Worship at Home for October 4, 2020
World Communion Sunday
Due to the spread of Covid-19, we are taking a sabbatical from our normal Sunday morning gathering, but unity and community are more important than ever before in this season of uncertainty. To help facilitate this, we are providing an online service so that, one in heart, we can worship together even as we maintain distance out of love for our neighbors. This is designed to be used on your own or together as a family or community. We hope this resource is a blessing to you. Remember to check in on friends and neighbors with calls or text, especially the elderly among us and others who are particularly vulnerable. You can also check out the services from 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9. 8/16, 8/23, 8/31, 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, and 9/27.
This Sunday, once again we are connecting as a church body using Zoom video chat. Here’s the schedule and instructions for joining in!
10-10:30 - Connect and informal checking in
10:30-11:00 - Prayers of the People, and Joys and Concerns
[**If you’re newer to Zoom or know that technology can be challenging, try signing on closer to 10:15 am so that we can have plenty of time to help you figure it out before Prayers of the People starts. Paula, who helped organize this, will help you!]
To join in the Zoom event on your computer,
THE EASIEST WAY
1. Go to www.zoom.com
2. Click on "Join a Meeting"
3. Enter meeting ID#: 629 486 4957 and Click "Join"
4. Follow prompts, including entering your name.
5. Here is a video tutorial that will take you through the steps, if you want to view this first: https://youtu.be/L5zzE-HGQko
NOT AS EASY, UNLESS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE
1. Click on http://princeton.zoom.us/j/6294864957
2. Follow prompts, these can be a bit tricky if you've never used Zoom before.
To join in the Zoom event using your Smartphone/Iphone:
1. Download the Zoom Cloud Meeting app
2. Open the app.
2. Enter meeting ID#: 629 486 4957 and Click "Join"
3. Follow prompts, including entering your name
4. Here is a video tutorial that will take you through the steps, if you want to view this first: https://youtu.be/lO206_NezaY
To dial in by phone:
+1 (646) 558 8656 (New York--please note this may be a long-distance call if you are using a landline)
Then at the prompt, enter meeting ID#: 629 486 4957
NOTE: You do not need to create a Zoom account to sign into a meeting.
Opening Songs
Centering Song
Call to Worship
L: From where we are sheltering in place,
from where sacred spaces where
folks are socially distancing themselves,
P: we are gathered as God’s people,
called to the Table where brokenness
nourishes us with simple grace.
L: From virtual communities from all over the world,
with families gathered in living spaces,
P: we are gathered as God’s faithful community,
serving, living, caring wherever we are.
L: From neighborhoods made up of those
of every class, every race, every branch of faith,
P: we are gathered as witnesses to God’s hope
and peace which have not disappeared
in every place, in every person in this uncertain time.
Hymns of Adoration
Seeking the Shalom of the City
ANTIRACIST ADJUSTMENT FOR THE WEEK OF 10/4/2020
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God” Micah 6:8
Being antiracist feels like swimming against the current of racism that flows through our social institutions and interactions. On our own, this activity is draining and exhausting. As a spiritual practice however, we are invited to tap into the Divine river of unconditional love that will sustain and carry us in the direction of God’s good vision of creation where all are valued, respected and cherished.
What are the characteristics of spiritual practices, and how are they helpful? Spiritual practices are activities that help to deepen your relationship with the sacred and the world around you. They seek to actively engage the depth of your being, expand the breadth of your experience, and encourage you to relate in a particular way to others and the whole of creation. Your decision to do a spiritual practice is intentional and has meaning and purpose.
Practices do not have to be complicated and are usually very concrete and practical. Most can be done in the midst of your daily life. They reward presence not effort. The best practices for you will arise naturally out of your ordinary activities as you reframe and redirect them toward new depth and breadth. Spiritual practice is a process that changes over time. You may commit to a specific activity for years or try other endeavors that speak to your heart. A consistent daily steadfastness to a spiritual practice will aid you on your journey. An example of one kind of practice is asking and living with questions.
How is racial justice in action a spiritual practice? It seems that those who identify as white in our current society are being asked to do three things at the same time. We are to show up, stop talking, and stop being silent. These requests initially feel contradictory but what if they are actually a pathway to a deeper understanding? Contemplative practices offer a way to observe our thoughts and biases while being present with the Divine, yourself and the surrounding world. It is a way to practice not speaking, not reacting, not judging, not defending. It cultivates the ability to listen deeply, to be present, to hush the ego part of the mind, and to cultivate compassion. Compassion is a powerful way to connect with people around us through our shared humanity and mutuality as equals. It is how we take the solitary self-exploration of contemplation and make it active in the world.
May the following prayer help to sustain your daily antiracist endeavors.
Open my heart Loving Presence so that I may feel your Divine guidance to greater awareness of racial inequity and to my antiracist role this day.
(submitted by Pat Deeney of Westminster at pjdeeney@hotmail.com)
Call to Confession and Reconciliation
If we were to name all the gods we have before you, Rock of Redemption, we would be here for a very long time. We elevate politicians into saviors, though they are as broken as we are. We misuse your name so much during the uncertain and terrifying days, we have trouble speaking to you in prayer at night. We are so busy being worried and fearful, we do not notice how creation witnesses to your goodness and grace.
Forgive us, God our Hope. Even in our uncertainty, may we trust that your love never abandons us. Even in our fears, may we know that your presence never leaves our side. Even when our faith falters, may we know that your grace is the most valuable gift we have, and we can open our emptiness, our hearts, our lives to the healing and loving presence of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Assurance of Pardon
L: Persistently, patiently, lovingly, God pours out grace and joy into our lives, healing our brokenness, forgiving our sin.
P: Loved, we are sent to love those who have been forgotten. Forgiven, we are freed to offer mercy to those who are cruel to us. Graced, we can offer our gifts to everyone we meet. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading by
Princeton Theological Seminary Intern Lexi Aligarbes
Sermon by Pastor Karen
Hymn of Response
Prayers of the People
Prayers of the People happens each week on Zoom at 10:30am! Use the info at the top of the page to join us. If you missed it, stay tuned for next week’s Zoom info or reach out to Pastor Karen for info on how to join.
Our Father in heaven
Hallowed be Your name
Your kingdom come
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever
Amen.
Offering
Even as we are unable to gather for our Sunday morning worship services, many of the church’s expenses remain the same, and now more than ever we want to have the resources to bless the community around us. Your gracious donation will ensure that Westminster continues to Seek the Shalom of the Capital City of Trenton and beyond.
Westminster can receive donations via a simple text:
Text to 609-438-8828 the word “Give”
Westminster’s online giving number will respond asking how much you’d like to give, and steps to follow
Westminster can receive donations online:
Westminster can receive donations by check:
Westminster Presbyterian Church
PO Box 3719
Trenton, NJ 08629
Prayer of Dedication
Jesus, we hear your voice calling us
To love
To serve
To give
These gifts are our response to your call
Keep our hearts and ears open to continue to listen
Today and every day
Amen
Closing Song
Benediction
The Lord be with you
And also with you
La paz de Dios sea con-ti-go
Y tam-bien con-ti-go
Sa-wa-bona
Si-ko-na
Pyeong-hwa
Pyeong-hwa