++ Stand as you are able 1 32

Gathering: Preparing To Hear The Word

In Preparation for Worship Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. —Colossians 3:16

Sentences of Scripture Rev. Chandler Stokes Opening Voluntary (A musical prayer offered on behalf of the people of God.) “Silence may be kept” Dan Locklair (b. 1949) Sharing the Life of Westminster Susan Jennings

++ Call to Worship One: This is our ancient story: All: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God. One: In him was life and the life was the light of all people. All: Let courage be our friend; let wisdom be our guide. One: Christ rose to rule this world with love. All: Come sing, O Church, in joy! One: God has gone with us, and she is with us now. All: In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord! ++ Hymn 305 “Come Sing, O Church, in Joy!” Darwall's 148th Call to Confession Heather Colletto (Trusting that God is love, we express our lament, our brokenness, and our failings to God.) Prayer of Confession (unison)

Holy God, in our pain and in our fear, sometimes we let one experience define us completely. One hurt, large or small, can shape our entire world. We repeat patterns of living that make us miserable. We know those patterns and they are strangely familiar—all too easy to repeat. We can then fall into despair and fail to see our way forward.Holy God, release us from the power of sin to limit and subdue us.In your mercy, Lord, hear our prayer.

Silent Confession

Kyrie - Unison “Lord, Have Mercy” John Weaver

The Assurance of God's Grace One: No failure lies beyond the healing of God's grace; no pattern of living beyond the reach of change. All: God's love is perfect, and it is the power of new life. One: God has the power to change us, to transform us into who we are called to be. All: In the power of God's love we are forgiven, we are accepted, and everything is made new. Amen

++Response Hymn 232 (stanza 4) Easter Hymn Sing we to our God above—Alleluia! Praise eternal as God's love—Alleluia! Praise our God, ye heavenly host—Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—Alleluia!

++The Summary of the Law and the Passing of the Peace (A sign of forgiveness and reconciliation.)

One: Our Lord Jesus said: All: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” One: This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: All: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.” One: And to empower you in this way, may the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. All: And also with you.

Ministry of Music “Hail, Sacred Music, Hail” William Billings (1746-1800) Hail! Sacred Music, hail! We offer at thy shrine One perfect round complete in sound, celestial and divine. ‘Tis by thy Heav’nly aid in one majestic sound, We celebrate Jehovah’s State in one eternal round. Great is the Lord our God. His mercy knows no bound; Just are His ways, then let His praise eternally go found. Great is the Lord our God and let His praise resound. He Makes the churches His abode, So let us sing praise around! Sanctuary Choir

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

Scripture Reading Colossians 3:16-17 New Testament p. 201 One: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon The Song May Be the Reason You Believe Rev. Chandler Stokes Responding To The Word

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

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 “Over My Head” John Bell (b. 1949) African-American Spiritual Over my head, I hear music in the air; There must be a God somewhere. Oh, when the world is silent, I hear music in the air: And when I'm feeling lonely, I hear music in the air. Now when I think on Jesus, I hear music in the air. There must be a God somewhere. 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) Holy God, help us to remember your grace and your ability to transform. As we sing our best thoughts and our highest ideals, teach us to trust in your power to lift us to new lives of hope, joy, and love. We dedicate our lives anew to you. In Christ's holy name we pray. Amen.

Going Out To Be The Church

++Hymn 641 “When in Our Music God Is Glorified” Engelberg ++Charge and Benediction Closing Voluntary (A musical prayer offered on behalf of the people of God.) “Poco vivace” Hermann Schroeder (1904-1984)

Morning Worship at 10:00 A.M.

The Song May Be the Reason You Believe

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. Chandler Stokes, Senior Pastor Head of Staff Liturgists ..............Susan Jennings, Minister for Pastoral Care and Membership ................ Heather Colletto, Director of Communications and Mission ........................Rev. Jeremy Bork, Minister for Youth and Their Families Minister of Music .................................................................................Helen Hofmeister

Music for Worship 10:00a - Sanctuary Choir Janlee Richter, Accompanist USHERS - Team B 10:00 am: Bernard and Kathy Smith, Rolleen and Bill Westfall David Abbott, Randy Block, Daryl Fischer and Dan Gleason, Larry Hollenbeck, Mary Jane Lamse, Steve Marshall, Barry McKey, Wayne Spillane, Rob Wybrecht GREETERS 10:00 am: Atrium .................................................................................. Leza Moerland

NURSERY 10:00 am: .................................................................................................. Staff 10:00 am: Volunteer ..............................................McKensay Heinonen

SUMMER WORSHIP CENTER FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 — SECOND GRADE: During the summer months, we vary our curriculum to provide a time for children to apply biblical concepts to daily life situations by reading excellent children’s illustrated books. Children will think and talk about how we should treat God’s creation, each other, people who have lives that are unfamiliar to us; and what we can do to share God’s love and beauty with others. We conclude our time together by lighting the Christ Candle and praying. The Summer Books Center begins on June 3 for children ages 5 - 2nd grade, and the Nurturing Center children (ages 3 & 4) will join the Summer Books Center starting on June 10. Look for the book titles and activities each week.

WORSHIP CENTER (one center)Center 1 - 10:00 am: Leader ................................................................................................................Erin MolhoekGreeter .................................................................................................................. Leslie Fiore

NURTURING CENTER - 10:00 am: - A Ride in the Night Leader ............................................................................................................ Rebekah Weaver Greeter .........................................................................................................Amanda Schnepp

Please remember in your prayers this week…We offer our prayers of gratitude for the men and women that currently serve in the military or have served in the past. We recognize their sacrifice and give thanks for the many ways we have benefited from their service.

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.

• Worship bags (younger children) and worship folders (older children) are available on the bookshelf in the narthex, and contain age-appropriate materials to help children engage with what they're seeing and doing. • LARGEprintbulletins—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.ContactNancyGreidanus—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 9:45a - 11:30p (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 • westminstergr.org • 616-456-1456

Ahead in WorshipOne Service at

10:00a

The Season of Pentecost

June 3—The Second Sunday after PentecostCalling All Her Children: Welcome and Charge

Rev. Chandler Stokes preachingScripture: Selections from Romans 15

Music: Sanctuary Choir at 10:00a

June 10—The Third Sunday after PentecostWitness

Rev. Chandler Stokes preachingScripture: Romans 8:18-27

Music: Stacey Tanner, Cello; Eric Tanner, Violin

Trinity

Devotion for the Week of May 27 - Luke 24:44-53On May 29, 1968, the original Poor People’s Campaign arrived in Washington, D.C. The campaign was established to broaden the civil rights movement to include disadvantaged people of all races. The main demonstration was held at the Mall in Washington, D.C., where people camped out in tents called Resurrection City. Seven thousand demonstrators made this tent city their home to bring attention to issues of poverty and justice. Learn about the new Poor People’s Campaign at www.poorpeoplescampaign.org. Prayer: Lord help us stand for justice and peace.

T r i n i t y S u n d ay

M ay 2 7, 2 0 1 81 0 : 0 0 a . m .

The Song May Be the Reason You Believe