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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 “Music for the Royal Fireworks” G. F. Handel
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
*Westminster Chimes
*Invitation to Worship Psalm 150 Rev. Gregg Neel
Praise the Lord! Praise God in her sanctuary;
praise God in his mighty firmament!
Praise God for her mighty deeds;
praise God according to his surpassing greatness!
Praise God with trumpet sound;
praise God with lute and harp!
Praise God with tambourine and dance;
praise God with strings and pipe!
Praise God with clanging cymbals;
praise God with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
*Hymn #475 “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” nettleton
Come, thou Fount of every blessing;
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above;
praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
mount of God’s unchanging love!
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.
*Invitation to Confession Rev. Eileen Parfrey
What is our hope? Simply put, it is that God does not give up on us. With such good news, we can dare to bring our prayers to the God who will not cast aside our words or our hearts. Let us offer our confession and concerns, first in silence.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Forgive us, God of mercy. You are not found in a computer chip, but in the child who holds our hand. You are not a news bite but the sound of bells bringing music to the world. You are not a chatbot note, but the Word that can transform our very lives. You are not a disembodied voice, but the One who calls us to life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
Despite everything we do, God loves us. This grace is why we can dare to hope.
We will witness to this hope in every word we speak to every person we
meet. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. 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. Gregg Neel
The Scripture Reading Romans 12: 6-16 NIV
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Anthem “Harmonious” Matthew Compton
Westminster Concert Bells
Westminster Concert Bells was a member of the consortium that commissioned this piece in 2025. This morning’s presentation of “Harmonious” is dedicated to the ringers of Westminster Concert Bells who are now part of the Church Triumphant. We honor and remember Sarah Brown, Linda Moiso, Laura Jean Jory, Kris Wolf, and Carolyn Zelle.
Celebration of the Ministry of Anne Stevenson,
Assistant Director of music for Handbells
Speakers: Terri Banasek and Debbie Glaze
Sermon “Gifts from God for Us” Rev. Gregg Neel
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
The Sacrament of Baptism
Introduction Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Jan Poujade, Clerk of Session
On behalf of the Session, I present Amy Blue Schmitz to receive the sacrament of baptism and invite her parents to bring her forward at this time.
Questions Rev. Gregg Neel
(to the parents) Putting your whole trust in the grace and love of Jesus Christ, do you desire to have your child baptized, and will you be responsible for nurturing her in the faith and life of the Christian community?
I do and I will.
Jan Poujade, Clerk of Session
(to the congregation) Do we, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture Amy by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging her to know and follow Christ and to be a faithful member of his church?
We do.
Profession of Faith Rev. Gregg Neel
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.
*The Apostles Creed Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Please stand, and let us now join in the great tradition of the church,
saying together the words of the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
You may be seated.
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 “Praise Unfolding” Sandra Eithun
Westminster Concert Bells
“All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all people may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations.”
Psalm 145:10-13
*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 #546 “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing” sicilian mariners
Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing;
fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, Thy love possessing,
triumph in redeeming grace.
O, refresh us, oh, refresh us,
trav’ling through this wilderness.
Thanks we give and adoration
for the gospel’s joyful sound.
May the fruits of Thy salvation
in our hearts and lives abound;
ever faithful, ever faithful
to the truth may we be found.
*Benediction Rev. Gregg Neel
*Postlude “Festal Fanfare” J. S. Bach
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)