DID YOU MISS VIRTUAL WORSHIP ON MARCH 15th?

Westminster Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles invites you to experience Virtual Sunday Worship. Please join us as we extend our Sunday Worship in a new way online. Scroll the page to participate in Virtual Sunday Worship today.

WELCOME

Opening Prayer:

All-knowing and all-caring God,
we gather this day drained by another week.
We are like a parched desert, empty and in need of replenishment.
Visit us with your presence, saturate us with your Spirit,
and bathe us in your streams of living water,
that our lives might acknowledge and worship you
to the praise and honor of Jesus Christ.

Amen!

SPEAKER: Pastor Carlton Rhoden of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles

Opening Praise:

“Blessings, Honor” – Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir

“Amazing Grace” – Harlem Gospel Choir

CHURCH NEWS & GIVING

Announcements:

Westminster office and facilities are closed until further notice.

Prayers of the People:

These Hands: A Prayer

[ezcol_1half](People stand, hands over chest.)
We take a few deep breaths.
(Pause for at least three breaths. Then make fists and raise them line by line.)
We live in a time of clenching fists:
In anger that threatens,
In greed that clutches,
in worry and fear that tense and tighten.
This is no way to live.
(Open hands and thrust them outward, as if breaking chains.)
And so, we let go.
We take a few deep breaths.
(Pause. Lower hands, palms open, facing upward, raising them line by line.)
Our hands are empty.
We acknowledge our powerlessness.
We are not in control.
We are but humble protagonists in your great story of love.
We receive your grace that heals, forgives, and liberates.
This is the way to live.

[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]And so, we open our hands, our hearts, our minds, our doors.
Ahhh!
We take a few deep breaths.
(Facing palms outward, raise them line by line.)
We extend our hands in blessing.
As we have been blessed, so we bless.
We hold no weapons and make no threats.
We seek peace with all and we make peace for all.
It is better for us to give than to receive.
Make us instruments of your peace, Living God.
We surrender our lives to your purposes.
May your Spirit fill our lives and work through these hands.
Amen!
(Pause, hands pressed together over heart.)
We open our eyes.
We see your light in one another:
a flickering candle in the dark,
a quiet glow at dawn,
a rising sun for this new day.
We call forth that light in one another,
And we honor one another with these hands.
May the peace of Christ rise in you.[/ezcol_1half_end]

Offering Song:

“You Can’t Beat God Giving” – Billy Preston

Tithes and offerings:

Give Tithes & Offerings – CLICK HERE

Offertory Prayer:

God of Boundless Goodness: We have come to this place this day to worship you with our songs, with our words, with our gifts, and with our whole hearts. Our reading and heeding of the psalms reconnect us to worship that springs from a heart full of gratitude. Use these gifts as part of our praise, and use them in mission in this world so that even those who feel lost and unloved will know they have a God who loves each of them dearly. With praise and thanksgiving, we lift these prayers! Amen. (Psalm 95)

SERMON MESSAGE

Sermonic Song:

“My Life is in Your Hands“ – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Sermon:

~ Psalm 95 ~
Rev. Carlton Rhoden

SCRIPTURE READINGS & PRAYER

PASTOR RHODEN’S SERMON

CLOSING SONG

“Jesus Remember Me” – Taize

Closing Prayer:

Gracious God,
you are our way in the wilderness.
In our own times of testing
be our spiritual nourishment,
protect us with your angels,
and show your authority in our lives,
so that we may hunger for righteousness and live in peace and safety,
worshiping and serving you alone; through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen!

MEET PASTOR RHODEN

Rev. Carlton RhodenPastor

Rev. Carlton A. Rhoden

Westminster Presbyterian Church / Los Angeles

Rev. Carlton A. Rhoden became the Pastor/Head of Staff of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in April, of 2014. Rev. Rhoden comes with a wealth of experience, having formerly served as Senior Minister of the First Baptist of Los Angeles from 2006 until 2013. Rev. Rhoden earned a Masters of Divinity from the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley California in 2005. Upon graduation Rev. Rhoden was awarded “The J. Alfred Smith Sr. Award for Outstanding Ministry in the Black Church”. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Divinity School Summer Leadership Program class of 2005. Rev. Rhoden received a Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a minor in African American Studies from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in 1999. While at Stockton, Rev. Rhoden was a member of the Men’s Basketball team, a member of Student Government, and pledged Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

He is also active in community organization, most recently with Oakland Community Organizations. He is nationally recognized for his expertise in this field and has provided advice and consulting for community organization groups from coast to coast.

Carlton is married to Nikki Thomas-Rhoden. Nikki holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. They have two children, CJ and Maya. Nikki is a Social Worker who has a great concern for children in need. She is a graduate of Richard Stockton College of N.J. (B.A.), and a Master’s of Public Administration from Cal State Hayward. She is currently employed at Penny Lane Centers as a Site Director of Wrap Around. She is devoted to her family and the ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church Los Angeles. Most importantly she is the best wife and mother a man and his children (Maya and C.J.) can have.