PARKING LOT WORSHIP MAY 17, 2O2O

Parking Lot Service at WPC. Next week will meet at 9:30 and set in the shade, with appropriate social distance being
observed. I hope you can join us as we worhip God.


DOWNLOAD THE BULLETIN: 2020_05_17
_bulletin

-1-SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAYSixth Sunday of Easter Yeas A – May 17, 2020 PARKLOT WORSHIPPRELUDE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIPLiturgist, Carolyn AinsworthOne: Our help is in the name of the Lord,All: maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8) One: God’s love is for you and for all people everywhere.All: That we may share God’s love and life, may we be renewed in the refreshing Spirit of the living Christ.One: The living Christ is with us.All: Praise the Lord!PRAYER OF THE DAY OPENING HYMN“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”1 Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down, Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, All Thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter every trembling heart.2 Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit Into every troubled breast! Let us all in Thee inherit, Let us find that second rest; Take away the love of sinning; -2-Alpha and Omega be; End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.3 Come, Almighty to deliver,Let us all Thy life receive; Suddenly return, and never, Nevermore Thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above, Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.4 Finish, then, Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be; Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.PRAYER OF CONFESSIONGod of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our -3-Savior.(Personal and Silent Prayers of Confession.)GLORIA PATRI FIRST READING Psalm 66:8-20 66:8 Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard,66:9 who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip.66:10 For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.66:11 You brought us into the net; you laid burdens on our backs;66:12 you let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.66:13 I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will pay you my vows,66:14 those that my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.66:15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fatlings, with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah66:16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me.66:17 I cried aloud to him, and he was extolled with my tongue.66:18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. -4-66:19 But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the words of my prayer.66:20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me. One: The inspired Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to GodSECOND READINGJohn 14:1-1414:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.14:2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.14:4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.”14:5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.14:7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”14:8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” -5-14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.14:12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.14:13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14:14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.One: The inspired Word of the Lord.All: Thanks be to GodSERMONREPONSIVE HYMN“. The Comfort of God during this Time”“More Love to Thee”1. More love to Thee, O Christ, More love to Thee, O Christ, More love to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer I make, On bended knee. This is my earnest plea: More love of Christ to Thee, More Love to Thee, More love to thee.Rev. Chris Turner. -6-2. Once earthly joy I craved, Sought peace and rest; Now Thee alone I seek, Give what is best. This all my prayer shall be: More love of Christ to Thee, More Love to Thee, More love to thee. 3 There shall my latest breath Whisper Thy praise; This be the parting cry My heart shall raise. This still its prayer shall be: More love of Christ to Thee, More Love to Thee, More love to thee.The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE/JOYS & CONCERNS LORD’S PRAYER -7-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 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. “Amen”RESPONSE OFFERTORY DOXOLOGY SENDING HYMN“Breathe on Me Breath of God”1 Breathe on me, Breath of God, Fill me with life anew, That I may love what Thou dost love, And do what Thou wouldst do.2 Breathe on me, Breath of God, Until my heart is pure, Until with Thee I will one will, To do and to endure.3 Breathe on me, Breath of God, Till I am wholly Thine, Until this earthly part of me Glows with Thy fire divine. -8-4 Breathe on me, Breath of God, So shall I never die, But live with Thee the perfect life Of Thine eternity.BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE “Sweet, Sweet Spirit”There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place, And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord;There are sweet expressions on each face, And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly dove, Stay right here with us, Filling us with Your love;And for these blessings, We lift our hearts in praise.Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived, When we shall leave this place.Charge and Blessing POSTLUDENEXT SUNDAY’S LECTIONARY READING : Acts 1:1-11 • Psalm 47 or Psalm 93 • Ephesians 1:15-23 • Luke 24:44-53The Session and the Westminster Shepherds have decided that we should be praying for the members/friends of our church. Each newsletter and bulletin will have a list of members/friends to pray for each week. These members are not necessarily sick or in need of specific prayer, we just want all of our members to be prayed for regularly. This week’s prayer requests:Prayer Concerns (alphabetical order): Prayer Concerns (alphabetical order): (Please let Pastor Chris know if someone needs added or removed from the prayer list.)(The list is in bad need of an update. Please contact Pastor Chris to add or remove people from the list.) -9-• Barbara Backus (health issues).• Mary Cooke (health issues).• Jim Halford (health issues).• Heather Harvey (Rebekah Chenevert’s half sister, general prayers).• Barbara Hermanson (Mona Rood’s sister) (Health Issues).• Desa Lee-Laird (health issues).• Jim Ohlemacher (health issues).• Charlie Parham (health issues).• Polly Porter (health issues).• Lloyd Presswood and family (Lloyd has Pancreatic Cancer).• Bill Rood (health issues).• Farren Sadler (health issues).• Candace Samuelson (health issues).• Marvin Turner (Pastor Chris’ dad) (health issues)• • The Church and members of Westminster Presbyterian Church.Sunday (May 17) 9:00 Worship (Parking Lot Worship) 1:30 Bible Study by Zoom 3:00 Stated Monthly Session Meeting Wednesday (May 20) 7:00 Choir Practice Sunday (May 24 9:00 Worship (Parking Lot (Worship) 1:30 Bible Study by Zoom – 10 To join the work and ministry of this congregation, please speak to the pastor at 325–864–7601 or email wpcabilene@gmail.com.Westminster Presbyterian Church Website: wpcabilene.orgPastor: Rev. Chris Turner (325) 864–7601 (feel free to call or text) or revchristurner@mac.com. Liturgist: Carolyn Ainsworth • Music Director: Dr. Clara Richardson • Organist: Charles SheltonSome of you have requested information regarding tithing or donating to the Presbyterian Children’s Home (our mission emphasis for May):**CONTRIBUTIONS and DONATIONS** to Westminster, and/or to the Mission Emphasis of Westminster, can be MAILED to (if you are donating to the **PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES**, please note this in the memo line.Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4515 South 14th Street, Abilene, Texas 79605–4736,or to the Church’s Treasurer:Tim Adcock, Suite 108, 2401 South Willis Street, Abilene, Texas 79605–6254.PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES*Westminster’s Mission Emphasis for the month of May is PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES Providing Christ-centered services to children and families in NEED: Group Homes; Foster Care Program; Adoption Services; Child and Family Programs; Education; Advanced Education; After Care Program; and Single Parent Family Program. CARING in Christ’s name since 1903. To donate to the PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES, just make YOUR check out to “Westminster” and write “Children’s Homes” on the memo line. You may mail your check to one of the addressed above.*Buffalo Gap CampWestminster STILL is collecting ALUMINUM CANS for the BUFFALO GAP PRESBYTERIAN ENCAMPMENT – A PLACE FOR GROWING ! These CANS are sold, and the MONEY raised is used to help defray the COSTS of running the Encampment. Just put your SACKS of cans in the HALLWAY down from the Church Office. DONATIONS also can be made by making out a CHECK to “Westminster”, writing “BUFFALO GAP CAMP” on the MEMO line, and putting THIS check in the mail. G I V E your CANS! & S H A R E your FAITH! & S P R E A D the GOSPEL! – 11 -The Presbyterian Food PantryThe PRESBYTERIAN FOOD Pantry feeds the HUNGRY & so can YOU! In February, food was provided to 106 families, totaling 293 people, with 177 adults, 37 senior citizens, and 79 children. Each and every SUNDAY just put YOUR donations of NON-perishable FOOD items, CASH money (including SAVED change), and TOILETRY items, in the grocery CART in the Narthex. DONATIONS also can be made by making out a CHECK to “Westminster”, writing “FOOD PANTRY” on the MEMO line, and putting THIS check in the Sunday OFFERING plate. THANK you for YOUR support of THIS vital ministry. G I V E your MONEY! & S H A R E your FOOD! & F E E D the HUNGRY

 

Worship Service for Sunday, May 10, 2020

Due to time constraints, I was unable to post a video worship service. We did make an audio worship service. The sermon’s theme is how the Holy Spirit can bring us blessings and peace during these unusual times. I hope anyone who listens is blessed by this service.

