The acclamation 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.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday January 1

By

John

on December 29, 2011 11:26 AM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON Ephesians 3: 1-12

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 2: 1-12

SERMON "A New Year and a New Body"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on Epiphany Sunday! Epiphany Sunday is a day set aside for celebrating the shining forth or revelation of God to humankind in the person of Jesus Christ. Both Eastern and Western churches observe Epiphany, however the specific date of the celebration varies with each tradition. In the Western church, Epiphany is observed 12 days after Christmas (January 6). Like Westminster, many reformed congregations choose to observe Epiphany on the first Sunday in January and continue to observe a liturgical season of Epiphany until Transfiguration Sunday, which is celebrated on the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday (February 22). The liturgical color for Epiphany is white. "Light" is the common liturgical symbol for the season of Epiphany.

Worship Notes for Sunday December 18

By

John

on December 15, 2011 2:49 PM | Permalink

WORSHIP NOTES

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve 1918 at Kings College at Cambridge. This service was adapted from an order prepared by the Archbishop of Canterbury for a Christmas Eve service in 1880 by Eric Milner-White, a former army chaplain, who, at the age of 34, had just been appointed Dean of King's College. With the exception of 1930, the Cambridge Festival has been broadcast annually on the radio since 1928. (In Madison, the Cambridge Festival may be heard on Wisconsin Public Radio on Christmas Eve morning.) Although the anthems and carols change each year, the lessons read from the King James Bible and the prayers used in the service have remained virtually unchanged since 1918. Like Westminster, many churches have adapted the Cambridge Festival service for use in worship during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Eric Milner-White described the Festival service in this way:

"Its liturgical order and pattern is the strength of the service; the main theme is the development of the loving purposes of God, from the Creation to the Incarnation, through the windows and words of the Bible: the scriptures, not the carols, are the backbone."

As with all worship services at Westminster, the faithful expression of God's word is our primary focus. The music--handmaid of the liturgy--is our response to God's word proclaimed. Through music dating from the 16th to the 21st centuries, we have an opportunity today to respond to God's word by drawing from a diverse and rich heritage of choral repertoire and carols.

As we worship, we know that God's promises of hope and love abide in Christ and, through him, also abide in each of us. Let us respond to God's word this morning with joy as we add our voices to the messengers who preach the gospel of peace.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday December 11

By

John

on December 10, 2011 11:15 AM | Permalink

THE PROPHETIC LESSON Isaiah 35:1-10

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:46-55

SERMON "The Turning of Joy"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Third Sunday of Advent. The liturgical color for Advent is blue and that color appears not only on the paraments on the communion table and lectern, but also in the choir stoles and in three of the four candles in the Advent wreath. The season of Advent is measured by the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day. Each week represents the passage of 1,000 years to total the 4,000 years believed to have elapsed between the time of Adam and Eve and the birth of Jesus Christ. We use an Advent wreath as a symbol of our progression through this season as we prepare to receive the gift of God's love through Christ.

The season of Advent is a time of anticipation, expectation, and preparation. By observing a season of Advent, we have the opportunity to reflect on how much our world waits with eager longing for the coming of the Messiah. During this Advent, we reflect on this sense of expectation by reading the "Song of Mary" or the "Canticle of Mary" in Luke's gospel. Each week, we will consider how Mary's song offers particular insights into the ways in which we express our faith that God's promises of hope, peace, joy, and love will be fulfilled.

In worship today, we focus on the joy with which we wait for the Lord. The hymns, anthems, and service music through which we worship have all been chosen to reflect this spirit of joy. Today, as a symbol that we have reached the half-way point in our Advent journey, we light the pink candle, which is also called the "Gaudete" or "joy" candle, in the Advent wreath.

You may notice in our worship during Advent, our announcements have been moved from the beginning of our worship. The reason for this is our inclusion of the liturgy for the lighting of the Advent candles as our opening act of worship. The image evoked here is one where we gather around the wreath to light a candle in the darkness for our worship together. The announcements for this season are more appropriately placed following the Passing of the Peace as an act of the community together.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 27

By

John

on November 22, 2011 5:47 PM | Permalink

THE PROPHETIC LESSON Isaiah 2:1-4

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:26-38

SERMON "Hope in Unexpected Form"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the First Sunday of Advent, which is also celebrated as the start of the church's new liturgical year. The liturgical color for Advent is blue and that color appears not only on the paraments on the communion table and lectern, but also in the choir stoles and in three of the four candles in the Advent wreath. The season of Advent is measured by the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day. Each week represents the passage of 1,000 years to total the 4,000 years believed to have elapsed between the time of Adam and Eve and the birth of Jesus Christ. We use an Advent wreath as a symbol of our progression through this season as we prepare to receive the gift of God's love through Christ.

The season of Advent is a time of anticipation, expectation, and preparation. By observing a season of Advent, we have the opportunity to reflect on how much our world waits with eager longing for the coming of the Messiah. During this Advent, we reflect on this sense of expectation by reading the "Song of Mary" or the "Canticle of Mary" in Luke's gospel. Each week, we will consider how Mary's song offers particular insights into the ways in which we express our faith that God's promises of hope, peace, joy, and love will be fulfilled.

In worship today, we focus on the hope with which we wait for the Lord. The hymns and service music through which we worship reflect the hope we have that the long-expected Jesus will come.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 20

By

John

on November 17, 2011 10:59 AM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 14:15-24

SERMON "Too Busy for Thanksgiving"

WORSHIP NOTES

We end the Ordinary season with Thanksgiving Sunday in which we explore the meaning of gratitude and grace in the midst of a consumer world. This also marks the end of our exploration of the gifts of the Spirit, or as our gathering song has described them, "Fruits of the spirit, gifts from above, Symbols of grace and signs of your love." We open with joy and thanksgiving as "we gather together to ask the Lord's blessing," and we confess how difficult it is to be grateful in the midst of the distractions of our world. Yet we are assured of God's forgiveness and embody that forgiveness as we share the Peace of Christ together.

The central text this morning is the parable of the Wedding feast that on the surface appears to have little to do with giving thanks. Yet as we explore the meaning of this parable, we may be surprised to discover the true significance of living thankfully. The Affirmation of Faith is a charge from Paul to the church seemingly impossible to live out in our daily lives. In our response to God's Word, we come forward bearing our offerings, pledges, and food for the poor. This time is a celebration of God's blessings through the sharing of our resources to meet the needs of the church and the world today. We come singing songs of thankfulness, faith, and rejoicing in the abundance of the wedding feast that is God's love. We will end with a prayer for our Thanksgiving meal where all are invited down to the fellowship hall to enjoy God's Spirit together.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 13

By

John

on November 10, 2011 12:52 PM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON 2 Corinthians 1:18-24

THE SECOND LESSON Matthew 13:44-46

SERMON "Saying Yes to Joy"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 33rd 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.

The spiritual gift we explore today is joy. The particular parables we read this morning capture the sense of joy of finding what was thought lost. Joy is found throughout our liturgy this morning from the Call to Worship to our Prayer of Confession where we admit our failure to feel joy in a culture filled with manufactured desire. The Affirmation of Faith is taken from the Brief Statement of Faith of the Presbyterian church USA which was developed soon after the north and south branch of the Presbyterian church merged together. This split occurred during the Civil war and it was not until 1983 that the Presbyterian church was reunited. The Statement of Faith was intended to identify what this new church held as common belief. Notice the section that reminds us that the Spirit calls us to live "holy and joyful lives."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 6

By

John

on November 3, 2011 4:39 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Hebrews 11:32-12:2

THE SECOND LESSON Matthew 20:1-16

SERMON "The Foolishness of Faith in an Impermanent World"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 32th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At Westminster, this first Sunday in November is reserved for our remembrance and celebration of those who have gone from our lives and who have joined the communion of saints with our Lord God in heaven. In the liturgical calendar, this commemoration is called "The Festival of All Saints Day." The liturgical color for All Saints Day is white.

The focus of this service is not on the experience of death and loss, but rather on the celebration of life. Those "saints" whom we remember by name in worship today are the ten individuals from this congregation who have died since last All Saints Day in November 2010. As the name of each person is read aloud, a bell is tolled, and a family member or designee takes light from the Christ Candle to light one of the tall candles behind the communion table. This light serves as a visible reminder of the presence of the deceased who gather with us at the table for the communion of the saints. As we worship, we recall the ways in which we, like these individuals, live out our response to God's call upon our lives within this community and in mission to Christ's church and to the world.

Communion today will be received by intinction. After coming forward to receive the bread and juice, you may wish to step behind the communion table to light a candle in celebration of the memory of someone from your life who is now among the communion of saints. Symbolic of Christ as the light of everlasting life, each memorial candle is lit from the Christ Candle. Collectively, these burning candles serve as a visible sign of the great "cloud of witnesses" described in scripture.

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.

The spiritual gift we consider in worship on this All Saints Day is faithfulness.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday October 30

By

John

on October 27, 2011 6:02 PM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON Ephesians 2:4-10

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 4:26-32

SERMON "Cultivating Patience: Reformed Always Reforming"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 31th Sunday in Ordinary Time, which is also Reformation Sunday. 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.

The spiritual gift we consider in worship today is patience as expressed in the two parables told by Jesus about the kingdom of God. Through the metaphor of seeds that grow, we gain a sense of the need for patience when seeking God's kingdom in a world today. These seeds may be small and seemingly insignificant, but with patience, we observe how the seeds grow into great trees where "birds can find shelter." Since this is Reformation Sunday, the liturgy this morning is take from different Reformers in different times. The Prayer of Adoration was written by John Calvin, and the Prayer of Confession is adapted from John Knox's liturgy of 1560.

The music through which we worship today draws from the roots of our reformed tradition. Our opening hymn, "I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art," is a setting of a text by the reformer John Calvin. Similarly, our closing hymn is "A Mighty Fortress," which is a hymn of the reformer Martin Luther. To proclaim God's word on this Reformation Sunday, the choir will sing a motet setting of Psalm 122 by the Italian reformation-era composer, Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643). Monteverdi's compositional style shaped meaningfully the use of polyphony during the Baroque musical era. The continuo part in this motet, which is played by the cello and harpsichord, is based on a four-note pattern that repeats almost continually throughout the piece.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday October 16

By

John

on October 13, 2011 12:25 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Hebrews 4:12-16

THE SECOND LESSON Matthew 7:21-29

SERMON "The Wisdom of Self-Control"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 29th 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.

The spiritual gift we consider in worship this week is self-control.

In our culture today we often think of self-control in the sense of self-deprivation. However, in Galatians Paul is referring to self-control as thinking beyond our selves. We are called to think of others before we think of ourselves and to place ourselves in God's care. In following Christ we are encouraged to put our trust in Christ as our foundation and to rely on Christ and not our own abilities. By relying on Christ as our foundation instead of ourselves we are able to accomplish wondrous things.

The postlude that ends our worship service is a passacaglia, which is a 17th Century Spanish musical form that was further refined by Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643) to become a set of variations established over a repeating bass line. The postlude is a familiar passacaglia by G.F. Handel (1685-1759), which includes several variations established over a pattern that repeats in the organ's pedal part. This piece is a particular fit for our worship today because it serves as a musical illustration of building upon the rock, which in this piece is the repeating bass line.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday October 9

By

John

on October 6, 2011 3:15 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON James 2:1-4, 14-17

THE SECOND LESSON Matthew 25:31-46

SERMON "Cultivating Kindness in the Midst of Self-Sufficiency"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 28th 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.

This week we explore the gift of kindness in a culture of self-sufficiency. In the parable of sheep and goats, Jesus identifies with those who are in need of small acts of kindness. The call to worship is Jesus' first sermon given to his home congregation. The hymn following the sermon highlights how "when a poor one who has nothing shares with strangers, when the thirsty for water give unto us all, when the cripples in their weakness strengthen others, then we know that God still goes that road with us".

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday October 2

By

John

on September 29, 2011 9:14 PM | Permalink

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.

By

John

on August 26, 2011 11:12 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Matthew 16:21-28

THE SECOND LESSON Exodus 3:1-15

SERMON "Taking Off Your Shoes"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this, the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. At Westminster, we observe this liturgical season by measuring time after Pentecost. The Pentecost season began on June 12 and will continue until Rally Day on September 11, when Westminster will observe the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. The liturgical color for this season is red.

Throughout the Pentecost season, the lectionary passages read in worship will include some familiar Bible stories from the Old Testament. In today's passage, we read of Moses' encounter with the burning bush at which God is revealed to be the great "I AM." Our worship today explores our understanding of who God is and challenges us to look beyond the bounds of our limited human vocabulary and understanding in defining and naming God. It is the same indescribable God who challenges us to take up the cross and follow in the way of Christ. As we seek to respond to the call of the great I AM, we must be willing to share our own burdens with Jesus in order to take up the cross as faithful disciples.

In worship today, we introduce a hymn by Dr. Brian Wren (b. 1936) called "Bring Many Names." This hymn has been included in several denominational hymnals, including those of the United Methodist and United Church of Christ. In his book, What Language Shall I Borrow?, Wren writes about the care with which we should name God:

"Naming God truthfully is important, since to name God untruthfully is to delude ourselves and worship an idol. Naming God truthfully is especially important if language shapes and angles thinking and behavior, since untruthful God-language will then hinder our encounter with God and our knowledge of God."

By

John

on July 13, 2011 3:18 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Isaiah 41:7-20

THE SECOND LESSON John 4:31-42

SERMON "First Impressions"

Do you not say, 'Four months more, then comes the harvest?'

But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. John 4:35

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this, the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. At Westminster, we observe this liturgical season by measuring time after Pentecost. The Pentecost season began June 12 and will continue until Rally Day in September, when Westminster will observe the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. The liturgical color for this season is red. In worship today, we reflect on first impressions and discover again how Jesus loved people just as they are and calls us to do the same.

We extend a warm Westminster welcome to guest preacher Scott D. Anderson. In addition to serving as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, Scott also currently serves Westminster as the coach of our Missional Transformation Team. Scott's work in Wisconsin is focused on strengthening the public policy witness of the Council and initiating a new area of ministry focused on equipping congregations to engage the mission field that is now at their doorstep. A member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Scott also currently chairs the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Concerns for the Presbyterian Church (USA). Scott and his life partner of 20 years, Ian MacAllister, live in Madison. Scott is currently seeking to be re-ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament under constitutional changes recently adopted by the Presbyterian Church (USA).

We also extend a warm Westminster welcome to guest violist, Becky May. Becky earned her masters in viola performance from the University of Michigan. Active as a string instructor in Madison, Becky often performs as a soloist and collaborative player in the greater Madison area. Becky and her family attend Covenant Presbyterian Church. In worship today, Becky shares music by English violist, organist, and composer William Flackton (1709-1798).

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday July 10

By

John

on July 8, 2011 12:27 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

THE SECOND LESSON Genesis 25:19-34

SERMON "What Do We Expect?"

WORSHIP NOTES

Isaac prayed to the Lord...

and the Lord granted his prayer...

Genesis 25:21

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this, the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. At Westminster, we observe this liturgical season by measuring time after Pentecost. The Pentecost season began on June 12 and will continue until Rally Day in September, when Westminster will observe the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. The liturgical color for this season is red.

Throughout the Pentecost season, the lectionary passages read in worship will include some familiar Bible stories from the Old Testament. In today's scripture passage from Genesis, we discover how God remains faithful to us in unexpected and surprising ways. The music through which we worship today is chosen to illustrate God's faithfulness in the midst of the unexpected and inspire our own witness to God as a sign of our faithfulness.

Our gathering hymn, "Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above," proclaims the constancy of God's presence with us and care for us. The sung prayer for illumination today is "Open My Eyes," which articulates our desire to see and recognize God's work in us and through us. The response hymn, "Be Thou My Vision," is a particularly poignant prayer to keep focus on God and God's grace. As our worship ends, and our service out in the wider world begins, we sing "Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak," which connects our desire to look, listen, and be used by God in meaningful, purposeful, and faithful ways.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday July 3

By

John

on June 30, 2011 1:07 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

THE SECOND LESSON Genesis 24:34-38, 58-67

SERMON "Hesed"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this, the Third Sunday after Pentecost. At Westminster , we observe this liturgical season by measuring time after Pentecost. The Pentecost season began on June 12 and will continue until Rally Day in September, when Westminster will observe the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. The liturgical color for this season is red.

Throughout the Pentecost season, the lectionary passages read in worship will include some familiar Bible stories from the Old Testament. In today's scripture passage from Genesis, we read of God's faithfulness to us in all things. The music through which we worship today is chosen to illustrate God's faithfulness to us and inspire our own witness to God as a sign of our faithfulness.

At the heart of our worship today is the story of a servant who goes to find a wife for his Master's son Isaac. It may seem a simple enough story yet in this narrative, we catch a glimpse of how God works in and through our lives. God is always faithful! We open with the psalm of the day ascribing praise to God for the compassion and mercy we experience each and everyday. The opening hymn reminds us of this faithfulness as we sing "God of our life, through all the circling years, We trust in Thee; In all the past, through all our hopes and fears, Thy hand we see." In the final hymn we are reminded that wherever we may wander, wherever we may be, we are certain of God's loving care.

This morning we will be partaking in communion through intinction. You are invited to come forward and take a piece of bread and dip it into the cup. If you are unable to come forward, one of the Pastors will come to you with bread and cup. In the Presbyterian Church, all who desire God's grace are invited to share in this feast of God's love and be transformed for our ministry and mission in the world.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday June 26

By

John

on June 24, 2011 11:17 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Matthew 10:40-42

THE SECOND LESSON Genesis 22:1-14

SERMON "Irrational Stories"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this, the Second Sunday after Pentecost. At Westminster, we observe this liturgical season by measuring time after Pentecost. The Pentecost season began on June 12 and will continue until Rally Day in September, when Westminster will observe the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. The liturgical color for this season is red.

