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(Welcome to worship today. Bold responses are spoken by the congregation.
Note that an * indicates when all are invited to rise in body or in spirit.)
Prelude “Fingal’s Cave–from The Hebrides Op. 26 (excerpts)” Felix Mendelssohn
Greetings and Announcements Rev. Gregg Neel
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
An Act of Praise
Introit “Give Peace in Our Time” Foster
*Westminster Chimes
*Invitation to Worship Rev. Gregg Neel
In life and in death we belong to God.
Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit,
we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel,
whom alone we worship and serve. Let us worship God.
(From the Brief Statement of Faith, PCUSA)
Processional Highland Cathedral
(Bagpiper leads followed by the Pastors and Choir)
*Invitation to Confession Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
For ever and ever, Lord God. That is your promise to us.
A promise made before time began. A promise kept until beyond eternity.
A promise that brings us here today. Because forever starts today, God.
It rose with the first glimpse of dawn. It breathed in the stirring of the
morning air. It sang in the waking chorus of creation.
And it lives in all of us. In response to God’s promise, let us confess.
*Unison Prayer of Confession
We live in You, the great mystery of our being which is beyond our
understanding–yet revealed – in the life, death, and resurrection of Your
son. You are there underpinning our lives, offering to us all that we need
to live well. All too often we grasp after our prosperity and our safety,
building walls of self-sufficiency, storing up great resources of our
nation, finding “the other” and difference to be a threat to us. We ask
forgiveness and hold all of this before You in the silence now…
*Silent Prayer
*Assurance of Forgiveness
This moment in time, is nothing in the grand scale of God’s plan.
But it is our opportunity to recognize that every second,
Of every minute of every hour, of every day is everything,
because of God’s limitless love. Thanks be to God.
(Liturgy taken from the church of Scotland)
*The Passing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
An Act of Proclamation
The Scripture Reading Proverbs 2: 1-11 (NRSVUE) Rev. Gregg Neel
My child, if you accept my words
and treasure up my commandments within you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding,
if you indeed cry out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures—
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly,
guarding the paths of justice
and preserving the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path,
for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
prudence will watch over you,
and understanding will guard you.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Moments with Children Lisa Saunders (bagpiper)
Lisa Saunders has shared her love of Scottish heritage through the bagpipes for over 30 years, Today she wears her Napier clan kilt. She enjoys playing hymns on the bagpipes and leading a summer bagpipe band at historic sites near the Mississippi River. Lisa lives in Vancouver where her daughters, Kayli and Anna, are learning Highland dance with Sherry (Case) Symington’s daughter Jocelyn.
Anthem “Loch Lomond” traditional Scottish tune;
Georff Erend, soloist arr. Jonathan Quick
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond,
Where me and me true love were ever wont to gae,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond.
Oh, ye’ll take the high road an’ I’ll take the low road, an’
I’ll be in Scotland afore ye,
But me and me true love will never meet again,
on the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen,
On the steep, steep sides of Ben Lomond,
Where deep in purple hue the Highland hills we view,
and the moon coming out in the gloamin’.
Chorus.
The wee birdies sing and the wild flowers spring,
And in sunshine the waters lie sleeping;
But the broken heart will ken nae second spring again,
and the world knows not how we are grieving.
Chorus.
Sermon “Presbyterians: Christian and Patriotic” Rev. Gregg Neel
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
*Hymn #801 “The Lord’s My Sheperd, I’ll Not Want” crimond
(v. 1 Choir, v.2 All, v. 3 Pulpit, v.4 Lectern, v.5 All)
The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green: he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.
My soul he doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
ev’n for his own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
yet will I fear none ill:
For thou art with me; and thy rod
and staff me comfort still.
My table thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God’s house forever more
My dwelling place shall be.
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, Ar n-Athair, a tha air nèamh,
hallowed be thy name. air a naomhachadh le d’ainm.
Thy kingdom come, Thigeadh do rioghachd,
Thy will be done, Deantar do thoil,
on earth as it is in heaven. air talamh mar a tha e air nèamh.
Give us this day our daily bread, Thoir dhuinn an-diugh ar n-aran làitheil,
and forgive us our debts, agus maith dhuinn ar fiachan,
as we forgive our debtors. mar a mhaitheas sinn d’ar luchd-fiach.
Lead us not into temptation, Na leig sinn ann am buaireadh,
but deliver us from evil, ach saor sinn o olc,
for Thine is the kingdom, oir is leatsa an rìoghachd,
and the power, and the glory, agus an cumhachd, agus a’ ghlòir,
forever. Amen. gu bràth. 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 “The Summons: Kelvingrove; McPherson’s Lament”
Text: John Bell:
arr. Sondra K. Tucker
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known? will you let my life be grown in you and you in me? Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name? Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same? Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare? Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me? Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name? Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same? Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen and admit to what I mean in you and you in me? Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same? Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around, through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me. Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same. In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show. Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
*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 #649 “Amazing Grace” amazing grace
(vv. 1,3,5 with Bagpipe)
Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease:
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine.
*Benediction Rev. Gregg Neel
*Recessional “Over the Sea to Skye”
Bagpipe
*Postlude “Scottish Fantasy Op. 46 Mmt. 5 (excerpts)”
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)
Presbyterianism began in Edinburgh, Scotland at St. Giles Cathedral in 1560, when the Scottish Parliament passed acts that abolished papal jurisdiction, adopted a Protestant Confession of Faith, and outlawed the Mass. This was not a single act, but a series of parliamentary actions that took place in August of 1560. In addition to doctrinal differences, a singular mark of the new denomination was self-government by a Presbytery comprised of lay and clergy representatives. Ultimately, the Presbyterian Church came to America from that Reformed tradition.
