WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Inviting All, Exploring Faith, Experiencing God 2155 University Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001 (563) 583-1729 http://wpcdbq.org JUNE 24, 2018 Take a hard look at Jesus. He s the centerpiece of everything we believe. (Hebrews 3:1 The Message) 9:30 A.M. "NOW is the time! Here comes God's kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!" -- the first words spoken by Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. 1
TO OUR GUESTS: WELCOME! Thanks for joining us for worship. More information about Westminster Presbyterian Church is available on the Welcome Table in the back of the Sanctuary. We encourage you to fill out the Friendship Binder found in your pew and please join us for refreshments and conversation in the Narthex after the service. If you would like to become a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, please see Pastor Murry. Large print bulletins are available from the ushers. Childcare for children 5 and under is provided in the Nursery down the hall from the Sanctuary. * All who are able may stand. Prelude Luke Tyler, Pianist Words of Greeting Ruth 2:4 Leader: The Lord be with you! People: And also with you! Welcome and Announcements *Greeting Our Neighbors *Introit " Gather Us In" Here in this place the new light is streaming, now is the darkness vanished away; see in this space our fears and our dreamings, brought here to you in the light of this day. Gather us in the lost and forsaken; gather us in, the blind and the lame; call to us now, and we shall awaken; we shall arise at the sound of our name. *Call to Worship (based on Mark 2:23-3:6) Avery Tabraham Leader: You were not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for you. People: We choose to gather on this Sabbath to worship, to pray and to share with one another. Leader: Jesus asked, "Is it legal on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" People: We choose compassion and justice and healing. In this Sabbath time together we choose life. Leader: Let us worship God. *Hymn #281 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" *Invitation to Confession Avery Tabraham 2
*Unison Prayer of Confession God of freedom, have mercy on us. We enjoy idle pleasures and pursue lives of leisure while others stoop to serve us and struggle to support themselves. We enact laws and regulations that benefit the wealthy at the expense of basic needs -- healthcare and daily bread. Forgive us. Set us free to serve you and to seek a world where everyone has enough, and no one lives in fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Moment of silence for personal reflection) *Assurance of God's Forgiveness *Response #276 "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Children s Message "Radical Raddish" Anthem In Christ Alone" Luke Tyler, Pianist arr. by Marilynn Ham Sermon: "Irreverent Jesus?" 1. Conflict stories spark a deadly alliance 2. Today's Scripture: Mark 2:23-3:6 3. God invents the weekend 4. Even the best traditions fossilize 5. There's never a bad time to do good Scripture: Mark 2:23-3:6 (CEB) 23 Jesus went through the wheat fields on the Sabbath. As the disciples made their way, they were picking the heads of wheat. 24 The Pharisees said to Jesus, Look! Why are they breaking the Sabbath law? 25 He said to them, Haven t you ever read what David did when he was in need, when he and those with him were hungry? 26 During the time when Abiathar was high priest, David went into God s house and ate the bread of the presence, which only the priests were allowed to eat. He also gave bread to those who were with him. 27 Then he said, The Sabbath was created for humans; humans weren t created for the Sabbath. 28 This is why the Human One is Lord even over the Sabbath. 3 Jesus returned to the synagogue. A man with a withered hand was there. 2 Wanting to bring charges against Jesus, they were watching Jesus closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 3 He said to the man with the withered hand, Step up where 3
people can see you. 4 Then he said to them, Is it legal on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? But they said nothing. 5 Looking around at them with anger, deeply grieved at their unyielding hearts, he said to the man, Stretch out your hand. So he did, and his hand was made healthy. 6 At that, the Pharisees got together with the supporters of Herod to plan how to destroy Jesus. Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. *Hymn #415 "Come, Labor On" *Affirmation of Faith (from "A Brief Statement of Faith") We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. Pastoral Prayer 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. Invitation to Giving ALL encouraged to pass the friendship pad in your pew and to register your attendance. First-time visitors providing contact information receive a valuable free gift! Offertory Luke Tyler, Pianist 4