Throughout the Pentecost season, the lectionary passages read in worship will include some familiar Bible stories from the Old Testament. In today's scripture passage from Genesis, we read God's call for Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as sign of his faithfulness. The music through which we worship today is chosen to amplify the spirit of Abraham's trust in God as a model for our own faithfulness. This music also reminds us that all that we are, and all that we have, are gifts from God.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday June 19

By

John

on June 17, 2011 4:51 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Matthew 28:16-20

THE SECOND LESSON Genesis 1:1-2:4

SERMON "God's Storytelling"

WORSHIP NOTES

Today is the first Sunday after Pentecost, which is also called Trinity Sunday. At Westminster, we observe this liturgical season by measuring time after Pentecost. The Pentecost season began last Sunday (June 12) and will continue until Rally Day in September, when Westminster will observe the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. Throughout the Pentecost season, the lectionary passages read in worship will include some familiar Bible stories from the Old Testament.

On this Trinity Sunday, today we celebrate the mystical experience of God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In the Presbyterian tradition, Trinity Sunday is the only date on which a particular doctrine is celebrated. As a visible symbol of the presence of the Holy Spirit, which we observe throughout the Pentecost season, the red cloth remains in the cross and on the communion table.

Much of the music through which we worship today was chosen either specifically illumine the doctrine of the Trinity or is demonstrative of the number three. For example, the Acclamation Hymn, or "Gloria Patri," is itself an expression of praise to God in each of the Trinitarian forms. Similarly, the benediction response hymn is a "threefold amen."

The offertory is a setting of Psalm 8, which is the Psalm of the day also used in the Call to Worship. This setting is composed by Westminster's own Priscilla White. Our prayer response hymn this morning was written in 1972 by Jimmy Owens. Owens is a jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, teacher, and clinician who has played with Jazz legends such as Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Lionel Hampton. In this hymn, Owens sets a particular expression of praise for God as Father, Son, and Spirit.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday June 12

By

John

on June 10, 2011 10:36 AM | Permalink

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Acts 2:5-13

SERMON "The Ghost of Pentecost Past"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is so named because it is observed 50 days after Easter Sunday. Pentecost is often described as the "birthday of the church" and celebrates God's gift of the Holy Spirit. The liturgical color for Pentecost is red and common liturgical symbols for Pentecost include the flame, the dove, and the wind. The liturgical season of Pentecost is observed at Westminster until the Ordinary season begins on Rally Day in September.

As today we reflect on the roots of the church and the work of the Holy Spirit among us, we do so in two particularly celebratory ways. First, in keeping with the reformed Presbyterian tradition that all aspects of our church's life are outgrowths of worship, this entire worship service also functions as a congregational meeting in which we lift up the life and ministry of Westminster's former pastor, Vern Forsberg and, in consultation with the Committee on Ministry of the John Knox Presbytery, take action to bestow upon him the title of Pastor Emeritus. Although Pastor Forsberg retains ordination for life as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament, his designation as a Pastor Emeritus is honorary and, therefore, creates no pastoral authority or duty with respect to this congregation.

Second, as the worships service ends, we move to Fellowship Hall where we will convene a "Celebration of the Past" in which we share remembrances of the ways in which God has worked through and among us as Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The music through which we worship God this morning expresses our connection to God, both individually and communally, through the Holy Spirit. The offertory anthem is an African American Spiritual by Moses Hogan (1957-2003). This piece was commissioned by and composed in 2002 especially for the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Concert Choir

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday June 5

By

John

on June 3, 2011 11:19 AM | Permalink

THE PSALM READING Psalm 139:1-18

THE FIRST LESSON Luke 24:44-53

THE SECOND LESSON Ephesians 1:15-23

SERMON "The Hope to Which We Are Called"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster! Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord, the final week in the Easter season. Over the last six weeks we have heard stories of Jesus' resurrection and his resurrection appearances. As we heard these stories of resurrection we reflected in worship on how we encounter and recognize the risen Christ in our midst. Today, we hear about the last of Christ's resurrection appearances until he comes again, when he blesses his disciples and then ascends into heaven. This is our opportunity to recognize the presence of Christ in a new form, risen and ascended who dwells fully with God. Next Sunday, June 12, we will celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.

In this final week of the Easter season we will also recognize three new members in our congregation. Our confirmation class will be joining the church as adult members today. In the Presbyterian tradition, we baptize children as infants, with promises given by their parents and the congregations that baptize them to raise the children to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. Today, we will ask Phibi Miller, Bekah Smith, and Emma Thornburg to confirm their baptism by claiming Christ as their Lord and Savior for themselves. In preparation for confirmation these three young women have taken part in a nine-month course of Bible study and education about the church and theology. Today as we recognize Christ's ascension and the ongoing journey of all his disciples, we invite these young women to step forward and profess their own faith in the resurrected Christ. It is a time for all of us to reflect on how we continue to live out our commitment as Christ's disciples and to recognize the resurrected Christ in the world around us.

As part of the confirmation journey and education about worship, the confirmation students assisted in putting together this worship service and will assist in the worship leadership. The Psalm reading is a text that was central to our fall retreat and is a favorite text for all three women. The hymn "Here I Am, Lord" is one that they felt spoke to their confirmation journey and this opportunity to claim their faith as their own. The Affirmation of Faith is a combined statement written by the students drawing from their individual Statements of Faith. The first acts of these new members will be leading the congregation in the prayers of the people and serving communion. There will be a reception following worship to celebrate our new members.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday May 29

By

John

on May 28, 2011 11:02 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON John 14:15-21

THE GOSPEL LESSON Acts 17:22-31

SERMON "Being and Abiding"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this Sixth Sunday of Easter in which we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The liturgical season of Eastertide began on Easter Sunday (April 24) and concludes with our observance of Ascension Sunday (June 5) before the season of Pentecost begins on June 12. The liturgical color for Eastertide is white.

Throughout Eastertide, we reflect in worship on how we encounter and recognize the risen Christ in our midst. In today's scripture, we reflect on our encounter with God who lives in us, between us, and among us always through the gift of the "Spirit of Truth." The music through which we worship today reflects on this ever-present nature of the Divine that lives in us every day.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday May 22

By

John

on May 20, 2011 2:20 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON 1 Peter 2:2-10

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 14:1-14

SERMON "Knowing the Way"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this Fifth Sunday of Easter in which we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The liturgical season of Eastertide began on Easter Sunday (April 24) and concludes with our observance of Ascension Sunday (June 5) before the season of Pentecost begins on June 12. The liturgical color for Eastertide is white.

Throughout Eastertide, we reflect in worship on how we encounter and recognize the risen Christ in our midst. In today's scripture, we reflect on our encounter with Christ as "the way, the truth, and the life." The music through which we worship today includes hymns and service music that express our recognition of Jesus Christ as the "way" to God.

By

John

on April 14, 2011 2:14 PM | Permalink

Epistle Reading 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Gospel Reading John 13:1-17, 31-35

Sermon "God's True Glory"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on the Sixth Sunday in Lent, which is more commonly known as Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday officially begins our Holy Week journey. The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday (March 9) and continues for 40 days, excluding Sundays. The liturgical color for Lent is purple. The baptismal font, the communion table, and the pulpit have been placed in the center of the chancel for this liturgical season as a visible reminder to us of the equality and centrality of God's word and sacrament in our worship.

On Palm Sunday, we add our voices to those in the crowd at Jerusalem as we shout our loud "Hosannas" to the son of David. As our service begins, we hear the text from Matthew's gospel, which recounts the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. Westminster's youngest Christians will lead our procession into the sanctuary waiving palms as we sing "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" to Christ the King. After the weeks of Lent, this service seems abundant with joy. However, today we foreshadow our understanding that the crowd that cries "Hosanna" today, is the same crowd that will shout "Crucify Him!" on Good Friday.

The voice of the crowd is represented musically in two texts sung today by the choir. The first, a setting by Jean Berger (1909-2002), will be used as an offertory. The second is the Sanctus movement of the Requiem by French composer Gabriel Faure (1845-1924). The full Requiem will be used in the collaborative Good Friday Service, which will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church on April 22.

Due, in part, to the alternative format for our Maundy Thursday service on April 21, we will progress in this worship service from waiving palms to the upper room in which we gather as the disciples gathered with Jesus. Communion this morning will be received by modified intinction. After coming forward down the center aisle to receive the bread and cup, please step to the basin, dip your hands in the water and allow the person ahead of you in line to dry your hands. This act, which is done to symbolize the servanthood of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples after the meal, is a traditional element of Maundy Thursday worship.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday April 10

By

John

on April 8, 2011 9:30 PM | Permalink

Hebrew Scripture Reading Psalm 130

Gospel Reading John 11:1-6, 14-26,33-45

Sermon "Weeping"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Fifth Sunday in Lent. The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday (March 9) and continues for 40 days, excluding Sundays. The liturgical color for Lent is purple. The baptismal font, the communion table, and the pulpit have been placed in the center of the chancel for this liturgical season as a visible reminder to us of the equality and centrality of God's word and sacrament in our worship.

During our Lenten journey, we have put our "Alleluias!" away as we follow the path of Christ through the "valleys," in part so that we may experience the "mountaintop" of Easter more fully and more completely. Lenten worship is characterized by the use of more purposeful silences, an increased focus on confession, and an opportunity to seek and find God through corporate and personal prayer. However, throughout this season, we will focus on God's promises of salvation offered freely through grace to a people who walk in darkness. The theme of salvation will be an integral one in each of our Lenten worship services.

In worship today, we consider the meaning and purpose of sadness and grief within the context of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Through the gospel account of Jesus' encounter with Mary, Martha and the crowd after the death of Lazarus, we consider what it means to be a Christian and embrace our sadness and that of those around us. The music through which we worship is chosen to reflect the tension between our grief and our offering of praise to God for all things. The hymns and service music we sing today proclaim not only our faith in the midst of darkness, but speak to the solace we find in Christ.

The response hymn this morning, "When We Are Called to Sing Your Praise" is a text written by Rev. Mary Nelson Keithahn, a pastor who briefly served the congregation in which Joe Chrisman was confirmed. The choir's anthem is an early American setting of a passage from today's scripture lesson composed by William Billings (1746-1800). Billings is considered the "father" of American choral music and many of his pieces are still sung by choirs and congregations today. The text of this anthem is found at #312 in your hymnal

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday April 3

By

John

on March 31, 2011 3:19 PM | Permalink

Psalm Reading Psalm 23

Gospel Reading John 9:1-17, 24-25,33-41

Sermon "Healing and Wholeness"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Fourth Sunday in Lent. The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday (March 9) and continues for 40 days, excluding Sundays. The liturgical color for Lent is purple. The baptismal font, the communion table, and the pulpit have been placed in the center of the chancel for this liturgical season as a visible reminder to us of the equality and centrality of God's word and sacrament in our worship.

During our Lenten journey, we have put our "Alleluias!" away as we follow the path of Christ through the "valleys," in part so that we may experience the "mountaintop" of Easter more fully and more completely. Lenten worship is characterized by the use of more purposeful silences, an increased focus on confession, and an opportunity to seek and find God through corporate and personal prayer. However, throughout this season, we will focus on God's promises of salvation offered freely through grace to a people who walk in darkness. The theme of salvation will be an integral one in each of our Lenten worship services.

In worship today, we consider John's account of the healing and wholeness Christ offered to the blind man. In so doing, we recognize that our commonality lies in our understanding that we are each "blind" to the ways in which we are personally broken. It is God's grace, and our ability to actively seek it out through naming our brokenness, that makes us whole. As an expression of our faith, and as an act of responding to God's word proclaimed, today's Prayers of the People offers an opportunity for us to engage in the Presbyterian Service for Healing. This service, which has long been a part of the Book of Common Worship, encourages each of us to experience healing by asking another person to pray with and for us. While the congregation sings familiar and beloved hymns of prayer, you are invited to come forward, articulate your need for healing and wholeness to just two other people (a pastor and elder/deacon), and receive the gift of God's grace as experienced through prayers offered on your behalf by others. As our worship ends, we sustain a contemplative spirit of prayer as we, like the blind man, are sent out into the world to share our story with the world.

Because this worship service incorporates the Service for Healing and Wholeness, it does not include the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Communion will next be offered in worship on Palm Sunday, April 17 and Easter Sunday, April 24.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday March 27

By

John

on March 24, 2011 1:42 PM | Permalink

Hebrew Scripture Reading Exodus 17:1-7

Gospel Reading John 4:1-30, 39-42

Sermon "Living Waters"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Third Sunday in Lent. The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday (March 9) and continues for 40 days, excluding Sundays. The liturgical color for Lent is purple. The baptismal font, the communion table, and the pulpit have been placed in the center of the chancel for this liturgical season as a visible reminder to us of the equality and centrality of God's word and sacrament in our worship.

During our Lenten journey, we have put our "Alleluias!" away as we follow the path of Christ through the "valleys," in part so that we may experience the "mountaintop" of Easter more fully and more completely. Lenten worship is characterized by the use of more purposeful silences, an increased focus on confession, and an opportunity to seek and find God through corporate and personal prayer. However, throughout this season, we will focus on God's promises of salvation offered freely through grace to a people who walk in darkness. The theme of salvation will be an integral one in each of our Lenten worship services.

In worship today, we consider the relationship between our own sin and the acceptance we receive in love and grace from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through the gospel account of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, we consider what it means to be made whole in Christ. The music through which we worship is chosen to reflect the tension between our sin and the wholeness offered to us through Christ, the living water. The hymns and service music we sing today proclaim not only our human brokenness, but also the restoration and salvation we receive through relationship with the one who truly "fills our cup."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday March 20

By

John

on March 18, 2011 9:28 PM | Permalink

Hebrew Scripture Reading Genesis 12:1-4

Gospel Reading John 3:1-17

Sermon "The Blessing of Salvation"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Second Sunday in Lent. The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday (March 9) and continues for 40 days, excluding Sundays. The liturgical color for Lent is purple. The baptismal font, the communion table, and the pulpit have been placed in the center of the chancel for this liturgical season as a visible reminder us of the equality and centrality of God's word and sacrament in our worship.

During our Lenten journey, we have put our "Alleluias!" away as we follow the path of Christ through the "valleys," in part so that we may experience the "mountaintop" of Easter more fully and more completely. Lenten worship is characterized by the use of more purposeful silences, an increased focus on confession, and an opportunity to seek and find God through corporate and personal prayer. However, throughout this season, we will focus on God's promises of salvation offered freely through grace to a people who walk in darkness. The theme of salvation will be an integral one in each of our Lenten worship services.

In worship today, we consider the relationship between our own sin and the promise of salvation. In the context of the gospel lesson about Nicodemus and his interaction with Jesus, we also begin to explore a definition of salvation. The music through which we worship is chosen to reflect the tension between our sin and the salvation offered to us through Christ and his sacrifice for us on the cross. As we proclaim God's word in scripture this morning, the choir will sing a passage of the gospel lesson using an anthem setting by English organist and composer, Sir John Stainer (1840-1901). Stainer was a professor of music at Oxford and his musical contributions continue to shape Anglican choral music even today. The choral benediction response is his setting of the "Sevenfold Amen."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday March 13

By

John

on March 11, 2011 11:10 AM | Permalink

Hebrew Scripture Reading Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7

Gospel Reading Matthew 6:24-34

Sermon "The Problem of Power"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the First Sunday in Lent. The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday (March 9) and continues for 40 days, excluding Sundays. The liturgical color for Lent is purple. The baptismal font, the communion table, and the pulpit have been placed in the center of the chancel for this liturgical season as a visible reminder us of the equality and centrality of God's word and sacrament in our worship.

During our Lenten journey, we have put our "Alleluias!" away as we follow the path of Christ through the "valleys," in part so that we may experience the "mountaintop" of Easter more fully and more completely. Lenten worship is characterized by the use of more purposeful silences, an increased focus on confession, and an opportunity to seek and find God through corporate and personal prayer. However, throughout this season, we will focus on God's promises of salvation offered freely through grace to a people who walk in darkness. The theme of salvation will be an integral one in each of our Lenten worship services.

In worship today, we read in scripture of the temptation of Jesus in the desert and consider the temptations to power we each experience in our lives every day. The music through which we worship is chosen to reflect this tension between temptation and the hope of salvation offered to us through Christ and his sacrifice for us on the cross.

Ash Wednesday Worship Notes and Scripture

By

John

on March 9, 2011 10:38 PM | Permalink

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

PSALM 51

HOMILY "The Problem with Sin"

Worship Notes

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our forty-day journey through Lent. As we embark on this journey, we travel a path of discipleship that has us first look to the cross of Christ, confess our sin, accept our mortality, and see that the grace of God always acts first in granting us forgiveness.

The liturgical color for the season of Lent is purple. The baptismal font, the communion table, and the pulpit have been placed in the center of the chancel for this particular season as a sign of the equality and centrality of God's word and sacrament in our worship.

This worship service focuses on our personal confession of sin and culminates in the imposition of ashes. The ashes, which are created by burning the fronds from palm branches used in the 2010 Palm Sunday worship service, are imposed in the shape of a cross on the foreheads of individual worshipers. This outward sign of our repentance before God also serves as a visible reminder of our own mortality. It is this awareness of mortality that makes similar the services of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which marks the end of Lent. The imposition of ashes will occur in silence, allowing us to experience the universal applicability of the phrase, "Dust you are and unto dust you shall return."

The music through which we worship is chosen to enlighten the themes of repentance and forgiveness. In addition to singing Lenten hymns, which act as songs of confession, we will also sing of God's overwhelming love and mercy for us.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday March 6

By

John

on March 3, 2011 2:58 PM | Permalink

Epistle Reading 2 Peter 1:16-21

Gospel Reading Matthew 17:1-9

Sermon "Transformed"

Worship Notes

Today is Transfiguration Sunday, which is observed on the last Sunday before Lent. Transfiguration is a high point before we begin our reflective and penitential Lenten journey, which commences with the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday (March 9). The liturgical color for Transfiguration Sunday is white.

In worship today, we end the season of Epiphany with a focus on an explosion of God's light. This includes the light of God that shined on Christ's face as God declared: "This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased!" The scripture lessons describe the transforming experience of Jesus during this mountaintop encounter with God.

