PRELUDE
“Enigma Variations (selected) Op. 36” Edward Elgar
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The Rev. Gregg Neel
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
AN ACT OF PRAISE
INTROIT
“Morning Hymn”
*WESTMINSTER CHIMES
*INVITATION TO WORSHIP The Rev. Gregg Neel
Give praise to the Beloved. Sing of Love’s glory and strength.
The voice of the Beloved is upon the waters;
Love’s voice echoes over the oceans and seas.
The voice of Love is powerful. The voice of Love breaks the bonds of oppression.
Love invites all to the dance of freedom, to sing the Beloved’s song of truth.
Let us worship the Beloved!
(Psalm 29, freely adapted from Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill)
*HYMN #409
“God Is Here!” ABBOT’S LEIGH
God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer,
May we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts
Wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.
Here are symbols to remind us of our life long need of grace;
Here are table, font, and pulpit; here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching, here in silence, as in speech,
Here, in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each.
Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd’s flock and fold;
Here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore
What it means in daily living to believe and to adore.
Lord of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt
Keep us faithful to the gospel; help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day’s dedication, all we have to give, receive:
We who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION The Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
Do not be afraid! The One who created you knows you deeply. In confidence that we are, indeed, both named and claimed by God, let us confess on behalf of ourselves and the world, our desire to become who we were created to be. First in silence and then together.
*SILENT PRAYER
*UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
We have feared who we might become. We know all too well that we do not behave as you created us. We fail to do what we know we should. We do what we know we should not. We ignore your call to deeper relationship with those around us. We mistreat and take for granted our Sister, Mother Earth. Forgive us, Creator. Unless you accompany us and teach us anew, we will only fall back into our old habits. Bring us to your new life, we pray.
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
You are precious in God’s eyes. You are honored, and you are loved. You have passed through the waters and walked through flames. Know that you are forgiven.
Hallelujah! Amen.
(Adapted from Isaiah 43:1-7)
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
AN ACT OF PROCLAMATION
THE SCRIPTURE READING The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Luke 3:15-22
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MOMENTS WITH CHILDREN The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
ANTHEM
“Beautiful Savior” arr. F.M. Christiansen
Fair are the meadows, fairer the woodlands,
Robed in flowers of blooming spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
He makes our sorrowing spirits sing.
Beautiful Savior. Lord of the nations.
Son of God and Son of Man.
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.
SERMON The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
“Water Works”
A MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
AN ACT OF RESPONSE
*HYMN #484
“Out of Deep, Unordered Water” RUSTINGTON
Out of deep, unordered water God created light and land,
World of bird and beast and later, in God’s image, woman, man.
There is water in the river bringing life to tree and plant.
Let creation praise its giver: there is water in the font.
Water on the human forehead, birthmark of the love of God,
Is the sign of death and rising; through the seas there runs a road.
There is water in the river bringing life to tree and plant.
Let creation praise its giver: there is water in the font.
Standing round the font reminds us of the Hebrews’ climb ashore.
Life is hallowed by the knowledge God has been this way before.
There is water in the river bringing life to tree and plant.
Let creation praise its giver: there is water in the font.
SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS The Rev. Gregg Neel
(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.
MINUTE FOR MISSION Lewis Sprunger
Art Show
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
“Cantate Domino” Karl Jenkins
Alleluia. Sing to the Lord a new song.
Rejoice in God, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness, alleluia.
Make a joyful noise with psalms and hymns to God.
Alleluia!
*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.
REAFFIRMATION OF BAPTISMAL COVENANT
STATEMENT ON THE GIFT OF BAPTISM The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
BAPTISMAL PROMISES
Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?
I do.
Who is your Lord and Savior?
Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love?
I will, with God’s help.
APOSTLE’S CREED The Rev. Gregg Neel
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
THANKSGIVING OVER THE WATER The Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
RECEIVING THE WATER
Remember your baptism and be thankful.
CHARGE
Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
*HYMN #482
“Baptized in Water” BUNESSAN
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, cleansed by the blood of Christ our King;
Heirs of salvation, trusting the promise, faithfully now God’s praises we sing.
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, dead in the tomb of Christ our King;
One with his rising, freed and forgiven, thankfully now God’s praises we sing.
Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, marked with the sign of Christ our King;
Born of the Spirit, we are God’s children; joyfully now God’s praises we sing.
*BENEDICTION The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
*POSTLUDE
“Music for Organ” Jeffrey Gordon Evans