Worship at Home for May 31, 2020
Pentecost 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, and 5/24.
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 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#: 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 Lament
When the walls fell
And the hungry child
Cried out for help
Did you hear the sound?
Did your heart break?
Does your heart break now?
Cannot feel it in my soul
Cannot see you, I'm alone
Can the blind have sight, have sight?
When you see us all alone
Can you hear your people Lord?
Can the blind have sight, have sight?
When the man said,
You are choking me
And he cried out
I cannot breathe
Did your heart break?
Does your heart break now?
Cannot feel it in my soul
Cannot see you, I'm alone
Can the blind have sight, have sight?
When you see us all alone
Can you hear your people Lord?
Can the blind have sight, have sight?
The world is burning as you're standing by
Are you watching, as your children die?
Did your heart break?
Does your heart break now?
Does your heart break?
When their heart breaks,
Does your heart break?
Opening Prayer
How long, O Lord?
How long will violent men prosper?
How long will justice be determined by a person’s skin color?
How long will the lives of our black and brown brothers and sisters be devalued and stolen?
How long, O Lord?
Rise up, O Lord!
Bring justice for George Floyd!
Stand against those who subvert justice!
Break the power of white supremacy; destroy every oppressive system!
Rise up, O Lord!
Have mercy, O Lord.
Forgive us when we are complicit.
Strengthen us when we are tired.
Teach us when we are ignorant.
Convict us when we are complacent.
Comfort us when we are re-traumatized again and again.
Have mercy, O Lord.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Set our hearts ablaze for a revival of justice.
Teach us to speak the language of justice with our words and actions.
Inspire us, like you did Peter, to call murder murder until hearts are pierced in repentance.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Centering Song
Call to Worship
Leader: Come to us, Holy Spirit,
People: in the quiet times of peace.
Leader: Come to us, Holy Spirit,
People: in the anguished eternities of grief.
Leader: Come to us, Holy Spirit,
People: in welling fountains of joy.
Leader: Come to us, Holy Spirit,
People: in cold vistas of disbelief.
Leader: Come to us, Holy Spirit,
People: in burning certainties of faith.
Leader: Come to us, Holy Spirit, come!
...Repeat in the language of your choice i.e. Come, Holy Spirit, Come! Ven Santo Espiritu ven!
Hymns of Adoration
Seeking the Shalom of the City
Our city and many cities across the country have seen protests seeking justice and reform in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. Let us pray and work together for change in our city.
Also, 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 now over 300 youth 18 years and younger.
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
Almighty God, you poured your Spirit upon gathered disciples creating bold tongues, open ears, and a new community of faith.
We confess that we hold back the force of your Spirit among us. We do not listen for your word of grace, speak the good news of your love, or live as a people made one in Christ. Have mercy on us, O God. Transform our timid lives by the power of your Spirit, and fill us with a flaming desire to be your faithful people, doing your will for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Leader: The Spirit that covers and protects us is revealing. Trust the Spirit’s forgiveness. Trust the good news that says: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
All: Thanks be to God, Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture
Pentecost Meditation
Hymn of Response
Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer
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, it is as people called and commissioned by you
And filled with your spirit
That we give generously
Not only our money, but our whole lives
Living sacrifices.
Amen.