WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Inviting All, Exploring Faith, Experiencing God 2155 University Ave, Dubuque, IA (563) OCTOBER 7, :30 A.M. Take a hard look at Jesus. He s the centerpiece of everything we believe. (Hebrews 3:1 The Message) "NOW is the time! Here comes God's kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!" -- the first words spoken by Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. 1

2 TO OUR GUESTS: WELCOME! Thanks for joining us for worship. More information about Westminster Presbyterian Church is available on the Welcome Table in the back of the Sanctuary. We encourage you to fill out the Friendship Binder found in your pew and please join us for refreshments and conversation in the Narthex after the service. If you would like to know more about becoming a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, please meet with Pastor Hal in the Library (half way down the main hall) TODAY 15 minutes after worship. Large print bulletins are available from the ushers. Childcare for children 5 and under is provided in the Nursery down the hall from the Sanctuary. * All who are able may stand. Prelude Luke Tyler, Pianist Words of Greeting Ruth 2:4 Leader: The Lord be with you! People: And also with you! Welcome and Announcements Minute for Mission Look! God is doing a NEW thing. Do you see it?" Ed Blinks *Greeting Our Neighbors *Response #2025 "As the Deer" As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you. You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship you. You alone are my strength, my shield; to you alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship you. *Call to Worship (from John 15; I John 4 and II Timothy 1) Adam Etheredge Leader: "I chose you and appointed you," says the Lord, "to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last." People: God is love, and those who remain in love remain in God, and God remains in them. Leader: God didn't give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled. People: Let us worship God. *Hymn #522 "Lord, When I Came into This Life" *Invitation to Confession 2 Adam Etheredge

3 *Unison Prayer of Confession Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, all the things that rob us of the abundant life Jesus offers. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen. (Moment of silence for personal reflection) *Assurance of God's Forgiveness *Response #2212 "My Life Flows On" No storm can shake my in-most calm while to that Rock I'm clinging. Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? Children's Message "It's ALL about ME!" All children involved in the Children's Sabbath skit are excused at this time. Anthem "Faithfulness Medley" Adult Choir All children involved in the Children's Sabbath skit are excused at this time. Sermon: "Luxurious Poverty" 1. A "quiet revolutionary 2. Today's Scripture: Luke 12: Different criteria 4. Jesus' advice Scripture: Luke 12:13-34 (CEB) 13 Someone from the crowd said to him, Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. 14 Jesus said to him, Man, who appointed me as judge or referee between you and your brother? 15 Then Jesus said to them, Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one s life isn t determined by one s possessions, even when someone is very wealthy. 16 Then he told them a parable: A certain rich man s land produced a bountiful crop. 17 He said to himself, What will I do? I have no place to store my harvest! 18 Then he thought, Here s what I ll do. I ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. That s where I ll store all my grain and goods. 19 I ll say to myself, You have stored up plenty of goods, enough for several years. Take it easy! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself. 20 But God said to him, Fool, tonight you will die. Now who will get the things you have 3

4 prepared for yourself? 21 This is the way it will be for those who hoard things for themselves and aren t rich toward God. 22 Then Jesus said to his disciples, Therefore, I say to you, don t worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 There is more to life than food and more to the body than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither plant nor harvest, they have no silo or barn, yet God feeds them. You are worth so much more than birds! 25 Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? 26 If you can t do such a small thing, why worry about the rest? 27 Notice how the lilies grow. They don t wear themselves out with work, and they don t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all his splendor wasn t dressed like one of these. 28 If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it s alive today and tomorrow it s thrown into the furnace, how much more will God do for you, you people of weak faith! 29 Don t chase after what you will eat and what you will drink. Stop worrying. 30 All the nations of the world long for these things. Your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, desire his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well. 32 Don t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Make for yourselves wallets that don t wear out a treasure in heaven that never runs out. No thief comes near there, and no moth destroys. 34 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too. Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. *Hymn #422 "God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending" *Affirmation of Faith (from "A Brief Statement of Faith") We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The SPIRIT justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The SAME SPIRIT who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. In a broken and fearful world the SPIRIT gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the SPIRIT, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God s new heaven and new earth, praying, Come, Lord Jesus! 4

5 Invitation to Giving ALL encouraged to pass the friendship pad in your pew and to register your attendance. First-time visitors providing contact information receive a valuable free gift! Offertory "Holy Manna" Adult Handbells arr. by Kevin McChesney *Song of Thanksgiving #2036 Give Thanks Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because he's given Jesus Christ his Son. And now let the weak say, "I am strong"; let the poor say, "I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us." Give thanks! Invitation to the Lord's Table Great Prayer of Thanksgiving The Sacrament of the Lord s Supper Leader: May God be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts People: We lift them up to God. Leader: Let us give thanks to God most high. ALL: It is right to give God thanks and praise!...that we may celebrate you. Together we pray... & Karen Heidenreich 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 Communion of the People As you pass the bread please say, The body of Christ given for you. As you pass the cup please say, The blood of Christ shed for you. (Please retain the bread to partake together as a sign of our oneness as a community of faith in Jesus Christ. Drink the cup whenever you are ready as a sign of our individual and unique relationship with Christ as our Lord and Savior.) INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED GLUTEN FREE WAFERS ARE AVAILABLE *Unison Prayer after Communion 5

