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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 “The Four Seasons” (selections)
“Adagio from the Lute Concerto” Antonio Vivaldi
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 Rev. Gregg Neel
This is the Lord’s Day, the day of wonder and grace.
This is the day to worship the One who calls us here.
This is the Lord’s Day, the day we are given joy and peace.
This is the day promised to us, the day of healing and renewal.
This is the Lord’s Day, and it has come just in time!
This is the day we gather with hope, with faith, with love!
*Hymn #305 “Come Sing, O Church in Joy” darwall’s 148th
Come sing, O church, in joy! Come join, O church, in song! For Christ the Lord has led us through the ages long! In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!
Long years have come and gone, and still God reigns supreme, empowering us to catch the vision, dream the dream! In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!
Let courage be our friend; let wisdom be our guide, as we in mission magnify the Crucified! In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!
Come sing, O church, in joy! Come join, O church, in song! For Christ the Lord has triumphed o’er the ages long! In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!
*Invitation to Confession Martha Galloway
When we remember all the mistakes we have made, all the careless words we have spoken, all the contempt we have given to those around us, we have trouble looking God in the eye. But God gazes at us with mercy and love, waiting to forgive us, even as we hesitate to speak of the brokenness of our hearts. Let us pray, first in silence.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession
We confess, O God, our struggles to be faithful disciples. Entrusted with all your gifts, we become fearful once again of misusing them, missing the chance to be a blessing to others. Invited to dance in the light of your love, we stand against the wall once again, keeping company with our old friend, sin. Called to be emptied for those who struggle in life, we fill ourselves once again, with scorn for the poor choices they make.
Have mercy on us. Once again, open our eyes to your kindom in our midst, so we might discover that your day of hope and grace has already come in Jesus Christ. Amen
*Assurance of Forgiveness
This is the good news: God intends for us to find life, to embrace hope, to receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
The end of our journey is not rejection and emptiness, but the fullness of grace and hope in our God. 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 Matthew 25:14-30 The Pastors
The Parable of the Talents
“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Moments with Children The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Anthem “Celtic Praise” Rolf Lovland, arr Kevin McChesney
percussion, Jeff Lewis
Sermon “Being Challenged by God” Rev. Gregg Neel
A Moment for Silent Reflection
Reception of New Members
New Members Being Introduced Today
Jamie Bash is a mom, sister, daughter, and friend. Her sense of social justice and understanding of living out her faith stems from her upbringing in the Episcopal Church at a place where Sojourner Truth once spoke, in a town with several houses that were part of the Underground Railroad. She enjoys choir, backpacking, hiking, gardening, great food, and, complex as it can be, her career in public health crisis and emergency risk communication.
David Munsey attended Oregon State University and Lewis & Clark Law School. He worked as a corporate lawyer at Tektronix and Intel Corp. and retired in 2022. He’s married to Anna and has two daughters, Gwen and Clariece, both married. He enjoys old European cars and traveling.
Bill and Allison Ranson relocated from South Carolina to Portland in 2025 to be near their three daughters and their families. They previously lived on a 24-acre farm and are now adjusting to an urban lifestyle. Longtime Presbyterians, they’ve both served as youth advisors, elders, and on various committees. Both are retired and enjoy traveling, hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, gardening, cooking, and spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Laurel and James Tangen-Foster have two adult children, Wendy and James. Laurel is a retired educator who has taught all ages (preschool through graduate school), while James works remotely as a psychotherapist. Laurel loves all music, especially jazz, while James enjoys playing guitar and outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, and bicycling—and they both love spending time with family.
Wendy Tangen-Foster, daughter of Laurel and James, is a Suzuki violin teacher and professional violinist living in North Portland. She lives with her partner, Django, who is also a musician and handyman, and their 3-year-old son, Maceo. At Grace University Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Wendy served on the Music and Worship Committee and played violin for services. Later, she partnered with Zion Lutheran Church in St. Paul, where she held Suzuki classes and recitals, involved students in worship services, and helped with Arts on Lafond, a community arts and music program. Now in Portland, Wendy teaches Suzuki violin at Westminster on Mondays with Suzuki Stumptown and Maceo attends Hancock Street Preschool.
Introduction Rev. Junha Kim
Presentation Jan Poujade, Clerk
On behalf of the Session of Westminster Presbyterian Church, it is my joy to present the following people to be received as new members: Jamie Bash, Dave Munsey, Allison and Bill Ranson, Laurel and James Tangen-Foster, and Wendy Tangen-Foster.
Confident of God’s grace at work in us, do we, the congregation, promise to nurture these new members by our words and deeds, encouraging them to know and follow Christ, and to be faithful disciples? If so please respond, we do.
Congregation: We do!
Questions 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.
Will you be faithful members of this congregation, share in its worship and ministry through your prayers and gifts, your study and service, and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Christ?
I will, with God’s help.
The Welcome Rev. Junha Kim
Our prayer for these new members is for hope, peace, and a sense of home. And so, we welcome all of who they are – their gifts, their voices, and their hearts – to this congregation as we celebrate together:
Congregation: Welcome to the family!
An Act of Response
Sharing Joys & Concerns Rev. Junha Kim
(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 “ADVENTure”, Dec. 6th Children’s Ministry
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 Meditation on “Beautiful Savior” arr. Cathy Moklebust
*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 #716 “God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending” beach spring
God, whose giving knows no ending,
from your rich and endless store,
nature’s wonder, Jesus’ wisdom,
costly cross, grave’s shattered door:
gifted by you, we turn to you,
offering up ourselves in praise;
thankful song shall rise forever,
gracious donor of our days.
Skills and time are ours for pressing
toward the goals of Christ, your Son:
all at peace in health and freedom,
races joined, the church made one.
Now direct our daily labor,
lest we strive for self alone.
Born with talents, make us servants
fit to answer at your throne.
Treasure, too, you have entrusted,
gain through powers your grace conferred:
ours to use for home and kindred,
and to spread the gospel word.
Open wide our hands in sharing,
as we heed Christ’s ageless call,
healing, teaching, and reclaiming,
serving you by loving all.
*Benediction Rev. Gregg Neel
*Postlude “Festival Toccata” Percy Fletcher
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)