wELCOME TO A DIFFERENT WAY OF WORSHIPPING
weekly liturgy
First, a word on fancy words. In worship we have this phrase we use called liturgy that feels like a formal way of having a worship leader saying stuffy things about God. The word means, “the work of the people” and liturgy is meant to be held, and owned by the worshippers, i.e. you. This service is planned to give you a path, a guide to pray, interact with scripture, wrestle with it – wrestle with God – and in so doing, have a moment of coming face to face with the divine right here, right now.
So, come and lay all the worries of the day aside. Take a deep breath, and we will start with a prayer.
MEDITATION
WELCOME
Thanks for joining us again this week for house church at PCW. Pour up a coffee, turn off the distractions, and let’s settle in. First, begin with a big, deep breath – just to make sure everyone is healthy – and let it out.
GETTING STARTED
Read the poem silently.
A family/kid friendly alternative is below.
Friends
How far friends are! They forget you,
most days. They have to, I know; but still,
it’s lonely just being far and a friend.
I put my hand out – this chair, this table –
so near: touch, that’s how to live.
Call up a friend? All right, but the phone
itself is what loves you, warm on your ear,
on your hand. Or, you lift a pen
to write-it’s not that far person
but this familiar pen that comforts.
Near things: Friend, here’s my hand.
William Stafford, 1982
Family Friendly/Kid Version
Family Friendly/Kid Version
Maybe this morning it is only stuffed animals you are gathering on your "Friend Ship" but think of the friends you want to pick up when you can set sail from home once more.
HYMNS
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE
The May family children share their dinner prayer and a little reflection on wishing how they could be with their larger family. We miss each other as a church family. We hope your family can feel the extension of our prayer and blessing until we can actually be grateful “that we are together” again!
Want to share how your family is staying connected?
CALL TO CONFESSION
Many of us struggle with confession as an admission of guilt, a religious raking over the coals for any mistake or misstep of our past. Frankly, it can be that sometimes because of all that we bring to it. But our confession is, at its root, a recognition that nothing stands between us and God, except our willingness to open up. Please read the prayer aloud and then take a few moments of silence at the end.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
READ ALOUD:
God of mercy and justice, we are lost in the wilderness of our own lives. We face the same urges humans have known for millennia, along with myriad new distractions. We confess that we hold good things more closely than they deserve, and make gods of the conveniences of this age. We confess that we continue to be misled by our pride. We confess that we continue be controlled by fear and anxiety. We confess that we compete against the other, any other, for position, power, and security. We confess that too often love feels too small a thing.
Meet us in the wilderness, we pray, and guide us back to remember our truest selves. Walk with us as our guide in these forty days that we may learn to let go of anything that distorts your love.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Read silently until the Bold
The steadfast love of God never fails; it continues to breathe new life into our tired hearts and eternally gives hope to the hopeless. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and freed! Thanks be to God.
THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Dear God, help me clear my mind of all distractions so that I may encounter the beauty of resurrected life in this scary time. Amen.
GOSPEL READING
John 11:1-45
READ THE GOSPEL HERE
SERMON
THE RESPONSE TO THE WORD
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- Where are you feeling the most flat, dead, in need of some new life?
- Who are you most wishing to connect with? Whose presence would bring the spark back?
- If possible, how could you reconnect with this person today? In prayer, by phone, social media, etc?
SUNDAY SCHOOL AT HOME
Although we can’t be in the same proximity physically, we can be together in spirit. We are happy to be able to provide to you age appropriate Sunday school lessons each week for you to do with your children. Click the Sunday School button to be directed to our weekly lessons.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE FAMILY
Click the family activities button for activities to do with your children. You will find a dove with an olive branch – the sign for peace in troubled times. Please print out the page, cut out the dove, color it, paint it, glitter it, or leave it plain and put it in your front window. Print out multiple copies and put them in multiple windows! When people walk or drive past your house, they can wave or honk so that you know you are not alone!!
HYMN OF AFFIRMATION
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. They 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 thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
How can we pray for you?
Click the button to send us your prayer concerns and joys and stay connected.
Invitation to the Life of the Church and the Offering
The Presbyterian Church in Westfield continues to burn as a light in the darkness as our community weathers this fearsome storm of illness. Our reach of care continues to extend far beyond our immediate borders. You can help us make a real impact in the lives of others by joining in our work through your time, your talents, and also in the fruits of your labors.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
READ SILENTLY
Giver of all good things, it is from you that we have these gifts to share. Take them, we pray, that they may become a blessing, a light in the darkness. Amen.
THE SENDING
SENDING HYMN
BENEDICTION
Know that you are loved. Know that you are not alone. Know that you do good in ways you cannot imagine. Know this and dwell in peace in these uncertain times.