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Welcome to worship. Bold responses are spoken by the congregation.
Note that an * indicates when all are invited to rise in body or in spirit.
Prelude
“Glassworks: 01. Opening”
Philip Glass
Jeffrey Gordon Evans, piano
Greetings and Announcements
Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Introit
“Over My Head”
trad. African-American
*Westminster Chimes
*Invitation to Worship
Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
Adapted from Psalm 97, Prayers for Praying, by Nan Merrill
The Bestower of Life reigns with mercy,
Let the earth rejoice! Let the heavens be glad!
Justice preserves creation, allowing it to blossom and thrive;
Hidden within creation, You are the Heart of everything.
All of creation is clothed with God’s majesty, mirroring Divine Love throughout the cosmos.
Rejoice in the Most High, O people of the Light, and give thanks to the Bestower of Life!
*Hymn #365
“God Reigns! Let Earth Rejoice!”
marion
God reigns! Let earth rejoice! Let oceans shout God’s might!
Borne up by truth and righteousness, God’s throne is our delight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! God reigns! Let earth rejoice!
God’s fire ignites the clouds with judgment swift and just;
The evil find their deeds in vain; God’s foes are brought to dust.
Rejoice! Rejoice! God reigns! Let earth rejoice!
False idols rise to claim the weakness of our pride,
but cannot touch the faithful ones, for God stands at our side.
Rejoice! Rejoice! God reigns! Let earth rejoice!
The radiance of God’s light beams joy into our days;
now filled with God’s own peace and love, our hearts resound with praise.
Rejoice! Rejoice! God reigns! Let earth rejoice!
*Invitation to Confession
Rev. Junha Kim
Adapted from Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley.
Easter holds memory for a God who came back to life still bearing scars. We’re reminded that we don’t have to leave behind our grief to participate in the joy of liberation.
* Unison Prayer of Confession
We have belonged to communities, workplaces, and spiritual spaces that have demanded our death far more than they ever advocated for our life. We have benefited from institutions colluding to harm others so that we might escape oppression ourselves. We have silenced the voices that call out God’s gift of Life, doubting God’s strength to overcome our systems. Show us a different way, the way of Life, a freedom for all God’s people. May we experience once more the joy of salvation.
Words of Assurance
Rev. Junha Kim
The God who rose resurrects us, offering new life to all who accept that gift. Believe the good news: We are forgiven! Alleluia! Amen.
*The Passing of the Peace
Rev. Junha Kim
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
An Act of Proclamation
The Scripture Reading
Acts 16:16-34 (p.136)
The Pastors
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Moments with Children
Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Sermon
“Who is Liberating Whom?”
Rev. Eileen Parfrey
A Word from Debbie Glaze: Recognizing Grace Skinner
An Act of Response
Sharing Joys & Concerns
Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
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
(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, alleluia.
Sing joyfully, all, to God, all of the earth.
Serve the Lord in joyfulness.
Sing and exalt and sing psalms to the King
and say a hymn to God. Alleluia.
*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.
-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.
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
The Invitation to the Table
Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
Rev. Junha Kim
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Disturbing chaos at the very beginning, you created wonder and beauty. Coastlands were filled with life’s abundance, clouds scudded across the skies, justice became the foundation for hope. Crafted in your image to behold your glory, we believed the boasts of worthless idols, bowing down to worship sin and death. Prophets came, speaking your word, but we accused them of disturbing our peace. When you saw no hope of our returning on our own, you sent Jesus who came, not only on behalf of those who knew him, but also for all who would believe in him. So with those who thirst for righteousness and those who hunger for justice, with our siblings who have joined the Church Triumphant, we lift our voices to you:
You are most high over all creation, Holy One, and blessed is Jesus Chrit, your Joy, our Hope. You gave him your glory, which he shares with all your children. As we celebrate his life and love, as we testify to his peace and hope, we witness to that great mystery we call faith. Come, Holy God, come, pouring out your Spirit upon this feast, transforming your children with the simple gifts of the bread and cup. As we eat of the bread and drink this cup, we find you within us, uniting us wherever we are
divided, healing us where we are broken, sending us, when we are reluctant, to throw open wide all that imprisons others.
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.
Words of Institution
On the night when Jesus was betrayed, he took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said to his friends, “This is my body, broken for you. Take it and eat it.”
In the same way, he took the cup, poured it, blessed it, and said, “This is the new covenant, sealed in my blood for the forgiveness of sin. Drink it, all of you.” And to this very day, whenever we eat this bread and drink this wine, we are proclaiming the saving life, death, and resurrection of the Christ until he comes again. Come, the table is set; everything is ready.
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
“Hymn do Trojcy Swietej”
(Hymn to the Holy Trinity) sung in Polish
Grace Skinner, mezzo-soprano soloist
The blazing sun is rising.
You are the unity, eternal light in our hearts, Holy Trinity
Spread the inconceivable love.
We adore you in the morning; we beg you in the evening;
Bring us to you with the Saints in heaven adored.
Together Father and Son and the Holy Spirit
As there was, and ever will be Eternal Glory,
Always and forever. Amen.
Prayer After Communion
Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
As we have eaten this bread and drunk from this cup, may we be fed in joy for the journey ahead, giving you all thanks and praise. Amen.
*Hymn #498
“Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken”
beach spring
1 Loaves were broken, words were spoken
by the Galilean shore.
Jesus, Bread of life from heaven,
was their food forevermore.
Chorus
By your body broken for us,
by your wine of life outpoured,
Jesus, feed again your people.
Be our Host, our Life, our Lord.
2 Loaves were broken, words were spoken
in a quiet room one night,
In the bread and wine you gave them,
Christ, you came as Light from Light.
3 Loaves are broken, words are spoken,
as in faith we gather here.
Jesus speaks across the ages:
“I am with you; do not fear!”
4 By the loaves you break and give us,
send us in your name to share
bread for which the millions hunger,
words that tell your love and care.
*Benediction
Rev. Eileen Parfrey
*Postlude
“Postlude”
Jeffrey Gordon Evans
You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart quietly.
Liturgy is adopted from Bearers of Grace and Justice by Thom Schuman.