Sunday Worship Bulletin
April 5, 2009
Palm/Passion Sunday
Westminster Presbyterian Church extends an enthusiastic welcome, in Christ’s name,
to all who would worship here or join us in fellowship.
We affirm that there can be no exclusion within the body of Christ.
We invite all children of God to join us as disciples of Christ
and participate fully in the life of our congregation.
1502 West 13th Street · Wilmington, DE 19806
302-654-5214 · Fax: 302-654-5706 · www.wpc.org
Welcome to Westminster
Whether you are worshiping at Westminster for the first time or returning for a visit, the pastors and members sincerely welcome you in the name of Christ. Following our worship service, we invite you to meet an Ambassador at the back of the sanctuary. We have a gift for you, and would like to share information regarding our many programs for children, youth and adults. An Ambassador can guide you to the hospitality area to enjoy fellowship or lead you on a tour of the church. We hope you will make Westminster your church home and discover ways to grow in faith.
Children are welcome in worship! Westminster’s Kids’ Notes and worship bags are available each Sunday from the ushers. Kids’ Notes, a weekly companion to Westminster’s morning worship, emphasizes listening and seeing during worship. The bags include storybooks for children of all ages, coloring paper and crayons, a children’s bulletin for those age three to six, and bookmarks for hymns and Scripture.
Worship Aids - Large print Presbyterian Hymnals and hearing devices may be obtained from an usher. If you experience a problem with a hearing device, ask an usher for a new one.
Audio tapes and DVD’s of recent Westminster worship services are available. Please use the sign-out sheet when you borrow them from the front desk. Printed sermons are available on the literature tables the following week and on our website at www.wpc.org.
The next celebration of the Lord’s Supper will be Maundy Thursday, April 9, and at the Sunrise service on Easter Sunday.
Baptisms - If you wish to schedule a baptism, please contact Suzie Hurlock (302) 654-5214, ext. 127.
The flowers in the sanctuary today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Nick Marcopulos from Cathy Higgins.
The rosebud at the side of the pulpit this morning is in celebration of the birth of Nya Li Parker, born March 13, 2009, daughter of Katie Stoffer, and granddaughter of Judy and Paul Stoffer. We welcome this child into the Westminster family.
Sanctuary Flowers - Consider giving the sanctuary flowers for Sunday worship. Your gift of God’s natural beauty to remember or honor loved ones, or to celebrate an event, expresses praise and thanksgiving to God. Please contact Linda Watson during business hours at 302-571-6719or .
Blue Offertory Card - What is it? Where is it? What do I do with it? Each Sunday the offering plate is passed as a way for worshippers to give thanks to God by placing a financial contribution in the plate. In addition making a financial contribution, you may wish to offer another kind of gift. These blue cards in the pew racks are a tangible way of expressing a commitment to offer service, pray for others, give thanks or make a special financial offering. There is a place for your name if you wish to be contacted. We hope this will enhance your worship experience and help you become a stronger disciple of Christ.
Are you wearing a nametag? It is always a friendly gesture to do so here at Westminster. Whether you are a longtime member or new to the church, wearing a nametag allows others the opportunity to meet you, greet you by name, and become more familiar with others at church. Nametags and markers are available in baskets at all major entrances. Do not assume everyone knows who you are. Extend hospitality, kindness and friendship by wearing a nametag every Sunday.
The deadline for the Sunday bulletin and the “Westminster Weekly Word” is Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
Send announcements and articles for any of the publications to .
Deacon Team of Month
Cathy Edge, Barbara Fedeler, Carol Hopkins and Ralph Lewis
Sunday Morning Schedule8:45 – Noon Child Care for Cribbery (birth – toddler)
9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service with Westminster Choir and organ
§ After Time With Our Children, if you wish, your children may
leave the Sanctuary and go to:
v Godly Care-An unique opportunity for children ages 2 – 4 to get to know God through music, crafts, prayers and stories. Classes are in the Under Six Classrooms A & B.
v Godly Play-Children in kindergarten through second grade gather in
the Ruth Christie Room to learn the language of God’s people through
sacred space, stories, parables and liturgical actions.
10:10 a.m. “Prime Time” Sunday School Classes for all ages.
11:15 a.m. Worship with old hymns, new songs, and creative liturgy. Children are always very welcome in worship, however, childcare is available in Under Six for ages 2 – Grade 2.
Hospitality and Fellowship
The Holy Toast Café, located in Community Hall, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Coffee and fellowship are free. A variety of breakfast foods is available for one dollar per item.
ORDER OF WORSHIP AT 9:00 A.M.
Preparation for Worship
Living Christ, your earthly ministry was full of struggle, as well as joy; yet you were faithful in following God’s will. Breathe your Spirit into our lives, that we may never fall back from the way of discipleship or the effort of loving. Grant that we may find true joy and peace as we accept the cost of faithful discipleship. Amen. (Ruth C. Duck, Bread for the Journey)
Welcome and Announcements
*Passing of the Peace
Call to Worship
We wave palms,
for today we welcome Christ into our midst.
Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We shed tears,
for today we know where Christ’s journey will take him.
Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Our shouts of joy are mixed with cries of anguish,
as we remember the final days of our Lord.
Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Procession of Palms “All Glory, Laud and Honor” arr. Cynthia Dobrinski
Reverberations Handbell Choir
Under-Six Children
Liturgical dancers: Ashton Albert, Lizzie Sprague and Shelly Sprague
Trumpet: Barbara Prugh
*Hymn No. 89 “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” ellacombe
Time With Our Children Anne Ledbetter
Call to Confession
God does not give us a spirit of cowardice,
but seeks to inspire in us courage, determination and hope.
