Worship Notes: February 2012 Archives

THE FIRST LESSON Genesis 9:8-17

THE SECOND LESSON Mark 1:9-15

SERMON "Our Wilderness Journey"

WORSHIP NOTES

We start our Lenten journey this Sunday with the traditional text of Jesus entering the wilderness and being tempted. Our central text is Mark's simple version of this story. Many of the hymns and music have been chosen to reflect this beginning of our season of Lent.

We will be Processing and Recessing this season to emphasize how our discipleship is lived out in the world. Much of the liturgy incorporates parts of the Sermon on the Mount because we will be focusing on this Scripture during Lent. You also may notice a stronger emphasis on personal language during the season in order to remind us of not only our communal commitment but our individual call to discipleship.

THE FIRST LESSON 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

THE SECOND LESSON Mark 9:2-9

SERMON "Terror on the Mountain"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Eighth Sunday after Epiphany. Today is also Transfiguration Sunday, which is observed on the last Sunday before Lent. Transfiguration is a "mountaintop moment" before we begin our reflective Lenten journey, which commences with the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday (February 22). The liturgical color for Transfiguration Sunday is white.

In worship today, we conclude the season of Epiphany where we began it with a focus on the light of God. The scripture lessons describe a transforming experience of Jesus during a mountaintop encounter involving God's light. This experience struck fear and awe into the hearts of those who observed it, and yet they were instructed not to tell anyone about what they had witnessed. The music through which we worship today reflects these themes of light and transformation.

THE FIRST LESSON Mark 1:40-45

PSALM 30

SERMON "The Possibility of Healing"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Seventh Sunday in Epiphany. Throughout the Epiphany season, our worship will be based upon the Psalm texts included in the Revised Common Lectionary. The Psalms are among the church's earliest hymns, expressing praise and prayer, lament and thanksgiving. Because these scriptures were envisioned as hymns, we will "sing the Psalms" throughout the Epiphany season. Settings of the Psalms that are sung by the body of Christ assembled are called "the Psalter."

Our worship today builds upon the text of Psalm 30, which celebrates the healing God brings to us transforming our "wailing into joy." The liturgy and music this morning reflects different aspects of this wholeness found in God. In response to God's word proclaimed, we will be incorporating an opportunity to pray for healing and wholeness. 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. This prayer may be for themselves, a loved one, or even a need in the world. Unlike when we share our joys and concerns in the Prayers of the People on Sunday morning, the prayer is not shared with the whole community. The idea is for the worship community to show its support through its graceful presence and personal prayers.

The hymn "Give Thanks to God Who Hears Our Cries," which we sing in preparation for healing prayer, 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.

THE FIRST READING Mark 1: 29-39

PSALM READING Psalm 147

SERMON "Praise the Lord in the Winter"

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to worship at Westminster on this the Sixth Sunday in Epiphany. Like Westminster, many reformed congregations began to observe a season of Epiphany on January 1 and continue the Epiphany season until Transfiguration Sunday (February 19), which is the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday (February 22) and the start of the Lenten season. The liturgical color for the season of Epiphany is white.

Throughout the Epiphany season, our worship will be based upon the Psalm texts included in the Revised Common Lectionary. The Psalms are among the church's earliest hymns, expressing praise and prayer, lament and thanksgiving. Because these scriptures were envisioned as hymns, we will "sing the Psalms" throughout the Epiphany season. Settings of the Psalms that are sung by the body of Christ assembled are called "the Psalter."

Our worship today builds upon the text of Psalm 147, which expresses our spirit of praise for God to whom we sing. This theme of praise is reflected in the hymns and service music through which we worship.