*Song of Thanksgiving #339 vs. 2 Be Thou My Vision Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always; Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, Great God of heaven, my treasure Thou art. *Prayer of Thanksgiving *Hymn #423 (all 5 verses) "Jesus Shall Reign" *Blessing *Response Tune: Amazing Grace Depart in peace to do God's will; walk ever in the light, for Christ is with you evermore, to guide you day and night. *Postlude Luke Tyler, Pianist ANNOUNCEMENTS FIFTEEN MINUTES after worship, Westminster's Summer Book Study continues in Fellowship Hall. Today, Chapter 3 of Convictions by Marcus Borg: "God Is Real and Is a Mystery." ALL are welcome. WESTMINSTER'S "The Spirit Is Moving!" Capital Campaign has raised $133,656 for Sanctuary improvements. THANK YOU for your commitment to Westminster's present and future. The purpose of the improvements is to continue to make our worship space more accessible for current members and friends and more inviting for future first-time worship visitors. Gifts to the fund are still welcomed. Please use the special "Spirit" offering envelopes available in the back of the Sanctuary or note on your check "Capital Campaign." Have you noticed? The first "improvement" to be completed was purchase and installation of new brighter, more energy-efficient LED bulbs for the existing fixtures in the ceiling under the choir loft at the back of the Sanctuary ($700). 5
ALREADY 74 lbs. of leafy green vegetables (Swiss chard, kale and pak choi) have been harvested from Westminster's Mission Garden and distributed via area food pantries. "The Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east and put there the human he had formed." -- Genesis 2:8 Green Team Tip Go Green in `18! Individually wrapped packaging Avoid buying individually wrapped products. Individual drink bottles, snacks, fruit cups, health care products, etc create extra waste that ends up in our landfill. Limit this by buying products in large or bulk quantities. Take the time to put the product in to reusable containers like bottles, plastic containers, and baggies. WESTMINSTER LIFE AND MINISTRY: JUNE 24, 2018 Church Office Number: 583-1729 Rev. : 563-580-4196 Rev., Teaching Elder Financial Secretary: Becky Jenkins Faith Formation Leader for Youth: Lisa Fast Care Ministry Coordinator: Glinda Manternach Adult Choir: Billy Richardson Band/Youth & Adult Handbells: Sally Stulken Refreshments & Bldg Care: Robin Beadle Greeters: Russ & Leona Hibben Barb & Gary Scoggin Church Administrator: Mary Kay Pancratz Custodian: Tim Till Nursery: Emily, Megan, & Scarlett Organist/Pianist/Music Coord: Dr. Luke Tyler Youth Choir: Lizz Tyler Timbrel & Lyre: Dr. Luke Tyler Head Usher: Pam Adams Ushers: Jon Davison, Julie Woodyard John & Pam Adams PRAYER REQUESTS: For the family of Bill Olson, who died on June 7. Bill was a long-time member of Westminster who loved singing in the choir. Visitation is on Wed., June 27th from 5-7 p.m. at Egelhof Siegert Casper Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to Bill's daughter, Sue Becker, 3096 Hales Mill Rd., 52001-3175 If you would like to have your name on our Prayer Request list, please advise the church office (583-1729) or the Pastor. COMMUNITY EVENTS: See flyers in Narthex for more information POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS - Tues., July 10th-August 14th 2:00-3:00 p.m. HOSPICE OF DUBUQUE - is sponsoring a six-week bereavement support group on Mon. evenings from 6-8 p.m. beginning July 16 thru August 20th. THE CANTICLE OF CREATION CENTER, (Mt. St. Francis) invites you to participate in SUMMER IN THE PRAIRIE on Sat., July 21 from 9 a,m. - 11:30 a.m. 6
Gather with us on July 8, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. and discover God s creation at Backbone State Park Kayak, Canoe, Paddle boat, Swim, Hike or just relax and enjoy the outdoors. Additional Information and a Signup sheet is in the Narthex Kayak, canoe, paddleboats - $10 for ½ hr or $15 for one hour Bring your own lunch: water and other beverages will be provided. Questions? Contact Deb Seiffert: debseiffert@gmail.com or Lisa Meester: lisam@mediacombb.net 7
THIS WEEK AT WESTMINSTER: JUNE 24TH THRU JULY 1ST Sunday, June 24 8:00 a.m. Timbrel & Lyre Rehearsal, SA 8:40 a.m. Coffee Fellowship, FH 9:30 a.m. Worship, Rev. Murry Preaching 9:30 a.m. Mandarin Worship, BR 10:45 a.m. Convictions, FH Monday, June 25 5:30 pm. VBS, FH,K,SA,BR,Nursery 4:00 p.m. Sanctuary Task Force, WR Tuesday, June 26 5:30 p.m. VBS, FH,K,SA,BR,Nursery 6:15 p.m. PNC Meeting, CR 7:00 p.m. Friends Group, Library Wednesday, June 27 5:30 p.m. VBS, FH,K,SA,BR,Nursery Thursday, June 28 5:30 p.m. VBS, FH,K,SA,BR,Nursery 6:00 p.m. Session Mtg., WR Friday, June 29 10:00 a.m. Osuch Visitation, SA 11:30 a.m. Osuch Memorial Service, SA 12:15 p.m. Military Rites 12:45 p.m. Osuch Luncheon, FH,K Saturday, June 30 12:30 p.m. Blinks 50th Anniversary, FH, K Sunday, July 1 8:40 a.m. Coffee Fellowship, FH 9:30 a.m. Worship, Rev. Murry Preaching 10:45 a.m. Convictions, SA Youth Group will make $4.00 off each book they sell. FROM YOUR WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN FOUNDATION: Is God's will for Westminster Presbyterian Church remembered in your will? Buy in the office or before or after worship at the Hospitality Counter 8