This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, October 28, 2012
October 2012 Archives
THE WISDOM LESSON Job 42:1-6, 10-17
THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 10:46-52
SERMON "Yelling for Mercy"
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Mark 10:46-52
WORSHIP NOTES
Today we celebrate Reformation Sunday. It is a time when we reclaim our heritage and draw upon its strengths for our contemporary witness. Reformation Sunday is the last Sunday in October because that Sunday is the one closest to October 31, when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg. That dramatic event marked the beginning of a movement of reformation in the churches and set forth a spirit of reform that is at the heart of the gospel. Reformation Sunday is an important time for us to reclaim the great motto of the Reformation, Ecclesia Reformata, Semper Reformanda ("a church reformed and always being reformed") for the challenges of our life and witness today.
In our worship we are using a number of liturgical elements from Reformed churches around the world. The Prayer of Adoration and Prayer of Confession come from the Reformed Church in Germany while the Affirmation of Faith comes from South Africa.
This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, October 21, 2012
THE GOSPEL SCRIPTURES Mark 10:35-45
THE EPISTLE LESSON Hebrews 5:1-10
SERMON "To be One"
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Hebrews 5:8
WORSHIP NOTES
Our worship this morning revolves around the letter titled Hebrews. Most scholars believe this letter was written sometime in the second century and was directed at Jewish Christians who sought to understand themselves in light of Christ. Much of our liturgy is taken from this letter and the central text is from the fifth chapter of Hebrews. Our text wrestles with the role and nature of Jesus in atonement and salvation. There is a paradoxical use of language such as weakness, suffering, and obedience to describe perfection and salvation. This morning we welcome new members who have committed themselves to serve God in this world through our community. In recognizing these new members we remember our promises in baptism to serve them and their promises to serve Christ in the world.
This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, October 14, 2012
THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES Job 23:1-9,16-17
THE EPISTLE LESSON Hebrews 4:12-16
SERMON "A Living and Active Word"
For the word of God is living and active. Hebrews 4:12
Our worship this morning revolves around the letter titled Hebrews. Most scholars believe this letter was written sometime in the second century and was directed at Jewish Christians who sought to understand themselves in light of Christ. Much of our liturgy is taken from this letter and the central text is from the fourth chapter of Hebrews. The author of Hebrews reminds this early Christian community of how God's word is alive and active in our lives. In our Affirmation of Faith we are using portions of the Confession of 1967 to assert the importance of the word of God to our lives and faith.
THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES Job 1:1, 2:1-10
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
SERMON "God's Family"
What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them. Hebrews 1:6
World Communion Sunday (originally called World Wide Communion Sunday) originated in the Presbyterian Church (USA). In 1936, for the first time, the first Sunday in October was celebrated in Presbyterian churches in the United States and overseas. From the beginning, it was planned so that other denominations could make use of it and, after a few years, the idea spread beyond the Presbyterian Church. Today, thousands of churches all over the world are celebrating at the Lord's Table. This day is also when we collect the Peacemaking Offering intended to create and sustain peacemaking efforts both internationally and locally.
We will be taking communion by intinction this morning. Fostering a sense of the spirit of communion and community, you will remain seated as the bread and the cup are brought to the end of each aisle. You will be handed the bread first, and then you pass it on. Then you will dip the bread in the cup as it is held by your other neighbor. In the Presbyterian church we have an open table which means everyone is welcome to take communion no matter there denomination or creed.
The hymn "The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing" 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, September 30, 2012
