THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 7:21-29
THE EPISTLE LESSON Romans 1:16-17, 3:22-28
SERMON "Shame, Justification, and Grace"
Worship Notes
We now enter the season of Ordinary Time which is a season of the Christian liturgical calendar. The name corresponds to the Latin term Tempus per annum (literally "time through the year"). Ordinary Time comprises the two periods -- one following Epiphany, the other following Pentecost -- which do not fall under the "strong seasons" of Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter. The term Ordinary does not mean common or plain, but is derived from the term ordinal or "numbered." The weeks in ordinary time are numbered with today being the ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
We begin our summer series on Paul's letter to the churches in Rome. Our central text is taken from the first and third chapters of this letter in which Paul speaks of the universal human experience of shame, justification, and grace. We open our worship with a portion of the Psalm for the day - Psalm 46. Following our announcements, we will be recognizing and celebrating members who are "retiring" from some of the work they have been doing in the church over many years. We also recognize a graduating senior.
We celebrate communion today and Westminster's practice is to have an open table welcoming all the children of God, not distinguishing between denominations or church affiliations. It is also our practice to hold the communion bread until we partake together symbolizing the communal nature of the Lord's Supper. The juice is taken individually highlighting the personal aspect of our relationship with God. We invite you all to share in this sacrament of God's grace.
