Livestream is available here: Westminster Presbyterian Church – Sunday Worship, March 17, 2024 (vidflex.tv)
PRELUDE
“Four Short Preludes on Themes of Orlando Gibbons from Op. 105”
Charles Villiers Stanford
(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 worship the God of every beautiful thing.
We are people of wonder, fed by amazement.
Good is still afoot in the world, love prevails.
Let us praise the Source of that beauty and good and love.
*HYMN #461
“God is Here!” ABBOT’S LEIGH
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION The Rev. Beth Neel
It is true, what Jacqui Lewis says: “Telling the truth is an act of love, an act of resistance, an act of courage.” The aim of this truth-telling is liberation, freedom, and reconciliation. On behalf of ourselves and the whole world, let us tell the truth of our need of God’s forgiveness, first in silence and then together.
*SILENT PRAYER
*UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
It is easier to see the gloom and decay in the world. Pain so often sings louder than good. It is hard to admit that we contribute to that pain. In truth, we were born of the dirt, and so we are conscious of our own mortality. Knowing that, we know that our societies and selfhoods are marred by injustice, cruelty, neglect, greed. We know that we are subject to decay. Even as we recognize our own complicity, we also long to be part of solidarity and hope. Help us, we pray. Reconcile us to you and to one another.
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Know this: you have been reconciled to God by the power of truth and love. Live in this hope.
Thanks be to God! 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. Eileen Parfrey
John 12:23-26 (p. 106)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MOMENTS WITH CHILDREN The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
ANTHEM
“You Raise Me Up” Brendan Graham & Rolf Lovland, arr. Joel Raney
Westminster Concert Bells
Michael Barnes, keyboard
“You raise me up so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up to more than I can be.”
SERMON The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
“Bringing Hope to Despair”
A MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
AN ACT OF RESPONSE
*HYMN #332
“Live Into Hope” TRURO
SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS 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.”)
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.
MINUTE FOR MISSION Greg Moore
Good Futures
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
“Tranquility” Peter de Mets
© Ringing Word Publications, a division of Jeffers Handbell Supply. Used with permission.
Westminster Concert Bells
“I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” -Psalm 16:8-9
*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 #302
“I Danced in the Morning” SIMPLE GIFTS
*BENEDICTION The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
*POSTLUDE
“Fantasia on the Dargason from St. Paul Suite” Gustav Holst
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)