PRELUDE “Carillon de Westminster (Pieces du Fantasie)”
Louis Vierne; Henry Lemoine 1926
The chancel chairs that worship leaders traditionally sit in are intentionally empty today, so we may remember those who have been told they should not lead in worship and imagine those who may lead us in the future. The liturgy here includes excerpts from Lindsey’s statement of faith, which ministers begin before they are ordained, and review as they take on new calls.
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
INTROIT “Peruvian Gloria”
Vijay Singh
*WESTMINSTER CHIMES
*INVITATION TO WORSHIP, excerpts from Isaiah 43
Rev. Gregg Neel
As God’s beloved creation, we exist because we are loved,
and we are loved because we exist.
This is what God says, God who made a way through the sea,
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past!
I am doing a new thing, making a way in the wilderness.”
This is the way to healing and restoration.
*HYMN #434 “Restore in Us, O God”
BAYLOR
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION
Rev. Chris Dela Cruz, Together Lab
God said this created world was good, and humankind very good. When we forget that we are God’s beloved creation, this is when we sin. This shows up in “smaller” sins, like a harsh comment said thoughtlessly to a neighbor, and in larger systemic injustices. And so, we remember God and each other together saying:
Jesus, of Mary, showed us what it means to be God’s beloved creatures. Jesus’ call was simple, “follow Me,” but since injustice is so tangled into our communities, it is a struggle to follow Jesus justly. Still, we are each empowered by the Holy Spirit, through Christ, to repent those injustices that benefit some of us sometimes but will never sustain any of us for all time. When the Church repents and forgives, we point to the resurrection and abundant life we have in God’s kingdom.
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
The church hasn’t always been, but is forever to be wholly inclusive, a reflection of the image of God. Healing and restoration is on the way, and already here with us. We are forgiven and free. Amen.
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
AN ACT OF PROCLAMATION
MOMENTS WITH CHILDREN
Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
THE SCRIPTURE READING John 12:1-8 (p. 106)
Ada
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON “History Healing”
Rev. Dr. Aimee Moiso
AN ACT OF RESPONSE
SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS
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.”
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
As is the tradition on Sundays when ministers are installed, our offering this morning goes to the Presbytery of the Cascades, specifically to the Ministerial Assistance Fund.
OFFERTORY ANTHEM “Abide with Me”
arr. Lucy Hirt
*DOXOLOGY – Hymn #606
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.
LITANY FOR MINISTRY AND CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS
LITANY FOR MINISTRY
Gail Black, Vice Moderator, Northeast
Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” God calls folks of every gender and age, stage in life, from all sorts of families, from the east and the west, north and south, to lead the church. The ministry of the church is shared by God’s people, so that all may fulfill the restoration to which we are called in Jesus Christ. Within our common ministry together, some are called by the Spirit for particular work as Teaching Elders, Ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
A call to ministry has been extended by this congregation, accepted, and approved by the presbytery. And therefore, the Presbytery of the Cascades, by means of this commission, installs the Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves as a pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church. In her baptism, Lindsey was clothed with Christ. Ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament by the Presbytery of Central Florida, she is now called by God through the voice of the church to minister here.
QUESTIONS FOR THE MINISTER
QUESTIONS FOR THE CONGREGATION
Tracy T. Miller, Ruling Elder
Do we, the members of the church, accept Lindsey as an associate pastor, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to guide us in the way of Jesus Christ?
We do.
Do we agree to pray for her, encourage her, respect her decisions, and to follow as she guides us, serving Jesus Christ who alone is Head of the Church?
We do.
Do we promise to pay her fairly and provide for her welfare as she works among us, to stand by her in trouble and share her joys? Will we listen to what she preaches, welcome her pastoral care, and honor her authority as she seeks to honor and obey Jesus Christ our Lord?
We do and we will.
INSTALLATION PRAYER AND DECLARATION
Rev. Clark Scalera, Presbytery of the Cascades
CHARGE TO THE MINISTER
Eliz Roser, Ruling Elder
CHARGE TO THE CONGREGATION
Rev. Dr. Deana Reed
Deana is living with ALS and often uses an assistive device called a “Talk to Me.” This is her voice, her written words, “spoken” at her command, using previous recordings.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
THE INVITATION TO THE TABLE
Rev. Eileen Parfrey
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Rev. Junha Kim
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We need not be afraid.
Scripture reminds us of things we forget: God is God, and the idols within us, and in society, and even the church, are not. The Spirit that inspired the writers of scripture inspires readers, and hearers, and singers, and doodlers. The communion of saints and our confessions are evidence of this abundance. The Word is present with the Sacraments; justly Christ instituted baptism and communion for us to remember God, our belovedness, and the kindom we share.
We know by these signs and seals, as we are cleaned by water, we are made new, and as bread and wine feed us, we are sustained unto eternal life. The purpose of the Church is to pull more and more chairs up to this feasting table, to share in the abundance of life, the good news, the goodness of God, and each other, together, working, rejoicing, and resting, as a gift from God.
So, we join our voices with the saints, including our sibling Tony Welty, singing:
Ho – ly, __ho – ly, ho – ly__ Lord, God of__pow’r and God of might,
heav’n and earth are__ full of your glo – ry. Ho – san – na__ in the high – est.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name, comes in the name of the Lord. Ho –
san – na__ in the high – est, Ho – san – na__ in the_ high – est.
And we pray for God’s renewal of creation in lifting our prayers together, praying as taught by our Lord and Savior, led by the Spirit, saying…
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION Rev. Junha Kim
On the night before Jesus died, he took bread, and after giving thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples there, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed with my life, given for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.
RECEIVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP
All are welcome to receive communion. Children are encouraged to receive communion with their grown-ups, as they’re comfortable. Bread and grape juice are safely served at the front of the sanctuary. When you’re directed by an usher to come forward there are four stations where you may be served; you may proceed to whichever station is open first or works best for you. A server will hand you a piece of bread and you then take a cup. Gluten-free bread is available.
There are baskets to return cups at both aisles as you make your way back to your seat. If you would like to receive communion at your seat, please let an usher know, or raise your hand when we ask if everyone has been served, and servers will come to you. The most important thing for communion service here at Westminster is that everyone who wants to be served is served.
COMMUNION ANTHEM “Now the Silence”
music: Braeden Ayres;
text: Jaroslav J. Vajda
Braeden Ayres (he/they) is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, which practices here at Westminster.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Rev. Eileen Parfrey
God of compassion who celebrates, suffers with, and restores us, we give thanks for this meal we have shared and our connected life. Amen.
*HYMN #43, 1-3 “You Who Dwell in the Shelter of the Lord” ON EAGLE’S WINGS
This song has a Refrain, which we return to after verses 1-3, “And he will raise you up…”
*BENEDICTION Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
*POSTLUDE “On Joyful, Joyful” Beethoven
arr. Brenda Portman
You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart quietly