WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Inviting All, Exploring Faith, Experiencing God 2155 University Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001 (563) 583-1729 http://wpcdbq.org AUGUST 28, 2016 Take a hard look at Jesus. He s the centerpiece of everything we believe. (Hebrews 3:1 The Message) 9:30 A.M. "And what about you? Who do you say that I am?" (Mark 8:29) 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 coffee and conversation in the Narthex after the service. Periodically, Pastor Murry hosts "Welcome to Westminster" orientation meetings for anyone who would like to know more about Westminster or is considering the possibility of church membership. Watch the bulletin for announcements. 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. Children s activities, books and crayons are on the small table in the back of the sanctuary. * All who wish may stand. Gathering Song #2022 "Great is the Lord" Timbrel & Lyre Words of Greeting Ruth 2:4 Hal Murry Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Welcome and Announcements *Greeting Our Neighbors *Call to Worship (Psalm 85:7-9) Sue Dravis Leader: Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. People: The Lord will speak peace to the faithful, to those who turn to God in their hearts. Leader: God's salvation is very close to those who honor him, People: So that God's glory can live in our land. *Hymn - insert Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" *Invitation to Confession Sue Dravis *Unison Prayer of Confession Ever-faithful God, how often we turn away from you, yet you remain constant to us. We run from you, but you call us back. In our words and our deeds we dishonor you, yet you still profess your love for us. We cut ourselves off from you and from others, 2
but you will not let us go. Forgive our faithless and fickle ways and increase our gratitude, that we might grow in faithfulness to you, for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. (Moment of silence for personal reflection.) *Assurance of God's Forgiveness Hal Murry Children s Message "YOU'RE the Star!" Hal Murry Anthem "Worn" Timbrel & Lyre by 10th Avenue North Sermon: "It's Personal" 1. Who is Hosea? 2. A history of bad choices 3. Still waiting and still hoping... Today's Scripture: Portions of Hosea 1-3 (Translations used: New Revised Standard; Today's New International Version; Common English Bible, The Message by Eugene Peterson) When the Lord first spoke to Hosea, the Lord said to him, "Go, marry a prostitute and have children with her, for the people of this land have committed great prostitution by deserting the Lord." So Hosea went and took Gomer, Diblaim's daughter, and she became pregnant and bore him a son. The Lord said to him, "Name him Jezreel; for in a little while I will make the people of Israel pay for the massacre that occurred at Jezreel. On that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Jezreel Valley" Gomer became pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the Lord said to Hosea, "Name her No Compassion, because I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel or forgive them; I will not save them by bow, or by sword, or by war, or by horses, or by horsemen. When Gomer finished nursing No Compassion, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. Then the Lord said, "Name him Not My People because you are not my people, and I am not your God." The Lord said, "The mother of these children has been unfaithful. She has conceived them in disgrace." Gomer said, "I will seek out my lovers; they will give me bread and water, wool and linen cloth, oil and drink." 3
The Lord said, she will go after her lovers, but she won't catch up with them; she will seek them, but she won't find them. Then she will say, "I will return to my first husband, for I had it better then than now." She didn't know that I gave her the corn, the new wine, and the fresh oil, and that I gave her much silver, and gold. And they used it for Baal worship. Then the Lord said to me (Hosea), "Start all over: Love your wife again, your wife who's in bed with her latest boyfriend; your cheating wife. Love her the way that I, the Lord, love the people of Israel, even though they turn to other gods." So I bought Gomer back for fifteen pieces of silver, a large amount of barley, and a portion of wine. And I said to her, "From now on, you're staying with me. You won't act like a prostitute, no more sleeping around. Now you're living with me and I'm living with you." Similarly, in time, the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to the Lord's goodness in the latter days. The number of the people of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which can be neither measured nor numbered; and in the place where it was said to them, "You are not my people," it will be said to them, "You are children of the living God." Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. *Hymn - insert Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone" *Affirmation of Faith (from "A Brief Statement of Faith") Hal Murry We trust in God whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still. 4
