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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 “Voluntary on the Doxology” Henry Purcell
“Wachet auf, ruf’ uns die Stimme” J. S. Bach
Gail Gillespie, flute
Greetings and Announcements Rev. Eileen Parfrey
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
An Act of Praise
Introit “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright” Nicolai
*Westminster Chimes
*Invitation to Worship Kelly Scott
Adapted from Playing Hopscotch in Heaven by Thom M Shuman
God has gathered us to this place
Where we can hear stories and practice being loved.
God has summoned us to this place
Where we can learn how to serve God without reservation or fear.
God will send us from this place
To share that love and enact God’s dreams with courage.
*Hymn #349 “‘Sleepers, Wake!’ A Voice Astounds Us” wachet auf
“Sleepers, wake!” A voice astounds us.
The shout of rampart guards surrounds us:
“Awake, Jerusalem, arise!”
Midnight’s peace their cry has broken,
their urgent summons clearly spoken:
“The time has come, O maidens wise!
Rise up, and give us light.
The Bridegroom is in sight.
Alleluia!
Your lamps prepare and hasten there,
that you the wedding feast may share.”
Zion hears the watchmen singing;
her heart with joyful hope is springing;
she wakes, and hurries through the night.
Forth he comes, her Bridegroom glorious in strength of grace,
in truth victorious:
her Star is risen, her light grows bright.
Now come, most worthy Lord,
God’s Son, incarnate Word,
Alleluia!
We follow all and heed your call to come into the banquet hall!
Lamb of God, the heavens adore you;
let saints and angels sing before you,
as harps and cymbals swell the sound.
Twelve great pearls, the city’s portals:
through them we stream to join the immortals
as we with joy your throne suuround.
No eye has known the sight,
no ear heard such delight:
Alleluia!
Therefore we sing to greet our King;
Forever let our praises ring.
*Invitation to Confession Kelly Scott
The saying is that God loved a good story, so God created humans. God gave us good stories that we might not be ignorant of God’s hopes and dreams for us. Let us examine how we have not lived up to those dreams and hopes.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession
You had dreams for all of creation, had hopes and plans for humanity to care for creation on your behalf. Instead, we have selfishly treated our sister, Mother Earth, as if she were a commodity to use up. We have treated one another as if they, too, were expendable. We have trusted platitudes and shaky promises instead of doing the hard work of discerning Your truth. We have followed the false gods of self-reliance. Jesus came telling stories to call us back to Your expectations, to live generously with open hearts. Forgive us, Holy One. Help us to listen to the transforming grace You offer. Help us to wake up, and to wholeheartedly follow our Savior and Teacher, even Jesus the Christ.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
Here is the good news, friends. God is in our midst. God is moving, forgiving, renewing, restoring, giving us once more a fresh beginning.
God’s love is everlasting. Thanks be to God!
*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 25:1-13 Rev. Eileen Parfrey
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout,
‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Moments with Children
Anthem “And the Father Will Dance” Mark Hayes
And the Father will dance over you in joy!
He will take delight in whom He loves.
Is that a choir I hear singing the praises of God?
No, the Lord God Himself is exulting o’er you in song.
And He will joy over you in song.
My soul will make its boast in God, for He has answered all my cries.
His faithfulness to me is as sure as the dawn of a new day.
Awake my soul! Awake my soul, and sing!
Let my spirit rejoice, in God!
Sing, oh daughter of Zion, with all of your heart.
Cast away fear for you have been restored.
Put on the garment of praise as on a festival day.
Join with the Father in glorious, jubilant song.
And He will joy over you in song. CHORUS
Sermon “It’s Not the End of the World” Rev. Eileen Parfrey
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
*Hymn #366 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” hyfrydol
verses 1 & 4
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heaven to Earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
All thy faithful mercies crown;
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation,
Enter ev’ry trembling heart.
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!
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 Art Show Lewis Sprunger
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 “Gaelic Blessing” John Rutter
adapted from an old Gaelic rune
Deep peace to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ,
Of Christ, the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.
*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 #362 “Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers” llangloffan
Rejoice! Rejoice, believers,
and let your lights appear;
the evening is advancing,
and darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising
and soon is drawing nigh.
Up, watch with expectation;
at midnight comes the cry.
See that your lamps are burning;
replenish them with oil;
look now for your salvation,
the end of sin and toil.
The marriage feast is waiting;
the gates wide open stand;
arise, O heirs of glory; the Bridegroom is at hand!
Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, thou Sun so longed for,
above this shadowed sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth’s redemption, and ever be with thee!
*Benediction Rev. Eileen Parfrey
*Postlude “Toccata” John Weaver
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)
The Rev. Gregg Neel is away for a family wedding. He will return Tuesday, Nov. 10th.
Administrative Coordinator Alaina Smith will be out of the office from November 10 through 22. She will be working from home Nov. 23-25 and will return to the office Nov. 30.