Westminster Presbyterian Church PC (USA) FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT Please enter the sanctuary prepared to prayerfully experience the presence of God.

Transcription

1 Westminster Presbyterian Church PC (USA) FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT Please enter the sanctuary prepared to prayerfully experience the presence of God. God Brings Us Together and Encounters Us March 11, :30 AM

2 Page 2 Prelude Passing of the Peace of Christ The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. Julian Gilder Choral Introit Faithful God Joseph M. Martin Welcome Call to Worship (Responsive) The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. The Lord of life is lifted up! Let us look to him and live. Let us worship God. *Opening Hymn #263 Invitation to Confession All Hail the Power...Transforms Our Hearts and Minds... Silent Prayers of Confession Prayer of Confession (Unison) God our Redeemer, we confess that we are people of ashes and dust. We grumble and complain when you have provided all we need. We continue to walk in darkness when you have given light to the world. Forgive us, God of grace. Help us to trust in you so that we may not perish but may have eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Response #211 Hear Oh Lord, My Plea for Justice (verse 1) Hear, O Lord, my plea for justice; listen to my heart-felt prayer. In your just deliberation may I find redemption there. Assurance of Pardon (Responsive) The Good News offers us new life. A new life filled with promise and hope. Friends, live into to the hope of Christ. Live as forgiven sinners. Thanks be to God. Hymn #215 What Wondrous Love is This Prayer of Illumination First Scripture Reading Numbers 21:4-9 Page 138 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

3 Page 3 Offering of Food Items (The children will collect the food items and bring them to the tubs near the pulpit) A Time for Children (The children are invited to come forward at this time) Joys and Concerns of the Congregation (Please note the printed announcements) Prayers of the People Second Scripture Reading John 3:14-21 Page 968 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Proclamation of the Word Rev. Dr. Ina Boyd *Affirmation of Our Faith (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.31 To be reconciled to God is to be sent into the world as God s reconciling community. This community, the church universal, and shares God s labor of healing the enmities which separate people from God and from each other. Christ has called the church to this mission and given it the gift of the Holy Spirit. The church maintains continuity with the apostles and with Israel by faithful obedience to his call. *Offering of Our Hearts and Gifts of Income Anthem Lamb of God John Reim *Response Hymn #227 Jesus, Remember Me Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Prayer of Dedication of Offerings *Parting Hymn #223 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross *Benediction *Congregational Response #239 Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing! (verse 1) Good Christians all, rejoice and sing! Now is the triumph of our King! To all the world glad news we bring: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!.and Leads Us Out to Be Witnesses to the Risen Christ, to Rest and to Live Joyfully.

4 Page 4 Ministers Each of Us Pastor Rev. Larry Green Parish Associate Rev. Dr. Ina Boyd Liturgist Debbie Powell Refreshments Linda Clary Greeters Carl & Deanna Henriksen Nursery Volunteer Nancy A. Griffin Nursery Worker Katie Parrish Clerk of Session Linda Spurny Treasurer Helen McCune Accompanist Julian Gilder Music Director Dr. Will Kesling Venturers & Friends Lucille Schlichting NEWS FOR GOD S PEOPLE. We are glad that God has brought us together to worship. We invite everyone to enjoy refreshments, conversation and fellowship with us at 10:30am. We look forward to talking with you. The church belongs to Christ. We are a caring, inclusive, diverse church and welcome people of all races and nationalities, those struggling with addictions, rich and poor, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. Christ welcomes all, and so do we. We are committed to lives of service to people in need and to changing the unfair systems that keeps them in need, and we invite you to join us in our ministries. Trust in Christ is the sole requirement for membership. Anyone wishing to take this important step is cordially invited to contact the church office. Children, even noisy children, are very welcome during worship. A changing station, available to all, is located in our Nursery (room#1) and In the family bathroom in the back hallway. Hearing assistance devices are available for use during worship. Please ask a Greeter for assistance. Large print bulletins/hymns are available. If needed, please ask a greeter for a copy. TODAY: Worship 9:30 Refreshments 10:30-11:00 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 11:00 Message from Pastor Larry Your presence here is a gift to us, and we thank you for worshiping with us today.

5 The Children s Connection Page 5 NURSERY CARE is available for children birth 5 years old during Worship through Sunday School. (9:15am- 12:15pm) Please register your children to ensure the best care for them. CHILDREN'S BULLETINS and WORSHIP BAGS with activities are available on the Children s table in the Dickson foyer. At home go to games.childrensbulletins.com and enter the secret code for the week to unlock games related to this weeks Scripture readings. Ages 3-6 is JKTK51 & 7-12 is WFWXA7. TIME FOR CHILDREN during worship provides a way for children to become more involved in the service. All children are invited and encouraged to come forward at this time or they can remain seated with their families. Sunday School Classes for Elementary age children will meet in Classroom #2. Middle & High School age will meet in the Community Building. Adult Seminar I meets in Classroom #3 and will discuss the Study Guide of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. Don Eitzman is the discussion leader. Adult Seminar II meets in the Christian Education Office. This is an interactive opportunity open to anyone who wants to extend their understanding of the scripture and sermon in today's worship service. Paul Carter is the discussion leader. Adult Seminar III meets in Classroom #4 and will be studying the book A World Ablaze: the Rise of Martin Luther and the Birth of the Reformation by Craig Harline. Gwen Lombard is the discussion leader.. Sherie Baker Mark Bondurant (G.Lane) Lina Colondres & Family Bruni DePaz family in Puerto Rico Don Eitzman Linda Ellwood Marissa Fisher Jonathan Gil Keith Hostetler Kenneth Jones (Norma Green s Godson) Rev. Charles Landreth Gladys Lane Italo Lenta Lori Nason Susan Richards (Barbara Seymour s daughter) Brenda Robinson Lucille Schlichting Adela vanantwerp (friend of the Carters) Micah, Tom & Lynne Webster s Grandson Stacy Webster, son of Louise Black All students Our Country & those that serve in all military branches Missionaries from the Presbytery of St. Augustine Our sister church in Havana, Cuba

