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.
