WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 8, 2024
(Video will be posted LIVE on the church’s FB page at 11am and then cross-posted here afterwards. If the video doesn’t load properly here, you should be able to click on the Watch on Facebook link and watch as a guest, even if you don’t have Facebook)
PRELUDE: Voluntary on “Aberystwyth” Douglas Wagner
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES: Martine Roesel
Reader: In the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 2, we read “In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see–I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people'” (Luke 2:8-10).
Today we remember the shepherds, workers for the common good, steadfast watchmen isolated and alone, far from the warmth of home, doing the job no one wants. And yet God saw them, God valued them, and God declared the greatest news of all to them alone.
Today we give thanks for the shepherds among us, back-breaking laborers on whom our economy stands, those we overlook or rarely see, yet rely on for our very survival, the ones who have much to teach us about watching for God in the darkness.
On this second Sunday in Advent, we light the second candle as a symbol of the shepherds, agents of good news and redeemers of the world.
OPENING HYMN: On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry GTG#96
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED OF GOD:
All: Holy God, we’ve gotten so used to the crooked paths that we can barely imagine straight ones, smooth and wide open. We sometimes fear that your promised arrival will leave us cramped and constricted rather than flexible and free. So come, Lord, by crooked path or straight, to enter our longing hearts. Come, Lord, across leveled mountains and raised valleys, to bring peace. We make our prayer confident in your grace. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:
One: Hear the good news! Christ is our peace. Through him we have forgiveness and find our footing.
All: In Christ our confidence is restored, and we return to the path of peacemaking. Alleluia! Amen.
SUNG RESPONSE: While We Are Waiting, Come (verse 2) GTG#92
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.
SCRIPTURE READING: Malachi 3:1-4 (page 838) Luke 3:1-6 (pages 56)
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM: Come Quickly, Lord Jesus Mark Schweizer
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
One: Light of the world, help us hear the sharp angles of ancient prophets. Illumine our hearts, so that our ordinary lives might become your path into the world.
All: Make us ready to hear good news! Amen.
MESSAGE: Advent and the Arrival of the New Rev. Jared Witt
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus GTG#83
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verse 2) GTG#88
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER: (Our Mother and Father in heaven…)
THE OFFERING OF OURSELVES/INVITATION TO GIVE:
One: God has already been at work in us, crafting us into people rich in good works.
All: And God is even now bringing this work to completion.
One: Let us bring the offerings of our lives to the Lord.
OFFERTORY SOLO: Blest Mary Walks Amid the Thorn German folk carol, Sarah Baxter, mezzo soprano arr. Todd Marchand
Offering link
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: God of the prophets – old and new: receive these gifts of gratitude, the offerings of our lives. Refine both us and our gifts, that the work of this community might make the path a little easier for all those who hunger for peace.
All: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice GTG#163
BLESSING
POSTLUDE: In Thee Is Gladness setting by Larry Shackley
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! Children’s Sunday School meets in the 2nd floor Children’s Space, Sunday mornings during the 1st half of worship, beginning at 11:00 am. NURSERY care is also available upstairs. Parents are asked to fill out a brief registration form before church begins. (This form only needs to be filled out once).
- 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.
MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES:
- FALL WEATHER CLOTHING DRIVE: To prepare for the colder months ahead Westport Showers is collecting coats, hats, gloves, warm socks, and boots. Look through your closets and see if you have any extra items you can donate.
- 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 bread, fruit, meat, cheese, peanut butter are always needed.
CONNECTION HOUR SMALL GROUPS:
Sunday Mornings
- 9:30 a.m. “Overcoming Dumpster Fire Overwhelm” lead by Jennifer White. (On hiatus in December)
Does it feel like everywhere you look the world is on fire? This weekly workshop will give you 1-5 minute tools to help deal with the stresses of our modern way of living. - 10:00 a.m. Book Discussion Group readings related to various topics including faith, art, culture, politics, earth care. Currently reading When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön.
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK: (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
- Monday, Dec. 9 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room) - Tuesday, Dec. 10 4:30 p.m. FREDitation – a centering prayer experience – 20 min (Chapel)
6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
7:00 p.m. Session Meeting (Fellowship Room) - Thursday, Dec. 12 10:00 a.m. Resource Center Open (Storefront)
11:00 a.m. Sack Lunches Distributed (Storefront)
5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non-conforming people (Basement) - Friday, Dec. 13 9:00 a.m. Heartland Presbytery Meeting (Storefront)
10:00 a.m. Children’s Mercy TIES Group (Westport Rising Room)
12 noon WCA Brown Bag Concert Series: UCM Brass Quintet (Sanctuary) - Saturday, Dec. 14 8:00 a.m. Willow Woods Pancakes with Santa Breakfast (Fellowship Room)
8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
10:00 a.m. Cub Scouts (Westport Rising Room)
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Audacious Women Art Show by Gloria Heifner Closing Reception featuring Music by Cassie Weitz & Refreshments - Sunday, Dec. 15 8-9:30 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
10:00 a.m. Book Discussion Group
11:00 a.m. Service of the Lord’s Day: 3rd Sunday of Advent (Sanctuary)
Nursery Care – No Sunday School (Upstairs Children’s Room)
12:15 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
LOOKING AHEAD:
Wednesday, Dec. 18 4:00 p.m. Willow Woods Winter Program (Sanctuary)
8:00 p.m. Mission & Outreach Committee Meeting (Zoom)
Saturday, Dec. 21 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Holiday Cookie Sale – Fundraiser for Westport Pres Music Program
*Bakers & Volunteers Needed* (Fellowship Room)
Online directory: members.instantchurchdirectory.com. Contact the church about gaining access.
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