The music through which we worship today also reflects these themes of light and transformation. For example, the offertory, "Fairest Lord Jesus," is based on hymn 306, which states that Jesus shines fairer than all of the most beautiful sights of nature. The postlude is a hymn of praise offered to the immortal God who is "light inaccessible, hid from our eyes." Our closing hymn summarizes the sovereignty of Christ through an African-American spiritual, "He Is King of Kings."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday February 27

By

John

on February 25, 2011 3:00 PM | Permalink

GOSPEL READING Matthew 6:24-34

EPISTLE READING 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

SERMON "Called to be Slaves and Stewards"

Worship Notes

Welcome to Worship at Westminster on this the Eighth Sunday after Epiphany. Like Westminster, many reformed congregations began to observe a season of Epiphany on January 2 and continue the Epiphany season until Transfiguration Sunday (March 6), which is the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday (March 9) and the start of the Lenten season. Because Easter is observed later in 2011 (April 24), the Epiphany season is a longer liturgical season than it has been in recent years. The liturgical color for the season of Epiphany is white.

In worship today, and throughout the Epiphany season, we will reflect on what it means to be called by God. The scriptural basis for our consideration of God's call on our lives is the text of 1 Corinthians. Today's passage encourages our reflection on what it means to be "stewards of God's mysteries" and aware that it is God, and not we, who judges humanity and its actions.

Included in our worship this morning is part of The Belhar Confession. This confession was written in South Africa during the height of Apartheid -denouncing the inequalities and racism of that system. The Presbyterian Church(USA) is currently voting to include this confession within our Book of Confessions.

By

John

on January 20, 2011 10:09 PM | Permalink

GOSPEL READING Matthew 4:12-23

EPISTLE READING 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

SERMON "Called to Proclamation"

Worship Notes

Welcome to Worship at Westminster on this the Third Sunday after Epiphany. Like Westminster, many reformed congregations began to observe a season of Epiphany on January 2 and continue the Epiphany season until Transfiguration Sunday (March 6), which is the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday (March 9) and the start of the Lenten season. Because Easter is observed later in 2011 (April 24), the Epiphany season is a longer liturgical season than it has been in recent years. The liturgical color for the season of Epiphany is white.

In worship today, and throughout the Epiphany season, we will reflect on what it means to be called by God. The scriptural basis for our consideration of God's call on our lives is the text of 1 Corinthians. In today's passage, we consider what it means to be called to proclaim our Christianity and the story of our faith to the world.

The music through which we worship today is chosen to proclaim the story of our faith. In response to God's word proclaimed, we sing the great gospel hymn, "Blessed Assurance." Through this text, we proclaim, "This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long!" Our closing hymn today is a missional hymn of proclamation, "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday January 9

By

John

on January 6, 2011 4:48 PM | Permalink

THE PROPHETIC LESSON Isaiah 42:1-9

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 3:13-17

SERMON "Baptized in Water, Sealed by the Spirit"

Worship Notes

Welcome to Worship at Westminster on this the Second Sunday after Epiphany, which is also called "Baptism of the Lord" Sunday in the liturgical calendar. Like Westminster, many reformed congregations began to observe a season of Epiphany on January 2 and continue the Epiphany season until Transfiguration Sunday (March 6), which is the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday (March 9) and the start of the Lenten season. Because Easter is observed later in 2011 (April 24), the Epiphany season is a longer liturgical season than it has been in recent years. The liturgical color for the season of Epiphany is white.

The flow of our worship experience today begins with reflection on John's baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan, moves next to our annual reaffirmation of our own baptismal vows, and concludes with the act of ordination and installation of church officers. This movement reflects God's acts through Holy Spirit, which calls us all to ministries of grace and unites us in one baptism through God's name.

The music through which we worship today is chosen to reaffirm those baptismal covenants and give voice to God's call upon our lives. During the act of Reaffirmation of Baptism, you will be invited to come forward down the center aisle, place your hand in the font, and withdraw a stone, which will serve as a visible symbol and reminder of your baptism throughout the coming year.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday January 2

By

John

on December 31, 2010 3:35 PM | Permalink

THE PROPHETIC LESSON Isaiah 60:1-6

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 2:1-12

SERMON "Transformation as Pilgrimage"

Worship Notes

Today is Epiphany Sunday, a day set aside for celebrating the "shining forth" or revelation of God to humankind in the person of Jesus Christ. Both Eastern and Western churches observe Epiphany, however the specific date of the celebration varies with each tradition. In the Western church, Epiphany is observed twelve days after Christmas (January 6). Like Westminster, many reformed congregations choose to observe Epiphany on the first Sunday following the first Saturday in January and continue to observe a liturgical season of Epiphany until Transfiguration Sunday (March 6), which is the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday (March 9) and the start of the Lenten season. Because Easter is observed later in 2011 (April 24), the Epiphany season is a longer liturgical season than it has been in recent years. The liturgical color for the season of Epiphany is white.

"Light" is the common liturgical symbol for Epiphany. In worship today, we read in scripture of the appearance of the light of Christ in the form of the Christmas star, which is illustrated beautifully on the bulletin cover and which led the three wise men to Bethlehem. During our processional hymn, we will sing together of the wise men as the choir and worship leaders follow the light of Christ, symbolized by the Christ Candle, into the sanctuary. As we sing, our own three wise men will bring forward their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

As we respond to God's Word, we will gather around the Lord's Table to share in the sacrament of Holy Communion, which is open to all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Communion today will be received by intinction. The music during the time of communion is a setting of the carol "O Morning Star, So Fair and Bright," the text of which appears in our hymnal. As our worship concludes, we depart to go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere that Jesus Christ is born.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday December 12

By

John

on December 9, 2010 1:06 PM | Permalink

THE PROPHETIC LESSON Isaiah 35:1-10

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 11:2-11

SERMON "Transformation of Joy: Changing the World"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Third Sunday of Advent. The liturgical color for Advent is blue and that color appears not only the paraments on the communion table and lectern, but also in the choir stoles and in three of the four candles in the Advent wreath.

The season of Advent is a time of anticipation, expectation, and preparation. By observing a season of Advent, we have the opportunity to reflect on just how much our world waits with eager longing for the coming of the Messiah. During Advent, our worship cultivates a sense of mystery as we "wait for the Lord" with anticipation of the coming Light. The season of Advent is always measured by the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day. Each week represents the passage of 1,000 years to total the 4,000 years believed to have elapsed between the time of Adam and Eve and the birth of Jesus Christ. We use an Advent wreath as a symbol of our progression through this season as we prepare to move from a world immersed in darkness into a world of light filled with the hope, peace, joy, and love found in Christ.

In worship today, we focus on the joy with which we wait for the Lord. The hymns and service music through which we worship today reflect this spirit of joy amidst the darkness of the world. To symbolize that we have reached the half-way point in our Advent journey from darkness to light, today we light the pink candle, which is also called the "Gaudete" or joy candle, in the Advent wreath.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday December 5

By

John

on December 2, 2010 5:30 PM | Permalink

THE PROPHETIC LESSON Isaiah 11:1-10

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 3:1-12

SERMON "The Transformation of Peace: Letting Go"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Second Sunday of Advent. The liturgical color for Advent is blue and that color appears not only the paraments on the communion table and lectern, but also in the choir stoles and in three of the four candles in the Advent wreath.

The season of Advent is a time of anticipation, expectation, and preparation. By observing a season of Advent, we have the opportunity to reflect on just how much our world waits with eager longing for the coming of the Messiah. During Advent, our worship cultivates a sense of mystery as we "wait for the Lord" with anticipation of the coming Light. The season of Advent is always measured by the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day. Each week represents the passage of 1,000 years to total the 4,000 years believed to have elapsed between the time of Adam and Eve and the birth of Jesus Christ. We use an Advent wreath as a symbol of our progression through this season as we prepare to move from a world immersed in darkness into a world of light filled with the hope, peace, joy, and love found in Christ.

In worship today, we focus on the peace with which we wait for the Lord. The hymns and service music through which we worship today reflect this hope for peace. As a sign of the peace we extend to one another in Christ, we will respond to God's Word today by uniting together around the Lord's Table to participate in Holy Communion.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 28

By

John

on November 24, 2010 10:32 AM | Permalink

THE PROPHETIC LESSON Isaiah 2:1-5

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 24:36-44

SERMON "The Transformation of Hope: Being Awake"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the First Sunday of Advent, which is also celebrated as the start of a new church year. The liturgical color for Advent is blue and that color appears not only on the paraments on the communion table and lectern, but also in the choir stoles and in three of the four candles in the Advent wreath.

The season of Advent is a time of anticipation, expectation, and preparation. By observing a season of Advent, we have the opportunity to reflect on just how much our world waits with eager longing for the coming of the Messiah. During Advent, our worship cultivates a sense of mystery as we "wait for the Lord" with anticipation of the coming Light. The season of Advent is always measured by the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day. Each week represents the passage of 1,000 years to total the 4,000 years believed to have elapsed between the time of Adam and Eve and the birth of Jesus Christ. We use an Advent wreath as a symbol of our progression through this season as we prepare to move from a world immersed in darkness into a world of light filled with the hope, peace, joy, and love found in Christ.

In worship today, we focus on the hope with which we wait for the Lord. The hymns and service music through which we worship today reflect this spirit of hope amidst the darkness. As a sign of our hope, we will respond to God's Word today by decorating our sanctuary with symbols of our hope in Christ: evergreens, angels, Chrismons and lights. The congregation is invited to come forward and assist as together we "green the church" and begin our Advent journey. While we do so, we will sing the familiar Advent Carol, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." The prophetic text of this carol is based on the "O Antiphons," which have been used by Christians to prepare for the Christmas observance since the first century.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 21

By

John

on November 18, 2010 8:07 PM | Permalink

THE PSALM LESSON Psalm 100

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:68-79

THE EPISTLE LESSON Colossians 1:11-20

SERMON "Radical Gratitude"

Worship Notes

In today's worship we celebrate Thanksgiving Sunday. The music and liturgy revolve around this most important of human activities -- giving thanks for the many gifts we receive from God. You will notice in our worship an emphasis on singing today as a deep expression of this thanksgiving. We gather in song, sing prayers and hymns, and have incorporated a number of anthems throughout the service. The texts at the heart of our worship reflect this attitude of gratitude as expressed in Psalm 100 and in a portion of a letter from Paul to the church where he encourages them to "endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father." The prayer of Confession comes from a poem written by Mary Jo Leddy, a theologian and writer who works with refugees in Canada.

As part of our response to God's gracious Word, you are encouraged to come forward and present yourself and your gifts of offerings, pledges and groceries. We come as the hymn (551) reminds us as a "Thankful People." We encourage you to reflect in this service on your own "radical gratitude" for the gifts of God's grace within your life and in the world. We are reminded as the early church father, Irenaeus, once wrote "That God gives us gifts everyday, but our hands are too full to receive them."

Be attentive

to the graciousness

the glory and the goodness

that is here

that is now

ever new.

Amen.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 7

By

John

on November 4, 2010 3:28 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Hebrews 11:32-12:2

SERMON "True Grit"

Worship Notes

In worship today, we remember and celebrate those who have gone from our lives and who have joined the communion of saints with our Lord God in heaven. In the liturgical calendar, this commemoration is called "The Festival of All Saints Day." The liturgical color for All Saints Day is white.

The focus of this service is not on the experience of death and loss, but rather on the celebration of life. Those "saints" whom we remember by name in worship today are the ten individuals from this congregation who have died since last All Saints Day in November 2009. As the name of each person is read aloud, a bell is tolled as a family member or a designee takes light from the Christ Candle to light one of the tall candles behind the communion table as a visible sign of the presence of the deceased among the communion of saints. As we worship, we recall the ways in which we, like these individuals, live out our response to God's call upon our lives within this community and in mission to Christ's church and to the world.

Communion today will be received by intinction. After coming forward to receive the bread and cup, you may wish to step behind the communion table to light a candle to celebrate the memory of someone from your life who now is among the communion of saints. Symbolic of Christ as the light of everlasting life, each memorial candle is lit from the Christ Candle. Collectively, these burning candles serve as a visible sign of the "cloud of witnesses" described in scripture.

The music through which we worship today also celebrates those who have gone before us and whose Christian examples give shape to our mission. The prelude is a reflective setting of the German Chorale, "Blessed Are the Faithful Souls," set by Brahms. The opening hymn, "O Lord of Life, Where'er They Be" describes the wonder of heaven and the joy that waits us there. The response hymn, "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God", articulates our understanding that saints live among us and serve with us in mission even now. The choir's anthems, "At the River" and "The Road Home" reflect both the hopeful expectation of salvation promised to us through Christ and the prayerful reflection of the end of life as it is on earth. We close our worship with the sending hymn, "For All the Saints," which is set to tune by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday October 31

By

John

on October 29, 2010 10:37 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 19:1-10

SERMON "Letters of the Reformers"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today is Reformation Sunday, in which we celebrate our historical Presbyterian roots and the ways in which the church continues to live out the reformed notion that it was "once reformed, always reforming."

Our sermon this morning is an exercise in imagination where we listen in on correspondence between John Calvin and John Knox. John Calvin, considered the father of Reformed Theology, led the Reformation in Geneva and corresponded frequently with other Reformers on the continent. John Knox, considered the father of Presbyterianism, worked in Scotland for the reformation of the Scottish church. Calvin and Knox did frequently write letters to each other after meeting in Geneva when Knox had to flee persecution in England. The imaginary setting for the sermon is around the forty fifth anniversary of Luther's dramatic nailing of the 95 thesis on the church door. While the sermon is a work of fiction, the issues and theological discussion reflected in the letters could be a reflection of the concerns of these reformers as they wrestle with the legacy of the Reformation.

The music through which we worship today is chosen purposefully to highlight the role of reformers in our hymnody. We begin our worship by singing the great hymn of faith written by the reformer Martin Luther in 1529, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." The Choral Prayer Response and Choral Benediction Response are verses taken from a hymn with text attributed to John Calvin and tune drawn from the Genevan Psalter. The Genevan Psalter is a musical collection of psalms created under the supervision of John Calvin. Before the Reformation, the psalms singing in worship was generally done by a select group of performers, not by the congregation. Calvin believed the whole congregation should actively participate in praising God in the worship. It is from this resource that our familiar "Doxology" is also taken.

In addition to the Offertory Anthem, several other music selections used in worship today are settings by J.S. Bach (1685-1750). Bach was the greatest contributor to church music in the reformed tradition. In observance of the Reformation, our service concludes today with an offering of one of the most familiar organ works of Bach. The powerful and dramatic energy of this piece has been widely, and unfortunately, usurped by popular culture for association with Halloween images of fear or fright. However, this piece would have been played by Bach at his church in Arnstadt, Germany, and well demonstrates the style of music through which his reformed congregation would have worshipped.

By

John

on October 1, 2010 8:52 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON 2 Timothy 1:1-14

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 17:5-10

SERMON "Discipleship: Faith and Duty"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 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 2010, 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 that it is one bread of life and one cup of blessing that unites us as one community of Christ. In service to God, today we are also mindful of our responsibility to be peacemakers and care for the powerless in our community. As a visible sign of that caring, 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, we sing a song from the Congo as the Chancel Choir and worship leaders will 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 observe the sacrament of communion, we will do so aware of our place within the community of believers gathered here to worship by coming forward to receive the elements. As an additional sign of our unity in Christ, we will sing a simple song of communion from the Taize Ecumenical Community as we share the meal.

As our communion and corporate worship draws to an end, we will unite in singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth." While we sing, the Chancel Choir will lead us out to become God's messengers of peace in the wider world outside the walls of Westminster.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday September 26

By

John

on September 23, 2010 4:22 PM | Permalink

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.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday Septemebr 19

By

John

on September 16, 2010 10:15 PM | Permalink

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."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday September 12

By

John

on September 9, 2010 1:42 PM | Permalink

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

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday September 5

By

John

on September 2, 2010 12:55 PM | Permalink

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.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday August 29

By

John

on August 26, 2010 3:41 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 14:1, 7-14

SERMON "Invitation to the Kingdom of the Lame"

Worship Notes

The central text for this morning comes from the gospel of Luke where Jesus admonishes his followers to not seek places of honor at the wedding banquet, but instead walk a path of humility. He tells the disciples to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind to banquet of God's love. We reflect in our prayers, liturgy, and music this invitation to us.

The Call to Worship comes from the Psalm of the day and highlights the blessing of God for those who are a generous and forgiving; those who act justly; and those who are a light in the darkness. All these images evoke a sense of our humble task of following Jesus commandment to invite those previously excluded. The Opening Hymn certainly captures this sense of welcome as we sing the words: "Gather us in -- the lost and forsaken, gather us in the blind and the lame." The hymn following the sermon is our affirmation of faith that we shall "eat at the welcome table." Our final hymn sends us out into the world to be "In haunts of wretchedness and need, On shadowed thresholds of fraught and fear, From paths where hide the lures of greed, We catch the vision of Thy tears."

"Evangelism will have to be understood not as an adventure in "winning friends and influencing people" but as a fundamentally subversive activity, born out of a posture of eccentricity and out of the cultivation of such deviant practices as sharing bread with the poor, loving enemies, refusing violence, forgiving sins, and telling the truth."

Bryan Stone

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday August 22

By

John

on August 19, 2010 3:47 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 1:4-10

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 13:10-17

SERMON "Grace and Sanity: Being Bent"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost. During these summer weeks, and throughout the Pentecost season, we sustain a purposeful focus on God's gift of the Holy Spirit and on its presence at work within and through us.

In worship today, we focus on God's call on our lives and God's healing presence among us. In the gospel lesson, we read of Jesus' actions to heal the woman on the Sabbath and the reaction of church leaders to this "rule-breaking" decision.

The music through which we worship this morning is chosen to reflect these themes of healing and call. We join in prayers of thanksgiving for the leadership of our Summer Sing participants in the worship service this morning.

In the spiritual life, freedom is for nothing other than love.

Human beings exist because of love,

and the meaning and goal of our lives is love.

In Christian understanding, every-thing that is authentic in the spiritual life points toward the increasing fulfillment of the two great commandments:

To love God and

other people

in a completely unfettered way.

Liberation from attachment is only a means to this end.

Gerald May

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday August 15

By

John

on August 13, 2010 1:25 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Isaiah 5:1-7

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 12:49-56

SERMON "Fire in the Hole: Passion for the Kingdom!"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. During these summer weeks, and throughout the Pentecost season, we sustain a purposeful focus on God's gift of the Holy Spirit and on its presence at work within and through us.

