The First Presbyterian Church

Delhi, New York

August 16, 2020 9:30 a.m.

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

This service will be recorded. All chat messages will be displayed in the recording. By staying in this meeting you consent to be recorded.

“...for God sent me before you to preserve life." Genesis 45:5b

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Prelude

Welcome and Church Life Notes

Introit

Call to Worship (from Psalm 133)

One: How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.

All: It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore.

Hymn “We Are One in the Spirit” verse 1 #300

We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord; we are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord,

and we pray that all unity may one day be restored:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

One: Lord God, as we see the chaos in our streets and in the nation, we find ourselves at a loss. How

to confront in love? How to speak the truth in love? How to work for peace?

All: We are overwhelmed, and we tend to throw up our hands and walk away from these

troubling days. Forgive us, Lord for resignation and apathy. Strengthen us in the faith that

acknowledges your will for the world, and move us to pray for peace in all hearts, that we

might honor your goodness and truth. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

(A moment for silent personal prayer of confession)

Assurance of Pardon One: By Christ’s work, we are reconciled and united with God and with one another. Thanks be to God

for the Good News:

All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.

Choral Response “Gloria Patri” #581

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.

Sharing the Peace

One: The peace of Christ be with you.

All: And also with you.

PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Interlude Jacob Efthimiou, cello and Stephen Joven-Lee, piano

Prayer for Illumination Almighty God, in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Open our

eyes that we may see the wonders of your Word; and give us grace that we may clearly understand and freely choose the way of your wisdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Genesis 45:1-15 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Send everyone away from me.’ So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.” And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.’ Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

Leader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon “The Best Ending Possible” Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

Hymn “We Are One in the Spirit” verse 2 #300

We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand; we will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand, and together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Unison Prayer All: Almighty God, you have taught us that all our deeds without love are worth nothing. Send

your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the very bond of peace and of all goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Presentation of Gifts and Offerings

Call to the Offering Offerings may be made online at https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering or by USPS mail service.

Offertory

Choral Response “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #606

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication All: Creator God, you have made everything in this world and you have been generous to

your people. We pray that as we return our thanks to you, we will do so with grateful and generous hearts, and that our gratitude will bless you, and bless others in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer Hymn “Sanctuary” #701

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.

Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer … “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”

Hymn “We Are One in the Spirit” verse 3 #300

We will work with each other; we will work side by side; we will work with each other; we will work side by side, and we’ll guard each one's dignity and each one's pride:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Benediction

Song on the Way “We Are One in the Spirit” verse 4 #300

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come, and all praise to Christ Jesus, God’s only Son, and all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Postlude CCLI License # 275648

Thought for the Day: “Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future.” —Stanley Hauerwas *****

Leading us in worship this morning:

Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays, Pastor Billy Meredith, Music Director

Jacob Efthimiou, cello and Stephen Joven-Lee, piano Elder Renee Maxwell, Liturgist

First Presbyterian Church

of Delhi, New York August 16, 2020

Family of God, welcome to this time of worship and fellowship. The peace of the Lord be with you.

Thank you, Lord of life, for this beautiful summer day! May all who worship here know the warmth of your presence and the sunlight of your love.

A special welcome is extended to all who are visiting with us this morning. We hope that your virtual worship experience will be meaningful and enjoyable. If you are interested in learning more about First Presbyterian Church or becoming a member of this congregation, please speak with Pastor Lisa Ruth, the Church Office or any Elder.

Your tithes and offerings may be made online via PayPal, click the donate button at https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering , or by regular USPS mail service (4 Clinton Street, Delhi, NY 13753).

If you are joining us in the Sanctuary this morning, we thank you for following all protocols for this event. We continue to offer virtual worship for those wishing to worship from home, phone or camp.

Many thanks to Jacob Efthimiou and Stephen Joven-Lee for sharing their gift of music with us this morning.

THE FLOWERS today are given by Harry and Betty Bell in honor of their 25th wedding anniversary.

