Westminster presbyterian church. growing in friendship with god and neighbor

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1 Christ Comforting a Poor Man, from the studio of Luca della Robbia, 1493; Musée du Louvre. This terracotta rondel, covered with waterproof glaze, became a popular medium in Florence, Italy, for architectural decoration during the Renaissance. The glaze provided reflection of light and the ability to retain color over a long period. Westminster presbyterian church growing in friendship with god and neighbor

2 September 9, th Sunday after Pentecost 11 am Thought for Your Preparation for Worship Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can. John Wesley Here is the great secret of success. Work with all your might; but trust not in the least in your work. Pray with all your might for the blessing of God; but work, at the same time, with all diligence, with all patience, with all perseverance. Pray then, and work. Work and pray. And still again pray, and then work. And so on all the days of your life. The result will surely be, abundant blessing. George Muller We Come Into God s Presence Life of the Church crop Walk, September 30 Gordon Beeman Prelude Call to worship (congregation please read bold type) Those who trust in the Lord stand firm, like Mount Zion which cannot be moved, As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds the people of God. Commissioning of Capital Campaign Leadership Team The wicked shall not long hold hostage a land populated by the just. Those who are true to God will not turn their hands to evil. Show us your goodness, O Lord, to all who are true of heart. hymn of Praise #35 Morning Has Broken bunessan Please stand as you are able.

3 Call to Reconciliation Dr. Shipman Unison prayer For Forgiveness Holy Lord God, our judge and our redeemer, we confess that we have tried to slide by in too many areas of our lives. Our faith has not always been whole-hearted, nor have we responded to our neighbors fully and faithfully. Forgive us for seeking to serve you merely by saying the right things. By your Spirit empower us to live according to your word rather than our own will, that our faith and our works might be one, glorifying our Savior Christ. (Let us continue in silent confession.) Assurance of PARDON Passing of the Peace The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you. GLORIA PATRI (hymn #734) greatorex Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen. We Hear God s Word The epistle Reading James 2:1 10, 14 17; pew Bible, pages 229, 230 in the New Testament This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. anthem May Our Work and Praise Be One Mark Hill Westminster Choir O God Almighty, worthy of all praise and honor we accord, We thank you that we are by love created, and by grace restored. Made in your image, we employ both acts of love and songs of joy To join the labor you ve begun; Lord, may our work and praise be one. > continued >

4 For words alone cannot express the adoration you deserve. Our worship is in vain unless a world in need we humbly serve. Lord, grant us eyes that we may see all humankind as family. Through us, show love to everyone, thus will our work and praise be one. Forgive us, Lord, when we ignore your will, and seek our own instead. Teach us, by faith, to trust you more for every need, for daily bread. Compel us, then as we are blessed to grace and mercy to attest, Until redemption s work is done, Lord, may our work and praise be one. No greater worship can we give than serving others in your name. No greater witness can we live, with hands and feet, your love proclaim. No deeper reverence can we show, no higher praise can we bestow, No clearer image of your son, than when our work and praise are one. Lord, may our work and praise be one. The Gospel Reading Mark 7:24 37; pew Bible, pages in the New Testament SERMON Faith and Works Revisited Dr. Gere We Respond to God s Word An Affirmation The life, death, resurrection, and promised coming of Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the church s mission. His human life involves the church in the common life of humanity. His service to all commits the church to work for every form of human well-being. His suffering makes the church sensitive to all human suffering so that we see the face of Christ in the faces of others in every kind of need. The church is to follow Christ in the form of its life and in its method of action. Thus, to live and to serve is to confess Christ as Lord. Amen. Hymn #397 The Gift of Love gift of love Invitation to the Offering Offertory Doxology (hymn #34) old 100th Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host: praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

5 Prayer of Dedication Preparation for Prayer O Lord, Hear My Prayer (#484, v. 1) Prayers of the people 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. Hymn #589 O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee maryton We Go Forth to Serve Closing sentences Faith begins by letting go of what we want. Faith grows by giving up what might have seemed sure at one time. Faith endures by our holding on to eternal truths, By keeping eternal truths alive so that hope may bear fruit. Faith matures by reaching out, by stretching our minds and enlarging our hearts, By working for the purposes God puts before us. BENEDICTION... and let all God s people say, Alleluia! Amen! Postlude Sandra and Al Banning provided our sanctuary flowers in memory of Kirt LaCoe. The rose on the baptismal font celebrates the August 23 birth of Elise Margaret Johnson, daughter of Meg Fairchild and Bob Johnson.