(There is an error at the beginning of the audio file. I referred to this Sunday as the Sixth Sunday of Easter, and it is really the Fifth.)

For just the sermon:

20200510_bulletin (You can download the bulletin in .pdf format or follow it by scrolling down.)

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

Fifth Sunday of Easter A – May 10, 2020

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship Liturgist Amy Turner

One: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
All: maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)
One: The spirit of God calls us from many places; some of us come from busy homes with many people some of us live alone.
All: We are a part of the family.
One: This week has been different for each of us; some of us have had happy news we want to celebrate and some of us have faced grief and need to cry.
All: We are members of God’s family.
One: Yet we all come to this same website; all of us seeking God’s presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit, all of us seeking God’s presence with each other.
All: Together we become God’s family.

Prayer of Day

Hymn “His Eye is on the Sparrow”

Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadow come?

Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home, When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is he:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, For his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” his tender word I hear, And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path he leadeth but one step I may see: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, For his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, When son gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies I draw the closer to him, from care he set me free:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, For his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.
(Words by Civilla Martin, Music by Charles Gabriel)

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession
Let us pray. Glory to you, O God: you have won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you overcame death and opened the gate to everlasting life. Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. Glory to you, O Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen.
(Personal and Silent Prayers of Confession.)

Declaration of Pardon

Gloria Patri

First Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-22
Our first text today is from the book of Peter’s first letter. Open your Bible to First Peter, chapter 3, verses 13 through 22.

Let us hear the inspired Word of the Lord.

3:13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?

3:14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated,

3:15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;

3:16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.

3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.

3:18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,

3:19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison,

3:20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.

3:21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you–not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

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

Second Reading: John 14:15-21

Prayer of Illumination

Our sermon text is from the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to John, chapter 14: verses 15 through 21. Open your bible to John, chapter 14, verses 15 through 21.
Let us listen to the inspired Word of the Lord.

14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.

14:17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

14:18 “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.

14:19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.

14:20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

14:21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”

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

Sermon “The Holy Spirit’s Presence during Difficult Times” Rev. Chris Turner

The Apostles’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Joys and Concerns and Prayers of the People/Lord’s Prayer

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 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.

Hymn “Amen”

Offering

Doxology

Hymn “To God Be the Glory”

To God be the glory great things he hath done!

So loved He the world that He gave us His son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, -And opened the life=gate, that all may go in.

Refrain:

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father throught Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, Great things He hath done!

Great things He hat taught us, great things He hath done, And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; But purer and Higher and greater will be Our wonder, out transport when Jesus we see.

Refrain:

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father throught Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, Great things He hath done!

(Fanny J Crosby 1875 William Howard Doane 1875)

Charge and Blessing

To join the work and ministry of this congregation, please speak to the pastor at 325–864–7601 or email wpcabilene@gmail.com.

Westminster Presbyterian Church Website: wpcabilene.org

Pastor: Rev. Chris Turner (325) 864–7601 (feel free to call or text) or revchristurner@mac.com. Liturgist: Amy Turner • Music director: Dr. Clara Richardson • Organist: Charles Shelton

Some of you have requested information regarding tithing or donating to the Presbyterian Children’s Home (our mission emphasis for May):

CONTRIBUTIONS and DONATIONS to Westminster, and/or to the Mission Emphases of Westminster, can be MAILED to (if you are donating to the PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES, please note this in the memo line.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4515 South 14th Street, Abilene, Texas 79605–4736,

or to the Church’s Treasurer:

Tim Adcock, Suite 108, 2401 South Willis Street, Abilene, Texas 79605–6254.

PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES
Westminster’s Mission Emphasis for the month of May is PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES Providing Christ-centered services to children and families in NEED: Group Homes; Foster Care Program; Adoption Services; Child and Family Programs; Education; Advanced Education; After Care Program; and Single Parent Family Program. CARING in Christ’s name since 1903. To donate to the PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES, just make YOUR check out to “Westminster” and write “Children’s Homes” on the memo line. You may mail your check to one of the addressed above.

Buffalo Gap Camp
Westminster STILL is collecting ALUMINUM CANS for the BUFFALO GAP PRESBYTERIAN ENCAMPMENT – A PLACE FOR GROWING ! These CANS are sold, and the MONEY raised is used to help defray the COSTS of running the Encampment. Just put your SACKS of cans in the HALLWAY down from the Church Office. DONATIONS also can be made by making out a CHECK to “Westminster”, writing “BUFFALO GAP CAMP” on the MEMO line, and putting THIS check in the Sunday OFFERING plate. G I V E your CANS! & S H A R E your FAITH! & S P R E A D the GOSPEL!

The Presbyterian Food Pantry
The PRESBYTERIAN FOOD Pantry feeds the HUNGRY & so can YOU! In February, food was provided to 106 families, totaling 293 people, with 177 adults, 37 senior citizens, and 79 children. Each and every SUNDAY just put YOUR donations of NON-perishable FOOD items, CASH money (including SAVED change), and TOILETRY items, in the grocery CART in the Narthex. DONATIONS also can be made by making out a CHECK to “Westminster”, writing “FOOD PANTRY” on the MEMO line, and putting THIS check in the Sunday OFFERING plate. THANK you for YOUR support of THIS vital ministry. G I V E your MONEY! & S H A R E your FOOD! & F E E D the HUNGRY

 

Worship/Communion May 3, 2020

This is a video of our May 3rd worship service with communion. You may use bread, crackers, wafers, and so on for the body of Christ. You may use any type of fruit juice (or even a small amount of wine) for the blood of Christ.

Also, we now have our own youtube channel. Please subscibe as we need 100 subscribers to unlock certain features. Search wpc abilene

20200503_bulletin    PDF of the bulletin if you would like to download it.

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Fourth Sunday of Easter A – May 3, 2020

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship:
One: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
All: maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)
One: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
All: I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:1,6)
One: The Lamb of God will be our shepherd;
All: he will guide us to the water of life (Rev. 7:17)

Prayer of Day

Hymn “I come with Joy”

1 I come with joy, a child of God, forgiven, loved and free, the life of Jesus to recall, in love laid down for me.

2 I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed, the new community of love in Christ’s communion bread.

3 As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share, each proud division ends. The love that made us, makes us one, and strangers now are friends.

4 The Spirit of the risen Christ, unseen, but ever near, is in such friendship better known, alive among us here.

5 Together met, together bound by all that God has done, we’ll go with joy, to give the world the love that makes us one.

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession
Let us pray. Glory to you, O God: you have won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you overcame death and opened the gate to everlasting life. Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. Glory to you, O Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen. (Personal and Silent Prayers of Confession.)

Declaration of Pardon

Gloria Patri

First Reading: John 10:1-10
Our first text today is from the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to John, Let us listen for the Word of the Lord, chapter 10, verses 1 through 10. You are welcome to follow along in your Bible or follow along with the Bulletin.
Let us listen for inspired Word of the Lord.

John 10:1-10
10:1 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit.

10:2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

10:3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

10:5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

10:6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

10:7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

10:8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.

10:9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.

10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

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

Second Reading: Acts 2:42-47

Prayer of Illumination

Our sermon text is from the book of Acts, written by Luke, chapter 2, verses 42 through 47. You may follow along in your Bible or on the bulletin.

