PRELUDE
“Von Himmel hoch komm’ Ich her” J.S. Bach
“Gottes Sohn ist ‘kommen” J.S. Bach
“Carillon” from L’Arlesienne Suite, Georges Bizet
(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. Beth Neel
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
AN ACT OF PRAISE
INTROIT
“O Lord, Our God, How Excellent”
*WESTMINSTER CHIMES
*INVITATION TO WORSHIP The Rev. Beth Neel
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep.
And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
God saw the light was good, and she separated the light from the darkness.
God called the light “day,” and the darkness she called “night.”
And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
(Genesis 1:1-5)
*HYMN #67
“Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning” MORNING STAR
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION The Rev. Gregg Neel
It has been said that when we announce our accomplishments, we make ourselves competitors. But when we confess our sins together, we are among friends. So, let us make our confession to God together, first in silent prayer.
*SILENT PRAYER
*UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.
Forgive us, Lord, for when we miss a guiding light, your still small voice, God’s thunder. Life is hard… We have much to do. But we know you are here in both the new and the ordinary business and busyness of life. Help us to know that. Help us to receive your presence this day and all our days. Amen.
(Psalm 29)
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Friends, you are forgiven and known and in you our God is well pleased. And so it is not an easy peace, not an insignificant peace, not a half-hearted peace, but the peace of Christ that is with you.
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. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
Mark 1:1-11
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MOMENTS WITH CHILDREN Eliz Roser, Interim Director of Children’s Ministries
SERMON The Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
“Star(t)”
A MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
AN ACT OF RESPONSE
*HYMN #492
“Baptized in Water” BUNESSAN
SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS AND PASTORAL PRAYER The Rev. Gregg Neel
(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.”)
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
“Epiphany Alleluias” John Weaver
Alleluia! We have seen His star in the East,
And are come to worship Him.
Arise shine, for thy light is come.
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Alleluia! We have seen His star in the East,
And are come to worship Him.
*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.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
THE INVITATION TO THE TABLE The Rev. Gregg Neel
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The Rev. Beth Neel
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is a joy to give you thanks, holy God. In power and with hope you created all that is, stars, water, doves, night and day, and rule in love over all these things. Throughout the ages you have called us, your people, to serve you and to be as light among the nations. In the fullness of time, you sent your son, Jesus, to be the light of the world, to heal us of our brokenness, and to set before us the ways of justice and peace.
Therefore we praise you, and join our voices with the angels and archangels and all the company of Heaven, who have gone from us to you. We join our voices to those of the faithful as they sing of your glory:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is Jesus, born to dwell among us, full of grace and truth. He set our example: to live for you, to speak your truth, to show your love, to give ourselves for others.
Remembering him, and all your gracious acts in Jesus Christ, we ask that you would pour our Holy Spirit among us and upon this bread and this cup; that the bread we break and the cup we bless would become for us His body and blood.
Illumine our hearts with the radiance of Christ’s presence, that our lives may show forth his love in this weary world. Teach us to befriend the lost, to serve the poor, to reconcile our enemies, and to love our neighbors, until that day when you complete the creation and redemption of the world. We pray together the Lord’s Prayer:
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
On the night before the Lord Jesus died, he took bread, and after giving thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed with my life, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.
RECEIVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP AND THE EPIPHANY STARS
(Today, the congregation is invited to come forward to receive communion. Someone will hand you a piece of bread, which you will eat. You may then move to the next person, who will hand you a cup of juice, which you will drink. As you return to your pew, you may put your cup in the basket. Then, you may take a star and discover your guiding word for this new year.
For those unable to come forward, a pastor will bring you the elements.)
COMMUNION MUSIC
“Behold a Star from Jacob Shining” Felix Mendelssohn
Behold a star from Jacob shining, and a scepter from Israel rising,
To.reign in glory over the nations.
Like some bright morning star is he; The promise of the coming day,
Beyond the night of sorrow. Break forth, O Light!
We, our joyful hearts uplifting with thanksgiving.
Hail the brightness of Thy rising.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION The Rev. Gregg Neel
Almighty God, you have filled us with the Light of the Word, who became flesh and lived among us. Let that light of faith shine in all we do; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Light, our hope and salvation and guide. Amen.
*HYMN #292
“All Beautiful the March of Days” FOREST GREEN
*BENEDICTION The Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
*POSTLUDE
“March of the Three Kings” from L’Arlesienne Suite, Georges Bizet
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)