WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Inviting All, Exploring Faith, Experiencing God 2155 University Ave, Dubuque, IA (563) OCTOBER 28, 2018 Raphael: Judgment of Solomon Take a hard look at Jesus. He s the centerpiece of everything we believe. (Hebrews 3:1 The Message) 9:30 A.M. 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 become a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, please see Pastor Murry. 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. Words of Greeting Ruth 2:4 Leader: The Lord be with you! People: And also with you! Welcome and Announcements Minute for Mission "Hospitality Teams" Rich Henderson *Greeting Our Neighbors *Call to Worship (Psalm. 111) Max Cary Leader: Praise the Lord! People: I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. Leader: God's deeds are majestic and glorious. People: God's righteousness stands forever. Leader: Fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins. People: The Lord is full of mercy and compassion. Leader: Let us worship God. *Hymn# 2172 "We Are Called" *Call to Confession Max Cary *Unison Prayer of Confession All-wise God, though we are your children, sometimes we turn away from your wisdom. When we forget you and act like we have made our own way in this world, 2

3 we claim way too much credit. When we focus only on ourselves and our own needs, we miss opportunities to experience love and find meaning and purpose in life. Forgive our sins and self-centeredness. Clear our minds from clutter, that moving forward, we may discern what is right, and walk in your ways. Amen. *Assurance of God's Forgiveness Children s Message "One Wish" Anthem "Trust in You" Timbrel & Lyre Sermon: "Fit to Lead?" 1. After David, Solomon 2. Today's Scripture: I Kings 3: Prerequisites: self-awareness and humility 4. Solomon's request: a discerning mind 5. Case study Scripture: I Kings 3: 4-28 Common English Bible (CEB) 4 The king went to the great shrine at Gibeon in order to sacrifice there. He used to offer a thousand entirely burned offerings on that altar. 5 The LORD appeared to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream at night. God said, Ask whatever you wish, and I ll give it to you. 6 Solomon responded, You showed so much kindness to your servant my father David when he walked before you in truth, righteousness, and with a heart true to you. You ve kept this great loyalty and kindness for him and have now given him a son to sit on his throne. 7 And now, LORD my God, you have made me, your servant, king in my father David s place. But I m young and inexperienced. I know next to nothing. 8 But I m here, your servant, in the middle of the people you have chosen, a large population that can t be numbered or counted due to its vast size. 9 Please give your servant a discerning mind in order to govern your people and to distinguish good from evil, because no one is able to govern this important people of yours without your help. 10 It pleased the LORD that Solomon had made this request. 11 God said to him, Because you have asked for this instead of requesting long life, wealth, or victory over your enemies asking for discernment so as to acquire good judgment 12 I will now do just what you said. Look, I hereby give you a wise and understanding mind. There has been no one like you before now, nor will there be anyone like you afterward. 13 I now also give you what you didn t ask for: wealth and fame. There won t be a king like you as long as you live. 14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my laws and commands, just as your father David did, then I will give you a very long life. 3

4 15 Solomon awoke and realized it was a dream. He went to Jerusalem and stood before the chest containing the LORD s covenant. Then he offered entirely burned offerings and wellbeing sacrifices, and held a celebration for all his servants. Solomon and the prostitutes 16 Sometime later, two prostitutes came and stood before the king. 17 One of them said, Please, Your Majesty, listen: This woman and I have been living in the same house. I gave birth while she was there. 18 This woman gave birth three days after I did. We stayed together. Apart from the two of us, there was no one else in the house. 19 This woman s son died one night when she rolled over him. 20 She got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I was asleep. She laid him on her chest and laid her dead son on mine. 21 When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, he was dead! But when I looked more closely in the daylight, it turned out that it wasn t my son not the baby I had birthed. 22 The other woman said, No! My son is alive! Your son is the dead one. But the first woman objected, No! Your son is dead! My son is alive! In this way they argued back and forth in front of the king. 23 The king said, This one says, My son is alive and your son is dead. The other one says, No! Your son is dead and my son is alive. 24 Get me a sword! They brought a sword to the king. 25 Then the king said, Cut the living child in two! Give half to one woman and half to the other woman. 26 Then the woman whose son was still alive said to the king, Please, Your Majesty, give her the living child; please don t kill him, for she had great love for her son. But the other woman said, If I can t have him, neither will you. Cut the child in half. 27 Then the king answered, Give the first woman the living newborn. Don t kill him. She is his mother. 28 All Israel heard about the judgment that the king made. Their respect for the king grew because they saw that God s wisdom was in him so he could execute justice. Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. *Hymn #420 vs. 1,3,5 "God of Grace and God of Glory" *Affirmation of Faith We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God's image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. 4

5 But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God's commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God's condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home. God is faithful still. Pastoral Prayer The Lord s Prayer (sung with Timbrel & Lyre) 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. 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 "All Good Gifts" Timbrel & Lyre *Doxology Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow Timbrel & Lyre arr. by Steve Peake 5

