First Baptist Church Garden Grove Choir
The Sermonic Scripture - Luke 12:48
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
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
Mark your calendars for June 10, 2021, for the begining of the California Annual Conference. Zoom information will be provided at a later date.
Helping our Sister Church to reach the Spanish-Speaking Community
In our efforts to work as a team, helping each other in ministry, the following posting is from Brother Jose Ayala and the Espiritu Santo ministry. Please share this announcement with your family and friends.
Espiritu Santo invites you to our Spanish-speaking bible study. We meet on Tuesday and Friday at 7:00 p.m., and on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. Call us on Tuesday, Friday or Sunday at (650) 704-9361 . We meet on Tuesday and Friday at 7:00 p.m., and on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. Call us on Tuesday, Friday or Sunday at (650) 704-9361 to be part of this exciting study of God's Word. I hope to hear from you soon.
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.
Song of Preparation -- Another Blessing
Performed by Melvin Williams
and Lee Williams
Sermon -- To Whom Much Is Given
Ronald L. Rogers, Pastor
Scripture: Luke 12:48
"To Whom Much is Given"
Click icon for sound
INVITATION TO 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
Let the Church Say Amen - Performed by the Winans