WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Service for the Lord’s Day

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 17, 2017

GATHERING

(Silence during the Prelude is requested in preparation for worship.)

PRELUDE Ubi Caritas et Amor Gerald Near Where dwelleth charity and love, there God is found

Meditation Maurice Duruflé

CHORAL INTROIT (11:00 a.m.) Hal Hopson

O Worship the Lord

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Let us worship God!

(Those who are able may stand.)

God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. God does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God’s steadfast love toward those who revere God.

*PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

God of mercy, help us to forgive, as you have forgiven us. Help us to trust you, even when hope is failing. Help us to take up our cross daily and follow you in your redeeming work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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(The Cross and Bible lead the procession, symbolic of the centrality in worship of Jesus Christ - the Living Word, and the Bible - the written Word.)

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN 624 TOULON

I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art

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CALL TO CONFESSION

The proof of God’s amazing love is this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” So we pray, O God, yet we confess our lives show forth little mercy. We pass judgment on people who think and live differently than do we. Suspicion, jealousy, and quarrels infect our relationships, and keep us from building communities, where everyone feels welcome and known. Merciful God, again we ask your forgiveness. Teach us and guide us to extend to others what we have received so abundantly from you: gracious acceptance, saving help, and love that will bind us together.

(Silent confession)

Kyrie (Sung responsively by the choir and congregation) Hal H. Hopson

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

(The liturgist pours water, which reminds us of our baptism.)

Believe the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

*The Peace

Since God in Christ has forgiven us, let us also forgive one another.

The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

(Please exchange the peace with the words, “The peace of Christ be with you.”)

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*ACT OF PRAISE Glory to God in the Highest John Weaver

(Please refer to the inside back cover of your hymnal for music for this hymn.)

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship You, we give You thanks, we praise You for Your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; You are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH

(Everyone is asked to sign the Friendship Register, which is located on the center aisle end of each pew.)

THE WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE Hear the Word of God! Our ears are open.

Matthew 18:21-22 (New Testament, page 23 in your pew Bible) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

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Psalm 103 (Singing together Hymn 439) STUTTGART

Romans 14:1-12 (New Testament, page 163 in your pew Bible)

SERMON “Welcome to the Kingdom of God” Donovan Drake (A moment for meditation)

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*HYMN 435 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy IN BABILONE

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*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church.

In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage

to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.

In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks, and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

(From A Brief Statement of Faith) PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.

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THANKSGIVING

OFFERING Ubi Caritas (8:30 a.m.) Victor C. Johnson

(11:00 a.m.) Maurice Duruflé

Where all charity and love are, God is always there. We are all gathered unto one by the Christ's love.

Let us all rejoice and be glad in him: let us praise God! Let us revere and love the living God, Let us love each other

from the depths of our heart. Amen. *DOXOLOGY LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Almighty God, author of all mercies: we, your unworthy servants, give you most humble and hearty thanks for your loving kindness to us and to all humanity. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for your inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Savior Jesus Christ; for the means of grace and for the hope of glory. And, we entreat you, give us that due sense of all your mercies

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that our hearts may be genuinely thankful, and enable us to exhibit your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service and by abiding with you in holiness and righteousness all our days. Through our Savior Jesus Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

*THE LORD’S PRAYER (Singing together)

(Please refer to the inside back cover of your hymnal for the words and music for this hymn.)

SENDING

*HYMN 463 How Firm a Foundation FOUNDATION

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*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Fugue on a Carillon Theme Maurice Duruflé ________________________________ *(Those who are able may stand.)

The flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the glory of God

and in loving memory of W. Miles Warfield, Sr. by his family.

The flowers in the Parlor are given to the glory of God

and in honor of Rosie Malone and in loving memory of her mother, Katie Malone

by her friends.

SERVICE NOTES

WORSHIP LEADERS: Liturgist: Claire Harris Kramer, Director of Youth and their Families; (8:30 a.m.) Lay liturgist: Ty Harden; Beadle/Acolyte: Tripp Johnson; (11:00 a.m.) Lay liturgist: Marshall Summar; Beadle/Acolyte: Sussana Payne.

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MUSICIANS: (8:30 a.m.) Laudate Youth Choir; (11:00 a.m.) Westminster Choir; John W. Semingson, Director of Music Ministries; Polly Brecht, Organist.

