WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Service for the Lord s Day Reformation Sunday Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 28, 2018 GATHERING (Silence during the Prelude is requested in preparation for worship.) PRELUDE arr. Sam Levine A Medley of Traditional Celtic Melodies and Hymns (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.) CHORAL INTROIT The Falconer Alfred Fedak Rise, my song, and stretch your wings, delight and need to trace. Rise for those the gospel brings to seek a singing place. This will be our singing day, word and tune will both be true. Song, soar up, but not away the falc ner waits for you. Rise, my song, and have no fear of soaring wide and high. Christ the falconer is near, wherever you may fly. See the human world below, showing scars and beauty too. In a closing circle go, the falc ner waits for you. Soar, my song, with wings wide fanned, delight and need to trace. Come to Christ s uplifted hand, and find a resting place. One day soaring song shall see everything made whole and new. Day of gladness, come to be! the falc ner waits for you.
*CALL TO WORSHIP Let us worship God! (Those who are able may stand.) Sing to the Lord a new song: sing to the Lord, all the earth. God has done great things for us; therefore we rejoice in the Lord. *PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Almighty Creator, maker of all things, the world could not express your glory, even were the grass and the trees to sing. You have made such a multitude of wonders that they cannot be equaled. No language can express them; no letters can contain them. Yet it is no hardship to praise the Holy Trinity; it is our delight to praise the Son of God. (From the Welsh Celtic tradition) *HYMN OF PRAISE 664 CALL TO CONFESSION Morning Has Broken BUNESSAN Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weaknesses, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. 2
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Eternal God, we confess that we have failed to seek your will. When the poor cry out for help, we often pass them by. When the weak reveal their strength, we want to silence their voices. Forgive us, God of grace. Save a place, even for us, at that great banquet of redemption when all will be made well; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Silent confession) 3
Kyrie (Sung responsively by the choir and congregation) James MacMillan ASSURANCE OF PARDON (The liturgist pours water, which reminds us of our baptism.) Believe the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! *The Peace 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 Celtic Alleluia O Carroll/Walker (The congregation sings with the choir.) The Word of the Lord lasts forever. What is the Word that is living? It is Jesus Christ, who is risen from the dead. 4
*CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH (Everyone is asked to sign the Friendship Register, which is located on the center aisle end of each pew.) PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE THE WORD Hear the Word of God! Our ears are open. Job 42:1-6 (Old Testament, page 488 in your pew Bible) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Anthem A Scottish Blessing David Blackwell Be a light before to lead me; Be a guiding star above; Jesu, may I always know thee, may I always know thy love. There is no bird that soars the mountain, there is no deer upon the hill, There is no creature of the forest, but shall sing thy praises, still. Be a kindly shepherd for me, keep me all my days; May I know thee, may I always sing thy praise. There is no life that swims the ocean; there is no creature of the sea; There is no fish within the river, but proclaims its praise for thee. As the day falls into evening, as the night is lit with stars, At the ending of life s journey may thy heav nly peace be ours. Let ev ry creature in God s kingdom, let ev ry life upon the shore Sing praise to God, the world s creator, sing praises now and evermore. Mark 10:46-52 (New Testament, page 47 in your pew Bible) SERMON Stuck in a rut? Donovan Drake (A moment for meditation) 5
*HYMN 450 Be Thou My Vision SLANE *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone we put our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. By whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and earth, 6
visible and invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by his inscrutable providence for such end as his eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice have appointed, and to the manifestation of his own glory. (The Scots Confession 1560) PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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. OFFERING THANKSGIVING Anthem A Celtic Song of Praise Joseph Martin Alleluia! Rejoice with glad music. Alleluia! Give thanks to the Lord. Alleluia! Rejoice evermore. Alleluia! Rejoice with glad singing. Alleluia! Make jubilant noise! Rejoice with dancing. Rejoice with singing. Give thanks and lift up your voice! Come, sing unto the Lord a great song of thanksgiving. Serve with gladness for all of your days. Come, bring unto the Lord, and give thanks with your living. We are a people of praise. We are a people of praise. O we are a people of jubilant praise. O sing the mighty pow r of God that made the mountains rise; That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies. O sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day. The moon shines full at God s command, and all the stars obey, and all the stars obey. Alleluia! Alleluia! Give all glory to God! Come, sing unto the Lord With a song of thanksgiving. Serve with gladness for all of your days. Come bring unto the Lord, and give thanks with your living. We are a people of praise. Alleluia! 7
