PRELUDE
“Early Preludes and Fugues in C and F Major” J. S. Bach
(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.)
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The 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 The Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
Who made this beautiful day?
We believe the God, the Creator, made this day –
God made this day so we can rest, and reflect, and enjoy;
God made this day so we can open our eyes and see beauty,
And see pain, and see opportunity,
And see hope.
So let us go into this day with our eyes and hearts wide open,
And let us worship God.
*HYMN #469
“Morning Has Broken” BUNESSAN
“Morning Has Broken” by Eleanor Farjeon arr. Dale Grotenhuis
© 1997 CRC Publications
Used by Permission. CCS License #14680
Morning has broken
Like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken
Like the first bird.
Praise for the singing!
Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing
Fresh from the Word!
Sweet the rain’s new fall
Sun-lit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall
On the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness
Of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness
Where God’s feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight!
Mine is the morning
Born of the one light
Eden saw play!
Praise with elation,
Praise every morning,
God’s recreation
Of the new day!
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Every week, as we worship together, we have the opportunity to admit to ourselves, to each other, and to God that we do not always live as we are called. In this time of confession, this time of opening our hearts, let us remember that God is merciful and just, eager to offer grace and love. Let us pray, first in silence.
*SILENT PRAYER
*UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy Lord, God of life, hear our prayer:
Forgive us when we follow those paths that do not lead to life,
That lead instead to violence, or hate, or fear,
Paths that lead to dread and death.
Forgive us when we forget that you offer us life,
Life that is abundant and eternal,
Life that began at the creation of all things.
Forgive us, turn us to the right path,
and let your love and grace flow over us and the world.
We pray in Jesus’ name and for his sake. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Friends, hear this Good News: the love of God is beyond measure, and you are
included in that love. Know that you are forgiven and thus freed to love and serve.
Alleluia! 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 The Rev. Beth Neel
2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (p. 183)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MOMENTS WITH CHILDREN The Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
ANTHEM
“Flower Duet” from Lakme by Léo Delibes
Taylor Hulett, Soprano
Grace Skinner, Mezzo Soprano
SERMON The Rev. Beth Neel
“Calculating Charity”
A MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
AN ACT OF RESPONSE
*HYMN #422
“God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending” BEACH SPRING
“God Whose Giving Knows No Ending” by Robert L. Edwards
© 1961 The Hymn Society of America
Used by Permission. CCS License #14680
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 for ever,
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.
SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS The Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
(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 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.
MINUTE FOR MISSION Melinda Hinkley
Christmas in July
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
“Esurientes” Vivaldi
*DOXOLOGY – Hymn #592
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 #332
“Live into Hope” TRURO
“Live Into Hope” text by Jane Parker Huber
© 1980 A Singing Faith
Used by Permission. CCS License #14680
Live into hope of the captives freed,
Of sight regained, the end of greed.
The oppressed shall be the first to see
The year of God’s own jubilee!
Live into hope the blind shall see
With insight and with clarity,
Removing shades of pride and fear —
A vision of our God brought near.
Live into hope of liberty,
The right to speak, the right to be,
The right to have one’s daily bread,
To hear God’s word and thus be fed.
Live into hope of captives freed
From chains of fear or want or greed.
God now proclaims our full release
To faith and hope and joy and peace.
*BENEDICTION The Rev. Beth Neel
*POSTLUDE
“Gigue Fugue” Dietrich Buxtehude
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)