Services of Worship 1 st Sunday in Lent February 26, :00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Transcription

1 Services of Worship 1 st Sunday in Lent February 26, :00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church extends an enthusiastic welcome, in Christ s name, to all who would 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. PASTORAL STAFF: CHURCH EDUCATOR: CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR: MUSIC STAFF: Gregory K. Jones, Head of Staff Anne R. Ledbetter, Associate Pastor Jill Getty, Pastoral Care Assistant Susan Moseley Debbie Brown Paul Fleckenstein, Organist/Director of Music Mary Beth Davis, Director of Music for Children, Youth and Handbells Section Leaders/Soloists: Diana Milburn, Susan Rheingans, Justin Gonzalez, Raymond Sambolin 1502 West 13 th Street Wilmington, DE

2 This Morning at Westminster 8:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. The Holy Toast Café, in Community Hall, offers free coffee and fellowship. Breakfast items are available for one dollar per item. Deacon Team of the Month Emily Crawford, Melissa Stabler, Jack Coleman 8:45 a.m. noon Child Care for Cribbery (birth toddler) 9:00 9:55 a.m. Worship After TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN, if you wish, your children may leave the Sanctuary and go to: Godly Care A unique opportunity for children ages 2-4 to get to know God through stories, crafts, songs and prayers. Classes are in Under Six Classrooms A and C. Godly Play Children in Kindergarten and 1 st grade gather in the Ruth Christie Room to learn the language of God s people through sacred space, stories, parables and liturgical actions. You may pick up your children in Under Six Classroom C. Hebrew Scouts Children in grades 2 and 3 will become Hebrew Scouts, experiencing the stories of the Israelite people. You may pick up your children in Under Six Classroom C. Treasure Seekers Children in grades 4 and 5 will begin with the story of Jesus baptism and continue with stories of Jesus ministry of teaching and healing. You may pick up your children in Under Six Classroom C. 10:10 a.m. Education for All Ages Under Six Sunday School Under Six Classrooms Sunshine Choir for Grades K 2 Classroom 7 D.R.U.M. for Grades 3 6 Youth Music Room Middle Schoolers on the Move - Grades 6-8 Classroom 1 Confirmation Class for 9 th Graders Classroom 8 Senior High Gathering Classroom 3 Adult Education Classes See page 7 11:00 a.m. Cast Rehearsal for Children s Musical Grace Hall 11:15 a.m. - noon Worship. Children are always welcome in worship; however, childcare is available in Under Six for ages 2 through Grade 2. Later Today 12:00 p.m. Congregational Lunch Meeting Room 2:45 p.m. 180 Youth Offsite Location 6:00 p.m. Clean But Not Straight NA Club Room 8:00 p.m. AA Club Room 2

3 WORSHIP NOTES The flowers in the Sanctuary today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of our parents from Kathy and Andy Bodenstab. The Lord s Supper is celebrated the first Sunday of each month at both services. 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. Worship Resources You may obtain large print hymnals and hearing devices from any usher. Worship bags for children ages 3-6 include a children s bulletin designed for that age. Also, children s bulletins for ages 7-12 are available from the ushers. Food Collection. Each Sunday in February is food collection Sunday. CONGREGATIONAL CARE AND PRAYER Please remember in your prayers: Those recently hospitalized: Grace Austin, Erik Bryde, William Calkins, Ruth Taylor. 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 Virginia Mentzer of Gilpin Hall #309, 1101 Gilpin Avenue, Wilmington, DE and Irmadel Ward, c/o Maureen Moffatt, San Gabriel Way, Valley Center, CA Our brothers and sisters in worldwide ministry in Guatemala, Kenya, Congo and Israel/Palestine. Iraq and Afghanistan often seem far away, and we may neglect to realize that Americans, as well as Iraqis, 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 serving in Afghanistan: Richard Barnet, Edward Maloney, Ann Exline Starr. The families of those from the U.S. who have died recently: Master Sergeant Travis Riddick, age 40, of Centerville, Iowa Corporal Kevin Reinhard, age 25, of Woodbridge, New Jersey Captain Daniel Bartle, age 27, of Ferndale, Washington Corporal Jesse Stites, age 23, of North Beach, Maryland Captain Nathan McHone, age 29, of Crystal Lake, Illinois Corporal Joseph Logan, age 22, of Willis, Texas Corporal Christopher Singer, age 23, of Temecula, California Captain Joshua Pairsh, age 29, of Equality, Illinois 1st Lieutenant David Johnson, age 24, of Horicon, Wisconsin 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 AT 9:00 A.M. PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP May the strength of God pilot us. May the power of God preserve us. May the wisdom of God instruct us. May the hand of God protect us. May the way of God direct us. May the shield of God defend us. May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world. May Christ be with us, Christ before us, Christ in us, Christ over us. May your salvation, O Lord, be always ours this day and forevermore. Amen. (Patrick of Ireland) WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS *PASSING OF THE PEACE ORGAN PRELUDE Voluntary in F major Samuel Sebastian Wesley Margaret Love, guest organist ( ) CALL TO WORSHIP God is the stronghold of our lives; of whom shall we be afraid? Let us trust in the One who strengthens us in times of trial; and is the foundation of life and hope. *HYMN NO. 139 Come, Thou Almighty King ITALIAN HYMN CALL TO CONFESSION We are tempted to trust many Gods other than the one true God. Let us confess our need for clarity of vision and strength of will. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of mercy, we confess that we are attracted to false gods who lure us from you. The god of easy answers tempts us to reject the cost of discipleship, and embrace only its joy. The god of busy schedules invites us to delay doing your will until some other day. The god of comfortable friendships calls us to love those who love us, rather than building community among diverse peoples. Forgive us for being drawn toward misleading idols that vie for our attention. Give us strength to resist the temptations that assail us so that we may serve you faithfully in thought, word and deed. At the asterisk (*), please stand as you are able. 4

5 ANTHEM Wash Me Throughly S. S. Wesley Westminster Choir Wash thoroughly from my wickedness, and forgive me all my sin. For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me. - Psalm 51:2-3 ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN TELLING OF THE SCRIPTURE STORY Mark 1:9-15 Carol Shortlidge and Cathy Glober, storytellers Westminster By Heart *HYMN NO. 81 Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days ST. FLAVIAN SERMON Tempted Greg Jones Take a moment to reflect on God s message to you OFFERTORY During the offering, 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 worshippers on your pew. OFFERTORY ANTHEM Jesus, So Lowly Harold Friedell ( ) Jesus, so lowly, Child of the earth: Christen me wholly, Bring me new birth. Jesus, so lonely, weary and sad; Teach me that only Love maketh glad. Jesus, so broken, Silent and pale; Be this the token Love will not fail. Jesus, victorious, mighty and free; Teach me how glorious death is to be. *CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (Hymn No. 591) 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 Anne Gunn LORD S PRAYER (page 16 in The Presbyterian Hymnal, using debts and debtors ) 5

6 *HYMN NO. 171 The King of Love My Shepherd Is ST. COLUMBA Verses 1-4 BENEDICTION ORGAN POSTLUDE Hymn Improvisation: Cwm Rhondda Paul Manz (Tune: Hymn #281) ( ) GOING FORTH If you are visiting with us for the first time, we invite you to meet today s ambassador, Charlene Weaver, at the back of the sanctuary. She will have a gift for you, and can share information regarding our many ministries for children, youth and adults. 6