6 *Prayer of Thanksgiving *Hymn #339 vs. 1,2 "Be Thou My Vision" *Blessing *Response #339 vs. 3 "Be Thou My Vision" ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING, right after worship, Sunday School for children and youth downstairs. Adult options: 1. DACA, Dreamers, Refugees and Immigrants: What's the Difference and Why Does It Matter? Our class on immigration issues concludes this week in Fellowship Hall. ALL are welcome! 2. Gospel of Luke Bible Study meets in the Board Room. ALL welcome! NEXT SUNDAY is "Take a Hymnal Home Sunday." All worshipers will be invited to take one (or more) of our hardback blue Presbyterian Hymnals home as a keepsake. On November 11, Westminster moves to the newest Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God, which is digitally supported. A limited number (20) of print hymnals will be available for worshipers who prefer them. THE SANCTUARY IMPROVEMENTS TEAM reports completion of a major component of the project: installation of new carpeting in the sanctuary, narthex and hallway. Coming soon: glass panels to replace the plywood in the sanctuary parking lot entrance; electric openers on one door at each entrance (for accessibility). Thanks for your support for The Spirit Is Moving! sanctuary improvements campaign. NOVEMBER 11, following worship, a meeting of the congregation has been called to receive the report of the Church Officer Nominating Committee and to elect church officers 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 MARY KAY OUR CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR will be out of the office until Wed., Oct. 31st. Glinda Manternach and Becky Jenkins will be filling in for her. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mon. thru Thurs. and 9 a.m. to Noon on Fridays. 6

7 Also, consider buying and donating a wreath for decorating Westminster! 14 more wreaths are needed. Thanks! Payment is due upon ordering or bring to the office. WESTMINSTER LIFE AND MINISTRY: OCTOBER 28, 2018 Church Office Number: Rev. : Rev., Teaching Elder Financial Secretary: Becky Jenkins Faith Formation Leader for Youth: Lisa Fast Care Ministry Coordinator: Glinda Manternach Adult Choir: Dr. Luke Tyler Band/Youth & Adult Handbells: Sally Stulken Refreshments & Bldg Care: Robin Beadle Greeters: Gini Gordon & Kris Cary Margaret Callahan & Janet Neumeister Church Administrator: Mary Kay Pancratz Custodian: Tim Till Nursery: Amy, Megan & Amanda Organist/Pianist/Music Coord: Dr. Luke Tyler Youth Choir: Lizz Tyler Timbrel & Lyre: Dr. Luke Tyler Head Usher: Terry Flynn Ushers: John & Pam Adams Julie Woodyard & Jon Davison PRAYER REQUESTS: If you would like to have your name on our Prayer Request list, please advise the church office ( ) or the Pastor. Please keep the family of David Wallace (son of Howard Wallace) in your prayers. David died last spring at the age of 64 and his family is gathering this weekend in Dubuque to reminisce and thank God for his life. Please keep Art Whalen in your prayers as he has moved to Manor Care. COMMUNITY EVENTS JOIN US THIS FALL TO EXPLORE MENTAL HEALTH & THE FAITH COMMUNITY November 9th or November 10th 9:30-3:30 p.m. $10/person. Sponsored by Synod of Lakes and Prairies Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Rev. Dan Emmert is on the committee. This event for church staff, deacons and members will provide a tool box of responses and resources for addressing mental health in your congregation and community. Register with Jeannie Stolee at northiowapresby@gmail.com or call See Dan Emmert for more info or flyer in Narthex. 7

8 Women in the Word Fall Conference, Nov. 2-3rd - Emmaus Bible College, 2570 Asbury Rd. The Beloved: Women's lives today are hectic with demands coming from all directions. Our culture can be discouraging and overwhelming. Social media serves as a constant reminder of all the ways we fall short of perfection. REGISTER AT - more info in narthex. In honor of the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day and the end of World War I, the Dubuque Chorale, its chamber choir Cadenza, and the Dubuque Chorale Children s Choir present their fall concert, Verses of Valor: A Salute to Veterans on Sat., Nov. 3rd, at 7:30 p.m. & Sun., Nov. 4th, at 2:00 p.m., at St. Luke s United Methodist Church, 1199 Main Street, DBQ. A free-will offering will be taken. Handicapped access is available via the alley. All veterans are especially welcome! CHURCH WOMEN UNITED 2018 WORLD COMMUNITY DAY - Fri., Nov. 2 - See flyer in ntx "Timeless" the Julien Wind's Fall Concert will be held Sunday, October 28th at Washington Middle School auditorium at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 28 8:00 a.m. Timbrel & Lyre Rehearsal, SA 8:40 a.m. Coffee Fellowship, FH 9:30 a.m. Worship, Rev. Murry Preaching 10:40 a.m. Sunday School, Classrooms 10:45 a.m. Adult Forum - Immigration, FH 10:45 a.m. Luke Bible Study, BR 3:00 p.m. Playground Task Force, BR 3:00 p.m. Youth Group, FH Monday, October 29 4:00 p.m. Sanctuary Team, WR Tuesday, October 30 5:40 p.m. Youth Handbells, SA 6:00 p.m. PNC Meeting, BR 6:00 p.m. Elder Training, WR Wednesday, October 31 2:00 p.m. Luke Bible Study, Bethany Home 5:00 p.m. Adult Handbells, SA 6:45 p.m. Adult Choir Rehsl, LOFT THIS WEEK AT WESTMINSTER: OCTOBER 28TH THRU NOVEMBER 4TH Thursday, November 1 6:00 p.m. Girl Scouts, 3-5 Rm. Saturday, November 3 8:30 a.m. League of Women Voters, BR 9:00 a.m. Boy Scouts, FH 12:00 p.m. Tyler Function, Nursery 1:30 p.m. Girl Scouts, FH Sunday, November 4 8:00 a.m. Adult Handbell Rehearsal 8:30 a.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal, Loft 8:40 a.m. Coffee Fellowship, FH 9:30 a.m. Worship, Rev. Murry, SA 10:40 a.m. Sunday School, Classrooms 10:45 a.m. Luke Bible Study, BR 3:00 p.m. Youth Group, FH 8