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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 “Toccata and Adagio in C Major BWV 564”
Johann Sebastian Bach
Greetings and Announcements Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
An Act of Praise
Introit “I Love You, Lord” Laurie Klein
*Westminster Chimes
*Invitation to Worship Rev. Junha Kim
Excerpts from Isaiah 43
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 #624 “I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art” TOULON
I greet Thee, who my sure Redeemer art,
my only trust and Savior of my heart,
who pain didst undergo for my poor sake;
I pray Thee from our hearts all cares to take.
Thou art the King of mercy and of grace,
reigning omnipotent in every place:
so come, O King, and our whole being sway;
shine on us with the light of thy pure day.
Thou art the Life, by which alone we live,
and all our substance and our strength receive;
O comfort us in death’s approaching hour,
strong-hearted then to face it by Thy pow’r.
Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness,
no harshness hast Thou and no bitterness:
make us to taste the sweet grace found in Thee
and ever stay in Thy sweet unity.
Our hope is in no other save in Thee;
our faith is built upon Thy promise free;
O grant to us such stronger hope and sure
that we can boldly conquer and endure.
*Invitation to Confession Rev. Eileen Parfrey
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 first in silence.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession
Jesus, of Mary, showed us what it means to be God’s beloved. Jesus’ call was
simple, “Follow Me,” but as injustice is so tangled into our communities, it is
hard to follow Jesus justly. Yet we are empowered by the Holy Spirit through
Christ to repent injustices that benefit some of us but will never sustain any of
When the Church repents and forgives, we point to the resurrection and
abundant life we have in God’s kindom.
*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 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon “Not My Table” Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
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.”
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, found in the pew rack, and place it in the offering plate. Thank you.)
Offertory Anthem “Walk Softly” Bob Chilcott When we assemble here to worship God, To sing His praises and to hear His word, We will walk softly. With purity of heart, and with clean hands, Our souls are free, we’re free from Satan’s bands. We will walk softly. While we are passing through the sacred door, Into the fold where Christ has gone before, We will walk softly. We’ll worship and bow down, we will rejoice, And when we hear the Shepherd’s gentle voice, We will walk softly.
*Doxology – Hymn #606
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, 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.
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 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 new, and as bread and cup feed us, we are sustained unto eternal life. The purpose of the Church is to pull more and more chairs up to this table, to share in the abundance of life, the good news, the goodness of God, and each other, together, working, rejoicing, and resting.
So, we join our voices with the saints, including our sibling Janet Murphy, singing:
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.
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 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
(Today, the congregation is invited to come forward to receive communion. Someone will hand you a piece of bread, which you will eat. You may then move to the next person, who will hand you a cup of juice, which you will drink. As you return to your pew, you may put your cup in the basket. For those unable to come forward, a pastor will bring you the elements.)
Communion Anthem “For the Beauty of the Earth” arr. Paul John Rudoi
Sopranos and Altos of the Chancel Choir
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies.
For the love which from our birth, over and around us lies.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,
Hill and dale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
Amen.
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 #306 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” DENNIS
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Before our Father’s throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.
When we are called to part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.
From sorrow, toil, and pain,
and sin, we shall be free;
and perfect love and friendship reign
through all eternity.
*Benediction Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
*Postlude “And Again I Say, Rejoice!” A. H. Messiter
Arr. Brenda Portman
After worship, we encourage you to stay in the sanctuary to attend a brief meeting of the congregation. More information is provided as an insert in your bulletin.