In worship today, we attempt to open our eyes to the divisions and separations that exist between God's people. We reflect on our role in perpetuating those divisions and consider whether, in exercising our responsibilities as faithful disciples of Christ, we are called to societal conflict and separation.

The music through which we worship today reflects our struggle to live in a world in which the fullness of God's kingdom has not yet been realized. The prelude and postlude are settings of hymn texts that describe Christ as the one rock or foundation on which we are called to build our lives and our church. The opening hymn, "The Church's One Foundation," describes a unity that does not yet exist within the Christian community but is one for which we still work, hope, and pray. In response to God's word, we sing about the costs of discipleship that we encounter when we are willing to "take up our cross" and follow Christ. As our service ends, we sing Hymn 434, which reminds us of all that is involved in our call to follow Christ and serve as disciples.

In worship today, we also hear from our youth who participated in the mission trip to St. Paul, Minnesota earlier this month. The youth will be sharing music, "affirming their faith" by describing their experiences serving others, and leading our prayers

"Consequential faith has risks. The love of Christ is love worth dying for. Congregations are far more reluctant to ask this kind of faith of teenagers than teenagers are to respond to it. Churches help young people develop consequential faith best when they focus on who Christ is calling young people to become as his envoys in the world." Kendra Creasy Dean

Worship Notes and Scripture for Easter Sunday August 8

By

John

on August 5, 2010 10:56 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Isaiah 1:1, 10-20

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 12:32-40

SERMON "Lets Get Ready to Rumble: The Problem of the Kingdom of God"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. During these summer weeks, and throughout the Pentecost season, we sustain a purposeful focus on God's gift of the Holy Spirit and on its presence at work within and through us.

Today we wrestle with the question of the kingdom of God.

Is the kingdom something in the future or is it available now?

Do we prepare ourselves for the kingdom?

Our central story this morning is Jesus' encouragement to be ready for God's kingdom. The image of light plays a central role in the text. This is reflected in our hymn choices and responses this morning.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday August 1

By

John

on July 29, 2010 12:35 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Colossians 3:1-11

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 12:13-21

SERMON "Affluenza: The Problem of Abundance"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost. During these summer weeks, and throughout the Pentecost season, we sustain a purposeful focus on God's gift of the Holy Spirit and on its presence at work within and through us.

In worship today, we reflect on the abundance of God's grace, which affords us with everything we need. Our response to that abundance, and how we choose to use the spiritual and tangible gifts entrusted to us by God, involves an act of faith. Yet it is God's great faithfulness that always acts first through grace and it is that same grace that unites us together around the Lord's Table in the sacrament of communion.

In our central text this morning Jesus points to the difficulty of seeing the world in terms of scarcity, rather than abundance. As our first hymn states, "Father, whose bounty all creation shows..."; and our second hymn goes, "God whose giving knows no ending, from your rich and endless store."

You are invited to reflect on the abundance of God's love and grace today!

Worship Notes and Scripture for Easter Sunday July 25

By

John

on July 22, 2010 7:05 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Colossians 2:6-15

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 11:1-13

SERMON "Who Closes the Door?"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost. During these summer weeks, and throughout the Pentecost season, we sustain a purposeful focus on God's gift of the Holy Spirit and on its presence at work within and through us.

In worship today, we focus purposefully on the act of prayer. In the gospel lesson, Jesus teaches us how to pray and frames that if we seek, we will find, if we knock, the door will be opened to us. The music through which we worship today is chosen to evoke a particular spirit of prayer that leads to and culminates in the Prayers of the People, which follows the sermon and the Affirmation of Faith.

We welcome the musical leadership in worship today from our Handbell Week participants, who will offer a setting of the familiar hymn, "Sweet Hour of Prayer," as our offertory. The text of this hymn creates a meaningful framework for our prayerful experience in worship. Two stanzas of this hymn, which were written by William Walford and published in 1861, are as follows:

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

That calls me from a world of care,

And bids me at my Father's throne

Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief,

And oft escaped the tempter's snare,

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bear

To Him whose truth and faithfulness

Engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since He bids me seek His face,

Believe His Word and trust His grace,

I'll cast on Him my every care,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday July 18

By

John

on July 15, 2010 8:12 PM | Permalink

The First Lesson Colossians 1:15-28

The Second Lesson Luke 10:38-42

Sermon "Sitting At Jesus' Feet" Pastor Kathleen Owens

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost. During these summer weeks, and throughout the Pentecost season, we sustain a purposeful focus on God's gift of the Holy Spirit and on its presence at work within and through us.

In today's gospel lesson, we hear the story of Mary and Martha and consider the central importance of corporate worship in our daily lives. We reflect on the act of worship that occurs within these walls each Sunday and empowers us to go forth and do God's will outside these walls during the week.

The music through which we worship God today is chosen to reflect our focus on the act of worship. The gathering hymn, "O For A Thousand Tongues" is a hymn of praise that well describes the wide scope of our worship of God. The anthem, "Come and Find the Quiet Center," describes the centering effect of worship in our lives. As we respond to God's Word, and to the commissioning of participants in the Triennium Conference, we sing the hymn, "Lord, Speak to Me that I May Speak," which describes how God acts through us in worship to empower us for service. The offertory anthem is an African-American Spiritual, "Set Down Servant," which describes the joy experienced by those who worship and serve God unceasingly. As our worship ends, and as we prepare to go forth in to the world, we sing "I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me," which reflects our commitment to live, work, pray, and sing in service of God.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday July 11

By

John

on July 8, 2010 12:30 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Colossians 1:1-14

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 10:25-37

SERMON "Who is your neighbor?" Pastor Kathleen Owens

By

John

on May 27, 2010 5:22 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON John 16:12-15

THE SECOND LESSON Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

SERMON "Wisdom and Delight"

Worship Notes

Today is the first Sunday after Pentecost, which is also called Trinity Sunday. On Trinity Sunday, we celebrate the mystical experience of God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In the Presbyterian tradition, Trinity Sunday is the only date on which a particular doctrine is celebrated. As a visible symbol of the presence of the Holy Spirit, which we observe throughout the Pentecost season, the red cloth remains in the cross and on the communion table.

The music through which we worship today was chosen either specifically illumine the doctrine of the Trinity or is demonstrative of the number three. For example, the prelude is a setting of trio sonata composed by German organist J.S. Bach (1685-1750). In a trio sonata, three equal voices or melodies are played simultaneously (played by the left hand, right hand, and feet) throughout the piece. In this sense, a trio sonata can be considered a metaphor for the Trinity. The traditional Acclamation Hymn, or "Gloria Patri," is itself an expression of praise to God in each of the Trinitarian forms.

The choir's anthem, "God to Enfold Me," expresses the constant presence of God in our lives. This setting, particularly appropriate for Trinity Sunday, was composed in 2001 by Keith Smeltzer, a Seattle-based composer, teacher, and friend of Joe Chrisman. As we also consider the nature of wisdom, described in the Proverbs passage, we respond with a hymn that speaks to the "immortal, invisible" nature of our wise and loving God.

Our prayer response hymn this morning was written in 1972 by Jimmy Owens. Owens is a jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, teacher, and clinician who has played with Jazz legends such as Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Lionel Hampton. In this hymn, Owens sets a particular expression of praise for God as Father, Son, and Spirit.

As the service ends, we carry that love with us out into the world as we depart singing the beloved hymn of the trinity, "Holy, Holy, Holy." The postlude is a setting of variations on this hymn.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday May 16

By

John

on May 13, 2010 7:20 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Acts 1:1-11

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 24:44-53

SERMON "Resurrection Life: Being Witnesses and Blessings"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this Seventh Sunday of Easter, also called Ascension Sunday, in which we celebrate the ascension of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ascension Day actually occurs 40 days after Easter (May 13). However, like Westminster, other reformed congregations choose to observe ascension on the Sunday which follows Ascension Day, which is also the last Sunday in the liturgical season of Eastertide. Next Sunday (May 23) we begin the season Pentecost. The liturgical color for Eastertide is white.

On Ascension Sunday, we reflect on the beliefs we profess in the Nicene Creed and the Apostle's Creed, that Jesus not only rose again from the dead, but also "ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty." The music and liturgy through which we worship today is chosen to express this belief in the supremacy and sovereignty of Christ. Many of the hymns used in worship this morning use language that associates Christ as "king." For example, our gathering hymn proclaims that we "crown [Christ] Lord of all," while through the text of the sending hymn "crown him with many crowns." These references to Christ as King help remind us that Christ was both fully human and fully God

The central text for this morning is Luke's account of the ascension; both in Acts and the gospel. Our liturgy reflects his call to be messengers of the good news of God's love and forgiveness in the world and to all nations.

By

John

on April 15, 2010 2:14 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Acts 9:1-20

THE SECOND LESSON John 21:1-19

SERMON "Resurrection Life: Eating with Strangers"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this Third Sunday of Easter in which we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The liturgical season of Eastertide continues for seven Sundays and concludes with our observance of Ascension Sunday (May 16) before the season of Pentecost begins on May 23. The liturgical color for Eastertide is white.

In worship today, we continue to explore the ways in which we recognize and experience the risen Christ. Today's scripture from the Book of Acts, which tells of Saul's experience with the risen Christ, is dramatized through a setting by Norwegian composer, Egil Hovland (b. 1924). Knighted in 1983 for his contributions to field of music, Hovland is a composer of world renown who has also been an organist and choir director at the same church in Fredrikstad for the past 61 years. In this setting, Hovland dramatizes Saul's encounter through the use of "choral speech," dissonance, and whisper-like dynamics. Other hymns and service music used throughout the worship service are selected to illustrate the call of the risen Christ and our response to it.

The paraments on the lectern and pulpit are by Canadian liturgical artist, Karen Brodie and represent the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: the alpha and the omega. The interior of the omega, along with the curved lines of the light, remind us of the open tomb and our risen Christ. The cross and the star are combined to become a symbol of Christ's birth and death. The bottom of the cross becomes one with the cup, the cup of salvation, and the wheat, the symbol of the body of Christ broken for us. These paraments also incorporate the sun rising as a symbol of the new life we celebrate through the resurrection of Christ.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday April 11

By

John

on April 10, 2010 9:34 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Acts 5:27-32

THE SECOND LESSON John 20:19-31

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this Second Sunday after Easter in which we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The liturgical season of Eastertide continues for seven Sundays and concludes with our observance of Ascension Sunday (May 16) before the season of Pentecost begins on May 23. The liturgical color for Eastertide is white.

In worship today, we explore the role of doubt in our faith by reflecting on the gospel account of Thomas and his encounter with the risen Lord. In our prayers and liturgy we affirm how Christ is experienced and expressed in brokenness and woundedness. Peace comes in the form of the resurrected Christ bearing the wounds of his crucifixion.

The paraments on the lectern and pulpit are by Canadian liturgical artist, Karen Brodie and represent the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: the alpha and the omega. The interior of the omega, along with the curved lines of the light, remind us of the open tomb and our risen Christ. The cross and the star are combined to become a symbol of Christ's birth and death. The bottom of the cross becomes one with the cup, the cup of salvation, and the wheat, the symbol of the body of Christ broken for us. These paraments also incorporate the sun rising as a symbol of the new life we celebrate through the resurrection of Christ.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Easter Sunday April 4

By

John

on April 4, 2010 10:53 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 65:17-25

THE SECOND LESSON: John 20:11-18

SERMON: "Recognizing New Life"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this Easter Sunday in which we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The liturgical season of Eastertide continues for seven Sundays and concludes with our observance of Ascension Sunday (May 16) before the season of Pentecost begins on May 23. The liturgical color for Eastertide is white.

During the season of Lent, we put our "Alleluias" away. Today, we proclaim our faith with shouts of "Alleluia! The Lord is risen!" "He is risen indeed! Alleluia!" Our focus in worship today is on the resurrection of our Lord. The music through which we worship today is a celebratory proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The prelude is a toccata by John Rutter and it serves as a musical connection between our meditative Good Friday worship, which incorporated Rutter's Requiem, and this celebratory service of Easter.The hymns and service music we sing this morning all reflect the joyous celebration of Christ's resurrection. During Holy Communion, all who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are invited to partake of the elements as we sing a Taize Song of Communion, "Jesus Remember Me." In keeping with a longstanding Westminster tradition, our Easter Sunday worship ends with an invitation for all to join the Chancel Choir in singing Handel's "Hallelujah" and the inspired "Toccata" of French organist, Charles Marie Widor (1844-1937).

The paraments on the lectern and pulpit are by Canadian liturgical artist, Karen Brodie and represent the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: the alpha and the omega. The interior of the omega, along with the curved lines of the light, remind us of the open tomb and our risen Christ. The cross and the star are combined to become a symbol of Christ's birth and death. The bottom of the cross becomes one with the cup, the cup of salvation, and the wheat, the symbol of the body of Christ broken for us. These paraments also incorporate the sun rising as a symbol of the new life we celebrate through the resurrection of Christ.

By

John

on March 5, 2010 10:30 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Luke 13:1-9

THE SECOND LESSON Isaiah 55:1-9

SERMON "Need and Want"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this Third Sunday in Lent. Lent began on Ash Wednesday (February 17) and continues for 40 days and 40 nights, excluding Sundays. The liturgical color for this season of penitence and reflection is purple. During our Lenten journey, we have put our "Alleluias!" away as we follow the path of Christ through the "vallies," in part so that we may experience the "mountaintop" of Easter more fully and more completely. Lenten worship is characterized by the use of more purposeful silences, an increased focus on confession, and an opportunity to seek God through corporate and personal prayer.

In worship today, we focus on our human struggle to recognize that God provides sufficiently for all our needs. The particular challenge lies in trusting God and in understanding that, even in times of great difficulty, God still provides. Our Lenten prayer is filled with thanksgiving for the abundance found in the loving mercy of God, which supports and nourishes us both in times of great distress and great joy.

The music through which we worship today illumines the theme of thankfulness for God's loving care. The prelude is a setting of today's response hymn, "Jesus, Priceless Treasure," set by German composer Johann Gottfried Walther (1684-1748). As we prepare to gather around the Lord's table, the offertory anthem, set by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), reminds us of the blessings that come to those who trust in the Lord.

The music during communion is one of Polish pianist Fredric Chopin's most beautiful preludes, "The Raindrop." This prelude, filled with both turbulent storms and peaceful rainfalls, offers a musical interpretation of today's scripture text as it illustrates the constant presence of God in both times of trouble and times of peace. Around the world, musicians this week are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Chopin.

By

John

on December 18, 2009 6:11 PM | Permalink

Fourth Sunday of Advent

"Love and Hope Abide"

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Worship Notes

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve 1918 at Kings College at Cambridge. This service was adapted from an order prepared by the Archbishop of Canterbury for a Christmas Eve service in 1880 by Eric Milner-White, a former army chaplain, who, at the age of 34, had just been appointed Dean of King's College. With the exception of 1930, the Cambridge Festival has been broadcast annually on the radio since 1928. (In Madison, the Cambridge Festival may be heard on Wisconsin Public Radio on Christmas Eve morning.) Although the anthems and carols change each year, the lessons read from the King James Bible and the prayers used in the service have remained virtually unchanged since 1918. Like Westminster, many churches have adapted the Cambridge Festival service for use in worship during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Eric Milner-White described the Festival service in this way:

"Its liturgical order and pattern is the strength of the service; the main theme is the development of the loving purposes of God, from the Creation to the Incarnation, through the windows and words of the Bible: the scriptures, not the carols, are the backbone."

As with all worship services at Westminster, the faithful expression of God's word is our primary focus. The music--handmaid of the liturgy--is our response to God's word proclaimed. Through music dating from the 16th to the 21st centuries, we have an opportunity today to respond to God's word by drawing from a diverse and rich heritage of choral repertoire and carols.

As we worship, we know that God's promises of hope and love abide in Christ and, through him, also abide in each of us. Let us respond to God's word this morning with joy as we add our voices to the messengers who preach the gospel of peace.

We extend a warm Westminster welcome to guest harpist, Mary Ann Harr. Mary Ann is blessed with an incredible musical talent and a vibrant spirit, which makes her an exceptional musical collaborator. In addition to performing regularly with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Mary Ann also maintains an active teaching studio in Madison. We offer up our prayers of thanksgiving for Mary Ann's gift of music through which we worship today.

Worship Notes and Sermon for Sunday December 13

By

John

on December 12, 2009 1:39 AM | Permalink

THE PROPHETIC LESSON Zephaniah 3:14-20

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 3:7-18

SERMON "Preparation as Winnowing"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this, the Third Sunday of Advent. Advent means "coming." The liturgical color for Advent is blue and that color appears not only in the paraments on the communion table and lectern, but also in the choir stoles and in three of the four candles in the Advent wreath.

The season of Advent is a time of anticipation, expectation, and preparation. By observing a season of Advent, we have the opportunity to reflect on just how much our world waits with eager longing for the coming of the Messiah. During Advent, our worship cultivates a sense of mystery as we wait in anticipation of the coming Light. The season of Advent is always measured by the four Sundays proceeding Christmas Day. Each week represents the passage of 1,000 years to total the 4,000 years believed to have elapsed between the time of Adam and Eve and the birth of the Savior. We use an Advent wreath as a symbol of our progression through this season as we prepare to move from a world of darkness into a world of light. To mark the half-way point on our Advent journey, today we light the pink candle in the Advent wreath as a visible symbol of our joy.

God's word expressed in worship today is focused on joy. The hymns and service music through which we worship today reflects the joy that accompanies our faithful belief that Christ's coming means freedom from all worldly burdens. The prelude and postlude today are both connected to the spirit of joy as encapsulated by J.S. Bach (1685-1750). The prelude is a contemporary setting of the chorale "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," and the postlude is a jubilant setting of his spirited "jig" fugue.