Prayers of the People The Lord s Prayer Sung Repeat each stanza after Song Leaders Timbrel & Lyre Giving of Our Offerings Please use this time to pass the Friendship Binder found at the inside end of your pew. Offertory "Revelation Song" Timbrel & Lyre by Charlotte Richie *Doxology Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow Timbrel & Lyre arr. by Steve Peake *Prayer of Thanksgiving Hal Murry *Hymn #339 (vs. 1 & 2) "Be Thou My Vision" *Blessing Hal Murry *Response #339 (vs. 3) "Be Thou My Vision" ANNOUNCEMENTS CHANCEL FLOWERS today are donated by Jim and Sue Huff in "Celebration of Family". TODAY, AFTER WORSHIP, take a leisurely walk through the building during "Open House." Pick up an Info sheet to learn fun facts about each room -- improvements made and ministries conducted there. Finish, with a treat in Fellowship Hall, where you can 5
learn more about the Property Committee's vision for long-range maintenance and facility improvements. NEXT SUNDAY join the Rev. Lindsay James in Fellowship Hall to hear a report on this summer's General Assembly (the meeting of our denomination's national governing body). Lindsay served as one of just two delegates to the meeting from this region. She'll share experiences, insights and welcome your questions. PRINTED COPIES of Hal Murry's "State of Westminster" presentation are available in the Narthex. The report has also been posted at www.wpcdbq.org THE HARVEST from Westminster's Mission Garden now TOTALS lbs. (fill in the blank!). All produce is given away for the battle against food insecurity in our community. BOB & GRACIA SCHMIDT have sold their house in Dubuque and will become permanent Florida residents as of August 30th. They came here in 1969. Their address is: 677 Vintage Reserve Circle #D Naples, FL 34119 Bob & Gracia, we will miss you! WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rev. Hal Murry, Teaching Elder Missional Community Dev: Rev. Lindsay James Church Administrator: Mary Kay Pancratz Financial Secretary: Becky Jenkins Custodian: Tim Till Faith Formation Leader for Youth: Lisa Fast Nursery: Amy Ehlers/Scarlett Adams Sr.Ministry Coordinator: Glinda Manternach Adult Choir/Adult Handbells: Pam Crawford Youth Choir: Lizz Tyler Band/Youth Handbells: Sally Stulken Timbrel & Lyre: Dr. Luke Tyler Organist/Pianist: Dr. Luke Tyler Sunday Custodian: Scott Heicken Head Usher: Pam Adams Greeters: Elaine & Arden Woodrum Ushers: Jessica & Evan Stark Dennis & Sue Williams John & Pam Adams WESTMINSTER LIFE AND MINISTRY: AUGUST 28, 2016 Church Office Number: 583-1729 Rev. Hal Murry: 563-580-4196 PRAYER REQUESTS: For Leon Beebe recovering from surgery. If you would like to have your name on our Prayer Request list, please advise the church office (583-1729) or the Pastor. 6
COMMUNITY EVENTS See flyers in the Narthex for more information. OUR HEARTS, prayers and thoughts go out to the people of Baton Rouge and communities in the Gulf region in the wake of catastrophic flooding and loss of life. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has deployed its National Response Team at the invitation of local presbyteries. The team will be working with Presbyterian congregations and other response organizations in the affected area to support emergency response, assessment, spiritual care and short and long term recovery. If you would like to support relief efforts through the church, please write "Flood Relief" on your check or pew envelope. Place in the offering plate or mail to: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2155 University Ave., Dubuque, IA, 52001 Attn: Becky CWU Human Rights Celebration Friday, September 9 Summit Congregational UCC at 2885 JFK Road- accessible 9:30 am Gathering/coffee; 10:00 am Celebration- Worship & Program Theme: Experiencing Blessings at the Table Program: Blessings of HOPE in our Community Circles Initiative of Dubuque Speaker: Susan Taylor Beverage tabs accepted. All welcome! Ecumenical event. Questions: 563-556-1394 - Sue Hattel 5TH ANNUAL ECUMENICAL GARAGE & BAKE SALE - Sat., Sept. 17th 8a.m.-4 p.m. at St. Raphael Cathedral Center to support Almost Home, a shelter for homeless men. Donations items will be taken on Friday, Sept. 16th 8 a.m.-5 p.m Our new junior workers in the Nursery: Maddie Fast and Grace Wu have been certified for babysitting thru Unity Point Health Finley Hospital. We are happy to have you help our Nursery workers: Amy, Emily & Scarlett. The kids will love playing with you! 7
THIS WEEK AT WESTMINSTER: AUGUST 28 THRU SEPTEMBER 5 Sunday, August 28 8:00 a.m. Timbrel & Lyre Rehearsal, SA 8:40 a.m. Coffee Fellowship, FH 9:30 a.m. Worship - Rev. Murry Preaching 10:45 a.m."open House" 4:00 p.m. Welcome Party, FH, K Monday, August 29 5:15 p.m. Youth Chorale, FH 7:00 p.m. Troop 11 Boy Scouts, FH Wednesday, August 31 2:00 p.m. Foundation Board, WR 5:00 p.m. Adult Handbells, LOFT 6:00 p.m. KICK OFF POTLUCK, FH 6:45 p.m. Adult Choir "Sight Sing" Sunday, September 4 8:40 a.m. Coffee Fellowship, FH 9:30 a.m. Worship - Rev. Murry Preaching 10:45 a.m."general Assembly Report" by Rev. Lindsay James Monday, September 5 LABOR DAY OFFICE CLOSED Did you know...scrip can be used for your groceries? Buy in the office or before or after worship at the Hospitality Counter. It's no cost to you! FROM YOUR WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOUNDATION: Is God's will for Westminster Presbyterian Church remembered in your will? ADULT CHOIRS UPDATE: Yes!! WPC music groups resume regular practices September 7th... HOWEVER WE ALSO MEET AUGUST 31 for our social "kickoff" events!! Handbells will meet at 5:00 to CLEAN THE BELLS for the upcoming year. At 6:00 we (both handbells and chancel choir) will have our traditional "potluck" supper in Fellowship Hall--families welcome. After supper the chancel choir lingers on to sight sing a few new hymn arrangements. HOPE to see ALL our past members and any others interested in our church music programs! 8