June 2010 Archives

THE FIRST LESSON Luke 9:51-62

THE SECOND LESSON Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20

SERMON "Discerning Joy"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. During these summer weeks, and throughout the Pentecost season, we sustain a purposeful focus on God's gift of the Holy Spirit and on its presence at work within and through us. The red cloth, which first adorned the sanctuary on Pentecost Sunday, remains in place as a visible symbol of the Holy Spirit.

During worship in June, the scriptural basis for our proclamation of God's Word has been the Psalms. In worship, we strive always to balance praise, proclamation, and prayer. The Psalms are among the oldest prayers in the Judeo-Christian tradition. The Psalms are also among the first hymns of the early church. Therefore, in worship today we incorporate Psalm texts throughout our liturgy and song.

The Psalm of the Day is Psalm 77, which is perhaps best characterized as a Psalm of Praise. In worship today, we examine the purpose of praise and its role in our worship life inside the walls of Westminster as well as out in the wider world. Our opening hymn, "O Worship the King" suggests precisely the spirit of praise on which we focus our worship today. As we respond to God's word proclaimed, we sing Hymn 455 as we add our voice to that of all creation in continual praise of God. Our service ends with a hymn that reminds us of the eternal power of God that creates and sustains us all.

THE FIRST LESSON Luke 8:26-39

THE SECOND LESSON Psalm 42 Hymn 190

SERMON "Deep Calls To Deep"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. During these summer weeks, and throughout the Pentecost season, we sustain a purposeful focus on God's gift of the Holy Spirit and on its presence at work within and through us. The red cloth, which first adorned the sanctuary on Pentecost Sunday, remains in place as a visible symbol of the Holy Spirit.

During worship in June, the scriptural basis for our proclamation of God's Word will be the Psalms. In worship, we strive always to balance praise, proclamation, and prayer. The Psalms are among the oldest prayers in the Judeo-Christian tradition. The Psalms are also among the first hymns of the early church. Therefore, in worship today we incorporate Psalm texts throughout our liturgy and song.

The Psalm of the Day is Psalm 42, which is perhaps best characterized as a Psalm of sorrow that is tempered by the hope that grows from faith in God. In worship today, we wrestle with what sorrow means for us as individuals and as a community of faith. Our opening hymn, "When Morning Guilds the Skies" suggests that even when sadness fills our minds, our response includes praise of God. As we respond to God's word proclaimed, we pray using the text of Psalm 42 and experience a purposeful movement from sorrow to hope as we sing the beautiful and prayerful hymn, "Lord of All Hopefulness." The offertory duet is a setting of the text of Psalm 42 and the sending hymn, "How Firm a Foundation," articulates our belief that God's word provides us with the foundation for the hope and assurance we seek no matter our circumstance, mood, or emotional state, or experience.

This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, June 13, 2010. Delivered by Alex Thornburg.

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THE FIRST LESSON Luke 7:36-43

THE SECOND LESSON Psalm 5:1-8

SERMON "Praying and Complaining"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Third Sunday after Pentecost. During these summer weeks, and throughout the Pentecost season, we sustain a purposeful focus on God's gift of the Holy Spirit and on its presence at work within and through us. The red cloth, which first adorned the sanctuary on Pentecost Sunday, remains in place as a visible symbol of the Holy Spirit.

During worship in June, the scriptural basis for our proclamation of God's Word will be the Psalms. In worship, we strive always to balance praise, proclamation, and prayer. The Psalms are among the oldest prayers in the Judeo-Christian tradition. The Psalms are also among the first hymns of the early church. Therefore, in worship today we incorporate Psalm texts throughout our liturgy and song.

The Psalm of the Day is Psalm 5, which is filled with fiery imagery and particularly strident language. Yet, despite its cries of complaint, the psalmist concludes the text with a more hopeful sense of the healing and wholeness available to us through our relationship with God. Our opening hymn, "As Morning Dawns" is a musical setting of Psalm 5. As we respond to God's word proclaimed, elements of Psalm 5 will be used as a "Song of Affirmation" and our response to prayer. The Prayer of Confession is based on Psalm 51 through which we pray that God might create a clean heart within us. The sending hymn, "Hear the Good News of Salvation," expresses our joy that we are healed and cleansed by the salvation afforded to us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.