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.
