September 26th, 2021

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

WELCOME

Westminster Presbyterian Church is a covenant family of believers called by God to fulfill His purposes here in Laurel, and as a staging ground for worldwide kingdom growth where we seek to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ – to fill the earth with disciples, subdue it redemptively for God’s glory, and worship Him joyfully. We are being redeemed and equipped by the Spirit to build up one another until the Lord returns.

ORDER FOR THE CELEBRATION OF PUBLIC WORSHIP AND HOLY COMMUNION

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

* Congregation Standing

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Sonny Walker

WORD ON WORSHIP Rev. Mike Allen

INVOCATION

INTROIT Lisa Badley and Strings

“Worthy, You Are Worthy”

RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP* See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. -Isaiah 28:16

HYMN OF PRAISE* How Firm a Foundation

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION

PROFESSION OF OUR CHURCH’S FAITH* 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 at 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.

(church universal)* -The Apostles Creed

PSALTER READING John Lowery Psalm 8

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY String Trio “His Sheep Am I”

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION AND READING OF SCRIPTURE* Matthew 21:12-17

SERMON

He Will Save His People “Fruitless Religion”

CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN Lord, You have called us to worship You. We gladly gather! But as we praise You, our own sin reveals the shallowness of our worship. Our worship is too often according to our preferences rather than for Your glory. We simply go through motions, failing to recognize that You want a contrite spirit and a heart humbled by grace. Renew us, we pray, according to Your steadfast love. Remind us of Your covenant faithfulness and have mercy on us in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. (Hear now our silent and individual prayers of confession)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON AND THE 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 OF COMMUNION* The Power of the Cross

HOLY COMMUNION Minister: The peace of the Lord be with you! People: And also with you!

Breaking of the Bread and Sharing of the Cup The center of each bread tray contains gluten-free bread.

The outer rings of each cup tray contains wine, the inner rings contain juice. Elements will be served by the elders.

Please hold the elements as they will be taken together after all are served.

THE POWER OF THE CROSS

HYMN OF REFLECTION*

The Power of the Cross (vs. 4) Oh to see my name written in the wounds,

for through Your suff ’ring I am free. Death is crushed to death,

life is mine to live won through Your selfless love!

(Chorus) This the pow’r of the cross

Son of God slain for us. What a love, what a cost.

We stand forgiven at the cross.

BENEDICTION*

He Will Save His People “Fruitless Religion”

Westminster Presbyterian Church September 26, 2021

Matthew 21:12-17

I. Jesus P_____________ Us v. 12

II. Jesus D_____________ Us v. 13

III. Jesus C_____________ Us vv. 14-17

Sources Consulted:

Accordance Bible Software - ESV - Greek Analysis; Calvin, John - Commentaries - Hendrickson, William - New Testament Commentary - Matthew; Henry, Matthew - Concise Commentary; Barbieri, Louis A.. - Bible Knowledge Commentary; France, R.T.

- New Bible Commentary; Morris, Leon - PNTC - The Gospel According To Matthew; Longman, Tremper, Garland, David - The Expositor’s Bible Commentary - Matthew & Mark; Ferguson; Keller, Tim - King’s Cross; Boice, James Montgomery - The Gospel of

Matthew volume 2; Edwards, James - Gospel of Mark; Stott, John - Gospel of Mark

Rev. Mike Allen

SERMON NOTES

There will be a Student Ministry Parent's Meeting on Sunday, September 26th at 4pm in the Sanctuary. Come join us to hear about the philosophy of our youth ministry and vision. Free resources will also be available. This meeting is for parents who have a student in youth ministry, but is also for any family that has a child in 5th grade or older.

Sunday nights for our Senior High Youth are returning for the fall! The next meeting is tonight, September 26th at Sonny and Morgan Walker’s house from 6-8PM. Dinner will be provided. Future dates are as follows: Oct 3 and Oct 31.   Westminster’s Women in Ministry invites you to a drive-by Bridal Shower honoring Anna Bell on Sunday, October 3rd from 2-3 PM. Anna is registered at Southern Antique, Patina’s, JParker Reclaimed, Target and Zola.com.

The Adult Sanctuary Choir is (really) (no, I mean it!) starting back and now is the perfect time for you to join us! Beginning Wednesday night, October 6th, our exciting Sanctuary Choir is starting back its rehearsals and we want you to be a part of the fun. We are a friendly, welcoming group and would love for you to be a part of our ministry! It all starts Wednesday night, October 6th at 7:00 p.m. See Dave for more info.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

To give online, please go to www.wpclaurel.com and click “Give.”

Pray For Me Campaign October 24, 2021 at 4pm

Thank you for all the ways you serve and contribute to the life of our church! As Paul said to the Philippians, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” I want to take a minute and tell you about another

opportunity in the life of our church called the Pray For Me Campaign and invite you to join us in linking the generations of our church community

together through prayer. 

What is it? The Pray For Me Campaign is a ministry that creates a vast web of intergenerational relationships and equips adult believers to pass

on a sustainable faith to the next generation through prayer.

How it works? Three Prayer Champions for every young person in our church! The Pray For Me Campaign connects multiple generations within

our church by having 3 Adult Prayer Champions commit to praying for one student or family with small children in our church for one year. 

Who is a Prayer Champion? A Prayer Champion is someone who boldly goes to the frontlines in the battle for young people’s faith. Each Prayer Champion will be given a name, specific prayer requests, and a Prayer

Guide—to use daily and pray through seven biblical essentials of growth for their young person.