As a response to God's word proclaimed, and as a reflection of our joy, today we ordain and install the new elders and deacons who were called by God to this service in the church and who were elected by the congregation at its meeting on November 1.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday December 6

By

John

on December 3, 2009 4:35 PM | Permalink

THE PROPHETIC LESSON Malachi 3:1-4

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 3:1-6

SERMON "Peace: Preparation as Announcement"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this, the Second Sunday of Advent. Advent means "coming." The liturgical color for Advent is blue and that color appears not only in the paraments on the communion table and lectern, but also in the choir stoles and in three of the four candles in the Advent wreath.

The season of Advent is a time of anticipation, expectation, and preparation. By observing a season of Advent, we have the opportunity to reflect on just how much our world waits with eager longing for the coming of the Messiah. During Advent, our worship cultivates a sense of mystery as we wait in anticipation of the coming Light. The season of Advent is always measured by the four Sundays proceeding Christmas Day. Each week represents the passage of 1,000 years to total the 4,000 years believed to have elapsed between the time of Adam and Eve and the birth of the Savior. We use an Advent wreath as a symbol of our progression through this season as we prepare to move from a world of darkness into a world of light.

God's word expressed in worship today is focused on peace. The hymns and service music through which we worship today reflects a joyful spirit peace in a world filled with "rough places" that will be made smooth by the coming of Christ. Like many Christmas carols, several of the musical pieces through which we worship today are actually derived from early baroque folk tunes, which were often set to dances.

During Advent, our worship will begin with the choir singing one of the O Antiphons, which have been incorporated as a lyrical paraphrase into the familiar Advent Carol, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." The prophetic text of the antiphons has been used by Christians to prepare for the Christmas observance since the first century.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 29

By

John

on November 25, 2009 9:18 PM | Permalink

THE PROPHETIC LESSON Jeremiah 33:14-16

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 21:25-36

SERMON "Hope: Preparation as Alertness"

Worship Notes

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this, the First Sunday of Advent, which is also celebrated as the start of a new church year. The liturgical color for Advent is blue and that color appears not only in the paraments on the communion table and lectern, but also in the choir stoles and in three of the four candles in the Advent wreath.

The season of Advent is a time of anticipation, expectation, and preparation. By observing a season of Advent, we have the opportunity to reflect on just how much our world waits with eager longing for the coming of the Messiah. During Advent, our worship cultivates a sense of mystery as we wait in anticipation of the coming Light. The season of Advent is always measured by the four Sundays proceeding Christmas Day. Each week represents the passage of 1,000 years to total the 4,000 years believed to have elapsed between the time of Adam and Eve and the birth of the Savior. We use an Advent wreath as a symbol of our progression through this season as we prepare to move from a world of darkness into a world of light. This year we light the candles as a response to God's word rather than at the beginning of our service.

God's word expressed in worship today is focused on hope. This hope is that which exists in the midst of darker times represented in the apocalyptic character of today's scripture lessons. The hymns and service music through which we worship today reflects this spirit of hope amidst the darkness.

During Advent, our worship will begin with the choir singing one of the O Antiphons, which have been incorporated as a lyrical paraphrase into the familiar Advent Carol, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." The prophetic text of the antiphons has been used by Christians to prepare for the Christmas observance since the first century.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 22

By

John

on November 19, 2009 9:54 PM | Permalink

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON 2 Samuel 23:1-7

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON John 18:33-37

SERMON "The Thankful King"

Worship Notes

Today is marked as the last Sunday of the Christian year and is often referred to as Christ the King Sunday marking the sovereignty of Jesus over our lives. It is also Thanksgiving Sunday where we explore the essential component of grace in our spirituality. The connection between Christ as King and thanksgiving is highlighted in our worship today.

Our worship begins with the haunting melody of a Taize song reminding us that in the Lord we are ever thankful. We continue this thanksgiving singing such hymns as We Gather Together, Come Ye Thankful People Come, and Now Thank we all Our God. Our younger singers also sing our thanksgiving providing their voices to lead us in a celebration of grace.

In the concluding section of our worship we "say grace" before we recess down to the fellowship hall to eat our Thanksgiving Dinner.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 15

By

John

on November 12, 2009 9:12 PM | Permalink

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 13:1-8

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON 1 Samuel 1:4-20

SERMON "Pouring it Out!"

Worship Notes

The central text this morning is the story of Hannah and how God creates life where none is expected. We begin with the words from Isaiah reminding us of the joy we find in God's presence. In the Processional Hymn we begin with the words "Come, Thou Almighty King, Help us Thy name to sing, Help us to praise."

In our Confession we are reminded that the lack of hope often leads to lives filled with despair and troubled spirits. The hymn following the sermon include the words "Bring to our troubled minds, Uncertain and afraid, The quiet of a steadfast faith, Calm of a call obeyed."

The Prayer response beautifully evokes the words "Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten...God alone fills us".

In our offering this morning, you are invited to place your pledges and Time and Talent sheets for 2010 in the plate as it is passed. We close with the rousing contemporary hymn "O For a World where our hope is in a God who brings equality, peace, and justice".

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 8

By

John

on November 6, 2009 10:12 AM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON Philippians 2:1-8

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 12:38-44

SERMON "Giving It All!"

Worship Notes

In our worship this morning, we focus on the question of stewardship. The central text is the story popularly referred to as the Widow's Mite. Jesus points to the actions of a widow (an image of a poor and vulnerable member of his society) in which she gives all she has to God compared to those in power who give so little of what they have. In our prayer of Confession, we admit that often fear holds us back from faithfully offering all of ourselves to God. We are reminded in our hymns that God is the source of all that is good and is a gracious God who showers gifts on upon us every day.

By

John

on August 29, 2009 12:19 PM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

THE GOSPEL LESSON James 1:17-27

SERMON "Being Doers of the Word"

WORSHIP NOTES

In our worship this morning we focus on the importance of being "Doers of the Word". This phrase is taken from the epistle James, a general letter to the churches in the first century. James focuses on the importance of works in faithful discipleship. Martin Luther referred to James as that "strawey epistle" in part because of its emphasis on works of faith. Our service this morning explores the connections between faith and actions through liturgy, song and proclamation.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday August 23

By

John

on August 21, 2009 5:17 PM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON Ephesians 6:10-20

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 6:56-69

SERMON "Offensive Bread"

Worship Notes

This is our final Sunday to examine the metaphor of bread in the lectionary. Over the past few weeks we have explored bread as an example of God's presence in ordinary things: bread as a sign of community; bread as a symbol of our need to slow down and embrace the goodness of God's creation around us; and bread as a way of Sacramental living.

Today we examine the rejection Jesus experienced because he called himself :the bread of life". The Call to Worship is an adaptation of the Psalm for today highlighting our need for God's life giving presence. Our opening hymn emphasizes the joy we find in worship; the hymn after the sermon reminds us of the shelter we find in God; and our final hymn is a blessing we give to each other as we venture out into the world.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday August 16

By

John

on August 13, 2009 1:03 PM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON Ephesians 5:15-20

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 6:51-58

SERMON "Sacramental Living"

Worship Notes

We continue examining the meaning and symbolism of bread as a metaphor for Jesus in our worship this morning. Two weeks ago we explored how bread embodies the presence of God in ordinary things and, in last week's service, how bread symbolizes community and connection. This week we discover the importance of a sacramental awareness in our daily life.

Our Call to Worship invites us to come with rejoicing and thanksgiving so that we can meet and experience the mysteries of God. The hymn selections highlight this spirit of thankfulness that opens us to God in the world and the sustaining presence of Jesus in our lives. The Affirmation of Faith is taken from the Directory of Worship for the PCUSA. While this document is not confessional in nature, it does express some basic beliefs about the religious life Presbyterians hold in common.

We pray you see, hear, and feel the Spirit of God in our worship today.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday August 9

By

John

on August 4, 2009 2:03 PM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON Ephesians 4:25-5:2

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 6:35, 41-51

SERMON "The Bread of Eternal Life"

Worship Notes

We continue our exploration of the meaning of bread as a metaphor for Jesus presence in our midst. The central text driving our worship this morning is an interaction between Jesus and critics where he again lifts up images of bread and life. Much of the liturgy includes images of bread but also descriptions of the nature of life in Jesus. The Call to Worship and Prayer of Confession are adaptations of the Ephesians reading this morning in which Paul charges the church to exhibit the new life found in Christ. We also continue to have bread available for any one new to our worship signifying welcome and sustenance.

The hymn selections this morning purposely highlight the nature of the eternal life we find in the bread come down from heaven." For the Beauty of the Earth expresses our praise for God but also the importance of material reality in our experience of the grace of God. Just as I Am, Without One Plea expresses the nature of grace and our response to this gift of new life. The final hymn Lord, Make Us Servants of Your Peace is taken from the famous prayer of Francis of Assisi. These words are a beautiful summation of the Christian life experienced in Jesus Christ: "Where there is hate, may we sow love; Where there is hurt may we forgive; Where there is strife, may we make one."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday August 2

By

John

on August 1, 2009 10:52 AM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON Ephesians 4:1-16

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 6:24-35

SERMON "Manna in the Wilderness"

Worship Notes

We continue our exploration of the metaphor of bread for our spiritual lives. You will notice throughout the liturgy references to bread from our Call to Worship to the sacrament of communion. Our music especially highlights bread including the anthem of "One Bread, One Body." The central text for our worship comes from the sixth chapter of John in which Jesus describes himself as "the Bread of Life" evoking images of the manna provided by God for the Hebrews in the wilderness. We have loaves of bread available in the narthex to any of our visitors to remind them of the sustenance found in Jesus Christ.

It is appropriate we share communion this morning as a symbolic action of our reliance upon Jesus to sustain us in our journeys. It is the practice of Westminster that we hold the bread until we can all partake together signifying our oneness in the body of Christ. We believe communion is not confined to those who are members but instead invite everyone who is in need of God's grace to partake of this manna from heaven.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday July 26

By

John

on July 23, 2009 4:24 PM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON Ephesians 3:14-21

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 6:1-21

SERMON "The Bread that Gives Us Life"

Worship Notes

In our worship this week we begin our first exploration of Jesus' intentional use of bread as a meaningful expression of blessedness and healing. The lectionary includes in the next five weeks Jesus' words and actions surrounding bread. Today's scripture is John's account of the feeding of five thousand. This miracle is the only one narrated in some form or another in all four gospels.

Our Call to Worship is taken from the Ephesians reading for the day highlighting our need to be "filled with the fullness of God." The opening hymn I Come With Joy contains the words "As Christ breaks bread and bids us share, Each proud division ends." The image of bread appears as well in different elements of our liturgy from the Declaration of Forgiveness to the Prayer for Illumination. Our Affirmation of Faith is taken from the Directory of Worship for the Presbyterian Church USA. While this document is not confessional in nature, it does express our beliefs about elements of our spiritual life together.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday July 12

By

John

on July 10, 2009 10:07 AM | Permalink

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Exodus 3: 1-12

THE EPISTLE LESSON Galatians 5:13-14

SERMON "The Freedom to Serve"

Worship Notes

This morning we will hear from some of the youth who participated in the recent youth mission trip to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. For our scripture lessons today we will hear the central text for the youth mission trip, Galatians 5:13-14 and one of the other texts used for study on the trip, the call of Moses from Exodus 3. Both of these texts focus on what it means to be a servant for God. The service that God asks us to do is service not only to God, but to one another, for we are called to love one another as we love ourselves. On our mission trip we talked about what it means to be called by God into service for others and the freedom that God gives us to make the choice to serve.

Today we are also continuing our celebration of Thanksgiving in July. This is an extra week of food collection this month because of the increased need for food during the summer months when kids do not get meals at school. Regular food donations are one way that this congregation continues to serve our local community out of the love and freedom that God gives to each of us.

We give thanks today for all of the many ways that God enables us to serve others and the freedom we have to choose to serve in whatever way we can. You are invited to reflect during worship today on where it is that you may be called to put your gifts into God's service.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday July 5

By

John

on June 30, 2009 4:50 PM | Permalink

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Deuteronomy 8:5-10

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 6:37-42

SERMON "The Sacrament of Forgiving"

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday June 28

By

John

on June 25, 2009 2:00 PM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 5:21-43

SERMON "Sent to be a Healing Community"

Worship Notes

Our central text for worship this morning is Mark's account of two healings by Jesus. For Mark, one of the central ways Jesus manifests the Kingdom of God is through his healing of those excluded from the social and religious world of Jesus time. The text begins with a religious leader named Jairus begging Jesus to save his very sick daughter at the point of death. While on the way to Jairus' home, a woman with an isolating and unclean disease touches the hem of his cloak and is healed. There is an interaction between Jesus, his disciples, and the bold woman whose faith has made her well. After this interruption, Jesus continues on to Jairus' home but then is informed the twelve year old girl has died. Jesus refuses to be deterred and therefore foreshadows the power of God's Kingdom where the dead are brought back to life.

Our text is illuminated by our opening prelude affirming Jesus as the healer of our every ill. The Call to Worship captures that very human need and desire to be heard by God in the depths of our pain and fear. The opening hymn captures the sense of how we find solace from "the sadness that fills our minds." In many ways the liturgy and prayers this morning are intended to communicate the power of God's healing love experienced in Jesus.

Many of the children who have participated in our Vacation Bible School will be singing for us this morning one of the hymns they learned this past week. The theme of our VBS was social justice, in particular, the civil rights movement of the 1960's. Our children learned that an important aspect of our faith is the healing needed for racial reconciliation. The Affirmation of Faith written by many of the youth of Westminster captures the importance of church as a community of people "where all are safe and welcome." The sending hymn reminds us we are "Called from worship to Your service,

Forth in Your dear name we go,

To the child, the youth, the aged,

Love in living deeds to show."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday June 21

By

John

on June 19, 2009 2:16 AM | Permalink

THE EPISTLE LESSON 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 4:35-41

SERMON "Faith to Still a Storm"

Worship Notes

Today is the third Sunday after the celebration of Pentecost. In worship today we hear the story of Jesus calming the storm from the Gospel of Mark. This story tells of how the faith of the disciples falters when they are confronted with a crisis. Crises, or storms can take many forms in our lives and we will reflect on the importance of a steady faith in order to weather all types of storms.

Today is also the start of Vacation Bible School. This year we are focusing on God's grace in justice movements, particularly the Civil Rights movement. This is an example of a crisis in which many people found their faith shaken. Though, like the disciples who weathered the storm, coming through the Civil Rights movement strengthened the faith of those who participated. There are many ways in which our faith can grow through studying the faith of the people who fought for justice in the 1960s and 70s and those continuing the fight today.

Today we also commission our youth for their mission trip to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The mission trip participants will be leaving Madison early next Sunday morning, June 28, to go and serve for a variety of social service organizations in Sault Ste. Marie. The scriptural theme for our trip is from Galatians 5:13-14, which speaks to the freedom that we are granted through Christ and the fact that it is out of our freedom we are called to serve others. In order to act upon this freedom we need a faith that can weather storms and we will rely on the support and prayers of the whole congregation.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday May 24

By

John

on May 21, 2009 1:29 PM | Permalink

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLE Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 17:6-19

SERMON "The Church in the World but not of the World "

Worship Notes

Today is the seventh and final Sunday in Eastertide. In worship today, we conclude our series of reflections on the body of Christ formed as Westminster Presbyterian Church by focusing on God's love and protection, which inspire and enable our discipleship and unite us together as a community.

Our worship begins with a celebratory musical reflection in the prelude, which is set to the hymn tune "Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above." The opening hymn "God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand" speaks of the constant presence of God in our lives as our protector and sustainer. This hymn is also our called the "National Hymn." The solo is based on the gospel hymn, "Christians We Have Met to Worship," the text of which comments on the communal nature of the act of worship. In response to the Word proclaimed, we sing "Called As Partners in Christ's Service," which well illustrates the commitment we have to work in community with each other to serve Christ. The sending hymn, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" also speaks of the protection found in God as described in today's gospel lesson. This hymn is also known as the "Navy Hymn," and it is often sung in a respectful and deliberate manner at memorial services for deceased service men and women.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday May 17

By

John

on May 14, 2009 8:37 PM | Permalink

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLE Acts 10:44-48

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 15:9-17

SERMON "The Resurrected Body of Christ Welcoming and Diverse"

Worship Notes

Today is the Sixth Sunday of the seven Sundays of the Easter Season which ends on Pentecost. Our theme for this season is an exploration of the church as a living embodiment of Christ in the world. The central image for worship this morning is that of the friendship extended by Christ to all who walk his Way. Our Call to Worship reminds us that love is the basis for our friendship with God and with each other. The Call to Confession addresses how we fall short in our relationship with others. The hymn following the sermon contains the words "Who is my mother, who is my brother? All those who gather round Jesus Christ: Spirit -blown people, born from the Gospel sit at the table, round Jesus Christ."

A special kind of friend we recognize this morning are our teachers in Sunday School and the various helpers who support our youth and children's ministry throughout the year. In prayer and in thanksgiving we honor these important people who walk with us in our journey of discipleship.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday May 10

By

John

on May 8, 2009 7:23 PM | Permalink

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLE Acts 8:26-40

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 15:1-8

SERMON "Church: The Resurrected Body of Christ Loving and Inclusive"

Worship Notes

Today is the Fifth Sunday of the seven Sundays of the Easter Season which ends on Pentecost. Our theme for this season is an exploration of the church as a living embodiment of Christ in the world. The central text for our worship is the image of Jesus as the vine and the disciples as the branches. This metaphor serves to remind us of our connection to the source of life in God and how we become extensions of this grace into the world. The other text in our worship is taken from Acts and describes how the early church discovered the nature of God's inclusive love as it is extended beyond their imagination.

The Call To Worship plays off of the words of the fourth chapter of 1 John in which we are reminded that at the heart of our connection to God is love. The Prayer of Confession lifts up again the image of the vine and branches expressing our attempts to separate ourselves from the source of love. The final hymn connects our worship to the ways we are sent forth by God's blessing to be a blessing in the world. "The service is ended, O now be extended the fruits of our worship in all who believe. The seed of the teaching, receptive souls reaching, shall blossom in action for God and for all."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday April 26

By

John

on April 23, 2009 3:27 PM | Permalink

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 24:36-48

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Acts 3:12-19

SERMON "Church: The Resurrected Body of Christ and All that Jazz"

Worship Notes

On this the Third Sunday of Eastertide, we worship through the musical medium of Jazz. Jazz music encompasses a wide array of styles. However, the early roots of Jazz music can be traced back to houses of worship. Therefore, it is indeed appropriate that we offer praise to God through music that, like our reformed Presbyterian worship tradition, balances both form and freedom.