USHERS: (8:30 a.m.) Ron Stanley, Sylvia Grant, Laura Stanley, Marc Stanley, Sarah Frances Stanley, (11:00 a.m.) Jim Jenkins, Emily Jenkins, Kathryn Jenkins. Please contact an usher if you need assistance during the service.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME: Westminster Presbyterian Church welcomes you to share our common journey to become more faithful disciples of Christ. Our love and acceptance of each other affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, regardless of our differences, and bear witness to the love of God for all people and our commitment to Christ. Any who are interested in joining us in this journey are invited to speak with our Greeters, who are stationed by the Baptismal font in the Sanctuary after each service. The Greeters for today are (8:30 a.m.) Derek and Layne Bryant and (11:00 a.m.) Anne Carr.

LARGE-PRINT BULLETINS are available in the Narthex from an usher.

ASSISTIVE HEARING DEVICES: Due to ongoing construction, we are experiencing difficulties with connections for our hearing devices. Thank you for your continued patience and prayers!

ELDER NOMINATIONS for next year’s class (the Class of 2021) are being requested from Westminster members. Nominations may be made by completing a ballot form located in the Parlor by the wooden Ballot Box or online at www.nashvillewpc.org, and will be accepted until October 15, 2017. Following the end of nominations, the Church Nominating Committee will analyze the ballots and recommend a slate of elder candidates representing the demographics of the church as a whole (age, gender, service to the congregation and community, etc.). Photos and biographical information on nominees will be published in the December 2017 newsletter. Elections will be conducted at the February 4, 2018 congregational meeting. The new class of elders will begin their 3-year terms on May 1, 2018. For information on elder qualifications, go to http://oga.pcusa.org/section/mid-council-ministries/clp/.

EVERY MEMBER HAS A MISSION FAIR IS TODAY, and will run between and after worship services in the Parlor. The many ministries of this congregation will be featured with displays and representatives. Come to explore the wide range of opportunities for study, fellowship, mission and service that are offered at and through WPC, and discover how and where God is calling you to engage, to grow, and to commit yourself and your gifts in the coming year. Explore the abundant ways that WPC is Living Out the Word through mission and service in Nashville and around the world. What is your mission? Come to find it, come to express it today at the Every Member Has a Mission Fair!

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PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER RELIEF: Disaster response teams from WPC travel to impacted areas to assist people and families who have been harmed. We have been conducting these work trips twice a year for over 10 years. Usually, we have travelled to hurricane damaged areas of the Gulf Coast. This fall, we are planning a work trip to Gatlinburg to help fellow Tennesseans hurt by the terrible fires of last year. We will leave on Sunday, November 12 and return on Saturday, November 18. All types of work—from cleaning and painting to carpentry—will be conducted. Work will be suitable for all skill levels. We will be staying at the Gatlinburg Presbyterian Church in the downtown area. If you would like to be a part of this work team, contact Joe Gaines at joegaines12@gmail.com or 615-636-3860.

FALL NEW MEMBER CLASS TODAY: The Fall New Member Class continues today in the Chapel, beginning at 9:45 a.m. This class will focus on Westminster's guiding belief that "Every Member Has a Mission," which was articulated through the 2014-15 Visioning Process. Donovan Drake will discuss the theological foundations of this belief, Jim Hartman will reflect on the Visioning Process that expressed it, and Beth Drake will provide an introduction to the Every Member Mission Fair in the Parlor. If you are exploring membership in this community of faith, please join us for this class, which culminates on October 22. To register for the Fall New Member Class, please contact Trisha Biggs (615-292-5526; tbiggs@nashvillewpc.org). To find out more about the membership process, please contact the Rev. Heidi Hudnut-Beumler (615-292-5526; hhudnutbeumler@nashvillewpc.org), or Elder Jim Hartman (615-383-8759; overlookjim@yahoo.com).

PRAYER SERVICE FOR WHOLENESS will be held in the Chapel immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship on Sunday, September 24, 2017. This brief and informal service (roughly 15 minutes) will include a time of centering ourselves in God’s love and light, sharing concerns and joys, and individual and communal prayer. Rev. Heidi Hudnut-Beumler and Claire Harris Kramer co-lead this service and remain available to pray with and for members of our community. Bring whatever needs for prayer are on your heart; all ages are welcome.

2017 PEACE & GLOBAL WITNESS OFFERING: The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program invites individuals and families to explore ways that we can live into God’s vision of peace as witnessed in Scripture. Such peace is only possible when people open themselves to learn the healing ways of God. Envelopes are available in the pew literature racks for your use in contributing to this offering.

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: The music used in the service this morning is copyrighted under Christian Copyright Licensing International, Inc., No. 11221525.

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 3900 West End Avenue Nashville, Tennessee 37205-1899

Phone: 615.292.5526; Fax: 615.292.5597 www.nashvillewpc.org