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Prelude Jazz Selections for Piano Arranged by Teresa Wilhelmi
Michael Barnes, Piano
To include: “Peaceful Interlude,” “You Are My Hiding Place,” “I Stand in Awe,”
“He Knows My Name,” “Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord”
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
Our God is holy and mighty; let the people tremble.
For our God is loving and just.
Our God is King, reigning over all people; let the people tremble.
For our God establishes righteousness and equity.
Our God is holy and mighty; let the people tremble.
For our God raises up the oppressed.
Our God listens to the call of those who seek justice; let the people tremble.
For the people of God are together.
Let those who love violence and inequality tremble.
Let us worship together.
*Hymn #275 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” ein’ feste burg
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing.
Our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe.
His craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he.
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure.
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also.
The body they may kill;
God’s truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.
*Invitation to Confession Rev. Gregg Neel
The only thing more powerful than hate is indeed love. But every day we are surrounded by the realities of hate continuing to overpower love. We have become a people so desensitized to violence and hate that we’ve lost faith in love. We’ve succumbed to the violent institutions, justified dehumanizing policies, and given authority to greed, evil, and hatred. And we’re surprised when the hate that’s been allowed to fester finally meets us where we’re at. So, we take on the call given by Christ to destroy hate with love, first by confessing the individual and collective ways we have allowed hate to win over love.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession
God of darkness and light, we confess that we are a people who have become comfortable being uncomfortable. We have become a people who feel and know when something is not just, but still choose to perpetuate injustice. We know that the way that things are, are not the way things should be, but like the disciples, we too can be faithless. We want transformation but resist the reorientation Christ calls us to. Instead of uncovering the kin-dom of heaven on earth, we keep trying to cover it up, until transformation feels farther and farther away. Draw from our hearts the faith and courage so that our lives can embody the overwhelming power – fully realized through Christ – of love over hate.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
Friends, let us share with each other the truth we have been gifted: Love wins. Love has already won.
For love is stronger than hate.
*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 17:1-9; 14-19 (p. 18) Rev. Junha Kim
Matthew 17: 1-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’
Matthew 17: 14-19
When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, and said, ‘Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.’ Jesus answered, ‘You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.’ And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Moments with Children Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
Anthem “People” from Funny Girl Jule Styne
Christina Mata, soprano; Ethan Reviere, tenor
Sermon Rev. Junha Kim
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
*Hymn #14 “For the Beauty of the Earth” dix
For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies.
Refrain:
Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.
For the wonder of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light, [Refrain ]
For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild, [Refrain]
For yourself, best gift divine,
to the world so freely given,
agent of God’s grand design:
peace on earth and joy in heaven. [Refrain]
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.
Community Moment Safety Task Force Update Doug Youel
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 “Joyful, Joyful” from Sister Act 2 Mervyn Warren
& Ludwig van Beethoven
Christina Mata, soprano; Ethan Reviere, tenor
*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 #65 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” cwm rhondda
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty.
Hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more;
feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield;
be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee;
I will ever give to thee.
*Benediction Rev. Junha Kim
*Postlude “I Will Celebrate” Arranged by Teresa Wilhelmi
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)