FIRST AME ZION CHURCH VIRTUAL WORSHIP
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020
Welcome to First AME Zion Church San Jose. Your presence brings us great joy. We thank God for you and pray that you are blessed by this worship experience.
The Call to Worship and Invocation
The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Heavenly Father, we pray that you bless us as we enter Your holy presence on this the first day of Advent.
Morning Hymn – Oh How I Love Jesus
Scripture Reading -- Romans 13:8-14
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
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.
First Sunday of Advent:
The Lighting of the Hope Candle
Altar Call/Pastoral Prayer -- Lead Me, Guide Me
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
Precious Heavenly Father,
We come today asking for forgiveness of our sins. We love and adore you and praise your name this morning. Thank you for another week of life and blessings. Many have suffered and died since last Sunday, yet you saw fit to let us celebrate another Thanksgiving day and to see another Sunday morning gathered in this virtual place of worship.
Even in this time of pandemic and confusion, you have allowed us to keep a sound mind and strength. Lord, we woke up this morning with our minds stayed on you and a determination to be in your presence. We want to be close to you because we know that we can't make it without your guidance. Please Lord continue to let your Holy Spirit dwell within us that we may resist the devil and temptation. Give us the fortitude to lead our children, to honor our marriages, to live up to our commitments, and to make our abodes places of joy and worship. We pray for strength that we may hold up the blood-stained banner and be living testimonies of your presence in our lives.
Now Father we pray for those whose names are on our payer list. We lift them up to you. You know what they stand in need of and we are confident that you will supply their every need. Father, touch the AME Zion Church, its leaders and members; and, Lord, please bless Pastor Rogers as he continues to lead us through these trying times.
We praise you, we bless you, and we thank you for being our shelter and our solid rock. Amen.
Song of Praise -- Yes, Jesus Loves Me
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 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
Givelify.com (Download Givelify to your Smartphone) or mail your tithes and offerings to First AMEZ Church, 95 S. 20th Street, San Jose CA 95116
Song of Preparation -- Love Lifted Me
Announcements
The second Quarterly Conference of the 2020-2021 year will be held on next Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Please go to Zoom and register for the Conference.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkd-2grTooHNbaaH_jNhs7TfqWpS_iR5hw ;
First Church continues to abide by the CDC and State of California guidelines, as well as the decision of the Board of Bishops with regard to assembly during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I am urging our pastors and people to not assemble indoors until further notice. . . We must acknowledge the sovereignty of God. Simply stated, God is in charge, not mayors, governors, presidents, presiding elders, pastors, or bishops, for which we are delighted. Thank you for adhering to these directives. Continue to stay focused, serve faithfully, and stand firm."
Please check your text messages and email for further updates on the events and news about the schedule for all local AMEZ services.
Sermonic Scripture Reading -- St. Matthew 5:43, 44
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, thou shall love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, 'love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you'. (King James Version)
Performed by Benita Jones
Performed by West Angeles COGIC Angelic Choir
Performed by West Angeles COGIC Angelic Choir
Performed by Velma Willis and the
Gospel Pioneer Reunion Choir
Sermon - Learning to Love
Ronald L. Rogers, Pastor
First AME Zion Church San Jose
Today's Scripture -- St. Matthew 5:43,44 - Learning to Love
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 want to be a living sacrifice unto God, now is the time to make that decision. 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.