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Prelude “Come Sunday” Duke Ellington
Musicians–Kathy James, piano; Stu Fessant, saxophone; Fred Ingram, drums;
Mark Niemann-Ross, bass
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
*Westminster Chimes
*Invitation to Worship Sarah Neel
This morning, we gather at the edge of heaven,
finding the gates flung wide open by the One who welcomes all.
This morning, we come to this holy place of worship,
to be touched by the One who offers us grace and love.
This morning, we worship God, who adopts us
to be filled by the One who would pour us out in service to the world.
Let us worship God.
*Hymn #450 “Be Thou My Vision” slane
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought by day or by night;
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.
Thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower;
Raise thou me Heav’nward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’ns Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
*Invitation to Confession Avery Clark
We talk about lives of faith but are usually found wandering down the streets of temptation and emptiness. God sends the Spirit to live in us, so we might have life with God. Let us confess our missteps as we pray together.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession
We’ve tried to hide from your searching gaze, O God: We’ve climbed mountains, and burrowed deep into earth’s caverns. We’ve fled to the farthest edges of our souls, and longed to sail in our fears to the dark side of the moon. And wherever we go – you are waiting for us! Even in the dimmest corners of our hearts, your light is able to find us. We confess and are grateful you find us.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
In sorrow so deep we cannot find our way out, God comforts us. In moments so dark we stumble over ourselves, God lights the way. In joy which cascades into our souls, God fills us with healing.
Even when we cannot see it, God’s hope is all around us, surrounding us with peace and healing. 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
The Scripture Reading Genesis 28: 10-19a Rev. Gregg Neel
Jacob’s Dream at Bethel
Jacob left Beer-sheba and went towards Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him and said, ‘I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’ Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!’ And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’
So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel; but the name of the city was Luz at the first.
Footnotes
- Genesis 28:12 Or stairway or ramp
- Genesis 28:13 Or stood above it
- Genesis 28:14 Or shall bless themselves
- Genesis 28:19 That is House of God
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Moments with Children Sarah Neel
Anthem “The Preacher” Horace Silver
Musicians–Kathy James, piano; Stu Fessant, saxophone; Fred Ingram, drums;
Mark Niemann-Ross, bass
Sermon “Ralph’s Donut Shop” Rev. Gregg Neel
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
*Hymn #775 “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me;
I want Jesus to walk with me;
all along my pilgrim journey,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
In my trials, Lord, walk with me;
in my trials, Lord, walk with me;
when my heart is almost breaking,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
when I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
when my head is bowed in sorrow,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
Sharing Joys & Concerns
(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.
Community Moment What Happened at the General Assembly? Avery Clark
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
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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 “Pennies from Heaven” Arthur Johnston and
Johnny Burke
Musicians–Kathy James, piano; Stu Fessant, saxophone; Fred Ingram, drums;
Mark Niemann-Ross, bass
*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 #839 “Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!” assurance
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending, bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love. [Refrain]
*Benediction Rev. Gregg Neel
*Postlude “Blue Skies” Irving Berlin
Musicians–Kathy James, piano; Stu Fessant, saxophone; Fred Ingram, drums;
Mark Niemann-Ross, bass
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)