Worship

How We Pray

Prayer at Western takes many forms. Here, among others, are four of the most common. During the week, any member of the congregation may visit, telephone, or e-mail Rev. John Wimberly or Rev. Carol Howard Merritt with any concern that draws her or him to prayer.

The Deacons are ordained lay leaders available to help members of the Western community in minor or major crisis. Besides their training in spiritual caregiving, however, they can be called on by anyone who simply wants to get in touch with her or his faith through a return to prayer.

 

During the typical Sunday worship service:

• The congregation shares aloud a corporate prayer of confession, printed in the bulletin, followed by a silent prayer of confession.
• One of the pastors asks, during a period called "Joys and Concerns," whether individuals have births or anniversaries to celebrate, illnesses or deaths to mourn, or anything else they would like the congregation to say prayers for. The pastor then weaves all these joys and concerns into one prayer of intercession for individuals, the church, and the world.
• The congregation concludes these morning prayers by collectively praying out loud "The Lord's Prayer."
• As the congregation's tithes and offerings are brought forward, all dedicate these gifts in a prayer for their faithful use in the world, and all then sing a doxology, thanks to God, beginning usually "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise God, all creatures here below…"
• The pastor begins the sermon with a small prayer of illumination and ends it with another.
• The conclusion of the service consists of the benediction, a responsive exchange between the pastor and the people in which they pray to go forward with confidence into the world.
• The Presbyterian Book of Order states that "Song is a response which engages the whole self in prayer." The choir and soloists sing a variety of music arranged by the Director of Music, and the congregation usually sings three hymns at intervals in the service. Sometimes the choir and the congregation sing together. The last event of the service is a choral "amen" shared by all.

Special Worship Services

Throughout the year, Western has a number of special worship services. For example, the first Sunday in October is World Communion Sunday. On World Communion Sunday, we use music from around the world and multiple languages are spoken during the liturgy. Other special services feature large musical presentations, prominent guest preachers or dramatic readings. In addition, Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are extremely popular services for our members and the community. Please check our calendar to see if any special services are planned this month.

Music Program

The goal of our music program is to enhance and enliven our worship of God. The music program draws the congregation into the music rather than leaving the congregation as spectators at a performance. Over the course of the year, our music reflects a broad diversity of musical styles and utilizes music from around the world. While technical excellence of the music performed is obviously desired, it is not the end goal. Our ultimate goal is for the congregation to feel spiritually uplifted by and involved in the music.

We invite you to join our choir. No auditions are required. Just come to choir practice on Sunday morning at 9:45 am. Both members and non-members sing in the choir. The choir includes people of all ages, including a good contingent of university students.

The music program is directed by Thomas Beveridge, one of Washington's most accomplished choral directors. Tom is founder and director of the National Men's Chorus and the New Dominion Chorale. Both regularly receive rave reviews from The Washington Post and other publications.

We also encourage members and friends to contribute their gifts at performing with musical instruments, such as the piano, guitar, and harp. If you would like to play during a worship service or have any questions about our music program, please contact Tom Beveridge at Western by telephone 202/835.8383 or by e-mail. We welcome your gifts as we praise God musically.