August 2012 Archives

THE PSALM LESSON HYMN 208 Psalm 84

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Revelation 21:1-4

SERMON "The Final Journey"

WORSHIP NOTES

In today's worship we continue our exploration of the biblical theme of journey. We are undergoing a journey ourselves throughout the summer as our building is renovated and soon will be in the Fellowship Hall for worship.

Our text today is taken from the revelation of John of Patmos who had a vision of a future that included deliverance and triumph. As Eugene Peterson pointed out in his introduction to this letter -- John of Patmos was a pastor of the late first century who was primarily concerned with worship and the ways it shapes our human community in response to the living God. John's Revelation is not easy reading in part because he was a poet who was fond of metaphor and symbol, image and allusion. Its purpose is to place us before the living presence of God both now and in the future where we lift our voices in prayer and song.

This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, August 26, 2012

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THE PSALM LESSON Psalm 30

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Acts 9:1-19

SERMON "The Conversion Journey"

In today's worship we continue our exploration of the biblical theme of journey. We are undergoing a journey ourselves throughout the summer as our building will be renovated, and on certain Sundays, we will have to worship in the fellowship hall.

Today we will be reflecting on conversion as part of our journey. Our central text this morning is the familiar story of the conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus. What is less known is the role of a disciple named Ananias, who becomes an instrument of God's healing grace. In both men we have different examples of conversion, one dramatic and the other less so. With the conversion of Paul, we begin to see a shift in the book of Acts where the good news of Jesus is proclaimed to the gentiles more and more.

This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, August 19, 2012

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THE PSALM LESSON Psalm 111

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Acts 8:26-40

SERMON "Snatched By The Spirit"

WORSHIP NOTES

Our central text for this morning is taken from the Acts of the Apostles and relates the encounter between Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch on a desolate road between Jerusalem and Gaza. What strikes us is that throughout this journey, the Holy Spirit guides and drives the action. Philip is given the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with an unexpected stranger many would consider outside God's love and grace - to be a eunuch was to be marked for shame. In an odd detail, after the eunuchs baptism, the Lord snatches Philip away and the eunuch does not see him a anymore. The eunuch then simply goes on his way rejoicing.

The offertory today is based on the hymn "As the Wind Through the Trees." This hymn is a selection from the new denominational hymnal of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The new hymnal, which will be called Glory to God, has been in development since 2004 and is expected to be finalized for publication in fall 2013. As part of a program called "Many Voices, One Song," Westminster will use specific hymns from Glory to God in our worship services on selected dates throughout 2012.

This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, August 12, 2012

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THE PSALM LESSON Psalm 22:1-11

THE HEBREW SCRIPTURE LESSON Mark 15:16-39

SERMON "Jesus' Last Journey"

WORSHIP NOTES

In today's worship we continue our exploration of the biblical theme of journey. We are undergoing a journey ourselves throughout the summer as our building will be renovated, and on certain Sundays, we will have to worship in the fellowship hall.

The story at the heart of our worship is Mark's version of Jesus last journey to the cross. In this moving account of Jesus crucifixion we hear the mockery and insults hurled at him; we see him nailed to the cross crying out in pain; and we feel his anguish as he stands before the mystery of death. We too are left standing before the mystery of violence and death, pondering on man's inhumanity to man; and yet speaking words of faith "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, August 5, 2012

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THE PSALM LESSON Psalm 72

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 2:13-23

SERMON "Jesus' First Journey"

Worship Notes

In today's worship we continue our exploration of the biblical theme of journey. We are undergoing a journey ourselves throughout the summer as our building will be renovated, and on certain Sundays, we will have to worship in the fellowship hall.

The scripture at the heart of our service this morning is the story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus' flight to Egypt. Many of us are familiar with the story of the Magi in the gospel of Matthew but we often do not pay attention to what happens to Jesus family after the Magi leave. In dramatic fashion, we hear the story of Herod's search for the baby Jesus and the tragic killing of the infants in Bethlehem. Essentially Jesus first journey is as a refugee fleeing a country because of violence and oppression.

The hymn "The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing," which we sing in preparation for communion, is a selection from the new denominational hymnal of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The new hymnal, which will be called Glory to God, has been in development since 2004 and is expected to be finalized for publication in fall 2013. As part of a program called "Many Voices, One Song," Westminster will use specific hymns from Glory to God in our worship services on selected dates throughout 2012