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PRELUDE
“Song Without Words and March from Second Suite in F” Gustav Holst
(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. Gregg Neel
We give you thanks, O God, with our whole hearts.
We give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and faithfulness.
When we call on you, you answer us,
you increase our strength of soul.
Though we walk in the midst of trouble, your steadfast love endures forever.
We respond with praise. Let us worship God. (Adapted from Psalm 138)
*HYMN #410
“God Is Calling Through the Whisper” W ŻŁOBIE LEŻY
God is calling through the whisper of the Spirit’s deepest sighs,
Through the thrill of sudden beauties that can catch us by surprise.
Flash of lightning, crash of thunder; hush of stillness, rush of wonder:
God is callingꟷcan you hear? God is callingꟷcan you hear?
God is calling through the voices of our neighbors’ urgent prayers,
Through their longing for redemption and for rescue from despair.
Place of hurt or face of needing; strident cry or silent pleading:
God is callingꟷcan you hear? God is callingꟷcan you hear?
God is calling through the music of sublime and human arts,
Through the hymns of earth and angels, and the carols of our hearts.
Lift of joy and gift of singing; days and nights our praises bringing:
God is callingꟷand we hear! God is callingꟷand we hear!
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Ignorance is no excuse; we know how our lives do not reflect God’s grace, God’s hope, God’s justice. But God will not give up on us, but is waiting to forgive us and call us as God’s children. Let us confess, first in silence.
*SILENT PRAYER
*UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
We confess that we do not give our lives over to the transforming power of your spirit, O God. We choose not to hear you calling us. We deny the gift you grant us. Draw us into the future toward the new world you are creating through the grace of Jesus.
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
God delights in you. So much, that God will not rest until you are at peace. God will not remain silent, but will call you by name. God delights in you.
God’s steadfast love extends to the heavens, and reaches down to touch our hearts. Thanks be to God who forgives and saves us! 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. Gregg Neel
Luke 5:1-11 (p. 62)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MOMENTS WITH CHILDREN The Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
ANTHEM
“Praise Unfolding” Sandra Eithun
Westminster Concert Bells
(Copyright 2007 Choristers Guild)
“I will praise Thee with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praise unto Thee. I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy loving kindness and for Thy truth, for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.” Psalm 138
SERMON The Rev. Gregg Neel
“Who Then Shall We Follow”
A MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
AN ACT OF RESPONSE
HYMN #726
“Will You Come and Follow Me” KELVINGROVE
“Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let me love be shown; will you let my name be known;
will you let my life be grown in you and in me?”
“Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?”
“Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?”
“Will you love the ‘you’ you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshare the world around,
though my sight and touch and sound in you and in me?”
Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS The 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 Graham Ross
“Heart of Christianity” A Book Study
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
“Faith, Hope and Love” Cathy Moklebust
(Copyright 2003 Choristers Guild)
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
*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 #372
“O for a World” AZMON
O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways,
where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.
O for a world where goods are shared and misery relived,
where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.
We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice
that opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.
The poor are rich; the weak are strong; the foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.
O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,
where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.
*BENEDICTION The Rev. Gregg Neel
*POSTLUDE
“Postlude on Joyful Joyful” Brenda Portman