Worship at Home for September 20, 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 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, and 9/13.
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
Opening Prayer
Loving God,
We are the laborers who have come late to the vineyard
We have not
And could not
Earn your grace.
That’s what makes it grace.
Thank you for your never stopping, never giving up, always and forever love.
As you pour it out freely on us
May it flow through us into the lives of others.
Amen.
Centering Song
Call to Worship
Leader: Because he came to bring good news to the poor;
People: Let us be bearers of the Good News
Leader: Because he came to proclaim release to the captives;
People: Let us break the chains of injustice.
Leader: Because he came to give vision to those who could not see;
People: Let us see the world through the lens of compassion and mercy.
Leader: Because he came to let the oppressed go free;
People: Let us overcome systems of intolerance and inequality.
Leader: Because he came to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor;
All: Let us sing the praises of Christ our Lord!
Hymns of Adoration
Seeking the Shalom of the City
Check out this article about our annual backpack and school supply giveaway!
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
There is pain in the world, O God;
And we numb it
And we ignore it.
And we make it worse.
And we try to fix it.
And we cause it – sometimes.
Take away the source of the pain, we pray:
The source that is evil,
The source that is hatred,
The source that is pride,
The source that is ignorance,
The source that is apathy.
Forgive us our part in the pain of the world. Heal us, heal all, and make us whole.
Assurance of Pardon
Friends, let us proclaim the Good News: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Let us go out into the world as people made new by God.
All: Amen!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading by
Princeton Theological Seminary Intern Lexi Aligarbes
Hi, Westminster Presbyterian Church family! My name is Lexi Aligarbes and I am currently a Master’s of Divinity senior at Princeton Theological Seminary. I’m a lover of the East Coast but originally hail from Farmington, NM. Before moving to New Jersey, I attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. There I earned my bachelor’s degree in Peace and Global studies. While an undergraduate student I spent my time playing tennis as a student-athlete, dancing on the school’s dance team, and exploring a call to Christian ministry. Although I grew up in the Christian church, I have spent time with many different worshiping communities. I am excited to share my diverse experiences with Westminster and to be a part of an affirming and justice-oriented congregation.
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