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First Memorial Presbyterian ChurchSmall enough to know you, big enough to care!

51 West Blackwell Street, Dover, New Jersey 07801(973) 366-0216

www.fmpcdover.org http://facebook.com/presbyterian.dover_____________________________________________________________________________

Aug. 9, 2020 — 10th SUNDAY after PENTECOST — for U-TUBE_____________________________________________________________________________

— A TIME FOR GATHERING —Prelude: — Rachel Persenaire Words of Welcome: — Rachel Persenaire

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Praise Song: — Rachel Persenaire 10,000 Reasons” - Myrin/Redman

Call to Worship: – Rev. Alan R. Schaefer, H. R. Alan: God is great! Rachel: And greatly to be praised! Alan: What we owe God defies calculation.

Rachel: What we can DO for God is much easier to calculate, but no less difficult to achieve. Alan: The Westminster Catechism’s first question puts it simply: “Our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Rachel: Let us begin by glorifying God through our worship! – Written by Alan R. Schaefer, 2017.

Call to Confession: – Rev. Alan R. Schaefer, H. R.Alan: Let us confess our sins to the Lord of all, Who is generous to all who call upon him.– "Call to Confession" as found in FEASTING ON THE WORD, WORSHIP COMPANION for Year A, Vol. 2, © 2013 by Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, KY. Page 106.

Prayer of Adoration and Confession:Alan: O God, your wisdom and power know no equal, your righteousness & compassion are unparalleled, and your grace and mercy exceed our wildest expectations. You are perfection in every way, And you made us to be like you. But too often,

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we use our wisdom and power for selfish ends, forget to be righteous or compassionate, and are stingy in dispensing grace and mercy. Forgive us, we pray, for corrupting your plans and defacing your image. Forgive us and renew us according to your will… – Written by Alan R. Schaefer, 2017.

Assurance of Forgiveness: — Rachel Persenaire Rachel: The best news we will ever hear comes from God himself, who said, “In Jesus Christ you are forgiven!”

– Written by Alan R. Schaefer, 2017.

A Summary of the Law: — Rachel PersenaireOn the night of his arrest, in the intimacy of the upper room, Jesus told his disciples

"I give you a new commandment, - John 13:34 that you love one another as I have loved you."

Chorus of Gratitude (Hymn 579): — Rachel PersenaireGlory 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.- In the public domain.

Apostles Creed: – Rev. Alan R. Schaefer, H. R.

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Alan: Presbyterians are one branch of the Reformed Family of faith, and as such, are known for saying what we believe, out loud and in public.

Sometimes on occasions of celebrating a milestone in our faith or life, individuals or groups mark such occasions by pausing, reflecting, and writing down what the Lord has led them to believe.

In that historic tradition, please join me in saying what I realized I believed at the time of my 25th Ordination Anniversary, and still believe today… I BELIEVE IN AN AWESOME, INCREDIBLE GOD, whose breadth and depth far exceed my comprehension. That I may know God and love God, I have been given three glimpses of the Divine nature: in the design and construction of creation, when nothing existed beforehand; in the life, death and resurrection of God’s Son for my redemption, when I didn’t deserve it; and in the presence & power of the Spirit of God who is continually at work in my life, renewing me in God’s image,

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conforming me to the likeness of the Son.

God speaks to me through the Word, touches me through the Son, draws me close in Baptism and Communion, listens to me when I pray and empowers me by the Holy Spirit to live as a part of the Body of Christ, further revealing God’s self and God’s love to this present generation. I owe God everything I am and everything I have. I long to be all God made me to be. I pray for the day when God can say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Amen.– Written in 1999 by Alan R. Schaefer on the occasion of his 25th Ordination Anniversary of August 11.

Peace & Prayer of the Day: – Rev. Alan R. Schaefer, H. R.Alan: Please picture the face of someone you saw in the news this past week, and pray for them every day this week, in the spirit of me saying to you, "The peace of Christ be with you all…" (sweep hand across room)– Written by Alan R. Schaefer, 2020.

Let us pray… Son of God¸ you walk on the waters of turmoil to meet us in the midst of your purposed journey for our lives.

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Help us to recognize your presence, remember your promise, rely on your power, and receive your peace through every storm. Amen.– "The Prayer of the Day" as found in FEASTING ON THE WORD, WORSHIP COMPANION for Year A, Vol. 2, © 2013 by Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, KY. Page 107.

Children's Message: – Karen Rega

A Time for InspirationPrayer for Illumination: – Karen Rega

God of our present trouble and promised triumph, open our eyes to see you in the midst of our struggles. Open our ears to hear your words of invitation and assurance.Open our minds to recall your wonderful works and miracles.Open our hearts to glory in your name and seek strength in your Word; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.– "Prayer for Illumination" as found in FEASTING ON THE WORD, WORSHIP COMPANION for Year A, Vol. 2, © 2013 by Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, KY. Page 107.

The Lesson: – Karen Rega

Today's Scripture Lesson is taken from… The Book of Jonah, chapter 3: verses 1 thru 10. – THE NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION BIBLE, © 1989.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church… - Revelation 2:7

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1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2 "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.

Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s

walk.

And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; They proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. 6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 Then he had a proclamation made in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: No human being or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything.

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They shall not feed, nor shall they drink water. 8 “Human beings and animals shall be covered with sackcloth, and they shall cry mightily to God.

All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 “Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish.”10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

Karen: …This is the Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God!– NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION Bible ( a Translation), © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U. S. A. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Adult's Message: – Rev. Alan R. Schaefer

"How Does One Get to Repent?"TEXT: Jonah 3:8 “Human beings and animals shall be covered with sackcloth, and they shall cry mightily to God.

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All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands.

Responsorial (Hymn No. 370): - Charlotte Elliot, 1834

"Just As I Am, Without One Plea"Rachel Persenaire, vocal and instrumental

A Time for RespondingCall for the Offering & Prayer of Dedication:

– Rev. Alan R. Schaefer, H. R.We are grateful to have you with us as we worship on this 10th Sunday after Pentecost!Again, we hope you can be partners with us in our ministry as you have been partners with us for our worship.Even though the lights in our building are off at night, and our parking lot is empty, our ministries continue, both near and far.

If you are able, please consider mailing an offering to our church office this week @ 51 West Blackwell Street, Dover NJ 07801.Let us pray…Heavenly Father, although we work and save in order to have this offering to make in your name, you created the substance of it, so, the hymnologist is right when he wrote, “We give thee but thine own, Whate’re the gift may be.All that we have is thine alone,

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a trust, O Lord, from Thee.” Amen. – Written by Alan R. Schaefer, 2017

Joys and Concerns – Megan Berg

Prayers of & for the People, & Lord’s Prayer……when we pray……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.Lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

A Time to Take God's "Good News" to the WorldPastoral Charge and Benediction:

One: Our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Glorifying God begins with our worship, but does not end there.

And while it is good to keep that in mind on a daily basis, it is equally important to remember to enjoy him forever —in both this life and in the life that is to come

God bless us, every one.

And, May God Bless America! Amen. - Compiled by Alan R. Schaefer, 2020

Closing Song: — Rachel Persenaire 10

“It Is Well With My Soul” - Spafford/Bliss

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Our Next Lord's Day Celebration of Communion Will Be On August 2, 2020._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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