September 2011 Archives

THE FIRST LESSON Philippians 4:4-9

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 15:3-7

SERMON "Cultivating Peace in the Midst of Fragmentation"

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:22

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At Westminster, Ordinary Time is the last season observed in the liturgical year before Advent begins on November 27. The liturgical color for this season is green.

Throughout the Ordinary season, we depart from the Revised Common Lectionary scripture texts in order to reflect on particular gifts of God's grace that are collectively called the "fruits of the spirit." Each week, we will examine a particular gift of the spirit and consider how it shapes and molds us on our Christian walk together. This focus on spiritual gifts will lend a context to other activities in the life of the congregation, including the Missional Transformation Process and the Centennial Fund appeal.

Today is also World Communion Sunday, which originated in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1936. From the beginning, this event was planned with the hope that other denominations would embrace it. In 2011, it is observed by congregations in the United Methodist, United Church of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) among others. As we join Christians from around the globe at the Lord's Table, we understand it is one bread of life and one cup of blessing that unites us as one community of Christ. In service of God, we are also mindful of our responsibility to be peacemakers and care for the powerless in our community. As a visible sign of that care, our Deacons will be taking communion elements to the homebound within our Westminster community.

We observe World Communion Sunday in special ways. The liturgy, hymns, and music offered in worship of God today are drawn from different cultures, countries, and traditions throughout Christ's global church. The country of origin for each element of the service has been identified in the bulletin. As the service begins, and as we sing our gathering song, the Chancel Choir and worship leaders enter the sanctuary from different directions to symbolize that we "come from the North, the South, the East, and the West" to take our place at the table of the Lord. As we partake of the elements of the sacrament, we will sing a simple prayer for peace from the Taize Ecumenical Community as we share the meal. As the service ends, we unite in singing "Trees of the Field," which also speaks of God's peace that leads us forth into the world to serve.

This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, September 25, 2011

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THE FIRST LESSON Ephesians 3:14-21

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 15:11-32

SERMON "Cultivating Love in the Midst of Market-Style Exchanges"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At Westminster, Ordinary Time is the last season observed in the liturgical year before Advent begins on November 27. The liturgical color for this season is green.

Throughout the Ordinary season, we depart from the Revised Common Lectionary scripture texts in order to reflect on particular gifts of God's grace that are collectively called the "fruits of the spirit." Each week, we will examine a particular gift of the spirit and consider how it shapes and molds us on our Christian walk together. This focus on spiritual gifts will lend a context to other activities in the life of the congregation, including the Missional Transformation Process and the Centennial Fund appeal.

Today's focus is on the spiritual gift of love particularly as it is illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son. We are called to worship through the famous words of 1 John reminding us that love is at the very nature of the God we worship. The opening hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling affirms "Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure , unbounded love Thou art." In our prayer of confession, we lift up how similar we are to the younger and elder brother of the parable. The Affirmation of Faith is a celebration of God's love for us and in the hymn following we ask God to "Teach us top care for people, For all, not just for some, To love them as we find them Or as they may become."

This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, September 18, 2011

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THE FIRST LESSON Exodus 16:2-15

THE SECOND LESSON Matthew 25:14-30

SERMON "Cultivating Abundance in a Time of Scarcity"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At Westminster, Ordinary Time is the last season observed in the liturgical year before Advent begins on November 27. The liturgical color for this season is green.

Throughout the Ordinary season, we depart from the Revised Common Lectionary scripture texts in order to reflect on particular gifts of God's grace that are collectively called the "fruits of the spirit." Each week, we will examine a particular gift of the spirit and consider how it shapes and molds us on our Christian walk together. This focus on spiritual gifts will lend a context to other activities in the life of the congregation, including the Missional Transformation Process and the Centennial Fund appeal.

Today's focus is on generosity as a fruit of the Spirit. We explore in our worship today how generosity is at the root of a sense of abundance in life rather than the attitude of scarcity that shapes our lives in this culture. The parable of the Talents reminds us that faith requires a willingness to see abundance rather than live in fear that we must protect what we have. Two acts of our worship this morning reflect this sense of abundance. First, we as a congregation baptize Hunter emphasizing how God's grace and love are showered upon him long before he can fully know this reality. Second, we announce the beginning of our Centennial Fund Appeal and dedicate our leadership team to guide our congregation in this act of faith. The Fund Appeal is first and foremost a celebration of God's abundant gifts to this congregation in the past 100 years and the belief God will provide for us in the next 100 years.

The choir's anthem this morning is a response to the Sacrament of Baptism and is a paraphrase of Psalm 128. This setting of the Psalm is by Carl Schalk (b. 1929), a noted Lutheran composer, musician, and teacher. Schalk's hymn tunes and carol compositions number over 100 and have been included in the hymnals of many protestant congregations, including our own (see Hymn 272, "God of the Sparrow").

This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, September 11, 2011

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THE FIRST LESSON Romans 12:14-19

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 10:25-37

SERMON "Cultivating Gentleness in a Time of Aggression"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on Rally Sunday, which is also the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At Westminster, Ordinary Time is the last season observed in the liturgical year before Advent begins on November 27. The liturgical color for this season is green.

Throughout the Ordinary season, we depart from the Revised Common Lectionary scripture texts in order to reflect on particular gifts of God's grace that are collectively called the "fruits of the spirit." Each week, we will examine a particular gift of the spirit and consider how it shapes and molds us on our Christian walk together. This focus on spiritual gifts will lend a context to other activities in the life of the congregation, including the Missional Transformation Process and the Centennial Fund appeal.

Today's focus is especially appropriate on this the tenth anniversary of 9-11. The spiritual gift of gentleness in a time of aggression is often difficult to cultivate in our lives as disciples and in our community. Using the Parable of the Good Samaritan, we explore Jesus call to love our neighbor and wrestle with the question of who is our neighbor. In our Prayer of Confession we are open about our difficulties in loving those who may cause us harm. The sermon this morning focuses on this spirit of gentleness and care in a time where these qualities are often missing in our culture. The Litany following the sermon comes from the Interfaith Coalition of Peace and Justice and captures some of the spirit we would like to invoke as we remember 9-11. Our response is one of sorrow and remembrance but also a desire to commit ourselves to serving in hope. We go forth into the world with the words of St. Francis as our charge and prayer .

The Anthem this morning is a setting of the famous Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, which itself speaks to the spirit of gentleness. Born in Umbria in 1181, St. Francis was the founder of the Franciscan Order who devoted his life to religious thought and to the care of the poor and sick. The setting of this prayer used in worship today is by David N. Childs, a 42-year-old choral composer from New Zealand.

This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, September 4, 2011

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THE FIRST LESSON Luke 6:43-45

THE SECOND LESSON Galatians 5:22-26

SERMON "The Tarahumara, Community, and Fruits of the Spirit"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this, 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. At Westminster, Ordinary Time is the last season observed in the liturgical year before Advent begins on November 27. The liturgical color for this season is green.

Throughout the Ordinary season, we depart from the Revised Common Lectionary scripture texts in order to reflect on particular gifts of God's grace that are collectively called the "fruits of the spirit." Each week, we will examine a particular gift of the spirit and consider how it shapes and molds us on our Christian walk together. This focus on spiritual gifts will lend a context to other activities in the life of the congregation, including the Missional Transformation Process and the Centennial Fund appeal.

In worship today, we introduce the complete listing of gifts identified in

Chapter 5 of Galatians. This is in the context of Paul's discussion of the importance of community where connection and not competition is the basis of the Spirit. These gifts are bestowed by the Spirit and not earned by the individual. All receive God's grace unmerited and without anyone able to claim their own holiness.