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
You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.
Sentences of Scripture
Rev. Laurie Hartzell
Opening Voluntary
“Siciliana”
Johann L. Krebs
Janlee Richter, Organ
Sharing the Life of Westminster
Kyle Kooyers
Call to Worship
Ted Hartzell
One: You who are weary and you who are energized,
All: God is here! Come and worship.
One: You who have deep faith and you who doubt,
All: God is here! Come and worship.
One: You who are broken and you who are being healed,
All: God is here! Come and worship.
One: Come one, come all.
All: God is here! Come and worship!
Hymn 612: We Praise You, O God
Prayer of Confession
All loving God, we confess that we seek satisfaction in the ways of the world. Sometimes we love things and use people. We struggle to gain power and prestige and allow the shrinking of our souls. We are often ready to criticize and reluctant to create. We clamor for privilege and are silent in the face of injustice. Forgive us, God of mercy. Expand our imaginations that we may ground ourselves more deeply in Your love and Your ways. . .
Silent Confession
Kyrie:
Assurance of God's Grace
One: Friends, believe the Good News.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Response Hymn #581
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Passing the Peace of Christ
Rev. Laurie Hartzell
One: Peace be with you.
All: And also with you.
Ministry of Music
“Aria” from Suite in D Major
J.S. Bach
Lee Copenhaver, cello; 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, I Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 19-23
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. He had greaves of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” And the Philistine said, “Today I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, took the provisions, and went as Jesse had commanded him. He came to the encampment as the army was going forth to the battle line, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.
Sermon
“A God-Infused Imagination,” Rev. Laurie Hartzell
Responding to the Word
Affirmation of Faith
From the Confession of Belhar
We believe in the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who gathers, protects, and cares for the church by Word and Spirit, as God has done since the beginning of the world and will do to the end. We believe in one holy, universal Christian church, the communion of saints called from the entire human family. We believe that God has entrusted the church the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ; that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world; that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker; that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells.
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
“Allemande” from Suite for Solo Cello # 3 in C major
J.S. Bach
Lee Copenhaver, cello
Doxology
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. Sending God, receive these gifts and ourselves that we can help make hope visible, forgiving delightful, loving contagious, faith liberating, peace-making joyful and Your Kindom come. Expand our imaginations and empower us do justice, love kindness and walk with you all our days. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Going Out to Be the Church
Hymn 339: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Sung in honor of Juneteenth
“On June 19, 1865, slaves in Texas were the last to learn of their emancipation following the defeat of the Confederate States of America. In African-American communities throughout the United States, this good news of liberation to the captives is still celebrated as Juneteenth.”
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 (8:30 a.m.)
“Bourrée”
Sir C.H.H. Parry
Janlee Richter, Organ
Participants in Today's Service
- Preacher: Rev. Laurie Hartzell, Interim Pastor for Youth and Mission
- Liturgists: Ted Hartzell, Claire Spagnuola, Kyle Kooyers, Elder for Adult Faith Formation
- Musicians: Janlee Richter, organ, Lee Copenhaver, cello
- Technology Team: Dan Cisler, Stella Sheckler, Rachel Kamstra