The scripture texts today continue to offer testimony to Jesus Christ as the risen Lord and Savior. In today's gospel passage, we read of Christ's appearance to the disciples in which he calls upon them to set aside their doubt and understand that through his death and resurrection, he has fulfilled the scriptures. The choir's anthem, "Soon and Very Soon," anticipates the appearance of Christ to us as we profess our faith in response to the gospel lesson. The theme of the presence of Christ among us is represented throughout the music in which we worship this morning. Our opening hymn, "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me" is an African-American spiritual setting that expresses our individual wish that Christ may be with us throughout our journey. The hymn of response, "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" is a prayer that we might be brought closer to Christ, which is the response of the true disciple. Just as the soloist may offer a unique twist or variation on a main theme in Jazz, we may each choose to walk a slightly different path in our Christian journey. However, we do so knowing that God is with us and that he connects us to the core beat of his love for us. That core beat is the movement of the Holy Spirit, sent from God to be with us always. As we depart the service, we sing of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which compels us to pray, sing, and shout God's praises.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday April 19

By

John

on April 16, 2009 3:47 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Acts 4:32-35

THE SECOND LESSON John 20:19-31

SERMON "Church: The Resurrected Body of Christ Wounded and Doubting"

Worship Notes

Today is the Second Sunday of the seven Sundays of the Easter Season which ends on Pentecost. Our theme for this season is an exploration of the church as a living embodiment of Christ in the world. The central text for today is taken from the gospel of John and gives the account of Thomas and his doubts about the resurrection. What is interesting about this story is that Thomas is not convinced until he touches the wounds of Jesus. We as the body of Christ are sent out into the world as a doubting people and it is in our wounds that the resurrection becomes real. Our worship today reflects this emphasis both in being sent and in our brokenness.

We have the honor to baptize a young infant in our worship today. In the Presbyterian church, we believe that baptism is a sign of God's grace where we can embody how God's love comes to us long before we might recognize that love. As the church baptizes Nile's this morning, we know God is active in his life through his parents, his family, his godparents, and in the life of this congregation. This is truly something to celebrate in this season of resurrection.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Easter Sunday April 12

By

John

on April 10, 2009 9:45 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Acts 10:34-43

THE SECOND LESSON Mark 16:1-11

SERMON "Faith and Empty Tombs"

Worship Notes

In our worship this morning, we celebrate the foundational event of the Christian faith, the triumph of life over death. We, like the women who came to the tomb, encounter a mystery difficult to understand much less explain. All we can do is shout "Alleluia! The Lord is risen!" The central text for this morning is taken from Mark, who simply and starkly describes the encounter with the empty tomb. Most scholars argue that the gospel of Mark originally ended at verse eight and the last verses were added later by someone uncomfortable with their ambiguity. Yet the central truth of this Easter morning is that God works in surprising ways to overcome the forces of death so common in our world today. This is something to truly celebrate.

Throughout the season of Lent, we have worshipped through the music of Mozart (1756-1791). This culminated in our collaborative Good Friday Service of Tenebrae in which Mozart's Requiem was a central element. Today, Caitlin concludes our Mozart series by offering his "Alleluja" from "Exsultate Jubilate." A three-movement motet for solo voice, this work was composed in 1773 during Mozart's visit to Milan. The final movement well captures the energetic and joyful spirit of Easter morning.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday April 5

By

John

on April 3, 2009 12:26 PM | Permalink

Hosanna! Blessed is the one who is coming in the name of the Lord! Mark 11:9

THE PSALM LESSON Psalm 118

THE FIRST LESSON John 19:29-30, Luke 23:44-46

THE SECOND LESSON Philippians 2:5-11

SERMON "The Covenant Fulfilled: Jesus Story"

Worship Notes

In today's worship, we continue our journey in Lent to deepen our covenantal relationship with God. The liturgical color for the season is purple. Each Sunday in Lent, we have explored an aspect of God's covenant with creation. This covenant is not only vertical, but also includes a horizontal dimension emphasizing how our relationship with God is reflected in how we relate to one another. Each Sunday in Lent, we also reflected on one of the last words spoken by Jesus from the cross. This we do to remember that our Lenten journey culminates in the crucifixion on Good Friday, which this year will be observed in a single worship service involving all Madison's Presbyterian congregations. These seven last words of Christ will be the basis for this joint Good Friday Service of Tenebrae, which will also include the music of Mozart's Requiem.

Today is Palm Sunday where we add our voices to those in the crowd at Jerusalem as we shout our loud "Hosannas" to the son of David. Our service begins with the reading from Mark recounting these events and we enter with palms singing "All Glory, Laud, and Honor." In this celebration of the fulfillment of God's promises we hear the words of Jesus that all is finished as well as his short prayer that into God's hands he commits his spirit. The central text taken from Paul's letter to the church in Philippi is the famous hymn celebrating that at the heart of God's love for God's creation is this commitment from the beginning of time to redeem the universe.

While this service recounts the joy of the fulfillment of God's promises, we do anticipate the bittersweet moment of Maundy Thursday and the somber reality of Good Friday. We encourage you to experience all these emotions as we journey through this week.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday March 29

By

John

on March 26, 2009 10:15 AM | Permalink

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 23:24-26,32-34

THE COVENANT LESSON Jeremiah 31:31-34

SERMON "The Covenant of Grace: Jeremiah's Story"

Worship Notes

In today's worship, we continue our journey in Lent to deepen our covenantal relationship with God. The liturgical color for the season is purple. Each Sunday in Lent, we will explore an aspect of God's covenant with creation. This covenant is not only vertical, but also includes a horizontal dimension emphasizing how our relationship with God is reflected in how we relate to one another. Each Sunday in Lent, we will also reflect on one of the last words of spoken by Jesus from the cross. This we do to remember that our Lenten journey culminates in the crucifixion on Good Friday, which this year will be observed in a single worship service involving all Madison's Presbyterian congregations. These seven last words of Christ will be the basis for this joint Good Friday Service of Tenebrae, which will also include the music of Mozart's Requiem.

Our worship begins and ends today with pieces drawn from Mozart's collection of "Church Sonatas" or "Epistle Sonatas." The church sonatas offered in the prelude (KV 67 and KV 68) and the offertory (KV 144) were composed in 1772. The church sonata offered in the postlude (KV 224) was composed in 1776. These works clearly demonstrate Mozart's composition style, which is void of almost any distinction between sacred and secular music. These short instrumental pieces, which are scored for two violins, cello, and organ, were designed to transition between the reading of the Epistle and Gospel lessons in the Mass. As an organist, Mozart typically would have improvised music on the organ for this purpose. However, an Epistle Sonata offered a variation for use when stringed instruments were available. The short length of these sonatas is not unintentional as the Archbishop was very strict about the length of the Mass. In 1776, Mozart wrote to his friend Padre Martini concerning the Archbishop's directive that "...a Mass, with the whole Kyrie, Gloria, Epistle Sonata, Offertory or Motet, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei, must last no more than three-quarters of an hour..." Mozart's Requiem, which will be part of our Good Friday Service of Tenebrae, is itself a relatively short setting of the mass form.

By

John

on February 25, 2009 10:19 AM | Permalink

Mark 6: 1-6, 16-21

Sermon "A Covenantal Journey"

Worship Notes

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our forty-day journey through the desert of Lent. As we embark on this journey, we travel a path of discipleship that has us look to the cross of Christ, consider our sin, and see that the grace of God always acts first through his covenant with us. The liturgical color during the season of Lent is purple. During this penitential season, our worship leaders will enter the sanctuary to the sound of a tolling bell.

This worship service focuses on our personal confession of sin and culminates in the imposition of ashes. The ashes, which are created by burning the fronds from palm branches used in the 2008 Palm Sunday worship service at Westminster, are imposed in the shape of a cross on the foreheads of individual worshipers. This outward sign of our repentance before God also serves as a visible reminder of our own mortality. This reminder of our sinful mortality and finitude make similar this Ash Wednesday service that begins our Lenten journey and the Good Friday service that will mark its end. The imposition of ashes will occur in silence, allowing us to experience the universal nature of the repeated phrase "Dust you are and unto dust you shall return."

The music through which we worship is chosen to enlighten the themes of repentance and penitence. For example, we will sing a setting of Psalm 51, which is a cornerstone scriptural text for Ash Wednesday. The psalms are the earliest hymns used by the reformed church and, through singing this setting tonight, we connect this aspect of our worship into the timeless roots of God's larger church. The prelude is a setting of a Bach chorale that expresses a cry for mercy. The choir's anthem, composed by Richard Farrant (1530-1580), is a prayer that we may walk with a "perfect heart" alongside our God. A similar prayer is expressed in the postlude setting of the African American Spiritual, "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me," which is found as hymn 363 if you choose to follow along as you prepare to begin your Lenten journey tonight.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday February 22

By

John

on February 20, 2009 11:50 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

THE SECOND LESSON Mark 9:2-9

SERMON "The Road to Discipleship on the Mountains and in the Valley"

Worship Notes

Today is Transfiguration Sunday, which is observed on the last Sunday before Lent. Transfiguration is a high point before we begin our reflective and penitential Lenten journey, which commences with the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday (February 25). The liturgical color for Transfiguration Sunday is white.

In worship today, we focus on the light of God that shined on Christ's face as God declared: "This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased!" The scripture lessons describe the transforming experience of Jesus during this mountaintop encounter with God. The music through which we worship today also reflects these themes of light and transformation. The gathering hymn is a hymn of proclamation the text of which describes Christ's transfiguring experience. The anthem by French composer Josquin des Pres (1450-1521) proclaims the greatest of God and offers a prayer that we, too, may be changed through relationship with God. The hymn, "Fairest Lord Jesus" is a hymn of praise that describes the visual beauty in which we encounter God and makes clear the fact that "Jesus shines fairer." Written in 1987, the sending hymn, "Shine, Jesus, Shine" encourages us to carry the light of Christ with us into the world. The postlude by German organist and composer Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) travels a number of twists and turns as its musical identity is transformed through a variety of colors, tempos, and modulations before arriving at a triumphant conclusion

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday February 15

By

John

on February 13, 2009 10:45 AM | Permalink

PSALM 30 Hymn 181 "Come Sing to God"

THE FIRST LESSON 2 Kings 5:1-14

THE SECOND LESSON Mark 1:40-45

SERMON "Passion For and With the Broken"

Worship Notes

The Word at the heart of our worship this morning is Mark's account of a healing of a leper. What characterizes this encounter is the compassion and personal touch Jesus brings to this healing.

The Psalm for the day is Psalm 30 lifting up the ways God lifts us even out of the pit of death. We have incorporated this Psalm in our opening sentences as well as singing it this morning as part of our proclamation of the Word.

The opening hymn reflects the excelling love we encounter in Jesus as we sing "Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love Thou art..." The profession of faith is taken from the Social Creed for the 21st Century, a new creed developed and approved by the National Council of Churches of the USA and by the Presbyterian Church USA. This creed is a reflection and update of the Social Creed of 1908 in which the public church attempted to address the social problems and inequalities that existed in the age of industrialization. This Creed reminds us that God heals not only our personal hurts but also the ills that plague our society.

The hymn following the sermon includes the reminder that when we come to God in a quiet place we can pray "You never said, "You ask too much, To any troubled soul. I long to feel Your healing touch; Will you not make me whole?"

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday February 8

By

John

on February 7, 2009 9:26 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Isaiah 40:21-31

THE SECOND LESSON Mark 1:29-39

SERMON "Healing and Wholeness for All Humanity"

Worship Notes

In our worship today, the central text is taken from the gospel of Mark recounting the many ways Jesus was encountered as a healer and preacher. Our Psalm for the day is Psalm 147 which is incorporated in our Call to Worship and celebrates how God heals the brokenhearted and binds up our wounds.

Our opening Hymn included the verse "Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find: may Jesus Christ be praised!" The Prayer of Confession reminds us that while we are called to be a place of healing, we often contribute to the pain of the world through our inaction and exclusion.

By

John

on December 5, 2008 8:52 AM | Permalink

THE PROPHETIC LESSON Isaiah 40:1-11

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:1-8

SERMON "Advent Peace: Announcing the Kingdom"

Worship Notes

"The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Mark 1:1

Our four-week journey continues on this the Second Sunday of Advent. During this liturgical season, we prepare to receive God's great gift of his son, Jesus Christ. Throughout these weeks, our sanctuary will undergo a purposeful and progressive transformation. Today, we note the use of blue cloths, stoles, and paraments to mark the change of liturgical season. The baptismal font has been placed out among the congregation as a symbol of Christ's incarnation among and for us. We continue to light Advent wreath candles, which represent the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.

In terms of our theology, Advent is remarkably similar to the liturgical season of Lent. We liken both seasons to a journey. However, there is a sense in which the promises of God are experienced in a cumulative way during Advent. For example, the promise of hope is remembered this week and in each of the successive weeks of Advent as that particular candle remains lit throughout the season. In this way, we anticipate the coming of Christ as the light he will bring into a darkened world. In contrast, during Lent we see that light dimmed as we prepare ourselves to understand both the depths of Christ's sacrifice on Good Friday for a world that "received him not" and the heights of his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

The spirit of worship on this Second Sunday of Advent expresses the peace we find in our relationship with God as we wait expectantly for Christ to come. Creating a sense of approach or gathering is an important aspect of our Advent worship. In this sense, the procession that begins our worship will use the chant tune "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," which begins in a subdued way before concluding with the line that ends each Advent service "Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!"

Each of the hymns we sing in worship today are filled with the promises of God's peace. The gathering hymn, "Comfort, Comfort You My People" is set to a tune from the Genevan Psalter. A psalter is a collection of tunes used to sing the Psalms. The Genevan Psalter is a setting of metrical (not chant-style) tunes that were compiled under the supervision of John Calvin. Later in life, Calvin became fearful that the energy and high-spiritedness of these tunes would diminish their focus on God and were too secular in nature.

Today we will also recognize those young Christians among us who will begin another journey as they start their confirmation studies

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 23

By

John

on November 21, 2008 10:32 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Deuteronomy 8:7-18

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 17:11-19

SERMON "Who Really Gives Thanks?"

Worship Notes

Today we celebrate the Sunday before Thanksgiving where the theme of giving thanks is central in our worship. The text at the heart of worship is the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers and the only one who returned to give thanks.

Psalm 100, a psalm of thanksgiving, appears in our Call to Worship and proclamation of the Word.

Our Confession lifts up the many ways we fail to give thanks for the gifts bestowed upon us.

Part of our celebration and thanksgiving today is the recognition of new members following the sermon.

In this morning's service, we are given an opportunity to express our thanks by sharing our bounty of food so that others will not have to go hungry.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 16

By

John

on November 13, 2008 8:07 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

THE SECOND LESSON Matthew 25:14-30

SERMON "The Adventure of Faith"

Worship Notes

Today marks Stewardship Sunday in which we dedicate our gifts to the service of God. The central text is taken from the 25th chapter of Matthew where Jesus tells the parable of the talents. It is a reminder of our commitment to not only share our gifts but also risk them in the service of God's kingdom. The Call to Worship reminds us that the "earth and all that is in it belongs to God." Our Prayer of Confession highlights the ways fear prevents us from fully responding to God's grace, yet in our Declaration of Forgiveness, God continues to reach out in love despite our tepidness. The hymn following the sermon is our prayer for God to take our life and use it ways God sees fit. Our concluding hymn is the popular and meaningful song in which we respond to God's call singing "Here I am Lord."

In our service this morning we bring our pledges for 2009 symbolically coming forward to place them in the offering plate. Pledge card are available in the pews if you have forgotten to bring yours this Sunday. It is also appropriate we install our new officers for 2009 signifying their commitment on our behalf to serve this congregation with all their passion, love, and spirit. The constitutional questions asked of the new deacons and elders are the same answered by Ministers of the Word and Sacrament indicating the equality of relationship in leading the church. We celebrate their ministry today as they respond to God's call to serve each of you in the pew.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday November 2

By

John

on November 1, 2008 8:34 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON 1 John 3:1-3

THE SECOND LESSON Revelation 7: 9-17

SERMON "Life and Death: The Courage of Faith"

Worship Notes

In worship today, we remember and celebrate those persons who have gone from our lives and who have joined the communion of saints with our Lord God in heaven. In the liturgical calendar, this commemoration is called "The Festival of All Saints Day," and it is observed on November 1. It is Westminster's tradition to observe All Saints on the first Sunday in November. The liturgical color for All Saints Day is white.

The focus of this service is not on the experience of death and loss, but rather on the celebration of life. Those "saints" whom we remember by name in worship today are the ten individuals from this congregation who have died since last All Saints Day in November 2007. As the name of each person is read aloud, a family member or deacon will take light from the Christ Candle to light one of the candles placed in front of the communion table as a visible sign of the presence of the deceased among the communion of saints. As we worship, we recall the ways in which we, like these individuals, live out our response to God's call upon our lives within this community and in mission to the greater world outside these walls.

Communion today will be received by intinction. After coming forward to receive the bread and cup, you may wish to light a candle to celebrate the memory of someone from your own life who now is among the communion of saints.

The music through which we worship today also celebrates those who have gone before us and whose Christian examples give shape to our mission. The prelude and the opening hymn, "For All the Saints," are set to a tune by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams who died fifty years ago in 1958. The response hymn, "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God", articulates our understanding that saints live among us and serve with us in mission even now. We exit the worship service today as a community poised to carry out that mission in the world. As we do so, we unite our voices in singing, "When the Saints Go Marching In."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday October 26

By

John

on October 24, 2008 7:38 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

THE SECOND LESSON Matthew 22:34-46

SERMON "The Reformed Driven Church: What Really Matters!"

