First AME Zion Church Virtual Worship
Sunday, December 6, 2020
The Call to Worship and Invocation
This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. In this Advent season, we pray for renewed hope and love in our land. Dear Heavenly Father, teach us how to pray and how to obey Your Holy Word. Amen.
Morning Hymn -- Amazing Grace
Performed by various singers from 50 countries
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 -- Matthew 26:26-36
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Second Sunday of Advent:
The Lighting of the Love Candle
Altar Call/Pastoral Prayer --
Performed by House of Hope Men's 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, Connie Nunez in the loss of her father, and Mrs. Carol Goode in the loss of her husband, Jerome Goode.
Dear Heavenly Father,
This morning we stand in the need of prayer. Each of us bows in humble submission to Your will for our lives. You are a just and forgiving God and we beg your forgiveness for our sins. Every day life as we know it has been turned upside down. Jobs are few and, for most, the financial projection is grim. Yet, Lord, we turn to you because we know you are able to heal our land.
Father, we magnify Your Holy name. It is once more that we pause to tell you how much we love and adore you. We take this time to pray that you will forgive us for the sins that we have committed against thee. Dear God, First Church wants a new touch and a stirring up of our determination to serve you and to do your will. We need you to lead and to guide us.
Now Lord, we lift up the names on our prayer list. We ask that you keep your loving arms of protection around them. And, for those who are not on the list, but are seeking privately to have you comfort their minds, we ask that you will fulfill their needs, giving them the desires of their hearts. We pray for comfort and ease for every troubled spirit and mind.
As we look forward to this coming week, we do so knowing that you are our strength and our redeemer. Please Father hear our fervent prayer and be with us. This we ask in your darling Son's name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Song of Praise -- Children, Go Where I Send Thee
Performed by Spellman College Glee Club
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
Today at 1:00 p.m., we will convene our second Quarterly Conference. All members amenable to the Conference, please be in attendance. Please go to Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84904831262
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 - Ephesians 2:1-10
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places
in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
Gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (King James Version)
Song of Preparation -- God's Grace is Sufficient
Performed by Bishop G. E. Patterson
Meditation
Performed by Rev. Renee L. Rogers
Sermon -- Salvation by Grace
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.