Service of Worship 6 th Sunday of Easter May 25, :00 a.m.

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1 Service of Worship 6 th Sunday of Easter May 25, :00 a.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church extends an enthusiastic welcome, in Christ s name, to all who worship here or join us in fellowship. We affirm that there can be no exclusion within the body of Christ. We invite all children of God to join us as disciples of Christ and participate fully in the life of our congregation West 13 th Street Wilmington, DE *An Earth Care Congregation of the PC (USA)

2 9:45 a.m. 11:15 p.m. Nursery for babies and toddlers 10:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary This Morning at Westminster Sunday School for ages 2 2 nd Grade following TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN in the Preschool Suite. 11:00 a.m. Summer Tea on the Church Lawn Deacon Team of the Month Donna Nelson, Cathy Glober, Jennie Wagner, Kim Carrick, Tammy Daley, Sue Weissinger 11:10 a.m. International Commission on Missing Persons Presentation Classroom 6 See back cover for details Later Today 6:00 p.m. Clean But Not Straight NA Club Room 8:00 p.m. AA Club Room SummerPrayers Thursdays in June, 7:00 8:00 p.m. in Rodney Chapel Join us for a time of prayer and reflection on Thursday evenings in June, 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Each SummerPrayers gathering will include a brief prayer service and also time for reflection and conversation about a particular practice of Christian faith. SummerPrayers will be held in the Rodney Chapel and will be facilitated by the Rev. Randy Clayton. Please join us as we worship, pray, and seek to deepen our connections with God and with each other this summer in SummerPrayers. * Westminster is certified as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (USA). This honor means that we have exhibited exceptional leadership in protecting God s creation and being good stewards of earth s resources through our worship, education, outreach and advocacy. We are one of 124 congregations (out of more than 10,000) that has earned this distinction. 2

3 WORSHIP NOTES The flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Jeanette Slocomb Edwards from the Ellsworth Edwards family. Sanctuary Flowers - Consider giving the flowers for Sunday worship to remember or honor loved ones or to celebrate an event, while expressing praise and thanksgiving to God. Please contact Linda Watson during business hours at or lwatson@ycst.com. An available date is June 8. All children who leave the sanctuary after Time with Our Children must have a completed yellow security label on their back. If you do not find a security label in the pew pocket, you may obtain one in the Preschool Suite. This policy is for your child s protection. Thank you for your help. Are you wearing a nametag? Whether you are a long-time member or new to the church, wearing a nametag provides others the opportunity to meet you, greet you by name, and for you to become more familiar with others at church. You will find nametags and markers in baskets at all major entrances. Worship Resources You may obtain large print hymn sheets and hearing devices from any usher. Worship bags for children ages 3-6 include a children s bulletin designed for them. Children s bulletins for ages 7-12 are also available from the ushers. CONGREGATIONAL CARE AND PRAYER Please remember in your prayers: Westminster s homebound family who can no longer attend worship with us, by sending a card, saying a prayer, or visiting. This week we ask you to remember Margit and Spence Stradley, Apt. 2525, and Jim Waddell, Rm. 3964, all of The Country House, 4830 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE Our brothers and sisters in worldwide ministry in Guatemala, Congo, Central Africa, Mozambique, and Iraq. Westminster s Covenant Prayer Group prays weekly for specific needs of the faith community. You may submit a prayer request by leaving a confidential message on , ext. 335, or filling out a prayer request card (in the pew pocket) and placing it in the offering plate. Afghanistan often seems far away, and we may neglect to realize that Americans, as well as Afghans and members of coalition forces, continue to die. As Christians, we are called to pray for the spreading of peace and justice and an end to violence. If someone in your family is serving in the military, please let us know, so that we may include that person on our prayer list. Contact Colleen Falasco: ext. 131, or cfalasco@wpc.org. This week we pray for Those known to the WPC Community presently preparing for deployment: Edward Maloney The families of those from the U.S. who have died recently: Specialist Kerry Danyluk, age 27, of Cuero, Texas Private 1st Class Christian Chandler, age 20, of Trenton, Texas Sergeant Shawn Farrell II, age 24, of Accord, New York Those who have returned from service, possibly suffering from wounds or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, whose scars may by deep and long-lasting. 3

4 ORDER OF WORSHIP MUSIC OF THE TOWER BELLS Craig Checkel PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP God of grace, you have given me a mind to know you, a heart to love you, and a voice to sing your praise. Fill me with your Spirit, so that I may celebrate your glory and worship you with passion and joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Please sign your name and pass the red folder to the person next to you. As folders are returned to the center aisle, note the names of fellow worshipers on your pew. *PASSING THE PEACE ORGAN PRELUDE Fugue on America Eugene Thayer CALL TO WORSHIP We have come to worship the Creator of heaven and earth. We have come to listen to the Word of God. We have come to express the love of God. We have come to rejoice in God who enables us to be free to love. *HYMN NO. 394 Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation WESTMINSTER ABBEY CALL TO CONFESSION Randy Clayton PRAYER OF CONFESSION Eternal God, we often fail to love one another with Christ-like compassion. We frequently seek revenge rather than the more difficult path of forgiveness. We do not always seize opportunities to serve others who are in need. Forgive us, and infuse us with your Spirit so that we may live as you have called us to live and love as you have shown us how to love. Amen. ASSURANCE OF GOD S FORGIVENESS TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN Children through Grade 2 may leave for Sunday School in the Preschool Suite, or they may remain in worship. SCRIPTURE LESSON John 14:15-21 New Testament, page 95 Barbara Hoover, Lay Reader 4