Let us confess our reluctance to be bold.
Prayer of Confession
Mighty God, we yearn to deepen our faith,
but the cross is too threatening for us.
We seek comfort, not sacrifice;
we embrace privilege, not pain.
Yet the suffering love of Christ touches us deeply.
We yearn to be faithful to you,
but we are weak and afraid.
Grant us strength and courage, O God,
in order that we may become genuine disciples of Christ.
Silent Prayer
At the asterisk (*), please stand as you are able. Passages in bold print may be said by all.
Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Anthem “Ride On! Ride On in Majesty!” T. Frederick H. Candlyn
Westminster Choir
Ride on! Ride on in majesty! Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
Hark! All the tribes hosanna cry; The angel armies of the sky
O Saviour meek, pursue Thy road Look down with sad and wond’ring eyes
With palms and scattered garments strowed. To see the approaching sacrifice.
Ride on! Ride on in majesty! Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die: Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;
O Christ, thy triumphs now begin The Father on his sapphire throne
O’er captive death and conquered sin. Expects his own anointed Son.
Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
Bow thy meek head to mortal pain,
Then take, O God, thy power, and reign.
Prayer of Illumination
Scripture Mark 15:1-39 New Testament, page 46
Sermon “Crucified” Greg Jones
*Hymn No. 76 “My Song Is Love Unknown” love unknown
Verse 1: Choir
Verse 2: All
Verse 3: Men
Verse 4: Women
Verse 5: All
Offering
During the offering, please sign your name and pass the red folders down each row.
As folders are returned to the center aisle, note the names of fellow worshippers on your pew.
Offertory Anthem “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” arr. Dale Wood
Beneath the cross of Jesus Upon the cross of Jesus,
I long to take my stand; my eye at times can see
The shadow of a mighty rock The very dying form of one
within a weary land, who suffered there for me.
A home within a wilderness, And from my contrite heart, with tears,
a rest upon the way, two wonders I confess:
From the burning of the noontide heat The wonder of his glorious love
and burdens of the day. And my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, your shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
Content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
my glory all, the cross.
*Congregational response (Hymn No. 591)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Lord’s Prayer (page 16 in The Presbyterian Hymnal, using “debts” and “debtors”)
*Hymn No. 101 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” hamburg
Benediction
Postlude Were You There? arr. Dobrinski
Reverberations Bell Choir
Trumpet: Barbara Prugh
*Going Forth
If you are visiting with us for the first time, we invite you to meet today’s ambassador, Marlys Kerr,
following the service at the rear of the sanctuary by the baptismal font
to receive a gift and information about Westminster.
ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES
Today, 10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Holy Adventure Leader: Greg Jones, through May 3, excluding March 29, in Classroom 6. Using the book, Holy Adventure by Bruce Epperly, we will discuss ways for us to embrace life as the adventure God wants us to experience no matter what our age is. Holy Adventure is an alternative to Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life. Warren (and the older vision of Christianity) believes that God determined a plan for your life previous to your existence and your job is to figure out God’s plan. Epperly, (and the emerging vision of Christianity) believes that your life is a holy adventure in which you are partners with God in shaping who you will become and what the universe will become. Our study together will not only focus on our understanding of God, but will include practical activities designed to help you become more aware of God’s presence in your life and the daily possibilities for personal transformation and the healing of our world. Class participants will need to purchase the book, Holy Adventure. Copies of the book will be available at the class for $12.
“This I Believe” Leaders: Anne Ledbetter and Janet Steinwedel, concludes today, in Meeting Room. As people of faith we stand and say what we believe each Sunday in worship. Yet each of us holds particular, individual beliefs at our very core – beliefs which affect our daily lives and which we seek to embody each day. Using podcasts from the award-winning NPR program “This I Believe,” we will listen to essays by contemporary women and men, and ponder the message of each one. Through reading, listening, discussing, and journaling we will reflect on our own beliefs and finally write our own personal “This I Believe” essay.
Parents with Young Children Coordinator: Rick Thomas, Sunday mornings, Ruth Christie Room. Today Yvonne Nass, Parent Education consultant, Certified Family Counselor and Delaware Level II Parent Educator, leads discussions on topics of special interest to parents with young children.
“The Search for Joy: C.S. Lewis, His Life and His Christian Faith.” This series about the author of the Chronicles of Narnia goes through May 17, in the Daughtry House Classroom across 13th Street. Due to the length of today’s video, we will start promptly at 10:10 a.m. As a teenager C.S. Lewis was a proclaimed atheist. But at the age of 33, he became a Christian. His friendship with JRR Tolkien, of Lord of the Rings fame, was a primary catalyst in his conversion. This is a powerful video series that looks at the man, his life, his writings, his friends and his faith – which brought him great joy. Senior High School students are welcome.
Experience Holy Week
Maundy Thursday, April 9
Remembering the Story: A Service of Shadows and Stones
Experience Jesus’ final days through Communion, storytelling, candle lighting, prayer and song
7:30 p.m. (Childcare provided from 7:15 – 8:45 p.m.)
Good Friday, April 10
Reflect on the Crucifixion of Christ by walking a labyrinth or through silent prayer and meditation.
The labyrinth will be available in Rodney Chapel
and the Sanctuary will be open for silent prayer
from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.