Worship at Home for April 26, 2020
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 a liturgy, complete with embedded songs and a sermon by guest preacher Rev. Liz Alexander, 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, and 4/19.
This Sunday, once again we are connecting as a church body using Zoom video chat. Here’s the schedule and instructions for joining in!
9:30-10:30 - Connect and informal checking in
10:30-11:00 - Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer: Joys and Concerns
[**If you’re newer to Zoom or know that technology can be challenging, try signing on closer to 9:30 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#: 922 3773 5458 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/92237735458
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#: 922 3773 5458 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#: 922 3773 5458
NOTE: You do not need to create a Zoom account to sign into a meeting.
Opening Songs
Opening Prayer
Loving God,
We are lonely
Shaken by so much change and uncertainty
And aware of the immense pain of others
We need you to walk with us.
We are confused
Unsure how to interpret all of this
Unsure of how to respond
Unsure how to make sense of your promises in this time and place
We need you to explain things to us.
We are hungry
Longing for you to make all things new
Longing to be the people you’ve called us to be
Longing for community and normalcy
We need you to feed us the Bread of Life.
We are blind
To you here in our midst
Sitting with us at the table
Walking with us along the weary road
Sharing your truth with us
We need you to open our eyes.
Centering Song
Call to Worship
In these moments of isolation
and wondering what tomorrow might bring,
let us lift our voices to God.
We will call on the One who promises to hear us,
and better – to listen to our hearts and souls.
In days of uncertainty, when the future seems unclear,
in life, in death, in every moment, God deals graciously with us.
We will rejoice in the One who is with us
walking with us, opening our eyes, touching our heart.
As God’s people, we know that the Bread of life is for us,
even as we hunger for hope, life, joy, healing for our brokenness.
Just as we do with the cup of salvation,
we will lift our hearts in thanksgiving to our God.
Hymns of Adoration
“Nombre No Hay” by Freddy Rodriguez - Translation
No other name that's higher
No other name that's stronger
No other name forever I will praise the name
No other name can heal us
No other name can free us
No other name so precious
Praise the name
Praise the name above all names
The One who reigns forever
Still the same
Praise the name
Jesus name above all names
The one who reigns forever
Still the same
Praise the name
No other name that's higher
No other name that's stronger
No other name forever I will praise the name
No other name can heal us
No other name can free us
No other name so precious
Praise the name
Every nation - all creation - we proclaim your name
Every nation - all creation - we proclaim your name
Every nation - all creation - we proclaim your name
Every nation - all creation - we proclaim your name
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, no sweeter name
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, no sweeter name
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, no sweeter name
Seeking the Shalom of the City
First, we pray that God continue to bless the efforts of the Westminster/Capital Area YMCA partnership as we help distribute breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday to over 200 youth 18 years and younger., Please pray for more food to be distributed in Trenton on the weekends.
Also during this time, we encourage you to pray for friends and family, neighbors, our city, our country, and the world. Particularly keep in mind those who are most vulnerable during this time: the elderly and immuno-compromised who are particularly vulnerable to infection, the poor who are particularly vulnerable economically as daycares and businesses close, and those without healthcare coverage.
Pray also for all our healthcare workers who face a daunting task ahead and who place themselves in harm’s way in love and service to their community.
Prayers for Westminster nurses Rachel and Chiquera, and corrections officer Latipha; all three are caring for people with COVID 19.
Finally, take a moment to listen for the voice of God. How is God inviting you to seek the shalom of the city in light of the spreading corona virus? Perhaps there is someone who God is calling you to check in on, perhaps a text or call with encouragement for someone who is suffering, perhaps a donation to an organization on the front lines. Listen for God’s invitation and make plans to respond in love and obedience.
Call to Confession and Reconciliation
When we confess our lives, we are calling on God who promises, not only to hear us, but to heal us with forgiveness and hope. Join me, as we pray together saying,
We cut you to the heart, Loving God, with the silly choices we make. Given the chance to reflect your love and grace in our lives, do those around us see these gifts? We can offer words of healing and hope but tend to hold them close to us in these times. We had hoped to find Jesus but often never notice him in the folks driving trucks, stocking shelves, and others we overlook.
Oh, how foolish we are to think we can go on without your mercy, Lord God. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, you judge us impartially from the depths of your heart, so we may be born anew by your grace, to continue the journey into your future.
Assurance of Pardon
This we know for certain - we are forgiven by our gracious God. This good news never ceases to astound us!
This promise is passed on to us, so we may share it with everyone we meet. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture and Sermon
by
Rev. Liz Alexander
Hymn of Response
Prayers of the People
Prayers of the People
This prayer is from the website of the Pacific School of Religion. It is adapted from “A Prayer for Persons Suffering from Ebola”, chausa.org.
A Prayer in the Days of the Coronavirus
As you pray this prayer aloud, imagine that many people are reading it along with you or hearing these words as you read.
Merciful God, hear our fervent prayer for all who suffer the effects of the coronavirus—its infection of sickness, fear, and anxiety.
God, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
May those who are infected receive the proper treatment and the comfort of your healing presence. God, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
May their caregivers, families and neighbors be shielded from the onslaught of the virus and give solace to those who grieve the loss of loved ones. God, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Calm the anxiety and fear of those who fear its advent and protect those who are most vulnerable to its spread—the marginalized,
the un- and under-insured, the immune-compromised, the elderly. God, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Guide those who strive to develop tests, vaccines, and cure—that their work may limit and conquer the virus and restore communities to wholeness and health. God, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Holy One known by many names, help us rise above fear:
Assure us of your presence when we are fearful.
Calm anxieties with your holy Spirit.
Bring healing to all in need of it.
We ask all this through the intercession of your child, Jesus,
through the Holy Spirit, and in the name of all that is holy, just, and compassionate.
Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be your 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors
And Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever
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, may these gifts be just one way
Of feeding
Of clothing
Of visiting
Of loving
You - in our neighbors who are in distress
Even as we give in this way
Show us how else we are called to give.
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