September 2010 Archives

THE FIRST LESSON 1 Timothy 6:6-19

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 16:19-31

SERMON "Discipleship: Looking for Lazarus

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The liturgical color for the Ordinary season is green.

In worship today, we focus on the story of Poor Man Lazarus as told by Luke. Scripture says that the poor will always be with us, but the Lazarus story offers an opportunity to pause and ask whether we truly "see" those in need around us. Even when we do see those in need, do we respond as God would expect? As a community of Christians seeking a relationship with God and with one another, how do we ensure we do not neglect those in need within our walls as well as those outside them?

The music through which we worship today illumines these themes from the story of Lazarus. The choir's anthem is an African American spiritual setting of the gospel text by American Jester Hairston (1901-2000). Born in North Carolina, Hairston studied music at the Julliard School and spent his early career as a choral conductor. Hairston's contributions to the spiritual tradition are rich and varied. In addition to this famous setting of the Lazarus text, Hairston also composed "Mary's Boy Child" and "Amen." In his mid-life, Hairston became an actor and went on to star in productions including, "To Kill a Mocking Bird" and "The Amos 'n' Andy Show."

To further demonstrate the relationship of care framed by the Lazarus story, today we will also commission our confirmands and their sponsors for the journey they will take in developing their faith and nurturing their relationship with God over the course of this program year.

This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, September 19, 2010.

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THE FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 8:18-9:1

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 16:1-13

SERMON "Discipleship: God or Mammon"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The liturgical color for Ordinary season is green.

In worship today, we consider a parable in which Jesus teaches that we cannot serve two masters: God and wealth. In considering this scripture text, we also reflect on what it means to be a steward of God's gifts. The music through which we worship today is chosen to proclaim God's abundant grace and to give voice to our collective prayer that we will best use the gifts God has entrusted to our care. In so doing, we hope to grow in our faith, learn how to listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and "sing when the spirit says sing."

This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, September 12, 2010.

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THE FIRST LESSON 1 Timothy 1:12-17

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 15:1-10

SERMON "Discipleship: The Cost of Joy"

Worship Notes

Welcome to Worship at Westminster on this the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The liturgical color for Ordinary season is green. This Sunday is also "Rally Sunday," when we come together in celebration of the start of a new church program year.

In worship today, we reflect on the parable of the lost sheep and joy experienced by God when even one sinner repents. The music through which we worship today is chosen to reflect images of God as the shepherd of we who are lost and also describes the love, grace, and joy through which God returns us to the fold.

Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God. Karl Barth

Live. Breathe. It is not fear that we need to live by, but joy, hope. Inside you, in your ocean, maybe it seems barren; maybe it feels as if there is no hope, no kindness, no reason for happiness. But deep within you, undeniably, something rumbles, cries out, wants to be born.

Allow the joy to come forward. Allow the hope to exist. Maharaji

THE FIRST LESSON Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 14:25-33

SERMON "The Porcupine Whose Name Did Not Matter"

Worship Notes

In our worship this morning we consider the question of the cost of discipleship particularly in light of Luke 14 where Jesus speaks of the priority of our relationship with God and the necessity of carrying one's cross. The Call to Worship and Prayer of Adoration are taken from the psalm of the day, Psalm 139, and celebrates the truth of God's ever present grace. The Opening Hymn "Lift High the Cross" communicates this commitment to proclaim the love of Christ and our Prayer of Confession reflects how often we fail to live out our faith.

The sermon this morning is a little different than normal as we primarily engage the text through a story told by the preacher. Jesus used stories to communicate his message encouraging the disciples to "live" in the story to better understand the kingdom of God. While there will be some exposition in the sermon, you are encouraged to think of the connections between the story and the biblical text particularly as you consider the natural cost of being in relationship.

Since this is the first Sunday of the month we will be taking communion. All are invited to partake of this gift of God's love whether one is Presbyterian or not. It is Westminster's practice to hold the bread when you receive it until all can eat together signifying our communal unity in Christ, while the juice is drunk when you receive it symbolizing our personal relations to God's Spirit.