++ Stand as you are able 1 32

Gathering: Preparing To Hear The Word

In Preparation for Worship Theology is prayerfully wondering, “Who are you, God?” —Jackie Smallbones

Sentences of Scripture Rev. Jeremy Bork Opening Voluntary (A musical prayer offered on behalf of the people of God.) “Go, My Children, with My Blessing” Ronald Nelson (1927-2014) Sharing the Life of Westminster Susan Jennings ++ Call to Worship Maria Schoon One: This is our ancient story: God came to us and called us. All: God called us to follow where she was leading. One: And he calls us again today—to follow where he leads. All: She promised to go with us, and she is with us now. One: You are with us now, in this space, in this moment. All: You are here, and we are, too. Let us worship together.

++ Hymn 774 “There Is Now a New Creation” Stuttgart Call to Confession Kyle Nolan (Trusting that God is love, we express our lament, our brokenness, and our failings to God.) Prayer of Confession (unison) Loving God, we confess that we have not always loved you with our whole heart or our neighbors as ourself. We admit the times we make decisions based on fear; in doing so, we risk valuing our lives over others. We confess the times we see our neighbor through another image that is not your own. We are sorry for the ways we build barriers instead of bridges. Forgive us, form us, and reform us, so we may follow your perfect law of love. Lord, hear our prayer...

Silent Confession

Kyrie - Unison “Lord, Have Mercy” John Weaver

The Assurance of God's Grace One: In whatever way we feel we have wandered or become lost, God has not lost us. She persists and will not let us go. All: Like the mother who will not abandon her nursing child, like the father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is love. One: God's love is perfect, perfectly fitted to each of us, to reconnect us to the divine life. All: Hers is a love that we are not required to deserve. One: His is a love that sweeps us up in his arms. All: Alleluia! Amen!

++Response Hymn 701 SanctuaryLord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,

pure and holy, tried and true.With thanksgiving,

I'll be a living sanctuary for you. (repeat)

++The Summary of the Law and the Passing of the Peace (from Luke 10:25-28) (A sign of forgiveness and reconciliation.) One: Jesus said, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” All: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” One: “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” All: Do this and you will live. One: And so that you may live connected to God, to one another, and to your own truest life, may the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. All: And also with you. Ministry of Music “This Little Light” arr. Shaw/Johnson This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! Ev'ry day, I'm gonna let my little light shine. On Monday, He gave the gift of love. On Tuesday, peace came from above. On Wednesday, told me to have more faith. On Thursday, gave me just a little more grace. On Friday, told me to watch and pray. On Saturday, told me just what to say. On Sunday, gave me the power divine just to let my little light shine. Kirk Singers Soloists: Michael Furman and Ben Biermacher

Blessings with Younger Disciples (Children three years old through second grade may finish their time of worship in the Worship Centers. Children's worship leaders will shepherd them from the Sanctuary to their rooms. Parents may pick them up at their worship rooms following the service.)

In the pews: May the Lord be with each of you as you worship together. Children: And may the Lord be with you as you worship here. In the pews: Go in peace!

The Word

Introduction to the Scripture Reading Prayer for Illumination (We pray that the words of Scripture may be encountered as God’s Word.)

Scripture Reading Luke 16:19-31 New Testament p. 79-80

One: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon Connection in the Chasm Rev. Jeremy Bork Responding To The Word Reception of New Members Confirmation 2017 Presentation of New Members Mark DeVries Meaning of Membership Rev. Jen Porter New Member Vows++ Congregational Vows

++ Prayers of The People and the Lord’s Prayer One: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. One: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up unto the Lord. One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give thanks and praise.

Gracious God, by water and the Spirit, you claimed us all as your own, freeing us from sin, and giving us new life. You made us members of your body, the Church, calling us to be your servants in this world. Renew in each of these new members the covenant you made in their baptism. Continue the good work you have begun in them. Send us all, by the power of your Spirit, to love and serve you with joy, and to live for justice and peace in all the earth. In the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

The Offering Receiving the Offering - Signing of the Friendship Register (Please sign the friendship pad and pass it down the pew. Thank you!)

Offertory “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” John Rutter The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you And give you peace. Amen. Sanctuary Choir ++Doxology (means “words of glory”—they are a traditional expression of praise to God.) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost!

++Prayer of Dedication (unison)

Generous God, giver of good gifts, thank you. Our gratitude for your blessing compels us to bless you, your good creation, and everything in it. We dedicate our whole selves to walking in the ways of justice, compassion, peace, and hope. Empower us to live connected: to you, to one another, and to our own truest self.

Going Out To Be The Church

++Hymn 757 “Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples” Kingsfold ++Charge and Benediction

Closing Voluntary (A musical prayer offered on behalf of the people of God.) “Toccata in D Minor” Johann Jacob Froberger (1616-1667)

Morning Worship at 11:00 A.M.

Connection in the Chasm

The Charge Go into the world in peace. Have courage. Hold on to all that is good.

Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak and help the suffering. Honor all people.

Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

P A R T I C I P A N T S I N T O D A Y ’ S S E R V I C E Preacher .........................Rev. Jeremy Bork, Minister for Youth and Their FamiliesLiturgists ................Susan Jennings, Minister for Pastoral Care and Membership ........................................................................... Maria Schoon, Youth Liturgist ... ........................ Kyle Nolan, Minister for Faith Formation and Mission ... ........................................................................ Mark DeVries, Elder for Youth ....Rev. Jen Porter, Assoc. Pastor for Faith Formation and Pastoral CareChapel Host .......................................................................................................Suzan BylsmaAcolytes .... .................................................. Gabe Larson and Tristan Gerville-Réache

Minister of Music ...................................................................................Helen Hofmeister

Music for Worship 8:30a - Cheri Reid, Soprano Lee Copenhaver, Cello 11:00a - Kirk Singers Michael Furman and Ben Biermacher, Soloists Sanctuary Choir Janlee Richter, Accompanist USHERS - Team B 8:30 am: Bernard and Kathy Smith, Rolleen and Bill Westfall 11:00 am: David Abbott, Randy Block, Daryl Fischer, Dan Gleason,

Larry Hollenbeck, Mary Jane Lamse, Steve Marshall, Barry McKey,Wayne Spillane, Rob Wybrecht

GREETERS - Today's greeters are Deacons. NURSERY 8:30 am: .................................................................................................... Staff 11:00 am: Parent Volunteer ............................... Kate Bylsma and Staff

WORSHIP CENTER8:30 am: - JosephLeader .............................................................................................. Leslie Matthews-Fiore

Center 1 - 11:00 am: (5-year olds & Kndg.) - JosephLeader ...........................................................................................................Jennifer MolitorGreeter ...............................................................................................................Lindsey Lunt

Center 2 - 11:00 am: (1st & 2nd graders) - JosephLeader ............................................................................................................... Erin MolhoekGreeter .......................................................................................................Ashley Wierenga

NURTURING CENTER - 11:00 am: - Two Coats for Joseph Leader ...........................................................................................................Maggie Atwater Greeter ........................................................................................................Rebekah Weaver FLOWERS - The flowers in the chancel today are given by Anna Barth and Joseph Marfia in honor of Betty and Joseph Marfia.

Coming up in Adult Faith Formation for November 19Meets in the Chapel & Conference Room - 9:40-10:40am

In the Conference Room: Racial Justice Action ConversationsDr. Eugene Rogers, conductor of the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club will join us for a conversation via Skype. The presentation will feature a viewing of the Glee Club’s performances of “The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed,” and “Glory.” Facilitated by Barbara Wybrecht.

In the Chapel: Transgender Persons and the ChurchJoin us for the second installment of a two-week offering in which we’ll focus on a better understanding of what it means to be transgender. For this second week, we will invite several guests who are transgender to share their experiences with us. Led by Nancy Janisch.

Connection in the Chasm

T h e T w e n t y- T h i r d S u n d ay a f t e r P e n t e c o s t S u n d ay

N ov e m b e r 1 2 , 2 0 1 711:00 a.m.

W e l c o m e t o W e s t m i n s t e rIf you are new to Westminster, this information may help you get oriented.

First of all, if you have any questions, please feel free to talk to any of the ushers or greeters or staff members. It’s a pretty big church and not always easy to find your way around. • Worshipbags(youngerchildren)andworshipfolders(olderchildren)areavailable on the bookshelf in the narthex, and contain age-appropriate materials to help children engage with what they're seeing and doing. • LARGEprintbulletinsareavailable—mucheasierontheeyes. • Hearingdevicesarealsoavailable,aswellas: • T-loophearingassistance:setyourhearingaidto“T”

• More about children: We intend to be welcoming to all children. Please let us know how we are doing. Contact Nancy Greidanus—nancyg@wpcgr.org. o All children are welcome to stay throughout the entire worship service. OR: o Nursery rooms are located down the hall to the right of the Parlor, which is in the northeast corner of the Gathering Place. Nursery care is available from 8:15a - 12:30p (or 15 minutes after the conclusion of worship). o Nurturing Centers: Children ages 3 and 4 may leave the service after the time of Blessings for stories, songs, and free play. o Worship Centers: Children 4 years through second grade may also leave at the time of the Blessings to complete their worship in an interactive setting.

•Coffee Hour: Absolutely everyone is welcome, even if coffee is not your cup of tea!

47 Jefferson Ave. SE • Grand Rapids, MI 49503 • www.westminstergr.org • (616-456-1456)

Confirmation

Sunday

Ahead in Worship 8:30a & 11:00a

November 19—The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after PentecostThanksgiving Sunday

Turning the Corner: Fear, Protest, or ThanksgivingRev. David Baak preaching

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:7-18, Matthew 25:14-30Music: John Schlafley, Tenor at 8:30a

Cherub, Carol, and Sanctuary Choir at 11:00a

November 26—Reign of Christ SundayFamily

Rev. Chandler Stokes preachingScripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Music: Helen Hofmeister, Harpsichord at 8:30a & 11:00aSanctuary Choir at 11:00a

Devotions for the week of November 12

Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. —Brené Brown

Please remember in your prayers this week…

We are grateful for the blessing of our youth that are being confirmed this morning! May they continue to grow in their faith and may we continue to find ways to be present with them and learn from them.

Blessings to the family of Nash Christopher Dunning, born on November 7 to parents Kelly and Peter Dunning. Nash is the 10th great-grandchild of Kay and Ray Kretzschmer.