*DOXOLOGY 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. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Blessed are you, O Child of the Dawn, for your light that dapples through creation on leaves that shimmer in the morning sun, and in showers of rain that wash the earth. Blessed are you for the human spirit, dappled with eternal light in its longings for love and birth and its pain-filled passions and tears. Blessed are you, O Christ, for you awaken us to life. Blessed are you for you stir us to true desire. *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 726 Will You Come and Follow Me KELVINGROVE [see page 9] *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE A Joyful Dance arr. Sam Levine (Hymn to Joy and Lord of the Dance) *(Those who are able may stand.) 8
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The flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Bernice Kephart Hinson Hampel by her family, Leesa Hinson, Hank Hulan, and Anna Hinson Hulan. The flowers in the Parlor are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Louise Thorpe by her father, John Thorpe. SERVICE NOTES WORSHIP LEADERS: Liturgists: Guy D. Griffith, Associate Pastor for Adult Education and Spiritual Nurture; (8:30 a.m.) Lay Liturgist: Mary Hande; (11:00 a.m.) Lay Liturgist: Rudy Kalis; Beadle/Acolyte: Colston Elder. MUSICIANS: David Angell, violin; Jerry Kimbrough, guitar; Sam Levine, whistles, flutes, arranger, contractor; Phyllis Sparks, Celtic harp; Jeff Taylor, accordion; Lalo Davila, percussion; Laudate Youth Choir; Westminster Choir; John W. Semingson, Director of Music Ministries; Polly Brecht, Organist. USHERS: (8:30 a.m.) Tom Wilson, Ferrell Wilson, Julie Wilson, Clay Parsons; (11:00 a.m.) George Crawford, Clay Crawford, Will Jackson, Fred Jackson, Sadie Jackson. Please contact an Usher should you need assistance at any time during the service. 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 our Greeters located in the Parlor after each service. The Greeters for today are (8:30 a.m.) Derek and Layne Bryant and (11:00 a.m.) Katherine Diehl. ASSISTIVE HEARING DEVICES AND LARGE-PRINT BULLETINS are available in the Narthex from ushers. Tune hearing devices to channel 4. If you would like to take a hearing device home with you, please contact Paul Webb in the church office at 615.292.5526. 10
MONTHLY FINANCIAL OPERATING SUMMARY: Each month during the year the Finance Committee places a summary in the bulletin, so that our members may be made more aware of the church s operating income and expenses. 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. If any members wish to have more information about the church s finances, please contact Paul Webb, Church Administrator, in the church office by email at pwebb@nashvillewpc.org or by phone at 615.292.5526. September 30, 2018 September Year to Date Income: $ 196,928 $ 2,239,848 Expense: 258,109 2,221,876 Net Income (loss): ($ 61,181) $ 17,972 Accrued Benevolences: 27,520 259,668 Net after Accrued Benevolences: ($ 88,701) ($ 241,696) 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. CHORAL EVENSONG FOR ALL SAINTS SERVICE OF LIGHT: Plan now to join us on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., for one of the most beautiful annual services of the church year at Westminster. The adult choir will premiere Linda Rice Beck s REQUIEM for choir and orchestra that includes strings, winds, percussion and piano. At All Saints Evensong, our sanctuary is draped in candlelight as we remember through prayer, praise and song, all those who have been so important in our lives. Please join us and bring a friend. It is a wonderful evening of great music for the soul! A reception will follow in the Parlor with the opportunity to meet and greet the composer. She will also offer a Sunday School class on the morning of November 4th where she will share about her process of composing the Requiem and give insights into its makeup and message. 11
PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE: Our hearts, prayers and thoughts go out to the people affected by the recent thrash of catastrophic hurricanes, fires and earthquakes. Presbyterians across the country and beyond came to us after our historic flood of 2010. Please help to support these people by: Giving: Share your financial blessings by giving online at pda.pcusa.org and scrolling down to Currently Responding. Gifts also can be made by leaving your check in the offering plate on Sundays or mailing it, payable to WPC to the church office. Please note Hurricane Relief in the memo section of your check. Acting: Stay informed: Subscribe to receive PDA Rapid Information Network emails to keep aware of current responses and urgent needs that you can share with your congregation, and like us on Facebook. Praying: Please pray for those who suffered loss of loved ones and for those who are working tirelessly to provide rescue, humanitarian aid, and spiritual and psychological support. SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK: Please note that the Second Harvest Food Bank grocery cart, used to collect food donations, is now a grocery drawer, located at the information desk at the Mayfair Road entrance. Donations of canned goods, crackers, power bars, cereals and other high-protein, non-perishable food items are needed for those who come to us for assistance. Please bring your heat and eat contributions and drop them off on your next trip to Westminster. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: The music used in the service this morning is copyrighted under Christian Copyright Licensing International, Inc., No. 11221525. Westminster Presbyterian Church Purpose Statement Ordinary people testifying to the extraordinary light found in our Lord Jesus Christ. For it is the God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7) Westminster Presbyterian Church 3900 West End Avenue Nashville, Tennessee 37205-1899 Phone: 615.292.5526 www.nashvillewpc.org 12