6 Page 6 Westminster s Weekly Newsletter TODAY AT WESTMINSTER The Stated Session Meeting will be at 6:00 pm in the Community Building each Tuesday, at 10:30 am in Classroom #3 Pastor s Coffee Hour: each Thursday from 9-10am at the Coffee Culture (2020 NW 13th St). Stop by and spend some time chatting about anything you d like. No appointment is necessary, just stop by and get a cup of coffee. Everyone Welcome! each Wednesday 6:00-7:30pm and Sunday mornings at 9:00am See link below for pictures: sh/389ycpsjx8e56vr/ AAAlu7aDlgfWB_DnzN5WQ14Ha?dl=0 Earth Care Ministry Team will meet on Sunday, March 18th at 6:30 pm at the Hostetler s residence. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on March 25th Join us for our Maundy Thursday Service on Thursday, March 29th at 7pm Good Friday March 30th, Sanctuary Building will be open from 9am-5pm for Prayers and Meditation. April 1st Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at 7:15am followed by Breakfast. Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30am. And One Great Hour of Sharing special offering will be taken during Services.

7 Page 7 Importance of Sustainability In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus asked his audience, If you were going to build a tower, wouldn t you consider all the costs before you began it? Otherwise you might run out of money before the building was complete. Jesus took the long view of discipleship, and I believe he asks us to do the same in our stewardship of the amazing resources provided for us on Earth. Sustainability is the act of taking the long view: protecting our natural environment as well as human and ecologic health for our own sake and for the sake of future generations. Sustainability looks toward innovation to promote use of safer, cleaner resources in maintaining our way of life, and asks individuals to participate by doing all they can to Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle in order to minimize our negative impacts on our environment. Sustainability is important to consider as unfortunately those who have few resources in our world suffer the most from the consequences of our over use of the world's resources leaving the poor living in underdeveloped places without the resources to live a full life or even to survive. We must not only share what we have, but put into practice sustainable methods of agriculture and land use so that all may have enough to eat. Sustainability allows us to live in harmony with the world God created, protecting it from damage or destruction. Taking the long view of Earth stewardship is a way we can honor God by seeing the connections he created between nature as he intended it to be and humanity s pressing issues such as health, hunger, and economic disparity. Count the cost by committing to personal sustainability practices: turn off, unplug, recycle, plant something, use alternative transportation, buy cleaning products with environmentallysafe chemicals, avoid eating meat one day per week (Meatless Mondays are a thing!). For more ideas, visit The next Bible and Brew will be on Thursday, March 22nd from 7pm 9pm at The Midnight and all are welcome to join us as we discuss various theological issues. Church Picnic at Montgomery April 14th Eileen Carter 03/06 Bob Lombard 03/14 Paul Carter 03/17 Doug & Macky Barrett 3/27 Loretta Person entered the church triumphant on February 17, Mrs. Person was a long time member of WPC until she moved to Indiana in You may share a memory or leave an online condolence at Please keep her family and friends in your prayers.

8 Congregational Care If you or someone in the congregation would like a visit or phone call from the Pastor or someone else from the church, please share this information with the Pastor, one of the Elders, or contact the Church Office. If you are ill or aware of someone else that is ill, please contact the church office or the Congregational Care Committee (CCC) representative for the month. The CCC members will handle the following parish nurse responsibilities for a short term need following surgery, traumatic event or birth: resource for transportation to medical appointments when feasible and appropriate, medical equipment loan outs, provision of meals, and general emotional support. Congregational Care Comm. Representatives March Barbara Betty Elder of the Month for March is Colin Please contact the Elder regarding emergencies in the absence of the pastor. Sun 11 Worship 9:30am Sunday 11:00am Worship 11:00 am Stated Session Tues 13 Bible Study@10:30 am Wed 14 Choir 6:00 pm Thur 15 Pastor s Coffee 9am Sun 18 Worship 9:30am Sunday 11:00am Worship 11:00 am Earth Care Team Mtg@6:30pm Tues 20 Bible Study@10:30 am Wed 21 Choir 6:00 pm Thur 22 Pastor s Coffee 9am Bible & 7pm Sun 25 Palm Sunday Worship 9:30am Sunday 11:00am Worship 11:00 am Congregational Luncheon@12 Tues 27 Bible Study@10:30 am Wed 28 Choir 6:00 pm Thur 29 Pastor s Coffee 9am Maundy Thurs 7pm Fri 30 Good Friday Sat 31 Men s 8:30am Sun 01 Easter Sunday My On-line Giving How to reach us at WPC Pastor: Rev. Larry Green larry.green@wpcgainesville.org Cell# Parish Associate: Dr. Rev. Ina Boyd .Ina.Boyd@yahoo.com Cell# Admin. Assistant: Gail W. Acree gail.acree@wpcgainesville.com Church Website: contact@wpcgainesville.com Church phone#: Church fax#: