WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Service for the Lord s Day Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time November 18, 2018 The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days; O may your house be my abode, and all my work be praise. There would I find a settled rest, while others go and come; No more a stranger, or a guest, but like a child at home. Isaac Watts, 1719 GATHERING (Silence during the Prelude is requested in preparation for worship.) *PRELUDE Kremser Matthew H. Corl We Gather Together Cantate! Brian Childers *CALL TO WORSHIP Let us worship God! (Those who are able may stand.) Shout aloud and sing for joy, for great in our midst is the Holy One. O praise the Lord with me, Let us exalt God s name together. (Is. 12:6; Ps.34:3)
*PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. You, O God, are our dwelling-place from generation to generation, our shield from anguish and distress. You arm us as children of light with the hope of salvation, and you protect us by your love. Give us grace to build up and encourage one another, as we seek wisdom and abundant life in the strength of your Word and the assurance of your Spirit. Amen. (The Cross and Bible lead the procession, symbolic of the centrality in worship of Jesus Christ - the Living Word, and the Bible - the written Word.) *PROCESSIONAL HYMN 41 O Worship the King, All Glorious Above! LYONS 2
CALL TO CONFESSION The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, (Ps. 34:18) and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Let us confess our sins before God and one another. *PRAYER OF CONFESSION Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sinfulness, our shortcomings, and our offenses against you. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we are ashamed and sorry for all we have done to displease you. Forgive us our sins, and help us to live in your light, and walk in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (Silent confession) 3
Kyrie (Sung responsively by the choir and congregation) Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Hal H. Hopson ASSURANCE OF PARDON *The Peace (The liturgist pours water, which reminds us of our baptism.) Believe the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Since God in Christ has forgiven us, let us also forgive one another. The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. (Please exchange the peace with the words, The peace of Christ be with you. ) *ACT OF PRAISE (Singing together Hymn 581) *CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE 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. (Everyone is asked to sign the Friendship Register, which is located on the center aisle end of each pew.) THE WORD Hear the Word of God! Our ears are open. Mark 13:1-8 (New Testament, page 50 in your pew Bible) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! GLORIA PATRI 4
Psalm 16 (Singing together Hymn 810) ST. FLAVIAN Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25 (New Testament, pages 224-225 in your pew Bible) 5
SERMON Being provocative... Guy D. Griffith And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24) (A moment for meditation) *HYMN 213 In the Cross of Christ I Glory RATHBUN 6
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We believe Christ gives us and demands of us lives in pilgrimage toward God's kingdom. Like Christ we may enjoy on our journey all that sustains life and makes it pleasant and beautiful. No more than Christ are we spared the darkness, ambiguity, and threat of life in the world. We are in the world, but not of the world. Our confidence and hope for ourselves and other people do not rest in the powers and achievements of this world, but in the coming and hidden presence of God's kingdom. Christ calls each of us to a life appropriate to that kingdom: to serve as he has served us; to take up our cross, risking the consequences of faithful discipleship; to walk by faith, not by sight, to hope for what we have not seen. (From A Declaration of Faith) PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. OFFERING Anthem (8:30 a.m.) THANKSGIVING My Lord! What a Morning African-American Spiritual My Lord! what a morning; my Lord! what a morning; O my Lord! what a morning, when the stars begin to fall, when the stars begin to fall. You will hear the trumpet sound to wake the nations underground, looking to my God s right hand, when the stars begin to fall. My Lord! what a morning... You will hear the sinner cry, to wake the nations underground, looking to my God s right hand, when the stars begin to fall. My Lord! what a morning... You will hear the Christian shout to wake the nations underground, looking to my God s right hand, when the stars begin to fall. My Lord! what a morning... 7
Anthem (11:00 a.m.) Do Not Be Afraid Philip W.J. Stopford (This music is given to the Glory of God and in memory of Joan McCarthy by John Semingson and Keith Cole.) Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are mine, you are mine. When you walk through the waters, I ll be with you; you will never sink beneath the waves. When the fire is burning all around you, you will never be consumed by the flames. Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are mine, you are mine. When the fear of loneliness is looming, then remember I am at your side. When you dwell in the exile of a stranger, remember you are precious in my eyes. *DOXOLOGY Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are mine, you are mine. You are mine, O my child, I am your Father, and I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you with a perfect love, a perfect love. Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are mine, you are mine. LASST UNS ERFREUEN Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. O God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, we thank you that we may be together to hear your word of life and hope. We are all equal before you. You know our life in its deepest recesses. You have not forgotten us; you love us; and again and again you fill the empty hands, 8
which we stretch out towards you. Through the suffering and death of your Son Jesus Christ, you took our darkness and fear upon yourself in order that we might know light and joy. Amen. *THE LORD S PRAYER (Singing together) (Please refer to the inside back cover of your hymnal for the words and music for this hymn.) SENDING *HYMN 346 For the Healing of the Nations ST. THOMAS (WADE) (SEE page 10 for hymn) *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Nun danket alle Gott David N. Johnson Now Thank We All Our God *(Those who are able may stand.) The flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Gay G. McClanahan by her family. SERVICE NOTES WORSHIP LEADERS: Liturgist: T.J. Piccolo, Associate Director of Youth; (8:30 a.m.) Lay liturgist: Julie Wilson; (11:00 a.m.) Lay liturgist: Bob Hines. MUSICIANS: (8:30 a.m.) Laudate Choir; (11:00 a.m.) Westminster Choir; John W. Semingson, Director of Music Ministries; Polly Brecht, Organist. USHERS: Tintinnabulation; (8:30 a.m.) Brett Oeser, Henry Oeser, Sylvia Grant, David Wyatt; (11:00 a.m.) Jim Jenkins, Anne Jenkins, Kathryn Jenkins, Anne Claire Jenkins. Please contact an usher if you need assistance. ANNOUNCEMENTS WELCOME: Westminster Presbyterian Church welcomes you to share our common journey to become more faithful disciples of Christ. Our love and acceptance of each other affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, regardless of our differences, and bear witness to the love of God for all people and our commitment to Christ. Any who are interested in joining us in this journey are invited to speak with one of our greeters, who will be in the Parlor after each service. The greeters for today are (8:30 a.m.) Ginger Caldwell, and (11:00 a.m.) Anne Carr. 9
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ASSISTIVE HEARING DEVICES AND LARGE-PRINT BULLETINS are available from Ushers. Please tune hearing devices to channel 1. If you would like to take a hearing device home with you, please contact Paul Webb in the church office at 615.292.5526. THE RED ROSE IN THE CHANCEL this morning gives glory and thanksgiving to God for the birth of a son, Jackson Robert, born on October 30, 2018 to Megan and Donnie Schladt. MONTHLY FINANCIAL OPERATING SUMMARY: The Finance Committee provides a monthly financial operating summary in the bulletin. In the format shown below, net YTD income (loss), less the accrued benevolences to be paid each month, is shown to illustrate how these payments affect the church s bottom line. Please note that most of the church s benevolences are paid at the end of each fiscal year. For more information about the church s finances, please contact Paul Webb, Church Administrator, by email at pwebb@nashvillewpc.org or by phone at 615.292.5526. October 31, 2018 October Year to Date Income: $ 234,567 $ 2,474,415 Expense: 229,309 2,451,184 Net Income (loss): $ 5,258 $ 23,231 Accrued Benevolences: 22,520 282,188 Net after Accrued Benevolences: ($ 17,262) ($ 258,957) 2018 ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS GIFT MARKET: Please mark your calendars for the Alternative Christmas Gift Market to be held on Sunday, December 2 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. In addition, you may purchase items at a table in the Parlor during the Sunday School hour and after the 11:00 a.m. service on the remaining Sundays in Advent. Discover the joy of honoring someone who has enough by giving to someone in need! 2018 POINSETTIA MEMORIALS AND HONORARIA: Poinsettias will grace our Sanctuary once again for Christmas Eve worship services. If you would like to give a poinsettia in memory or honor of a friend or family member, please place your order via email to Terri Eckert at teckert@nashvillewpc.org, go online to www.nashvillewpc.org, or complete the form in the newsletter and mail it to the church office. The deadline for submitting names to be included in the Christmas Eve bulletins is Sunday, December 9, 2018. 11
SANCTUARY AND PARLOR FLOWERS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2019: If you would like to provide flowers for the Chancel urns in the Sanctuary or the refectory table in the Parlor during 2019, please contact Terri Eckert by email at teckert@nashvillewpc.org to select your Sunday. Please note that reservations for flowers do not carry over from year-to-year. Arranged by members of Westminster s talented Flower Guild, this is a wonderful way to celebrate your loved ones or honor those who have died. A SERVICE OF HOPE AND HEALING: While the Advent and Christmas season is full of joy and anticipation for many, for others the season can bring alienation and sadness. There are many among us who are dealing with the loss of someone dear to them. A special Christmas service of hope and healing will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2018, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The service will include a time for scripture, prayer and the lighting of candles. If you have experienced a loss in your life, then you, your loved ones, and friends are invited to join us in a service that will affirm our hope, acknowledge our pain, and seek to discover the Light that shines in the darkness. CENTERING PRAYER brings strength and power to many. This spiritual practice brings us into the mystery of God in silence, as we clear our minds and hearts and open them to listen and receive. Be still and know that I am God, says the Psalmist. Come and be still, 9:00 9:30 a.m., Wednesday or Thursday mornings in Room M-209. We gather in sacred space by candlelight and cross, in the presence of God and one another. The half hour begins with a brief passage of scripture or uplifting word from ancient and contemporary spiritual guides, followed by twenty minutes in silence, and concluding with a version of the Lord s Prayer. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: The music used in the service this morning is copyrighted under Christian Copyright Licensing International, Inc., No. 11221525. Westminster Presbyterian Church 3900 West End Avenue Nashville, Tennessee 37205-1899 615.292.5526 www.nashvillewpc.org 12