Let us listen to the inspired Word of the Lord.

2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

2:43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.

2:44 All who believed were together and had all things in common;

2:45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.

2:46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts,

2:47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

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

Sermon “The Marks of the Early Church and the Marks Today,”
Rev. Chris Turner

The Nicene Creed (Ecumenical)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead,and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Joys and Concerns and Prayers of the People

Hymn “Amen”

Offering

Doxology

PARTAKING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

Invitation to the Table of the Lord

GREAT THANKSGIVING Rev. Chris Turner
Leader: Remember the Lord Jesus.
People: We remember and are thankful.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us pray. It is truly right and …

  LORD’S PRAYER  

      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 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.  

  BREAKING OF THE BREAD
  COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
  PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Hymn “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”

1 Let us talents and tongues employ, Reaching out with a shout of joy: Bread is broken, the wine is poured, Christ is spoken and seen and heard.

Refrain: Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again, pass the Word around: loaves abound!

2 Christ is able to make us one. At the table He sets the tone, Teaching people to live to bless, Love in word and in deed express. (Refrain)

3 Jesus calls us in, sends us out Bearing fruit in a world of doubt, Gives us love to tell, bread to share: God (Immanuel) everywhere! (Refrain)

Charge and Blessing

To join the work and ministry of this congregation, please speak to the pastor at 325-864-7601 or email wpcabilene@gmail.com.

Westminster Presbyterian Church Pastor: Rev. Chris Turner (325) 864-7601 (feel free to call or text) or revchristurner@mac.com Liturgist: Amy Turner • Music director: Dr. Clara Richardson • Organist: Charles Shelton

Some of you have requested information regarding tithing or donating to the Presbyterian Children’s Home (our mission emphasis for May):

CONTRIBUTIONS and DONATIONS to Westminster, and/or to the Mission Emphases of Westminster, can be MAILED to:

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4515 South 14th Street, Abilene, Texas 79605-4736,

and/or to the Church’s Treasurer:

Tim Adcock, Suite 108, 2401 South Willis Street, Abilene, Texas 79605-6254.

PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES
Westminster’s Mission Emphasis for the month of May is PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES Providing Christ-centered services to children and families in NEED: Group Homes; Foster Care Program; Adoption Services; Child and Family Programs; Education; Advanced Education; After Care Program; and Single Parent Family Program. CARING in Christ’s name since 1903. To donate to the PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOMES & SERVICES, just make YOUR check out to “Westminster” and write “Children’s Homes” on the memo line. You may mail your check to one of the addressed above.

Buffalo Gap Camp
Westminster STILL is collecting ALUMINUM CANS for the BUFFALO GAP PRESBYTERIAN ENCAMPMENT — A PLACE FOR GROWING ! These CANS are sold, and the MONEY raised is used to help defray the COSTS of running the Encampment. Just put your SACKS of cans in the HALLWAY down from the Church Office. DONATIONS also can be made by making out a CHECK to “Westminster”, writing “BUFFALO GAP CAMP” on the MEMO line, and putting THIS check in the Sunday OFFERING plate. G I V E your CANS! & S H A R E your FAITH! & S P R E A D the GOSPEL!

The Presbyterian Food Pantry
The PRESBYTERIAN FOOD Pantry feeds the HUNGRY & so can YOU! In February, food was provided to 106 families, totaling 293 people, with 177 adults, 37 senior citizens, and 79 children. Each and every SUNDAY just put YOUR donations of NON-perishable FOOD items, CASH money (including SAVED change), and TOILETRY items, in the grocery CART in the Narthex. DONATIONS also can be made by making out a CHECK to “Westminster”, writing “FOOD PANTRY” on the MEMO line, and putting THIS check in the Sunday OFFERING plate.
THANK you for YOUR support of THIS vital ministry. G I V E your MONEY! & S H A R E your FOOD! & F E E D the HUNGRY