Worship Notes

Today we celebrate Reformation Sunday marking the day (October 31, 1517) Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the castle church doors in Wittenberg, Germany. Luther argued against the Roman Catholic Church practice of selling indulgences (forgiveness of sins), and he affirmed the basic belief that it is faith alone that saves us. Luther believed ultimate authority resided not in the church hierarchy but in scripture and translated the Latin bible into German (the famous Wittenberg Bible). A key element of the reformation was its assertion of the priesthood of all believers. We observe this day to remind ourselves of the tradition that has been passed down to us from our theological predecessors.

The opening Call to Worship is taken from Psalm 46 which served as a basis for Luther's famous hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." The Prayer of Confession is adapted from a modern Reformed/Presbyterian Statement of Faith and the Assurance of Pardon are words of scripture Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. Luther thought congregational singing should be a significant part of worship including the singing of Psalms so we sing Psalm 90 this morning. The central scripture this morning is taken from the gospel of Matthew where Jesus articulates what he finds most vital in the spiritual life. The Affirmation of Faith are words Martin Luther wrote in a commentary on Romans and reflects his understanding of faith and good works. We end our service singing Luther's most famous hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" where we are reminded of God's faithfulness and our desire to serve God in the world.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday October 12

By

John

on October 10, 2008 7:09 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Hebrews 11:32 - 39

THE SECOND LESSON Jeremiah 38:4-13

SERMON The Servant of the King

Worship Notes

Over the past four weeks, we have reflected on the act of corporate worship as the central activity we perform together as the body of Christ at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In the weeks ahead, we build upon this understanding of worship and expand it to include our engagement in the community outside Westminster's walls. This task of bearing and following God's Word into the world is also known as mission, which is itself a form of worship.

Today, we read in Old Testament scripture of Jeremiah's rescue from the pit by the servant Ebed-melech. This experience frames God's Word in the context of hope and mercy and serves to remind us that we, too, have a choice to build our hope on a solid foundation and emerge from the pit. In several ways, this scripture also parallels the journey of slavery. The interpretation of God's Word today is offered in the form of a dramatic monologue by guest preacher, Craig Howard.

The music through which we worship today illumines these themes. The prelude is an improvisation on imagery of the pit and emergence from the dark depths. The solo, sung during the sermon, is an African American spiritual "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child." The response hymn sings of the "Solid Rock" that is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. The closing hymn is "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which was first set to music in 1905 and later became an important hymn of faith and song of social justice in the civil rights movement.

We extend a warm welcome to Craig Howard who fills our pulpit this morning. Craig is an ordained minister of the Word and Sacrament and currently serves as a Senior Development Officer at McCormick Seminary in Chicago. Craig and his wife, the Rev. Marilyn Gamm, live in Madison where Marilyn serves as pastor of Dale Heights Presbyterian Church. Welcome, Craig!

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday September 28

By

John

on September 27, 2008 11:16 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Matthew 21:28-32

THE SECOND LESSON James 1:22-27

SERMON "Responding to the Word: Who it is We Worship?"

Worship Notes

Today we continue our series exploring various aspects of corporate worship, which is the most important activity we do together as the body of Christ gathered as Westminster Presbyterian Church. This series is an outgrowth of the recent worship survey of the congregation. Over the past three weeks, we have reflected on "why" we worship, "how" we worship, and affirmed God's Word as the foundation for our corporate worship. This morning, we consider how we, as individuals and as a body, respond to God's Word.

Just like the music through which we worship, our response to God can be described as praise, prayer, and proclamation. Our first hymn, "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee," is a hymn of praise that likens our response to God's to that of flowers opening to the sun above. In the section of the worship service titled, "Responding to the Word", we respond with a prayerful hymn that God might help us to hear the Word and enable us to be "doers" of it. That prayerful spirit of response is sustained as we sing "Lord, I Want to Be a Christian."

The anthem "Go Out With Joy" and the benediction response "Trees of the Field" are each derived from Isaiah 55 and proclaim a praise-filled response to God's Word as we seek to "do" it in our daily lives. Our worship concludes by singing the hymn "O Jesus, I Have Promised," which speaks directly of our response to God's call on our lives. The postlude is a jazz setting of the gospel hymn, "Blessed Assurance." The text of this great hymn of faith reflects our response to God's word in its chorus: "This is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long!" Through corporate worship, may our faith grow to enable us to respond to God's Word with our praise, prayer, and proclamation.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday September 21

By

John

on September 18, 2008 10:41 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Ephesians 5:17-20

THE SECOND LESSON John 1: 1-18

SERMON "Encountering the Word: What We Worship?"

Worship Notes

Today we continue our series exploring various aspects of corporate worship, which is the most important activity we do together as the body of Christ gathered as Westminster Presbyterian Church. This series is an outgrowth of the recent worship survey of the congregation. Over the past two weeks, we have reflected on "why" we worship and "how" we worship. This morning, we consider "what" we worship as we examine the Word of God as the foundation for corporate worship.

Scripture drives every decision we make about the shape and content of worship at Westminster. In today's service, we also identify the connection between the scriptures and the music through which we worship. Music in worship performs three general functions: praise, proclamation, and prayer.

Our first hymn, "Blessed Jesus, At Your Word" is a hymn of praise offered to illumine the role of scripture in our lives. The songs of the early church were exclusively derived from settings of the Psalms, which are collectively referred to as "the Psalter." Hymns 158 to 258 represent the Psalter settings in our hymnal. In worship today, we hear God's word proclaimed through music as we sing together Hymn 226, which is a Psalter setting of Psalm 113 and is one of the oldest Psalter settings. This setting was included by John Calvin in the Genevan Psalter published in1539. Calvin wrote:

"...it is a thing most expedient for the edification of the church to sing some psalms in the form of public prayers by which one prays to God or sings His praises so that the hearts of all may be roused and stimulated to make similar prayers and to render similar praises and thanks to God with a common love."

As we sing, we do so with the understanding that our voices join with the cloud of witnesses that have proclaimed God's Word in this way for over 400 years.

Music also functions as a vehicle for prayer in worship. Both the choral prayer for illumination and the congregational prayer response use texts that call us to pray that God's Word might be made clear to us as we worship together. Our worship concludes with another hymn of praise "How Firm a Foundation," which identifies and thanks God for the foundation of our faith established in his "excellent word."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday September 14

By

John

on September 13, 2008 9:28 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Matthew 5:21-24

THE SECOND LESSON 1 Corinthians 14:26-33, 37-40

SERMON "The First Worship Wars: How Do We Worship?"

Worship Notes

Today we continue our series exploring various aspects of corporate worship, which is the most important activity we do together as the body of Christ gathered as Westminster Presbyterian Church. This series is an outgrowth of the recent worship survey of the congregation. Last week, we reflected on "why" we worship and considered the role the sacrament of communion plays in our corporate worship. This morning, we consider "how" we gather around the Word of God.

The service begins with a choral prelude, which speaks of the specific nature of the space in which we gather for worship and experience the presence of God. The opening hymn, "Come, Christians, Join to Sing" is a call to unite our voices in praise of God who is our creator and our salvation. The prayer response hymn and the offertory are settings of the familiar "Kum ba yah." Kum ba yah is believed to be derived from Gullah, which was a Creole dialect spoken by slaves and former slaves living on the sea islands of South Carolina and Georgia. In Gullah, Kum ba yah means "come by here." Therefore, this hymn is a prayer that asks God to be with us in worship. As we prepare to depart the sanctuary and continue our worship of God as individuals journeying out in the world, we sing together with confidence: "in bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!" The postlude setting of the familar psalm of praise was composed by German organist Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877-1933).

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday September 7

By

John

on September 4, 2008 9:54 PM | Permalink

THE GOSPEL LESSON "Water into Wine" John 2:1-11, Adapted

SERMON "Why We Worship? Duty, Desire, and Delight"

Worship Notes

Today we start our five week series on worship in the life of the congregation that will culminate on World Communion Sunday. This series springs out of the recent worship survey of the congregation and how all things we do as Westminster grows from our corporate worship. We focus today on the question of why we worship at all. Does God need to be worshipped? Is worship about us? Why would it be important to come together to worship as the body of Christ?

The central text this morning is the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. At the heart of this miracle is an affirmation of how God creates joy in the simple everyday things of life. The opening sentences of scripture are taken from Paul's letter to the church in Corinth where he reminds the Christians of the new creation they have become and their responsibility in embodying reconciliation in their daily lives. Our youth ministry (SPirituality, Arts, and Mission) gives us an interpretation of the water into wine story during the children's message.

It is appropriate we take communion this morning as we celebrate in ordinary things the presence of God. In the Presbyterian Church we understand communion to be an open table where all are welcome no matter their denomination to share in God's joyful fellowship. The form of the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving we say today has its historic roots in the fourth century. It is also fitting we end with the resounding words of our final hymn -

"Together met, together bound, We'll go our different ways, And as His people in the world, We'll live and speak His praise, We'll live and speak His praise."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday August 31

By

John

on August 28, 2008 12:17 PM | Permalink

PSALM LESSON Psalm 105:1-5, 8

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 16:21-28

THE SECOND LESSON Romans 12:9-21

MEDITATION "Love of the Other"

Worship Notes

We conclude our Summer of Spirit with our final worship integrating the practice of lectio divina into our worship. Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to read (Lectio), study (Meditatio), pray (Oratio) and listen (Contemplatio) to a bible text. The systematization of spiritual reading into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book titled "The Monk's Ladder" wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.

The central text for our worship is taken from the 12th chapter of Romans where Paul describes the distinctive marks of what it means to follow Christ. The Call to Worship incorporates three of these verses where Paul exhorts Christians to love even those we may curse us. The Prayer of Confession comes from a prayer written by Dag Hammarskjold, a Swedish diplomat, Christian mystic, and the second General Secretary of the United Nations. The Affirmation of Faith is a portion of the Brief Statement of Faith of the PCUSA detailing how it is God's Spirit that shapes us into a people willing to take up our cross. In the silent prayer following the prayers of the people, we encourage you to reflect on the ways you may be transformed in serving the world and the church.

As we hear Christ's admonishment of Peter in the Gospel lesson this morning, we are mindful of his instruction that we too must take up our cross and follow him. For centuries, Christians have struggled with how to discern and respond to God's call. The solo offered in worship this morning is a setting of a poem by the English mystical poet, George Herbert (1593-1633) entitled, "The Call." Scholars believe Herbert likely wrote this text to reflect his decision, late in life, to become a priest. In each stanza, the poem establishes particular descriptions of various aspects of God's call (way, truth, life, light, feast, strength, joy, love, heart) and then articulates how we respond to each aspect in such a way as to grow in our faith and in our commitment to Christ. Note the purposeful point made by the text as it reminds us that God's call is a call to life that is triumphant even over death. The music written for this piece is by the English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958).

By

John

on July 25, 2008 9:08 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Mathew 13:31-33,44-52

THE SECOND LESSON Romans 8:26-39

MEDITATION "The Eccentric Love of God"

Worship Notes

We continue our Summer of Spirit by integrating the practice of lectio divina into our worship. Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to read (Lectio), study (Meditatio), pray (Oratio) and listen (Contemplatio) to a bible text. The systematization of spiritual reading into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book titled "The Monk's Ladder" wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.

The central text for worship today is taken from Romans:26-39 and is considered one of the most famous passages Paul ever wrote.

Our Call to Worship reminds us of the extent in which God is for us and gives us everything we need. The Psalm of the day celebrates the wonders and marvels God has done in the world and within our lives. The sermon focuses on the eccentric nature of God's love and we celebrate this love in our Affirmation of Faith. We end singing the words from the hymn "Guide Me, O thou Great Jehovah" which include the lines "Be Thou still my strength and shield, Be Thou still my strength and shield."

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday July 20

By

John

on July 19, 2008 12:30 PM | Permalink

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

THE SECOND LESSON Romans 8:12-25

Worship Notes

Today is the sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time and we continue to integrate the practice of Lectio Divina into our worship. Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to read (Lectio), study (Meditatio), pray (Oratio) and listen (Contemplatio) to a bible text. The systematization of spiritual reading into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book titled, "The Monk's Ladder" wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation.

We continue our study of the spiritual practices illumined in Paul's letter to the Romans. Yet, in our worship today, we also reflect on Jesus' parable of the weeds as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. This particular parable only appears in Matthew and it is one of two parables that Jesus explained specifically to his followers. The imagery of the wheat and the weeds growing simultaneously together in the same field is particularly vibrant in the parable. Jesus says that we should not ourselves attempt to separate the weeds from the wheat for in so doing we are likely to pluck up good grain as well as bad. When the kingdom of heaven is at hand, God will reap the harvest and separate the wheat (good) from weeds (bad).

The music through which we worship today is reflective of these images of harvest and, consequently, thanksgiving for the God who shares his bounteous goodness with us so that we may ourselves grow into good grain. The opening hymn, "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come," is a hymn of thanksgiving that reflects the text of the parable of the weeds. The hymn of response, "God, Bless Your Church with Strength," includes a prayer that we might grow in our faith so that we might bear good fruit. Finally, the sending hymn, "We Plow the Fields," expresses our thanksgiving for God who of sows good seed and nurtures us to grow in his love.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday July 13

By

John

on July 12, 2008 8:04 PM | Permalink

THE SECOND LESSON Romans 8:1 - 11

Worship Notes

Today is the fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time and we continue to integrate the practice of Lectio Divina into our worship. Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to read (Lectio), study (Meditatio), pray (Oratio) and listen (Contemplatio) to a bible text. The systematization of spiritual reading into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book titled, "The Monk's Ladder" wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation.

The central text for worship this morning is from Paul's letter to the Romans. As we worship today, we consider the spiritual practice of Sabbath-keeping by considering where, when, and how we take time to nurture and listen for the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. The hymns chosen for worship this morning offer avenues of praise, prayer, and proclamation through which we acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. The prelude is a setting of a dialog between two flutes: one in the Chancel organ and one in the antiphonal organ at the rear of the sanctuary. This piece, a work by French organist Jean-Francois Dandrieu (1682-1738), is illustrative of the interplay of our hearts and minds with that of the Holy Spirit as we listen to and respond to the music in plays in our souls.

Similarly, the postlude by G.F. Handel (1685-1759) is a passacaglia, or a piece in which the melodic line is established over a limited number of notes, most often in the bass line or lower voice, and is continually repeated with variations in the pattern of higher pitches above. In this manner, the passacaglia form is also reminiscent of the firm foundation established by the work of God and the Holy Spirit in our lives (the repeated bass line) above which we respond with our lives (the treble variations). Yet, no matter how complicated our lives become (the treble variations), we can always hear God's voice (the repeated bass line) if we just learn to listen for it.

We extend a warm Westminster welcome to Kathleen Cook Owens who shares God's word with us today as our guest preacher. Kathleen graduated from McCormick Seminary in Chicago in May 2007 and is working now to complete her remaining requirements before seeking ordination as Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Kathleen is a Candidate for Ordination under care of the Presbytery of the Cascades and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Corvallis, Oregon. Kathleen and her husband Bill have been part of the Westminster community since 2005. Kathleen is currently serving as Westminster's Youth Coordinator and serves as a contract chaplain at Mendota Mental Health Institute.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday July 6

By

John

on July 4, 2008 10:48 AM | Permalink

PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 103:1-12

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 18:21-35

SERMON "The Mathematics of Forgiveness"
GUEST PREACHER REV. NEWT ROBERTS

Worship Notes

We love one another because God first loved us. So, too, then should we forgive one another because God has first forgiven our sins. In worship today, we lift our prayers of thanksgiving for the wonderful gift of God's grace, which empowers and requires us to forgive one another not 7 times, but 70x7 times as told in the Gospel of Matthew.

Each hymn through which we worship today was chosen to illumine God's Word and his call for us to be forgiving. In the text of the opening hymn, we sing of Jesus who was a "friend of sinners" as we pray with one voice for Christ to "plead for me." We sing the text of Psalm 103 as we proclaim that "God forgives all our transgressions." Then, as we respond to God's Word proclaimed, we join our voices and pray for God to "forgive our sins as we forgive." As we depart to serve the Lord, we sing the National Hymn, which conveys praise and prayers for God's providence, grace, and protection for us as individuals and as a nation.

As we gather around the Lord's table to share in the sacrament, we do so as a community that strives to live in forgiveness with each other. We believe that the Lord's table is open to all children of God. We do not distinguish between denominations or church affiliations. It is Westminster's practice to hold the communion bread until all are served and then partake of it together as a symbol of the communal nature of the Lord's Supper. We partake of the cup individually to observe the personal aspect of our relationship with God. To prepare us to receive these gifts of God, and in response to them, we join in singing "Here, O Our Lord, We See You Face to Face," which speaks of the act of communing with God and of the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday June 29

By

John

on June 27, 2008 9:05 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Mathew 10:40-42

THE SECOND LESSON Romans 6:12-23

MEDITATION "The Problem with Sin"

Worship Notes

Today is the thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time and we continue to integrate the practice of lectio divina into our worship. Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to read (Lectio), study (Meditatio), pray (Oratio) and listen (Contemplatio) to a bible text. The systematization of spiritual reading into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book titled "The Monk's Ladder" wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.

The central text for worship is from the sixth chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans considered a pivotal argument in his theological framework. Paul wrestles with the issue of sin and while this may seem an antiquated discussion to our modern ears, the question of sin and grace has much to reveal about human life. Our Prayer of Confession was written by John Henry Newman, a Roman Catholic priest and mystic who lived in England in the nineteenth century. The Affirmation of Faith is a prayer written by Howard Thurman (1899-1981), an African American theologian and Civil Rights leader. His most famous book was Jesus and the Disinherited(1949) which had a deep influence on Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. During the prayers of the people you will be invited to enter into an extended period of silence called contemplation in the Christian tradition (Most Eastern religions refer to this as meditation though they are the same practice). We encourage you to quiet your mind and listen for God. If you find yourself distracted, you could simply focus on your breathing as a way to still our busy brains.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday June 22

By

John

on June 20, 2008 9:46 PM | Permalink

The Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17

The First Lesson Matthew 10:24-39

The Second Lesson Romans 6:1b-11

Meditation "Knock, Knock...Who's There?"

GUEST PREACHER, MARIAN BAUER, CCE

Worship Notes

Today during the Summer of the Spirit we integrate the practice of lectio divina into our worship. Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to read (Lectio), study (Meditatio), pray (Oratio) and listen (Contemplatio) to a bible text. The systematization of spiritual reading into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book titled "The Monk's Ladder" wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.