6 Welcome to Westminster We thank you for choosing to worship here today, and hope you experience God s presence and love. Ushers are happy to provide you with a large print worship guide or a wireless unit for hearing assistance. Worship bags, available in the main entry, contain quiet-activity items to promote scriptural thinking while keeping young children happily occupied during worship. Sunday morning classes for all ages start at 9:30 am: Children, k 5th grade, meet in room 43 on the lower level. Middle and high school students meet in the teen room on the lower level. Adult classes are listed below. Nursery care is available 9:15 am 12:15 pm. This is a congregation that reaches out to the community and to the world through its work in local and global mission. It provides many opportunities for spiritual growth through study and practical application of the Christian message. It is serious about prayer and caring for those in need. It is an authentic faith community that offers fellowship and encouragement on life s journey. It welcomes all who seek deeper meaning in their lives. More information is available on our website ( You may contact Rev. Gere, Rev. Shipman or any staff member by calling the church office at For deacon care, please contact Sharon Flynn ( or ). Opportunities to Learn and Grow Sundays at 9:30 am: Reading Through the Bible meets in room 34 on the lower level. Fellowship Hall class is discussing Happy? What It Is and How to Find It by Matt Miofsky. Mary Martha Small Group meets the first and third Mondays of each month during the school year, 7 8:30 pm. Please contact Sharon Flynn ( or ). Women s Bible Study Group meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 1 2:30 pm. Please contact Alice Chambers ( or ). Thursday Book Group meets weekly 1 2:30 pm, in room 118. Please contact Sue Flynn for more information ( or ).

7 This Week s News Help feed hungry folks in Washtenaw County. Pick up a cloth grocery bag in the main entry today and bring it back next Sunday with nonperishable food and personal and household items, for Hope Clinic s food pantry. Westminster teens and parents meet today at 9:30 am in the Youth Room on the lower level for vital planning for the year ahead. Wednesday dinners ( Wednesday Night Live ) resume September 12. Enjoy a homecooked meal and excellent conversation, Wednesdays during the school year, 5:30 6:30 pm. Annual Congregational Meeting is Sunday, September 23, following worship. Enjoy lunch and catch up on Westminster s past year and hopes and plans for the coming year. Sixty Plus Club meets Friday, September 28 at noon. Bob Snider gives us an amazing tour of Alaska. All are invited, regardless of your age! rsvp in the fellowship hall entry or to Phoebe Vance ( or ). Ann Arbor CROP Walk is Sunday, September 30. Join others from Westminster in raising money to support local and international hunger relief agencies. To learn more or to sponsor a walker, please contact Sue Flynn, Bryce Babcock or Sue Miller. Peace & Global Witness Offering, received Sept 2 Oct 7 and sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (usa), addresses systems of injustice locally and around the world. Note Peace & Global Witness on your check, or use the designated pew envelopes. roar Literacy Program at Dicken School builds reading and math skills in lower elementary age students. Please contact Sue Miller to volunteer or for more information ( or ).

8 Today, September 9 Classes for children, youth, adults, 9:30 am Coffee and conversation, 10:30 am Worship, 11 am Monday, September 10 Children s Ministry Team; Capital Campaign Leadership Team, 7 pm This Week at a Glance Saturday, September 15 Football parking Sunday, September 16 Classes for children, youth, adults, 9:30 am Coffee and conversation, 10:30 am Worship, 11 am Tuesday, September 11 Nominating Committee, 6:30 pm Facility Care Ministry Team; Finance Ministry Team, 7 pm Wednesday, September 12 Disciple 4 Study, 9:30 am Women s Bible Study, 1 pm Riverside Community Gathering, 4:45 PM Wednesday Dinner, 5:30 pm Choir rehearsal, 7 pm Thursday, September 13 Memorial Garden Committee; Thursday Book Group, 1 pm Westminster Staff members All may be telephoned at Rev. Dr. Brewster Gere and Rev. Dr. Judy Shipman, Bridge Interim Pastors; ; Shawn McDonald, Minister of Music Margaret Compton, Office and Facilities Manager; April Wright, Bookkeeper and Ass t Financial Secretary; Marti Burbeck, Communications Director Lat Brown, Cathi Judy, Veronica Zeimet, Nursery Care Deb Gangler, Cook Isaias Celestino, Custodian Westminster presbyterian church 1500 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, mi (734) wpcoffice@westpresa2.org