Westport Presbyterian Church 1835 – present
Second Sunday of Easter
April 7, 2024
WORDS OF WELCOME Pastor Susan Wesley Hartley
PRELUDE: O Filii et Filiae (O Sons and Daughters) Jean-François Dandrieu
CALL TO WORSHIP: Jeanne Reiss, Liturgist
Leader: Christ is Risen,
People: Christ is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia! (Repeat 3x)
UNISON CONFESSION OF FAITH (from 1 Corintians 15):
This is the good news which we received in which we stand, and by which we are saved:
that Christ died for our sin according to the scriptures, that He was buried, that He appeared
to Mary Magdalene, and the women, then to Peter, then to the Eleven, and to many faithful
witnesses. We believe He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end. He is our Lord
and our God. Amen.
*OPENING HYMN (please stand as you are able):
#245 Glory to God Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!
EASTER COMMUNION (All are Welcome):
INVITATION: Luke 24: 13-36 Drama & Responsive Reading
Narrator: That same day, two of them, Cleopas and Mary his wife, were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which lay about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all these happenings. As they talked and discussed it with one another, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but something kept them from seeing who it was.
Jesus: What is it you are debating as you walk?
Narrator: They halted, their faces full of gloom.
Disciple 1: Are you the only person staying in Jerusalem not to know what has happened there in the last few days?
Jesus: What do you mean?
Disciple 2: All this about Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet powerful in speech and action before God and the whole people; how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and crucified him.
Disciple 1: But we had been hoping that he was the man to liberate Israel.
Disciple 2: What is more, this is the third day since it happened, and now some women of our company have astounded us: they went to the tomb, but failed to find his body, and returned with a story that they had seen a vision of angels who told them He was alive.
Disciple 1: Some of our people went to the tomb and found things just as the women had said; but him they did not see.
Jesus: How dull you are! How slow to believe all that the prophets said!! Was the Messiah not bound to suffer thus before entering upon his glory?
Narrator: Then he began with Moses and all the prophets and explained to them the passages, which referred to himself in every part of the scriptures. By this time they had reached the village to which they were going, and he made as if to continue his journey, but they pressed him.
Unison Congregation: Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is nearly over.
Narrator: So he went in to stay with them. And when he had sat down with them at table, he took bread and said the blessing; he broke the bread and offered it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; And he vanished from their sight.
BREAKING THE BREAD AND SHARING THE CUP
UNISON PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION:
Were not our hearts burning within us as He was talking to us on the road and while He was opening up the scripture to us?
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN:
Insert from United Methodist Hymnal #309 On the Day of Resurrection
Narrator: That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road and how He had been known to them in the breaking of the bread.
While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them. “Peace Be With You.”
SHARING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST:
Pastor: May the Peace of the Resurrected Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us share the peace, love, joy and hope of Christ with one another.
CHORAL ANTHEM: This Joyful Eastertide Vernon Hoyle
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: And the meditations of our hearts,
Leader: Help us to recognize the presence of Christ walking beside us.
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 24: 37-49
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN:
#238 Glory to God Thine Is the Glory
MESSAGE: “Astonishing Beginnings“ Pastor Susan Wesley Hartley
*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN (please stand as you are able):
Insert from Hymns of Truth & Light #212 Sing of One Who Walks Beside Us
WELCOMING, NEWS IN AROUND AND BEYOND THE COMMUNITY
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER:
#851 Glory to God Come, Bring Your Burdens to God (SING TWICE)
SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS, LORD’S PRAYER (Mother, Father God who art in heaven…)
PREPARING OUR HEARTS TO GIVE
OFFERTORY SOLO: Walk Together Children arranged by Moses Hogan
Josh Stark, baritone
UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
Loving God, Living Christ, Indwelling Spirit, we dedicate all we are and all we have in gratitude to you on this day as our sacrifice of praise. Help us to show and share your love with others today and everyday. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN (please stand if you wish):
#377 Glory to God I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE:
#243 Glory to God Be Not Afraid (SING TWICE)
BLESSING
POSTLUDE: Come Away to the Skies (MIDDLEBURY) Michael Larkin
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 is back in action in the redesigned 2nd floor Children’s Space, Sunday mornings during the 1st half of worship, beginning at 11:00 am.
MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES:
Bread, Buns, Fruit, Water, Meat, Peanut Butter, Cheese are always needed for our INTERRUPT HUNGER work. WESTPORT SHOWERS happens on Sundays & Thursday nights. Men’s boxer brief underwear needed. Men’s and Women’s shoes. Backpacks! Coats, Sweatshirts, Warm Clothes for this cold weather!
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.
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK:
(All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
Monday, Apr. 8 4:30 p.m. FREDitation – a centering prayer experience – 20 min (Chapel)
6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
Tuesday, Apr. 9 6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
7:00 p.m. Session Meeitng (Fellowship Room)
Wednesday, Apr. 10 6:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee Meeting (Library)
7:00 p.m. IPNC (Interim Pastor Nominating Committee) (Fellowship Room)
7:00 p.m. Zoom Bible Study – contact church office for link (Online)
*meets every other week*
Thursday, Apr. 11 5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non- conforming people (Basement)
Friday, Apr. 12 10:00 a.m Children’s Mercy TIES Group (Fellowship Room)
4:30 p.m. Wedding Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
5:30 p.m. Rehearsal Dinner (Fellowship Room)
7:30 p.m. The Virgin Trial (MET) (Upstairs)
Saturday, Apr. 13 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
10:00 a.m. Cub Scouts (Westport Rising Room)
1:30 p.m. The Virgin Trial (MET) (Upstairs)
3:00 p.m. Bridal Party Arrives
4:00 p.m. Wedding (Sanctuary)
7:30 p.m. The Virgin Trial (MET) (Upstairs)
Sunday, Apr. 14 8-9:30 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
11:00 a.m. Service of the Lord’s Day (Sanctuary)
Children’s Sunday School (Upstairs Children’s Room)
12:15 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
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