First AME Zion Church Virtual Worship
Sunday, January 3, 2021
The Call to Worship and Invocation
This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. On this first Sunday of the year 2021, we pray for renewed hope, healing, and love in our land.
Morning Hymn -- And Are We Yet Alive
1. And are we yet alive, and see each other’s face?
Glory and thanks to Jesus give for his almighty grace!
2. Preserved by power divine to full salvation here,
again in Jesus’ praise we join, and in his sight appear.
3. What troubles have we seen, what mighty conflicts past, fightings without, and fears within,
since we assembled last!
4. Yet out of all the Lord hath brought us by his love; and still he doth his help afford, and hides our life above.
5. Then let us make our boast of his redeeming power,which saves us to the uttermost, till we can sin no more.
6. Let us take up the cross
till we the crown obtain, and gladly reckon all things loss so we may Jesus gain. Amen.
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.
Altar Call/Pastoral Prayer -- Pray
Performed by The Brooklyn Tabernacle 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, Greg and Monica Thompson, Tim and Sarah-Ann Pennington Mrs. Mary Brown and the Brown Family in the loss of her husband, Brother Joseph Brown of Kyles Temple Church, Sacramento
Dear Heavenly Father,
This morning we stand in the need of prayer. We bow in humble submission to Your will for our lives. You are a just and forgiving God and we beg your forgiveness for our sins. We are depending on your Word that you will never leave us or forsake us. Father, we come acknowledging our inability to handle our own issues and that we desperately stand in the need of prayer. Lord, we turn to you because we know that only you can heal our hearts and our land.
Father, First Church wants a new touch and stirring up of our commitment to serve you. Show us the way in your Word to stop grumbling and lamenting about things past and how to move forward in a way that is pleasing in your sight. 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 ask a pouring out of comfort to Mrs. Mary Brown in the loss of her husband of 60 plus years, Brother Joseph Brown. We pray for comfort and ease for every troubled spirit and mind.
As we embark on this New Year, let us move forward in a spirit of love and unity, knowing that we all have a common goal and that is to please, honor, and glorify you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Song of Praise -- Corinthian Song
Performed by Kathy Taylor and Favor
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
Members are asked to make a sacrificial offering for the upkeep and business of our church.
Announcements
The Second Check Up Meeting of the California Conference is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2021, via Zoom. All officers amenable to the Conference are asked to give an offering of $100.00.
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 - 1 Samuel 30:6 (King James Version)
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
Song of Preparation -- Encourage Yourself
Performed by Donald Lawrence and
The Tri-City Singers
Sermon -- Encourage Yourself
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.
Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., Dr. Maurice Watson, Pastor