October 1, 2006

Installation of Reverend Alex Thornburg as Pastor of Westminster

Worship Service of Installation of a Minister of Word and Sacrament

"The vocation of every man and women is to serve other people."

Leo Tolstoy

This service of worship and liturgy of installation are acts of The John Knox Presbytery. Clergy from the Presbytery lead this service indicating our shared ministry together. These ministers will be wearing red stoles symbolizing the fire of the Holy Spirit. During the liturgy, symbols of Westminster 's ministry, such as the communion cup, the lectern bible, and the baptismal pitcher, will be entrusted to Alex Thornburg's care as Westminster's pastor. In this service, both Pastor Thornburg and we the congregation will be charged with and accept certain responsibilities in recognition of the shared nature of Christian ministry. As Tolstoy's quote reminds us, we are all called to serve others.

     Our focus in this service of worship is on Christ as the "gate" through which we find salvation open to us. The music offered in worship this afternoon expands upon this "opening" imagery. During the procession, the Chancel Choir and worship leaders will enter the sanctuary singing the South African hymn "Uyai Mose: Come now and worship the Lord." Hymn "Lift Up the Gates Eternal," which opens our worship service, is a setting of Psalm 24. As the composer intended, we accelerate the tempo of the hymn throughout the seven verses as a way to enhance the joy and power inherent in the Psalm celebrating Christ as the eternal gate.

     The Chancel Choir's anthem, "Open Thou Mine Eyes," is a prayer that we might enter into communion with God through Christ, and then go out to serve God in the world by following his ways of his commandments. Similarly, the hymn "Christ Be My Leader," well characterizes Christ as our guide along our faith journey. In response to God's word, the offertory setting of the hymn "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee," celebrates the opening of our hearts like flowers before the Lord God, who is our creator, sustainer, and redeemer.

     In this our 90th anniversary year, we reflect with thanksgiving on the work God has done in and through the congregation of Westminster Presbyterian Church. In this service of installation, we look ahead to the work placed before Pastor Thornburg and the Westminster congregation by God who is our collective hope for years to come. Our worship today concludes with the singing of Westminster's 90th Anniversary Hymn, "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past."