SOUTH AIKEN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

1711 Whiskey Road

Aiken, SC 29803

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Palm Sunday April 5, 2020 8:45 & 11:00 a.m.

(Virtual service via website & Facebook Live)

(Link to Facebook Live on southaiken@org, then Click Virtual Church)

Welcome & Announcements Reverend Jason Hammersley

The Chiming (Three times for the trinity: God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit)

Prelude

Introit Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Prayer of Lament

God of community, these are not normal times. You made us to be in community and seek community in

order to show love and serve the people in need. We lament that we can’t see the body gathered in our

sanctuary or in sanctuaries across the globe. We cry and lament to you for your compassion to bring us

together safely soon. We plead to see a smile, yearn for an embrace, or even a firm handshake in the next

two months. O God we know you are here, there, and everywhere. We know in our hearts and minds that

you through your Holy Spirit wave the hope in Jesus Christ in this Palm Sunday. May we worship in our

homes, but not get lazy or forget the feelings that occur when the body of Christ is physically gathered.

Bless us as we worship online, in our homes, and every day, In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.

Call to Worship (Psalm 108:1-6)

Our hearts, O God, are steadfast; we will sing and make music with all our soul. Awake, harp and lyre! We

will awaken the dawn. We will praise you, LORD, among the nations; we will sing of you among the

peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted,

O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Save us and help us with your right hand,

that those you love may be delivered.

Hymn #192 Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining

Lord, the light of your love is shining,

in the midst of the darkness, shining;

Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us;

set us free by the truth you now bring us.

Shine on me; shine on me.

Refrain:

Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father's glory.

Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

Lord, I come to your awesome presence,

from the shadows into your radiance;

by the blood I may enter your brightness.

Search me; try me; consume all my darkness.

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As we gaze on your kingly brightness,

so our faces display your likeness;

ever changing from glory to glory,

mirrored here may our lives tell your story.

Shine on me; shine on me.

Prayer of Confession

Gracious God, we confess that our faith and spiritual disciplines waver when we do not physically gather

for worship. Some of us become too comfortable in our homes not physically gathering on Sunday. We

struggle with being spiritually disciplined when we are given time to kill. We are tempted to go our own

way instead of staying connected to your word, being prayer, your worship, and the community of faith.

Forgive us, as we struggle to be in community in this time through Jesus Christ. (in silence, confess your

personal sin…) Amen.

The Font (As we hear the pouring of water into the font, help us remember the washing away of all

our sin and encourage us to live thankful and faithful lives.)

Assurance of Forgiveness.

Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father

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 Passing of the Peace (share a virtual peace via emojis online, text, etc. during this part of the

service.)

Children’s Moment

PROCLAIMING THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem Hosanna! Praise the Lord! arr. Patrik Liebergen

Prayer for Illumination

Old Testament Lesson Zechariah 9:9-10

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 23:37-39

One: Hear what the Spirit says to the Church.

All: Thanks be to God.

, a , or a

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Sermon As a Hen Gathers Her Chicks Reverend Jason Hammersley

Hymn #197 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed (Traditional)

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;

he descended into hell;

the third day he rose again 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 the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession (This prayer is a response to the proclamation and interceding for all the Church,

the world, the community, and our loved ones.)

Offering of Tithes and Gifts

Minute for Mission

Offertory (You may give either electronically on our website (www.southaiken.org) under ONLINE

GIVING or you may send a check to the church office at SAPC, attn: Treasurer, 1711 Whiskey

Rd., Aiken, SC 29803)

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

praise him, all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heavenly host;

praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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Prayer of Thanksgiving with the Lord’s Prayer

Giving and protecting God, we thank you for your blessings which continue to be given to us even in

this pandemic suffering. We thank you for the support to worship and the mission of Christ that you

have given us in this time and beyond. We thank you for giving willing hearts to video the worship

service and the ability to post it online. We thank you for caring people who continue to run errands for

the most vulnerable. We thank you for Jesus Christ who continues to journey with us in suffering, but

also in hope and resurrection. We give thanks also for the prayer you taught your disciples saying…

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;

and lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power,

and the glory forever. Amen.

SENDING INTO THE WORLD

Charge & Benediction

Postlude

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The family of Evelyn Accardi (Peg Pons’ granddaughter and Angela Clifford’s niece) as the mourn

David Ice following a dementia diagnosis

David Filler as he struggles with amyloidosis and has hospice care

Nancy Hufford as she receives chemotherapy

Charles Matthews as he continues to recover at home following a fall.

Phil Lockard as he continues chemotherapy

Sandy Haines as she continues chemotherapy

Prayer is a powerful force for both those in

need of healing, comfort, strength, and

encouragement and for those engaging in

prayer. If you have a prayer request after office

hours, on weekends, or during holidays or

would like more info, contact Emily Lockard.

You can either call Emily at (803) 649-0473 or

email her at: emilybim@bellsouth.net. If you

have a prayer request during office hours (M-

TH; 8am-5pm), please contact Denise at the

church office at 1denisesap@gmail.com or at

648-9574.

Due to the Governor’s orders with regard to the coronavirus outbreak and the urgent need to limit

gatherings of people and close personal contact, the church has decided that in the best interest of

everyone’s health and safety to continue the closure of the office and the cancellation the following events

and activities through the end of April (April 30th) The situation with regard to the outbreak will be

periodically reassessed and every effort will be made to notify members if normal schedules can resume.

SAPK is also closed during this time.

Youth Activities/CROSS Mission Trip &

Lock-In

Children’s and Families Activities

Adult & Children’s Sunday School

Choir Practice (will be held virtually)

Diaconate/Committee Mtgs.

Basketball Practice

Futsal Soccer Practice

Men’s Bible Study

Sonshine Circle

PW Knitters

Book Club

M’Aiken Music

Boy Scouts

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The Life Line Screening event that was to take place at SAPC on April 20th has been cancelled. At this time,

we do not know if it will be rescheduled. If you have registered for a screening, Life Line will contact you via

email regarding the cancellation and your refund.

During this period of closure, you may continue to pay tithes/make offerings by either using the online

giving options on the church’s website (www.southaiken.org), setting up a bank draft that is sent to the

church, or mailing a check to the church office (SAPC, attn.: Treasurer, 1711 Whiskey Rd., Aiken SC

29803). Online giving may be accomplished by clicking on either the Presbyterian Foundation (first button)

or PayPal (click on PayPal logo at bottom of online giving page). Please do not plan to drop tithes/

contributions off at the church because the office and building are closed until the end of the month.

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SAPC STAFF

Rev. Jason Hammersley, Pastor : 648-9574 ext. 104

Cell: 910-987-7230; revhammersley@gmail.com

Michelle Lorio, Director of Children’s Ministry/ Kindergarten Director: 648-9895 ext. 107

Phillip Hare, Director of Music

Scott Chappell, Pianist/Accompanist

Tracie Toulson, Financial Manager : ext. 103

Denise Underwood, Secretary: ext. 100

Cissy Kelley, Assistant Kindergar ten Director / Childcare Coordinator 648-9895 ext.110, Cell (803) 270-5808

CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION

Church Office: 803-648-9574

Fax: 803-648-7972

Web Site: www.southaiken.org

Email: 1denisesap@gmail.com

Please silence your phone during the service

Follow SAPC activities on Facebook

https://m.facebook.com/SouthAikenPresChurch/