PRELUDE Teresa Wilhelmi, piano
“Christmas Improvisations”
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Junha Kim
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
AN ACT OF PRAISE
*WESTMINSTER CHIMES
*INVITATION TO WORSHIP Elder Eliz Roser
Praise the Lord from the heavens!
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord of all creation!
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord for the Lord loves us!
Praise the Lord from the earth!
Let us worship God.
*HYMN #113
“Angels We Have Heard on High” GLORIA
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION Rev. Eileen Parfrey
God, we are called to be the hope, joy, love, and peace of the world. But we often fail you, holding tightly onto our own desires and unable to grasp yours. We have been called into a new life with you. May we always seek to become more and more of who you have called us to be. We come to you to confess the ways we can fall short of the radical love of your Son, first in silent prayer.
*SILENT PRAYER
*UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God, we have been given the incredible gift of your Son. We confess that sometimes, we do not know what to do with this gift. We confess that sometimes, following Jesus can feel frustrating. We confess that sometimes, we can miss your kin-dom in our presence. May you open our hearts, our eyes, and our ears, so we might know your Way.
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Friends, this is the good news: Jesus lived a full life for us – a life of wisdom, understanding, love, and compassion.
Let us give thanks to Christ!
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
AN ACT OF PROCLAMATION
THE SCRIPTURE READING Junha Kim
Luke 2:41-52
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MOMENTS WITH CHILDREN Elder Eliz Roser
SERMON Junha Kim
“Blurring the Edges”
A MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
AN ACT OF RESPONSE
*HYMN #132
“Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” IN DULCI JUBILO
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven’s door, and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all to gain the everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!
SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS Rev. Eileen Parfrey
(At the conclusion of spoken joys, let us pray together, “Thanks be to you, O God.”
For concerns, let us make them our own by praying, “Lord, hear our prayer.”)
PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
(Text 73256 the word WESTPRESPDX to give using your mobile device. This number will never send unsolicited texts to you. To cancel further messages, text STOP. If you need assistance with text giving, text HELP. Standard text message and data rates may apply. If you’re new to Westminster, please let us know by filling out a pink visitor card and dropping it in the offering plate. Thank you.)
OFFERTORY ANTHEM Teresa Wilhelmi, piano
“Christmas Inspirations”
*DOXOLOGY – Hymn #606
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.
-OR-
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*HYMN #147
“The First Nowell” THE FIRST NOWELL
The first Nowell the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
And by the light of that same star three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
This star drew nigh to the northwest; o’er Bethlehem is took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
Then entered in those wise men three, full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven and earth of nought, and with his blood our life hath bought.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
*BENEDICTION Junha Kim
*POSTLUDE Teresa Wilhelmi, piano
“Christmas Impressions”