The personnel committee would like to inform First Presbyterian Church that the position of church secretary has been filled. We are very pleased to announce that Darcy Gibson has accepted our offer to work on behalf of the congregation. Nancy and Darcy will be working out how they will initiate training and how that training will be completed in order to facilitate a smooth transfer of responsibilities. Please take a few moments to welcome Darcy and offer any assistance as he works to learn the myriad of tasks associated with this position. The personnel committee feels that Darcy will be an incredible asset to our church life and daily operation. Any questions or comments are welcome and may be shared with the committee chairman, Jeff Gearhart.

The last Sunday of each month is a BOUNTIFUL GIVING SUNDAY. Only cash donations can be accepted from donors at any site providing emergency food pantries in Delaware County. We ask that you please hold your food solid donations until the restrictions are lifted. The food already at the closed church will be forwarded at that time. We recommend online https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering and cash donations, designated for food bank, in the meantime. Please make checks out to First Presbyterian Church. Checks may be mailed via regular mail to the church at 4 Clinton Street, Delhi NY 13753.

Stay connected with God!

Check out Pastor Lisa’s Ministry Moments by clicking on the “Ministry Moment” graphic. Several new moments each week!

Devotional booklets (Upper Room and Daily Bread) are available on the table of the gazebo in a box. Please take one for your daily devotions touching only those you intend to take with you. Please respect all social distancing rules during pick up.

If you do not have access to internet or cell phone or computer and would like to have a hymnal and bulletin delivered to you, please contact Pastor Lisa or the church office and we will arrange to have a hymnal left at your door.

Monday evening Spiritual Fitness continues their study on the book of Ephesians. The group meets at 5:00 pm on Monday evenings. All are welcome to join in the new study! Please contact Pastor Lisa to receive online meeting information.

Summer Mission Emphasis – Local School Supply Collection

The First Presbyterian Church of Delhi is heading the School Supply project for the Delhi

Community. There will be a basket outside the First Presbyterian Church Office for school supply

donations when the building reopens. Thank you for your help with this important local mission! If you

have any questions, please call the First Presbyterian church office at 607-746-2155. A list of items

needed may be found in the Summer Courier, on the church website or obtained by contacting the church

office. Cash donations may be made online https://fpcdelhi.org/content/offering via the link on the

church website (be sure to note “school supplies” in the notes. Checks should be made payable to “First

Presbyterian Church” with ‘school supplies’ on the memo line and may be placed in the offering when we

return to worship or mailed to First Presbyterian Church, 4 Clinton Street, Delhi, NY 13753. Please submit

all donations by Monday, August 24 so they can be sorted and distributed. Cash donations will be used

to purchase needed items.

THOUGHTS ON GIVING: “For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29) God has a special mission in mind for each of us. God has given us the gifts we need to accomplish that mission. We are called to be good stewards by using those gifts to do the work that God has planned for each of us. If we deny our gifts or fail to use them as God calls us to use them, then some part of God’s work will be left undone. STEWARDSHIP PRAYER: That we may show our gratitude for God's great gifts through our active participation in the ministry of God's Church.

The Per Capita amount for 2020 has been set at $40.55 per member.

Virtual and Sanctuary Attendance Sunday 8-9-20

53 - 24 in sanctuary + Approx. 29 virtual

The amount needed each week The amount given week of 8-9-20

$2,245.00* $1,757.00

The amount needed year-to-date The amount given YTD as of 8-9-20 Fuel Fund given YTD as of 8-9-20

Kirk Receipts week of 8-2 to 8-8 Mission giving week of 8-9-20 Mission giving YTD as of 8-9-20

$71,840.00 $65,657.28 $3,791.00

$819.17 $95.00

$2,153.00

Apportionment Needed 2020 Apportionment received YTD as of 8-9-20

$7,380.10 $1,996.20

**The amount needed each week is total expenses minus budgeted savings transfers.

Volunteers are desperately needed for receiving and pricing and/or working in the store when it is open. Other needs are taking surplus to the dump or a donation receiving location once a week. We continue to need handle bags of all sizes as well.

Extra garden produce? Don’t let it go to waste! The Delhi Food Bank and the Delhi Senior Center will both happily take your excess to share with the community.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we discover new ways to be the church. We are called by God to serve in creative ways during these ever-changing times!