5 ANTHEM If Ye Love Me Thomas Tallis Westminster Solo Quartet If ye love Me, keep My commandments, and I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever, E en the Spirit of truth. SERMON Parting Words Greg Jones *HYMN NO. 366 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling HYFRYDOL *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH OFFERING We believe in God: who created and is creating, who has come in the love of Jesus to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. God calls us to be the Church; to celebrate God s presence; to love and serve others; to seek justice and resist evil; to proclaim Jesus, crucified and now living Spirit; our hope. In life and death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God! No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. (Luke 16:13) OFFERTORY ANTHEM I Will Not Leave You Comfortless Everett Titcomb I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you yet again. And your heart shall be joyful. Alleluia. *CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (Hymn No. 607) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE LORD S PRAYER (page 35 in our Glory to God hymnal, using debts and debtors ) *HYMN NO. 450 Be Thou My Vision SLANE 5

6 BENEDICTION ORGAN POSTLUDE Toccata in D minor Alphonse Mailly GOING FORTH If you are visiting with us and wish to learn more about our church, we invite you to meet today s ambassador, Judy Stoffer, at the back of the Sanctuary following the service. She is happy to greet you and share information about our many programs for children, youth and adults. Please join us after the service for summer tea. Sunday Worship Schedule June 1 to August 24 8:30 9:15 a.m. Worship with communion in Rodney Chapel 9:45 11:15 a.m. Nursery 10:00 11:00 a.m. Children s Sunday School (through 2 nd grade) 10:00 11:00 a.m. Worship in the sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Noon Summer Tea Join us for Summer Tea hosted by our deacons on the church lawn (weather permitting) following the 10:00 a.m. service. August 31 10:00 a.m. One worship service in the sanctuary 6

7 PASTORAL STAFF Gregory K. Jones, Head of Staff Randall T. Clayton, Interim Associate Pastor Jill Getty, Pastoral Care Assistant CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR: Debbie Brown CHURCH EDUCATOR: Susan Moseley DIRECTOR OF PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES: Robin Rosser MUSIC STAFF Paul Fleckenstein, Organist/Director of Music Mary Beth Davis, Director of Music for Children, Youth and Handbells & Living Mosaics Worship Coordinator Sandie Reinicker, Director of Sunshine Choir Section Leaders/Soloists: Diana Milburn, Sharon Babcock, Justin Gonzalez, Jerry Polman YOUTH MINISTRY TEAM Susan Moseley, Mary Beth Davis, Mike Gnade, and Drew McPheeters SUPPORT STAFF Susan Alexander, Reception Area Supervisor Colleen Falasco, Operations Assistant Nicole Hughes, Director of Communication and Database Management Jerry Hunter, Financial Assistant Suzie Hurlock, Administrative Assistant Jerry Reed, Facilities Manager Sextons: Roger W. Atkins, Terrence Clarke, Robert King, Joan Truitt WORLDWIDE MINISTRY Guatemala Cedepca, Amanda Craft, and Rosario Diaz Kenya JOHABETO Ruth and Martin Shikuku, Kitale, Kenya Congo PCUSA Missionaries Bob and Kristi Rice, John and Gwenda Fletcher, Timothee Kalonji Matadi, Cecilé de Sweemer, MD, Pastor Jean-Marc Katujudi Nkuna and Members of the Kamulumba-Ditalala Parish West Africa PCUSA Missionaries Jeff and Kristi Boyd Mozambique Macia Presbyterian Church Iraq Kara Francis International Rescue Committee SESSION Jen Barrington, Jeanne Checkel, Joe Daley, Charlie Depfer, Mary Field, Nancy Fleming, Mike Gnade, Cathy Higgins, Mary-beth Howard, Barbara Jobe, Dick Jolly, Kali Kniel-Tolbert, John Krill, Jen Mathé, Jon McPheeters, Ed Morton, Mark Mosher, Roland Pamm, Polly Pyle-Carter, Patti Ridout, Craig Stabler, Craig Wemmers, Susanne Wolff, Helen Zumsteg BOARD OF DEACONS Marcia Carle, Kim Carrick, Diane Chandler, Jean Custin, Tammy Daley, Nancy Diver, Teisha Fooks, Nicole Fox, Sue Frost, John Gavenonis, Cathy Glober, Tammy Holm, Bill Kaye, Hillary King, Carla Krupanski, Cathy Lang, Teresa Lunardi, Mary Lou McDowell, Lola Miller, Bob Moore, Carol Mosher, Carol Neff, Donna Nelson, Keith Pierce, Cassandra Piovoso, Elizabeth Poole, Robin Rosser, Kris Ruebling-Jass, Ann Shadduck, Mark Shiflett, Melissa Stabler, Steve Stallone, Judy Stoffer, Jennie Wagner, Gen Wallace-Roe, Sue Weissinger TRUSTEES Jim Carter, John Doyle, Bobbe Hoy, Rich Immesberger, John Johnston, Lynne Kielhorn, Charles McDowell, John McFarland, Bill Nace, Mary Lu Pamm, Stephen Poole, Christine Schiltz 7

8 International Commission on Missing Persons Presentation TODAY 11:10 a.m. in Classroom 6 Photo courtesy of mp.org Kara Francis and her husband, James Murphy, will speak about their work in Iraq with the ICMP. They will address the scope of the problem and the challenges they face searching for missing persons. Kara, who grew up in Westminster and is the daughter of Bill and Rosemary Francis, has worked for years in the Middle East with relief agencies. James, who is from Ireland, is a forensic archaeologist. The number of individuals who have gone missing in Iraq as a result of human rights abuses and regional or internecine conflicts is estimated to be between 300,000 and one million. 8