7 Adult Education Classes This Morning What is Unique in Luke? Today through March 25 in Classroom 6 Led by Greg Jones Many of the passages we find in the gospels appear in more than one gospel. In fact, 90% of the Gospel of Mark appears in Matthew and Luke. Yet, some of the great passages that Christians have cherished throughout the centuries would never have been known if it were not for the Gospel of Luke. For five Sundays, we will study some of the rich passages that make the Gospel of Luke essential to our faith. Faith Questions Today in the Meeting Room Led by Pam Bailey Sometimes we have questions about our faith and how it applies to our lives as Christians. Come to this roundtable discussion to think and talk about this question: What Does It Mean to Say Humans Are Created in the Image of God? The discussion based on the book Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers by Donald McKim, Academic and Reference Editor for Westminster John Knox Press. McKim references Scripture to support his answers. You might be surprised how our shared ideas and his answers support our faith. POLO (Parents of Little Ones) Sundays, in Rodney Chapel The POLO group will be taking a closer look at the person and ministry of Jesus. Using a DVD program entitled Saving Jesus, the group will have the opportunity to explore contemporary, religious questions and articulate the significance of Jesus Christ for the third millennium. The program will be interspersed with breaks featuring Yvonne Nass on the first Sundays of the month, the Lent Event on April 1, and Easter on April 8. Susan Moseley will facilitate the group discussions, and the class is open to all. 7

8 ORDER OF WORSHIP AT 11:15 A.M. Preparation for Worship May the strength of God pilot us. May the power of God preserve us. May the wisdom of God instruct us. May the hand of God protect us. May the way of God direct us. May the shield of God defend us. May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world. May Christ be with us, Christ before us, Christ in us, Christ over us. May your salvation, O Lord, be always ours this day and forevermore. Amen. (Patrick of Ireland) Welcome and Announcements *Passing of the Peace Opening Words *Hymn No. 81 Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days ST. FLAVIAN Call to Confession We are tempted to trust many Gods other than the one true God. Let us confess our need for clarity of vision and strength of will. Prayer of Confession God of mercy, we confess that we are attracted to false gods who lure us from you. The god of easy answers tempts us to reject the cost of discipleship, and embrace only its joy. The god of busy schedules invites us to delay doing your will until some other day. The god of comfortable friendships calls us to love those who love us, rather than building community among diverse peoples. Forgive us for being drawn toward misleading idols that vie for our attention. Give us strength to resist the temptations that assail us so that we may serve you faithfully in thought, word and deed. Response Create in Me A Clean Heart Music and words: Anonymous 8

9 Assurance of Forgiveness Anthem Take Time in Life Drum Ensemble Children s Time Telling of the Scripture Story Mark 1:9-15 Carol Shortlidge and Cathy Glober, storytellers Westminster By Heart Sermon Tempted Greg Jones Take a moment to reflect on God s message to you Response Jesus, Tempted in the Desert 9

10 Offering During the offering, 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 worshippers on your pew. Offertory Anthem I Love the Lord, Who Heard My Cry African-American Spiritual Vocal Ensemble Prayers of the People Lord s Prayer (page 16 in The Presbyterian Hymnal, using debts and debtors ) *Closing Song Our Lord, You Were Sent FOUNDATION 1. Our Lord, you were sent to a place wild and vast To ponder your mission, to pray and to fast; Then hungry and weary, you faced night and day The subtle temptations to turn from God's way. 2. How could it be wrong to want bread on the shelf? To seek, in one's serving, to first serve one's self? But by God's own word you remained ever sure: It's only in God that our lives are secure. 3. How could it be wrong to step out and to dare, To prove with great drama the depths of God's care? But you knew God's word, true since all time began: It's wrong to expect God to work by our plan. 4. How could it be wrong to just once bow the knee, To shake hands with sin to achieve victory? Yet you made it clear that no matter the cost: Your path was obedience, your way was the cross. *Benediction and Response (see next page) Text: Copyright 2000 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. Used with permission 10

11 *Benediction *Response Words: Herman G. Stuempfle Jr GIA Publications Used with permission: Onelicense.net #A Music: Thomas J. Williams Tune: Ebenezer 11

12 Family Promise of Northern New Castle County provides shelter to homeless children and families in our area through a network of congregations. As a dedicated host congregation, Westminster hosts homeless families in our church building four or more weeks a year, staffed by caring volunteers. If you would like to be a Family Promise volunteer, please contact Mary Lou McDowell ( or MaryMcDowell5@aol.com). 12