Adults, will you pray for our students and children? Students and children, will you value our adults and participate?

The Purpose of Wednesday Nights at Westminster is to provide the opportunity to be refreshed and strengthened by an evening of fellowship and spiritual formation between

Sundays:

Available Programs:Nursery

5:15-7:30

Meal5:30-6:00: Boxed meals such as Canes, McAlisters, etc.

Music6:00-6:30: 2nd- 6th Grade “His Kids Choir”

6:30-7:00: Handbells7:00-7:45: Adult Choir

Children5:30-6:30: K4-1st Grade playtime

6:30-7:00: The Gospel Project Classes -K4-1st Grade with Sharon Graeser -2nd-6th Grade with Denise Morgan

7:00-7:15: Kids Pick-Up in the Gym

Youth6:00-7:00: Fellowship and Lesson

with Sonny Walker

Adults6:00-7:00: Facilitated prayer meeting followed by homily (Psalms

of Ascent) with Mike Allen

You have new ways to support Westminster’s ministries online. We invite you to use this guide to learn how to give through Access ACS – our new, secure online software. Whether you want to set up a recurring gift or split your donation between different funds, Access ACS makes it safe and secure to give online. Access ACS will help our church staff in managing and tracking information. We hope this convenience helps you too.

To give via text, send WPCLAUREL $100 (or any amount) to the phone number 73256. You’ll receive a text message in response with your next steps. After you give one time, your payment method is saved, so you can quickly give again from your phone.

1. At wpclaurel.com, click on the Give link, then One-Time/Guest. 2. Enter your gift amount. 3. Click Select a fund to choose what area you’d like to support. 4. Enter your email address. 5. Click Continue.

6. Choose how you want to give: a. To set up a recurring donation, choose Sign in or Create an Account. b. To give a onetime donation, click Continue as Guest. 7. Choose your account type. • Credit/Debit Card • Checking Account 8. Enter your account number and billing address. 9. Click Give to complete your donation. You’ll receive email confirmation of your gift.

You’re almost there. Click https://goo.gl/xhbxvb to complete your gift to Westminster Presbyterian Church.

wpclaurel $100

How to give with Access ACS

If you chose to Create an Account, look for an email with instructions on creating a password to sign in and manage your gift.

THIS WEEK AT WESTMINSTER Sunday, September 26th 9:00 - Sunday School 10:00 - Fellowship 10:30 - Worship Service 4:00 - Youth Parent Meeting 6:00 - 8:00 - Sr. High Bible Study at Sonny and Morgan Walker’s You can also watch us Live Stream on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Westminster-Presbyterian-Church- Laurel-MS-615653491790483/

Or on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/wpclaurel

Monday, September 27th No Activities Planned

Tuesday, September 28th 7:30-3:30 - Mother’s Morning Out

Wednesday, September 29th 11:00 - Women’s Intercessory Prayer Group at the Traylor’s

Thursday, September 30th 7:30-3:30 - Mother’s Morning Out

Friday, October 1st No Activities Planned

Saturday, October 2nd No Activities Planned

Officers of the Week September 26- October 2 October 3-October 9 Elder: John Lowery Steven Morgan Deacon: Austin Buehler Josh Jones

Elders

Phil Buehler John Carter Darron Dodd John Lowery Al Moore Steven Morgan

Deacons Myrick Allen Austin Buehler Robert Burdette Mike Ishee Josh Jones Ben Morgan Luke Morgan Ben Pierce Eric Surrett Mike Windham

Westminster Officers & Staff:

Church Staff Rev. Mike Allen, Pastor Lisa Badley, Pianist John Carter, Church Facilitator Dave Graeser, Music Ministries Director Kristen Graves, Children’s Ministry Director Gail Smith, Nursery Coordinator Sonny Walker, Director of Family and Youth Ministries

Nursery Staff Danielle Hodge Jan Jacobo Pam Smith Tori Wilks

Instrumentalists Rodolfo Torres, violin Christian Danilo Avila Villegas, viola Amani Zouehid, cello

WELCOME! If you are a visitor and would like more information about our church, please fill out the contact information below and place in the offering plate as it passes: Name_____________________________________

Address____________________________________

__________________________________________

Phone Number_____________________________

Children’s Names & Ages____________________

__________________________________________

Add me to the phone & email list.

Prayer Requests _________________________________

_________________________________

______________________________

________________________________

Westminster Presbyterian Church (EPC)

1200 Highway 15 North Laurel, Mississippi

(601) 649-8033 www.wpclaurel.com

We are in the process of updating our food teams in an effort to better serve our congregation.  I recently sent out emails to most of the ladies in our church; however, I did not hear back from everyone. Please indicate your preference on this insert and place it in the offering plate. If you have contacted me, I have your choice recorded.  Please check the email address listed with the church to make sure we have the correct email information.

Name: ___________________________

___Yes, I would like to serve on a food team.

____No, I prefer not serving in this ministry at this time

If you are currently a team captain and would like to continue in this position please check yes______ or if not, check  No______

If you are willing to be a team captain, please sign here_____________________

In addition,  we are making an effort to update the Women in Ministry manual.  Please check with the church office to make sure we have your correct contact information.  If you are a new member or visiting and would like to share your contact information, please contact the church office.  If you have any questions, I may be reached at 601-580-5487 or at [email protected].

Thank you for your help, Shelly Windham