First AME Zion Church Virtual Worship
Sunday, March 7, 2021
The Call to Worship and Invocation
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This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. On this first Sunday in March, we pray for closer walk with Thee and a renewed spirit to serve.
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Morning Hymn -- Just a Closer Walk With Thee
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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.
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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.
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Scripture Reading -- Matthew 26:26-36
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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 -- Keep Me Every Day
Performed by The Greater Grace Temple
Mass Choir, Detroit, Michigan
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, Barbara Hill, Monalisa Olague, Greg and Monica Thompson, Sarah-Ann Pennington in the loss of her husband, Tim and the Sharper-Reed families in the loss of their beloved, Jill.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you humbly bowed to say thank you. We beg your forgiveness of our sins and pray that you will strengthen us as we live as your servants in this harsh, unsettling world. Father, you have been so gracious, so merciful and so generous to us that we can never repay; and, we offer ourselves as living sacrifices to do your will and your work in our communities and in our homes.
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Father, there are many names on our sick and shut-in list today and we lift them up. We pray a special prayer for those who have lost a loved one. We pray for the man, woman, boy, and girl on the margins of life who do not know you in the pardon of their sins. Lord, even in this time of being absent from our church building, we want to be close to you. We want to share the joy that you have brought into our lives and cause someone to ask the question, "what must I do to be saved?"
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We ask, dear God that you will keep your loving arms of protection around the youth of our congregation, that they may thrive even in this day of corruption and the threats from society that they face. Help us to be better guardians and to impress upon them that you are God and besides you there is none other.
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Lord, we pray for our Pastor and for the leaders of our beloved AME Zion in this time of testing. Be with them Lord and guide their footsteps, steady their minds and bless them with reasoning power.
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It is in the powerful, matchless name of Jesus Christ that we pray. Amen.
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Announcements
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Dates to Remember: March 14, 2021, Set your clocks one hour ahead "Spring Forward"
March 25, 2021, 3rd Check Up Meeting, Zoom 7:00 p.m.
March 28, 2021. Palm Sunday
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March is Women's History Month -- First Church honors and celebrates the Rt. Rev. Dr. Mildred "Bonnie Hines. Bishop Hines, pastored First A.M.E. Zion Church, Los Angeles, when she made history becoming the first female elected Bishop to serve in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the first Bishop elected from the West Coast. The historic election took place during the 48th Quadrennial Session in 2008 in the city of Atlanta.
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Song of Praise -- Anthem of Thanks
Written by Richard Smallwood and Performed by
West Angeles Church of God in Christ
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
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Members are asked to make a sacrificial offering for the upkeep and business of our church.
The Sermonic Scripture - Philippians 4:22
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. (KJV)
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Song of Preparation -- Marvelous
Performed by Walter Hawkins
Sermon -- Living Right on the Devil's Turf
Ronald L. Rogers, Pastor
First AME Zion Church San Jose
Living Right on the Devil's Turf
Scripture: Philippians 4:22
Click icon for sound
Invitation to Christian Discipleship
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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.
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Benediction
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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.
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Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., Dr. Maurice Watson, Pastor