WELCOME to Westminster Church Online!

We are glad that you are here this morning. We hope this time of worship nurtures
your faith enlivens your spirit and engages your mind as we celebrate God’s
love and healing for the world with the resurrection of Christ, our Risen Lord.

Before you begin, remember to download and print the 09.04.22 – Bulletin – Season Peace begins
Then grab your Bible, a cup of tea or coffee, and prepare your heart for worship.

If this is your first Sunday with us, welcome! We’re glad you choose to worship with us.
Please take a moment to fill out the online Friendship Form and let us know.

We’d love to know you joined us. Please take a moment to fill out the Friendship Form found below.

READ THE SERMON

September 4, 2022 – 13th Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Denise Clark-Jones

“DECISIONS, DECISIONS?”

The scripture lessons this morning give warnings, but also invitations. In Jeremiah, God speaks to the prophet using an illustration common to daily life in ancient Israel. The theological tension between God’s omnipotent authority and human free will is played out using the metaphor of a potter and the working of a clay pot. Israel submits itself to the potter, it can participate in his purposes. If not, Israel will be following a path that leads to destruction. In our epistle reading, Paul writes a deeply personal letter to Philemon, urging him to choose the difficult forgiveness and reconciliation that Jesus teaches. The gospel reading from Luke speaks of the radical commitment and cost required to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus’ love for us took him to the cross, and that costly love shapes our journey together as the family of God. Christ calls us to lay aside all the cares and concerns that distract us, so we can and open our eyes to the vision of God’s kingdom.

Let us know that you joined us by filling out the Friendship Form below.
Then share with us your favorite part of today’s online worship experience!
Whether that was something from the music or the message, we’d love to hear.
Visit our Facebook to let us know.

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“As a newcomer to Westminster,  I’ve found it to be a most welcoming fellowship.  I look forward to going to services and events and find the warmth of the congregation to be most helpful to a newcomer to the entire area.  I find sermons challenging … music beautiful and well prepared … and a dignity in the worship that is all too lacking in most Protestant congregations.  Mix this with an open atmosphere where it is OK to question and still be seen as a good Christian, and I know I’ve found one important ‘home’ in Central Illinois.”