The First Lesson Colossians 1:15-28
The Second Lesson Luke 10:38-42
Sermon "Sitting At Jesus' Feet" Pastor Kathleen Owens
Worship Notes
Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Eighth 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.
In today's gospel lesson, we hear the story of Mary and Martha and consider the central importance of corporate worship in our daily lives. We reflect on the act of worship that occurs within these walls each Sunday and empowers us to go forth and do God's will outside these walls during the week.
The music through which we worship God today is chosen to reflect our focus on the act of worship. The gathering hymn, "O For A Thousand Tongues" is a hymn of praise that well describes the wide scope of our worship of God. The anthem, "Come and Find the Quiet Center," describes the centering effect of worship in our lives. As we respond to God's Word, and to the commissioning of participants in the Triennium Conference, we sing the hymn, "Lord, Speak to Me that I May Speak," which describes how God acts through us in worship to empower us for service. The offertory anthem is an African-American Spiritual, "Set Down Servant," which describes the joy experienced by those who worship and serve God unceasingly. As our worship ends, and as we prepare to go forth in to the world, we sing "I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me," which reflects our commitment to live, work, pray, and sing in service of God.
