WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
22nD Sunday after Pentecost / REFORMATION SUNDAY
October 25, 2026
PRELUDE: Simple Gifts arr. P. Harris
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: We gather for worship today carrying our normal worries:
All: Did we get enough sleep? Do we have enough time? Will we run out of energy? How much money do we need for tomorrow and next year?
One: Bring all these worries into this space; add others we didn’t name. And offer them here to the God who provides abundantly for our needs.
OPENING HYMN: All Things Bright and Beautiful GTG#20
PRAYER OF REFLECTION & RENEWAL:
All: Compassionate God, hear with mercy our confession – that we have not cared for the earth and all its creatures; that we have not cared for one another as you have commanded; and that we have not loved ourselves in a way that honors wholeness and peace of mind. Be our guide, our truth, our joy. Show us the way of your life abundant, and turn us always to the path of what is just and good. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:
One: People of God, servants of Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, you are clothed, fed, and sheltered by the Holy One who knows what you need. Your prayers for mercy are heard. In the name of Jesus Christ and in the wisdom of God, you are forgiven.
All: Thanks be to God!
SUNG RESPONSE: Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (verses 1, 2) GTG#529
GENEROSITY STORIES Karen Elmer
TIME WITH YOUNG DISCIPLES
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST:
One: The peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let’s share the peace of Christ with one another.
THE OFFERING OF OURSELVES/INVITATION TO GIVE:
One: We are called to love God with all that we are, and all that we have. As God has given so generously to us, we are invited to return our gratitude by offering the gifts of our labor, lives and love.
OFFERTORY DUET: The Lord’s Prayer Mallot Emma WitbolsFeugen, soprano & Leann Villaluz, alto
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: Generous God, we bring our gifts to you. May these gifts yield the fruits of your Spirit, meeting scarcity with your abundance, and fear with your love. Use our offerings and our lives in love and service.
All: Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
One: As your Word is read today, help us be fully present – heart, soul, and mind – and show us your way of love and generosity.
All: Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 6:24-34 (page 6)
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM: Consider R. Martin
MESSAGE: Growing in Generosity Rev. Jared Witt
MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: Open My Eyes, That I May See (verse 1) GTG#451
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER:
All: Our Mother and 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. or thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
CLOSING HYMN: Lord of All Hopefulness GTG#683
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE: Praise Ye the Father L. Smith
A WESTPORT WARM WELCOMING!
- WELCOME! MEMBERS! NEWCOMERS! FRIENDS! We are so glad you could join us for worship today! VISITORS, please take a moment to let us know you were here by picking up an attendance card (in the pews) and filling out whatever information you would like to share with us.
- WELCOME FAMILIES! NURSERY care is available in the upstairs children’s space. Parents are asked to fill out a brief registration form before church begins. (This form only needs to be filled out once). Children’s Sunday School will meet during the second half of worship in the in the 2nd floor Children’s Space. Children are invited to remain in the service until the “Time for Young Disciples” and then go upstairs for the remainder of the service.
- HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES available upon request. Talk to Deanna up in the front of the sanctuary at the livestream table if you would like to use one.
- CHILDREN’S CHOIR PRACTICE: Kids that want to sing with the choir are invited to join Renee in the front of the sanctuary on Sunday mornings from 10:00-10:25 a.m.
- WPC Fall Mini-Retreat: An Invitation to Post-Election Re-Connection
Sat, Nov. 14, 8:30 am-1 pm
WPC will host a small retreat designed to create space for re-connecting what so often feels dis-connected. Through simple rhythms of Scripture and poetry readings, silence and conversation, we’ll experiment with ways to reconnect to our bodies, our strengths, our wisdom, our places, and our communities. Please RSVP so that we can plan for breakfast and lunch. Let us know of any food allergies.
Cost for the retreat is $20. If the cost is prohibitive for you, just email jared@westportpresbyterian.org and we will make sure you can attend. To register use the sign-up sheet at the back of our sanctuary or use the QR code to register on our website.
MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES:
- WESTPORT SHOWERS happens on Sunday mornings & Thursday nights. Items Needed for our CLOTHING CLOSET include: Sneakers, T-shirts, Underwear (Men’s Boxer Briefs), Socks, Women’s pants/shorts size 0-8, Men’s pants/shorts size 28-40, Bandaids, Sweatpants, Leggings, Belts, Backpacks, Body wash, Sports bras, & Washcloths.
- WESTPORT SHOWERS is looking for additional volunteers to help with Sunday mornings. With the increase in guests, we would like to have teams of 2 volunteers upstairs working together at the door and 2 downstairs working in the shower/laundry room each Sunday. You would be working with experienced volunteers who can train you in what is needed. If you would like to help, and are willing to volunteer 1 Sunday morning a month, reach out to Drew Irwin or Allison Rozga for more information.
- We are giving out lunches on Thursdays in the RESOURCE CENTER and Sundays as part of WESTPORT SHOWERS. Food donations of fruit cups, meat, cheese, peanut butter, squeeze jelly are always needed.
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK: (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
- Today, Oct. 25 after church Potluck & Musical Recital (Fellowship Room)
“Music of the Night” Fred & Renee Zimmerman
presentation by Reese & Zack Capps - Monday, Oct. 26 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Chapel)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room) - Tuesday, Oct. 27 4:30 p.m. Centering Prayer and Silence – 20 min (Chapel)
5-8 p.m. Rental: New Community Church Gathering (Fellowship Room) - Wednesday, Oct. 28 11:55 a.m. Voting Equipment Delivered (Fellowship Room)
6:30 p.m. Stewardship Committee Meeting (Zoom) - Thursday, Oct. 29 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Resource Center Open & Sack Lunches Distributed (Fellowship Room)
5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non- conforming people (Basement) - Friday, Oct. 30 11:30 a.m. Children’s Mercy TIES Group (Fellowship Room)
- Saturday, Oct. 31 HALLOWEEN
10:00 a.m. WCA Board Meeting (Fellowship Room) - Sunday, Nov. 1 6:30-9:00 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
10:00 a.m. Book Discussion Group (Library)
10:00 a.m. Children’s Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
11:00 a.m. Service of the Lord’s Day (Sanctuary) Guest Flautist: Hannah Vance
Children’s Sunday School/Nursery Care (Upstairs Children’s Room)
LOOKING AHEAD:
- Tuesday, Nov. 3 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Election Day – Polls Open (Fellowship Room)
- Saturday, Nov. 7 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Willow Woods CPR Training (Fellowship Room)
7:00 p.m. KC English Dance (Westport Rising Room) - Saturday, Nov. 14 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. WPC Fall Mini-Retreat
2:00 p.m. Celebration of Life Service for James Kenison Russell Sr
- Sunday, Nov. 15 after church Friendsgiving Potluck
ELECTION NEWS:
- Voter guides are officially live on VOTE411.org!
Unsure of what’s going to be on your ballot on November 3? Wondering where candidates stand on important issues in your community? Need help understanding local ballot measures? VOTE411 has the information you need to feel confident casting your ballot. Check your registration here and also your polling place. EARLY VOTING STARTS OCT 20th. - IF YOU MISSED THE LWV CANDIDATE FORUMS OR THE PRESENTATIONS ON THE AMENDMENTS AND REFERENDUM THAT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT GO TO:
YOUTUBE.COM/@LWVKC TO WATCH THE VIDEOS
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