6 Gracious God, we thank you for this meal and for all of the ways you nourish us. Grow in us that we may nourish others. Sustain us as we press toward the goal of your call in Christ Jesus. Amen. *Hymn #335 Though I May Speak" *Blessing *Response #2172 "We Are Called" We are called to act with justice, we are called to love tenderly, We are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God! *Postlude Luke Tyler, Pianist ANNOUNCEMENTS RIGHT AFTER WORSHIP, Sunday School for all ages. Children and youth downstairs. Adult options: 1. NEW! Adult Class beginning today: DACA, Dreamers, Refugees and Immigrants: What s the Difference and Why Does It Matter? Are you one of the thousands of us confused by the debates over immigration reform? If so, this class attempts to inform participants about the various types of allowable immigration, current topics on immigration reform and personal stories of Dubuquers involved with immigration issues. This class will have guest speakers, perhaps a video and always time for questions. The class will meet during all four Sundays during October at 10:45 AM in Fellowship Hall. 2. Bible Study on The Gospel of Luke continues in the Board Room, taught by Marsha Wilfong. ALL are welcome! THE ANNUAL CROP HUNGER WALK takes place TODAY. We start at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 1755 Delhi Street. Lunch is being served at 12 noon to those that walk. We gave $1,355 to this cause last year. It helps support world hunger and three local missions in Dubuque: The Rescue Mission, People in Need and the Dubuque Food Pantry. A table is set up in the Narthex to take donations along with peanut butter and jelly. Our goal is 100 jars! Make your check out to Westminster and in the memo box write Crop Walk. Donations can also be given at Look for Find Your Walk and find our church. SUNDAY PARKING around the church can be tight in the fall. Additional parking for Sunday mornings is available in the University of Dubuque lot across University Ave. from the front of the church. Make sure traffic stops at the light before entering the crosswalk! ALL IN!! Westminster's famous geraniums have now relocated to their cold weather home (church basement). Thanks to Lisa Meester, Gini Gordon and Sally Madden for the assist! 6

7 (Isaiah 43:19) is the theme for Westminster's Fall Stewardship Campaign. Westminster is on the verge of lots of new things! This is a campaign seeking financial support for Westminster's mission and ministry during calendar year All friends and members of the church are invited to estimate your giving to the church in Estimate of giving cards have been mailed. Extra cards (and envelopes for privacy) are available on the table in the back of the sanctuary and in the narthex. Cards may be placed in the offering plate or returned to the church office. As of October 4, estimate of giving cards have been received. We hope for more than 100! Please return your card by October 14. Members of this year's stewardship team wrote responses to the question: "Why give?"... Westminster is our Christian home away from home. We have supported Westminster with our presence and gifts for over 40 years. It has offered us the opportunity to weekly commune with God, our Creator. Our children have reaped the benefits of a Christian life style as well as religious instruction. Our church helps mold our youth with values on which this country was founded. Only with our financial support can all these wonderful blessings be sustained. - Paul & Myra DeLong God s Doing a New Thing in our church & we can feel it, now with the Sanctuary improvements & a new Pastor arriving soon it s also time for us to think about Stewardship in a whole new way. Today we are being called to give God our best, not because he needs our gift, but because it connects everything we do with what God is doing now in our church & in the world. - Jim & Pat Edwards MORE "NEW THINGS"... The Landscaping Team has planted new low-maintenance shrubbery in the courtyard bed next to the sanctuary wall. Thanks to Doug Cheever, Sally Madden, Denise Ryerson, Virginia Gordon and Glinda Manternach. The next major sanctuary project will be the installation of new doors to allow easier access and more light. The project may begin this week. Several pews were removed last week as part of the plan to expand the hospitality/gathering space at the back of the sanctuary. Thanks to Cameron Fast, Don Ryerson and Doug Cheever POUNDS! That's the harvest from Westminster's Mission Garden -- all donated to local food pantries. Thanks to the many hands that have helped! "I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow." -- I Corinthians 3: 6 Faith in a Changing Climate: Matt Russell, Exec. Director of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light will speak on a vision of hope in the face of the climate crisis. He will address the transition from a fossil fuel economy of scarcity to a renewable energy economy of abundance. Sun., Oct. 14, 3-4:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1755 Delhi St. More info on flyer in Narthex. 7

8 WESTMINSTER LIFE AND MINISTRY: OCTOBER 7, 2018 Church Office Number: Rev. : Rev., Teaching Elder Church Administrator: Mary Kay Pancratz Financial Secretary: Becky Jenkins Custodian: Tim Till Faith Formation Leader for Youth: Lisa Fast Nursery: Amy & Megan Care Ministry Coordinator: Glinda Manternach Organist/Pianist/Music Coord: Dr. Luke Tyler Adult Choir: Luke Tyler Youth Choir: Lizz Tyler Band/Youth & Adult Handbells: Sally Stulken Timbrel & Lyre: Dr. Luke Tyler Refreshments & Bldg Care: T. Miller/J & J Smith Head Usher: Rich Henderson Greeters: Judy Schuster, Sue Dravis Ushers: Pre-School and Middle Schoolers Margaret Callaghan, Patt Carmack Communion Servers: *Robin Beadle, Joyce Uzel, Janice Lewis and Mike Jozefowicz John & Pam Adams, Susan Taylor, Sue Dravis, Tom & Linda Stovall PRAYER REQUESTS: For LuAnn Keller in hospice care. The rose on the pulpit today is in honor of Charlotte Carol Schueller born to Mary Benn and Brett Schueller and sister to Caitlin Carter on Sept. 28th. Welcome to the World Charlotte! Their address is: 1205 N. Booth St. DBQ, THIS WEEK AT WESTMINSTER: OCTOBER 7TH THRU OCTOBER 14TH 8