The Spiritual Practice for today is called the Jesus Prayer. It is one of the oldest prayers which says, "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." We will sing the Kyrie which is a shorter version of the prayer. The solo, "Somebody's Knockin' At Your Door" based on an African-American spiritual, reminds us that Jesus is at our door wanting us to answer him. In the Epistle lesson, Paul writes that our whole life is changed by being 'in Christ.' It takes total commitment to follow Christ. The final hymn "Christians of Westminster" speaks to this commitment.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday June 15

By

John

on June 13, 2008 11:47 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Mathew 9:35-10:8

THE SECOND LESSON Romans 5:1-8

MEDITATION "Suffering, Character, and Peace"

Worship Notes

Today we begin our Summer of the Spirit by integrating the practice of lectio divina into our worship. Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to read (Lectio), study (Meditatio), pray (Oratio) and listen (Contemplatio) to a bible text. The systematization of spiritual reading into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book titled "The Monk's Ladder" wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.

We continue our series on Paul's letter to the churches in Rome by exploring the inspiring passage from the fifth chapter. Paul speaks of the new kind of people created by "God's love poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit." Paul, again, emphasizes how it is God who acts and we who are blessed with a peace that passes all understanding. In fact, this peace exists not only in good times but especially in times where our character is formed in the forge of suffering. The prayer of confession this morning is taken from the Book of Common Worship of the Presbyterian Church highlighting once again our dependence on God to bring us light and truth. Psalm 116 we read responsively this morning reminds us thus thousands of years ago, people experienced the compassion of God that rescues our life from death. The Affirmation of Faith is a prayer written by Howard Thurman (1899-1981), an African American theologian and Civil Rights leader. His most famous book was Jesus and the Disinherited (1949) which had a deep influence on Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders.

Worship Notes and Scropture for Sunday June 8

By

John

on June 7, 2008 10:46 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Mathew 9:9-13, 18-26

THE SECOND LESSON Romans 4:13-25

SERMON / MEDITATION "You Gotta Have Trust"

Worship Notes

Today we begin our Summer of Spirit by integrating the practice of lectio divina into our worship. Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to read (Lectio), study (Meditatio), pray (Oratio) and listen (Contemplatio) to a bible text. The systematization of spiritual reading into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book titled "The Monk's Ladder" wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.

We continue our series on Paul's letter to the churches in Rome by examining a section of the fourth chapter. Paul points to Abraham as an example of what faith is supposed to look like. Our opening word are taken from Dag Hammarskjold, a Swedish diplomat, Christian mystic, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Nobel peace prize winner who tragically died in a plane crash in 1961. Our opening hymn evokes images of Abraham, the father of three faith traditions. The Affirmation of Faith is taken from the Presbyterian Church USA Brief Statement of Faith emphasizing faith as trust. We end our service with our benediction response requesting God to make us more holy.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday June 1

By

John

on May 29, 2008 4:27 PM | Permalink

THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 7:21-29

THE EPISTLE LESSON Romans 1:16-17, 3:22-28

SERMON "Shame, Justification, and Grace"

Worship Notes

We now enter the season of Ordinary Time which is a season of the Christian liturgical calendar. The name corresponds to the Latin term Tempus per annum (literally "time through the year"). Ordinary Time comprises the two periods -- one following Epiphany, the other following Pentecost -- which do not fall under the "strong seasons" of Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter. The term Ordinary does not mean common or plain, but is derived from the term ordinal or "numbered." The weeks in ordinary time are numbered with today being the ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

We begin our summer series on Paul's letter to the churches in Rome. Our central text is taken from the first and third chapters of this letter in which Paul speaks of the universal human experience of shame, justification, and grace. We open our worship with a portion of the Psalm for the day - Psalm 46. Following our announcements, we will be recognizing and celebrating members who are "retiring" from some of the work they have been doing in the church over many years. We also recognize a graduating senior.

We celebrate communion today and Westminster's practice is to have an open table welcoming all the children of God, not distinguishing between denominations or church affiliations. It is also our practice to hold the communion bread until we partake together symbolizing the communal nature of the Lord's Supper. The juice is taken individually highlighting the personal aspect of our relationship with God. We invite you all to share in this sacrament of God's grace.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday May 25

By

John

on May 22, 2008 2:43 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

THE SECOND LESSON Matthew 6:24-34

SERMON "Hakuna Matata"

Worship Notes

We now enter the season of Ordinary Time which is a season of the Christian liturgical calendar. The name corresponds to the Latin term Tempus per annum (literally "time through the year"). Ordinary Time comprises the two periods -- one following Epiphany, the other following Pentecost -- which do not fall under the "strong seasons" of Advent, Christmas, Lent or Easter. The term Ordinary does not mean common or plain, but is derived from the term ordinal or "numbered." The weeks in ordinary time are numbered with today being the eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The central text for this mornings worship is taken from the gospel of Matthew in which Jesus teaches his disciples not to be anxious about their lives. He points to different aspects of nature as illustrations for how we should view our lives. The Call to Worship is taken from the comforting words of Isaiah 40 and our Prayer of Confession addresses how we fail to live out the peace of Christ in our hearts and in the world. The Affirmation of Faith is taken from the Brief Statement of Faith in which we reaffirm our trust in God experienced in three ways while the hymn following echoes the words of Jesus to seek first the kingdom of God. We leave our sanctuary singing our song of hope in the world.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday May 11

By

John

on May 11, 2008 10:18 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON 1 Corinthians 12:4-13

THE SECOND LESSON Acts 2:1-13

SERMON "Mission Dei"

Worship Notes

Today we celebrate Pentecost marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the early disciples forming them into a community called the church. Pentecost is historically and symbolically related to the Jewish festival of Shavout (the word Pentecost is derived from the Greek name for Shavout). One of the three Jewish pilgrimage festivals required by the Law of Moses, this celebration marked the beginning of harvest activities in which the first fruits of the harvest were offered to God. For the Christian church, Pentecost has taken on more and more meaning and in many traditions is second only to Easter in significance. In Italy it was customary to scatter rose petals from the ceiling of the churches to recall the miracle of the fiery tongues, and in France it was the custom to blow horns during the service evoking the sound of the mighty wind accompanying the descent of the Spirit.

We begin our service with the words from the prophet Joel who envisioned the Spirit of God being poured out upon all flesh sons and daughters, young and old. For our Pentecost affirmation we read together the contemporary words of Anne Weems and her description of the church of Jesus Christ. The central text of our worship is the description of Pentecost in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. The Affirmation of Faith is taken from the Holy Spirit section of the Brief Statement of Faith of the Presbyterian Church USA. For those able to do so, we will recess out of the sanctuary on our final hymn singing "They'll Know We Are Christians by our Love." This act of departure serves as a symbol of the Spirit sending the church out into the world proclaiming the grace of God to a hurting world.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday April 27

By

John

on April 25, 2008 8:06 PM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Psalm 98:4-9

THE SECOND LESSON Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3;16

"Speak to one another with the words of the psalms, hymns and sacred songs;

sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts . In the name of

our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for every thing to God our Father."

"Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father."

SERMON "Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Tunes?": Martin Luther, the Gospel and the Gift of Music

Worship Notes by Rev. Allan Townsend, Guest Preacher

Today is the Sixth Sunday of Eastertide, the liturgical season in which we celebrate with great joy and thanksgiving the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead. The Psalmist urges us to "Sing a new song to the Lord!" and today, with the help of the Wonderful World Jazz Band, we'll do just that. Instead of the music of Bach, Mendelssohn, Wesley, and other great old faithful hymn writers, we'll be making a joyful noise to the Lord with the music of Duke Ellington, Thomas "Fats" Waller, Thomas A. Dorsey, Meredeth Willson, and a few African-American spirituals--music from the tradition of American jazz.

This weekend marks the 20th Annual Capital City Jazz Fest here in Madison. In honor of that event, Westminster Presbyterian has joined with the Madison Jazz Society to sponsor this morning's jazz liturgy. Many people's first response to jazz liturgy is the eyebrow-lifting question, "Jazz in church?" But the Wonderful World Jazz Band always reminds people that when jazz comes to church, it comes not as a stranger, but as an old friend. Many of the early jazz musicians received their early musical training in the church. "Fats" Waller learned to play organ at a famous Baptist Church in New York City. Thomas A. Dorsey, the father of the Black Gospel movement ("Precious Lord, Take My Hand"), was the music director for the legendary jazz blues singer, Ma Rainey; and composer/bandleader Duke Ellington spent much of his senior career doing jazz liturgies in churches all across the county, culminating in his Jazz Mass Composition. These are just a few examples to illustrate that when jazz comes to church, it is really coming home.

Music has always played a central role in the Hebrew/Christian religious traditions. The Gospels report that when Jesus finished celebrating the Last Supper with His disciples, they sang a hymn before going to the Garden for their final vigil. Our New Testament readings for today encourage us to sing hymns and spiritual songs to uplift our spirits and to give support to one another. God's gift of music has never been more fervently embraced than by the 16th Century theologian and church reformer, Martin Luther. The morning sermon will focus in part on Luther's musical contributions to the church and to modern music.

Finally, beside the scripture, sermon, hymns, and spiritual songs, there are two liturgical prayer affirmations written by Presbyterian poet and writer, Ann Weems, of St. Louis, MO. Ann's positive, life-affirming writings have been an inspiration for many contemporary Christians. And, of course, St. Francis of Assisi's famous prayer, framed on the wall in the lower level of Westminster Church, can never be prayed enough. It is what it means to be a Christian.

Worship Notes for Sunday April 20

By

John

on April 18, 2008 10:25 AM | Permalink

Sunday, April 20, 2008 5th Sunday of Easter;
Guest Preacher, Rev. Mark Elsdon of Pres House

THE FIRST LESSON Genesis 50:14-21

THE SECOND LESSON Matthew 18:21-35

SERMON "Why Do We Forgive?"

Worship Notes

The liturgical season of Easter, which is also called Eastertide, began on Easter Sunday and lasts for 50 days until Pentecost Sunday, May 11. During the Easter season, our prayer of confession is replaced by a liturgy that focuses on God's grace, through which we are saved. The liturgical color for Eastertide is white. During Eastertide, the artwork by American folk painter and Quaker Society of Friends minister Edward Hicks (1780-1849) that hangs on the brick wall of the sanctuary serves to evoke the memory of our spiritual journey through God's peaceable kingdom this Lent.

In worship on this Fifth Sunday of Easter, we consider our responsibility to forgive one another; a responsibility made possible through God's grace. The scriptural context for the responsibility of forgiveness is taken from the Old Testament story of Joseph and his brothers as well as from the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant in the Gospel of Matthew.

The hymns through which we worship God today draw upon these ideas of forgiveness and acceptance. The other service music offered in worship of God this morning are works by French composers. The prelude is a setting of chorale tune most commonly associated with the Lenten hymn "Kind Maker of the World", which speaks of mercy and forgiveness. This setting is by Claude Balbastre (1724-1799), a famous French organist in his time and harpsichord teacher of queen Marie-Antoinette. In contrasting style to the Balbastre prelude, the postlude is a "dialogue" setting by French organist Eugene Gigout (1844-1925) in which we hear two organs (the antiphonal organ in the rear of the sanctuary and the main organ in the chancel) conversing in a dialogue with one another. This conversation becomes quite intense until the two organs finally reach some mutual agreement and collaborate in the final seconds of the work. The choir's anthem is a setting of the Latin chant "Ubi Caritas" by Maurice Durufle (1902-1986).

The offertory is a piano setting by Claude Debussy entitled "La cathedrale engloutie" or "The Sunken Cathedral." Debussy set this work based on a Brenton myth that demonstrates a lack of forgiveness. According to the myth, a beautiful cathedral was submerged off the Island of Ys. In punishment for their sins, this cathedral was allowed to rise up from the water only briefly before sinking back into the sea. In this piece, you will experience the cathedral's rise from the water, hear its bell toll, and then listen as it is resubmerged. Thankfully, the God whom we worship today imparts to us a grace that not only enables us to forgive one another, but also to know that we ourselves are forgiven. Thanks be to God.

We extend a warm Westminster welcome to our visiting pastor, Rev. Mark Elsdon. Mark is the Campus Co-Pastor and Executive Director of Pres House, a campus ministry at UW-Madison. We are delighted to hear God's word proclaimed through his servant Mark this morning.

Worship Notes and Scripture for Sunday April 13

By

John

on April 10, 2008 10:20 AM | Permalink

THE FIRST LESSON Acts 2:42-47

THE SECOND LESSON John 10:1-11

SERMON "Listening Together for the Shepherd"

WORSHIP NOTES

"Christ is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!" These words we spoke in greeting to one another on Easter Sunday are alive in the scripture, liturgy, and music through which we worship this Fourth Sunday of Easter.

The liturgical season of Easter, which is also called Eastertide, began on Easter Sunday and lasts for 50 days until Pentecost Sunday on May 11. During the Easter season, our prayer of confession is replaced by a liturgy that focuses on God's grace, through which we are saved.

The liturgical color for Eastertide is white. During Eastertide, the artwork by American folk painter and Quaker Society of Friends minister Edward Hicks (1780-1849) that hangs on the brick wall of the sanctuary serves to evoke the memory of our spiritual journey through God's peaceable kingdom this Lent.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday because in each year of the liturgical cycle, the Gospel is always taken from the 10th chapter of John where Jesus speaks of himself as the "good shepherd." Therefore, much of the music through which we worship today also reflects imagery of the shepherd and flock.

The choir's anthem is a setting of the hymn "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" by Edward Bairstow (1874-1946). Bairstow was an Oxford graduate and an organist at York Minster Cathedral for 33 years. Though chiefly an organist, he was a master of text painting, which allows a line of music to derive its character from the text being sung. In the anthem, this text painting is heard in the dark organ sound as the men sing about "death's dark veil", and in the sounds of a wandering and lost sheep represented by a disconnected and almost non-melodic soprano line sung to the text "perverse and foolish oft I strayed." Through such settings, Bairstow's contributions to the Anglican choral tradition have influenced sacred church music and will enhance our worship of Christ, the Good Shepherd, this morning.

Worship Notes for Sunday April 6, 2008

By

John

on April 4, 2008 12:47 PM | Permalink

"Christ is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!" These words that we spoke in greeting to one another on Easter Sunday morning are alive in the scripture, liturgy, and music through which we worship on this Third Sunday of Easter.

The liturgical season of Easter, which is also called Eastertide, began on Easter Sunday and lasts for 50 days until Pentecost Sunday (May 11). Just as we increased our focus on confession and heightened the reflective spirit of worship during the Lenten season, in Eastertide our worship is purposefully more celebratory in its spirit of praise. During the Easter season, our prayer of confession is replaced by a liturgy that focuses on God's grace, through which we are saved.

The liturgical color for Eastertide is white. During Eastertide, the artwork by American folk painter and Quaker Society of Friends minister Edward Hicks (1780-1849) that hangs on the brick wall of the sanctuary serves to evoke the memory of our spiritual journey through God's peaceable kingdom this Lent.

Worship Notes for Sunday March 30, 2008

By

John

on March 27, 2008 11:08 PM | Permalink

"Christ is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!" These words that we spoke in greeting to one another on Easter Sunday morning are alive in the scripture, liturgy, and music through which we worship on this Second Sunday of Easter.

The liturgical season of Easter, which is also called Eastertide, began on Easter Sunday and lasts for 50 days until Pentecost Sunday (May 11). Just as we increased our focus on confession and heightened the reflective spirit of worship during the Lenten season, in Eastertide our worship is purposefully more celebratory in its spirit of praise. During the Easter season, our prayer of confession is replaced by a liturgy that focuses on God's grace, through which we are saved.

The liturgical color for Eastertide is white. During Eastertide, the artwork by American folk painter and Quaker Society of Friends minister Edward Hicks (1780-1849) that hangs on the brick wall of the sanctuary serves to evoke the memory of our spiritual journey through God's peaceable kingdom this Lent.

The paraments hung from the lecturn and pulpit are by contemporary Canadian artist Karen Brodie. The design of the paraments illustrates the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: the alpha and the omega. The interior of the omega along with the curved lines of the light remind us of the open tomb and our risen Christ. The cross and the star are combined to become a symbol of Christ's birth and death. The bottom of the cross becomes one with the cup; the cup of our salvation. There you also see wheat, the symbol of the body of Christ, broken for us. Brodie's design is intended to evoke the image of a sun rising and of new life and it is this imagery that enhances our Eastertide worship of God.

Worship Notes from Sunday, March 2, 2008

By

Jon

on March 2, 2008 9:52 AM | Permalink

Our Lenten journey, which began on Ash Wednesday, continues on this the Fourth Sunday in Lent. During this liturgical season, we seek to be an intentionally peaceful people by reflecting on and mirroring the peaceful nature of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Over the course of our 40-day and 40-night Lenten journey, we fast from those thoughts and acts that tempt us and prevent us from living out God's "peaceable kingdom" in the world.

During each Lenten worship service, we pray together the text of a prayer attributed to the 13th-century saint, Francis of Assisi as our corporate Confession of Faith. As we pray these words, we will use light from the Christ Candle to light a candle to symbolize a particular aspect of God's peaceable kingdom as described in this prayer. Our Lenten journey through these 13 aspects of the peaceable kingdom will culminate in our Good Friday Service of Tenebrae, when these same symbols of peace are extinguished as we remember and recall Christ's Passion and death on the cross for our sins.

In worship today, we will acknowledge Christ who is the light of the world as well as our personal and collective blindness to sin. The music selected for worship this morning illumines the the connectivity of our relationship to one another and our yearning for peace. The choir's two anthems, and the music during communion, are settings by the German composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). "How Lovely Are the Messengers" and "Grant Peace, We Pray" evoke prayers of thanksgiving for peacemakers and prayers of hope for a world where everyone respects one another.

The benediction response is a setting of the "World Peace Prayer," which is paraphrased from one of the most ancient scriptures of Hinduism called the Upanishads. Since its introduction at a worship service on Hiroshima Day in 1981, the prayer has been translated into numerous languages and circulated around the world.

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