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
I get ideas about what's essential when packing my suitcase.
Sentences of Scripture
Rev. Lynette Sparks
Opening Voluntary
“Minuet in G Major,” “Minuet in G Minor”
J.S. Bach
Helen Hofmeister, Harpsichord
Sharing the Life of Westminster
Susan Jennings
Call to Worship
One: Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God.
All: God’s holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth.
One: We ponder your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.
All: Your name, O God, like your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth.
One: Tell the next generation, “This is God, our God forever and ever.”
All: God will be our guide forever.
Hymn 373: O Day of Peace
Prayer of Confession
Sovereign God, we confess our doubt that you have overcome sin and death. We are more in touch with the pangs of our weakness than we are with the power of your love. In fear, we worship idols
rather than you; in despair, we collapse in hopelessness rather than look to you in faith; in rage, we seek to dominate others rather than seek true and lasting peace among all people. Forgive us for the ways we have misused the blessings poured out on our nation. Have mercy on us. Grant us the vision of your eternal kingdom, we humbly pray…
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
One: Peace be with you.
All: And also with you.
Ministry of Music
“Aria con variazoni”
Giovanni Battista Martini
Helen Hofmeister, harpsichord
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
New Testament, Mark 6:1-13
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary[a] and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense[b] at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Sermon
“What Do You Really Need?,” Rev. Lynette Sparks
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.
Offering Our Lives
Offertory
“Finale” from Royal Fireworks Music
G.F. Handel
Helen Hofmeister, Organ
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!
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
For those worshiping in the sanctuary, we are using pre-packaged communion elements with gluten-free bread and juice. If you didn’t receive one before you entered the sanctuary, simply raise your hand, and an usher will bring you one. Children are welcome to participate in this sacrament. You may place the used packaging materials on the communion racks on the back of the pews, and then dispose of them in bins when you exit the sanctuary at the conclusion of the service.
Invitation to the Lord's Table
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
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. Generous God, you hear our prayers and answer them; you give us more than we can ask or imagine. Accept these offerings and use them to your glory, that even now we might imitate your coming reign of justice, peace, and love, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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
The Words of Institution
Communion of the People
Prayer of Response
O God, send us out from our Lord’s table to answer his summons into new life and to follow him with joy and
gladness. Set our feet in his holy way, that our lives may be signs of his life and all we do may show forth his love. Amen.
Going Out to Be the Church
Hymn 340: This Is My Song
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
“Variations on America”
Charles Ives
Helen Hofmeister, Organ
Participants in Today's Service
- Preacher: Rev. Lynette Sparks, Senior Pastor
- Liturgist: Susan Jennings
- Minister of Music: Helen Hofmeister
- Technology Team: Dan Cisler, Rachel Kamstra, Stella Sheckler