Ash Wednesday March 5, 2014 6:00 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church www.wpc.org
A JOURNEY TO EASTER Preparing for the Journey Organ Prelude Idylle mélancolique Louis Vierne Invitation to Lenten Journey Call to Worship *Hymn #166 Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days ST. FLAVIAN Corporate Confession of Sin The Journey Begins: Confession and Ashes Have mercy on us according to your loving kindness. Breathe new life into us once more, so we might be the people you created us to be. Restore to us the joy of your salvation that we might do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. Silent Confession of Sin Let the people say Amen. Hymn #433 Sign Us with Ashes PHOENIX Verses: Ensemble Refrain: All Imposition of Ashes Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us Arr. Linda R. Lamb Reverberations Handbell Choir Daniel Hunsicker, clarinet Just As I Am, Without One Plea Vocal Ensemble William B. Bradbury Assurance of Pardon Friends, the promises of God are true: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, That we might be dead to sin and alive to all that is good. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Let us live now as new people, free to love God and neighbor. 2
The Journey Continues: Word and Sacrament The Word Matthew 6:1 6, 16 21 Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Reflection on the Word The congregation is invited to reflect on the passage above. What does it say about God? What does it say about Jesus? What does it say about us? Where is our treasure? Where is our heart? Music during Reflection Meditation Charles Callahan Response Choose this day whom you will serve; We will choose the living God. The road is narrow that leads to life; We will walk the way of Christ. Faith is not our holding on; Faith is letting go. We offer more than words, O God; We offer you our lives. Amen. 3
Sacrament of the Lord s Supper Invitation Great Prayer of Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is truly right who forever sing the glory of your name: Hymn #552 Holy, Holy, Holy Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest. You are holy, O God of majesty Great is the mystery of faith: Hymn #553 Christ Has Died; Christ Is Risen Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Gracious God, pour out Through Christ, all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit in the holy church, now and forever. Amen. The Lord s Prayer (page 35 in our Glory to God hymnal, using debts and debtors ) Words of Institution Sharing of Bread and Cup As you come forward to receive bread and cup, please bring your bulletin with you. As you approach the baptismal font, you are invited to dip your hand in the font as a reminder that we have been claimed by God in our baptism. Continue your journey to receive bread and cup, dipping the bread in the cup before eating. 4
Music during Communion (Handbell Choir) In the Cross of Christ I Glory Arr. Cathy Moklebust (Vocal Ensemble) Ave Verum Corpus Camille Saint Saëns Ave verum corpus, natum de Maria Virgine: Vere passum, immolatum in cruce pro homine: Cujus latus perforatum, unda fluxit cum sanguine: Esto nobis praegustatum in mortis examine. Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary, Who has truly suffered, was sacrificed on the cross for mortals, Whose side was pierced, whence flowed water and blood: Be for us a foretaste (of heaven) during our final examining. Prayer following Communion God of compassion, through your Son Jesus Christ you reconciled your people to yourself. Following his example of prayer and fasting, may we obey you with willing hearts and serve one another in holy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Journey Continues: Into the World *Hymn #836 Abide With Me Abide with me: fast falls the eventide. The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide! When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O, abide with me. I need thy presence every passing hour; what but thy grace can foil the tempter s power? Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me. Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes; shine through the gloom and point me to the skies. Heaven s morning breaks, and earth s vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. 5
Benediction Marked by a cross, cherished and forgiven We are travelling home. Called to be holy, called to be happy We are travelling home. Across deserts, over mountains We are travelling home. God in our hearts, God in our lives We are travelling home. Choral Postlude You are invited to remain in the sanctuary for prayer, if you desire, at the close of the service. As you leave the sanctuary, please go in silence. Following this Service of Worship you are invited to continue the journey by joining us in Community Hall for a soup supper. About the cover & Reflection: Road Trip by Stephen Stahlberg. Used with special permission from the artist. The first line of M. Scott Peck s famous book The Road Less Traveled reads, Life is difficult. Truer words were never spoken. In this journey of life, we will experience abundance and we will experience pain. But Jesus says: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33 NIV). As we journey down this path, we are faced with so many painful things that can spill over our path. But in prayer, we are reminded that we do not take this path alone. Lord Jesus, forgive me for not following you faithfully. Strengthen me for this cross bound journey. Amen. Chip Hardwick, Cross bound 6
WESTMINSTER STAFF PASTORAL STAFF: CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR: CHURCH EDUCATOR: MUSIC LEADERS: PRESCHOOL MINISTRY: YOUTH MINISTRY TEAM: SUPPORT STAFF: Gregory K. Jones, Head of Staff Randall T. Clayton, Interim Associate Pastor Jill Getty, Pastoral Care Assistant Debbie Brown Susan Moseley Paul Fleckenstein, Organist/Director of Music Mary Beth Davis, Director of Music for Children, Youth and Handbells and Living Mosaics Worship Coordinator Sandie Reinicker, Director of Sunshine Choir Section Leaders/Soloists: Diana Milburn, Sharon Babcock, Justin Gonzalez, Jerry Polman Robin Rosser, Director Beatrice Taylor, Childcare Provider Susan Sprague, Childcare Provider Mary Beth Davis, Susan Moseley, Mike Gnade, and Drew McPheeters Susan Alexander, Receptionist Colleen Falasco, Operations Assistant Nicole Hughes, Director of Communication and Database Management Jerry Hunter, Financial Assistant Suzie Hurlock, Administrative Secretary Jerry Reed, Facilities Manager Sextons: Roger W. Atkins, Terrence Clarke, Robert King, Joan Truitt Lenten Education Opportunities Bible Study: Jonah and Ruth Tuesday mornings, 9:30 11:00 a.m., March 11 April 29 Classroom 5 Join the Bible Study on Jonah and Ruth beginning Tuesday, March 11. Cost is $10 payable at the first session. The Horizons Bible Study "Above and Beyond: Hearing God's Call in Jonah and Ruth" moves us beyond first impressions of these biblical characters. Jonah and Ruth teach that God's steadfast love goes above and beyond anything we can imagine. Interested? Contact Anne Gunn at 302-547-3784 or anne_gunn@live.com. A Lenten Study with Susan Moseley and Janet Steinwedel Tuesday evenings, 6:30 8:00 p.m., March 4 April 8 Ruth Christie Room "First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom of God" is a DVD study featuring John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg. Why did Jesus happen when he happened? Why the confluence of the Baptism movement of John and the Kingdom movement of Jesus? Why the tiny villages around the Lake? Why the confrontations in Jerusalem? Why then? Why there? Join us in the Ruth Christie Room as we study, grow, and pray together, in preparation for the mystery of Easter. For questions or to sign up, contact Susan Moseley (smoseley@wpc.org). 7
[ÉÄç jxx~ tà jxáàå ÇáàxÜ April 13 Palm/Passion Sunday Worship 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. April 17 Maundy Thursday Worship with communion 7:30 p.m. April 20 Easter Sunday 8:00 10:50 a.m. Easter breakfast in Community Hall 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Festive worship services and music to celebrate the Resurrection 10:15 a.m. Easter egg hunt 8