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(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.)
Prelude “Holberg Suite Opus 40” (Sarabande, Andante, Minuet) Edvard Grieg
Greetings and Announcements Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
An Act of Praise
Introit “I Love You Lord” Laurie Klein
*Westminster Chimes
*Invitation to Worship Rev. Junha Kim
God’s love is so limitless,
the needy find sustenance, the friendless find home,
the troubled find peace.
God’s limitless love tells us
the time is Now!
Bring your burdens,
lift your hopes, the hour has come
to rejoice in this God of limitless love.
*Hymn #610 “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” azmon
O for a thousand tongues to sing
my dear Redeemer’s praise
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of God’s grace!
The name of Jesus charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease,
sings music in the sinner’s ears,
brings life, health, and peace.
Christ speaks, and listening to his voice
new life the dead receive;
the mournful waken to rejoice;
the poor in heart believe.
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of thy name.
To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above,
the Church in earth and heaven.
*Invitation to Confession Rev. Junha Kim
When we look to God in confession, we expect condemnation at the very least. And yet, this is the God who promises to forgive, who promises us another chance to start over. Let us embrace that gift of confession, first in silence and then together.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession
We know that right now is the best time for us to unburden ourselves, but the truth is, we’re sort of used to those burdens. Besides, we are afraid to share in the suffering of others, unable to stand in solidarity with the vulnerable, tired from all the important distractions with which we fill our lives. We know the time is now to let go of our illusions, to humbly open our hearts and our lives to all of your beloveds. Where we prefer to remain self-righteous, help us to see those we judge the way you see them. Where we are stuck in our old ways, forgive us, we pray. Help us to live into your invitation to new life.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
The unfailing and limitless love of God reminds us of this fabulous Good News:
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Hallelujah!
*The Passing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
An Act of Proclamation
The Scripture Reading 1 Peter 4:12-14 (CEB) Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Dear friends, don’t be surprised about the fiery trials that have come among you to test you. These are not strange happenings. Instead, rejoice as you share Christ’s suffering. You share his suffering now so that you may also have overwhelming joy when his glory is revealed. If you are mocked because of Christ’s name, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory—indeed, the Spirit of God—rests on you.
1 Peter 5:6-11 (CEB)
Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s power so that he may raise you up in the last day. Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you. Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. Do so in the knowledge that your fellow believers are enduring the same suffering throughout the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, the one who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you. To him be power forever and always. Amen.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Moments with Children Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Anthem “Cantate Domino” Karl Jenkins
Alleluia. Sing to the Lord a new song.
All people on earth rejoice in the Lord.
Serve the Lord with gladness. Alleluia.
Sing and rejoice and sing psalms to the King of Kings.
Alleluia.
Sermon “My Dog Thinks It’s the End of the World” Rev. Eileen Parfrey
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
*Hymn #815 “Give to the Winds Thy Fears” festal song
Give to the winds thy fears; hope, and be undismayed. God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head.
Through waves and clouds and storms, God gently clears the way. Wait patiently; so shall this night soon end in joyous day.
Leave to God’s sovereign sway to choose and to command. So shalt thou, wondering, own God’s way, how wise, how strong God’s hand!
Let us in life, in death, thy steadfast truth declare, and publish with our final breath thy love and guardian care.
Sharing Joys & Concerns 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 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 Vision and Strategy Task Force
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 “Love Divine” Howard Goodall
Love divine, all loves excelling; Joy of heaven to earth come down.
Fix in us thy humble dwelling, All thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesu, thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation, Enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe thy loving spirit into every troubled breast;
Let us all in thee inherit, Let us find our second rest.
Take away our power of sinning, Alpha and Omega be,
End of faith as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.
Come, almighty to deliver, Let us all thy life receive;
Suddenly, return and never, Never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, Serve thee as thy hosts above;
Pray, and praise thee without ceasing, Glory to thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation, Perfectly restored in thee;
Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place;
Till we cast our crowns before thee; Lost in wonder, love, and praise!
*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 #375 “Shall We Gather at the River” hanson place
Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod;
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?
Refrain:
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day. [Refrain]
Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we ev’ry burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown. [Refrain]
Soon we’ll reach the shining river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace. [Refrain]
*Benediction Rev. Eileen Parfrey
*Postlude “Wedding Day at Troldhaugen” (abridged) Edvard Grieg
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)