Bolded text is to be said, sung, or done together as a congregation. You can rise in these moments as well, either in body or spirit.
Gathering: Preparing to Hear the Word
In Preparation for Worship
If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks.
Sentences of Scripture
Rev. Laurie Hartzell
Opening Voluntary
“Capriccio”
W.A. Mozart
Janlee Richter, Organ
Sharing the Life of Westminster
Call to Worship
Ted Hartzell
One: In the darkest valley and at the banquet table;
All: In the hard work of life and at moments of ease;
One: In our day-to-day reality and at times set aside
All: Like this time now – for worship, for listening, for paying attention
One: With every step we take;
All: Goodness and mercy follow us. God’s love never fails. Come let us worship.
Hymn 401: Gather Us In
Prayer of Confession
Patient and Faithful God, we have worked without letting you work in us; we have not let you watch over us; we perversely cherish our busy days and our worldly success. By your very present Spirit give us the freedom to let you work in us, to let you care for us, to let you fill our days, that we may live, not in the strength of our own hands, but in the strength that comes from life in you. Meet us and heal us as we pray our prayers of confession…
Silent Confession
Kyrie:
Assurance of God's Grace
One: Friends, believe the Good News.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Response Hymn #581
Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control;
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship, and are freed.
Passing the Peace of Christ
Rev. Laurie Hartzell
One: Peace be with you.
All: And also with you.
Ministry of Music
“Exsultate, Jubilate” K. 165
W.A. Mozart
Viviana Kloostra, Soprano; Janlee Richter, Piano
Blessings with Younger Disciples (11:00 a.m.)
Children three years through second grade may finish their time of worship in the Worship Centers. Children’s worship leaders or parents will shepherd them from the Sanctuary to their rooms. Parents may pick them up in their worship rooms following the service.
Congregation: As you worship together, may God be with you.
Children: And may God be with you.
Congregation: Go in peace!
The Word
Prayer for Illumination
We pray that the words of Scripture may be encountered as God’s Word.
Scripture
Old Testament, 2 Samuel 7:1-14
Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men.
Sermon
“God the Builder,” Rev. Laurie Hartzell
Responding to the Word
Affirmation of Faith
from A Brief Statement of Faith (Presbyterian Church USA)
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community.
But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation.
Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.
Prayers of the People
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the
Offering Our Lives
Offertory
“The Lord Bless and Keep You”
John Rutter
Viviana Kloostra, Soprano
Means “words of glory.” They are a traditional expression of praise to God.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost!
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give thanks and praise. It is right to give thanks and praise. Always creating God, we thank you for the honor and grace to be part of your work in the world. We offer our resources and ourselves to you once again. May we do justice, love kindness and walk with you as you build your Kingdom of love among us and in our world. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
Going Out to Be the Church
Hymn 307:
“God of Grace and God of Glory”
Charge and Benediction
The Charge: Go into the world in peace. Have courage. Hold on to all that is good. Return no one evil for evil. Do justice. Walk with those who are fainthearted. Help those who suffer. Honor all people. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Closing Voluntary
“Fanfare”
Andrew Carter
Janlee Richter, Organ