Westport Presbyterian Church 1835 – present
Easter Celebration Service
March 31, 2024
Chapel Window—Westport Presbyterian Church
CHORAL PRELUDE: Ubi Caritas (Glory to God #205) Choir (Sings Twice)
OPENING SCRIPTURE: John 20: 1-18 Bob Russell, Liturgist
Pastor Susan carries in Mary Magdaline Candle
Pastor: Christ is Risen!
People: The Lord is Risen Indeed. (Repeat 4x)
OPENING HYMN: In The Garden UMH #314
RESURRECTION SUNDAY CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: Christ rises while earth slumbers.
People: Christ rises where hope has died.
Pastor: Christ rises to those who fear the night.
People: Rekindles faith that once burned bright.
Pastor: Christ is risen. Christ is present.
People: Let Christ’s followers sustain the cheer,
Pastor: Let the world confirm the rumor.
People: Christ is present. God is here.
–adapted from Shirley Erena Murray hymn text by Scott Myers
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today GtG#232
SCRIPTURE READING: John 20: 19023 Bob Russell
Pastor Susan lights the Purple Candles
UNISON AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from Presbyterian Book of Common Worship)
This is the Good News, We believe that Jesus is the Christ,
Which we received, Son of the Living God.
In which we stand, Jesus Christ is the first and the last,
And by which we are saved, The beginning and the end.
If we hold it fast: Jesus Christ is our Lord and our God.
That Christ died for our sins, Amen.
According to the scriptures,
That he was buried,
That he was raised on the third day,
And that he appeared
First to Mary Magdalene and the women
Then to Peter and the Eleven
And then to many faithful witnesses.
SUNG RESPONSE: Halle, Halle, Hallelujah! (refrain, SING TWICE) GTG#591
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST:
Pastor: Christ is Risen, Peace be with you.
People: Christ is Risen indeed. Peace be with you too.
Pastor: Let us greet one another, confident in Christ’s Love.
CHORAL ANTHEM: Lift High the Cross (CRUCIFER)setting by Paul Leddingon Wright
SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 10: 34-48 Bob Russell
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Christ has Risen STF#2115
MESSAGE: “Christ has Risen for Us All“ Pastor Susan Wesley Hartley
CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION:
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE:
Pastor: Let’s gather around this planet friendly, holy table, With holy bread & drink
People: The promise of Christ coming alive among us
Pastor: This is the welcome table of God where all who intend to experience the non-physical spiritual dimension of life—
People: And live in relationships of freedom and peace with neighbors
Pastor: Hunger no more! Come to eat! Here, all who long for otherwise elusive grace
People: May enjoy the strong love of God in Jesus Christ.
Pastor: Here you are embraced and held by Self Emptying Love!—
People: One of God’s great and holy names!
Pastor: Come to drink, you are invited into this holy mystery.
People: We are ready!
Pastor: Jesus said: “I am the bread of life. All who come to me shall not hunger, and all who believe in me shall never be thirsty.”
People: We are hungry for Your Love, O God, We are thirsty for Your Deep Peace, O Lamb of God. We seek an unusual gift— an experience of wonder and joy.
Pastor: Come in, Holy Spirit. Open our eyes to the mystery of The living Christ’s presence in our midst. Through the broken bread…
People: We are becoming the Body of Christ—
Pastor: Feeding the hungry!
People: Giving showers and clothes to people who are homeless and extremely poor!
Pastor: Becoming anti-racist! Getting into Good Trouble!
People: Let us praise and pray to God by singing an African hymn!
CONGREGATIONAL SUNG PRAYER: Come, Bring Your Burdens to God (SING TWICE) GTG#851
Pastor: Let us lift up names of the people we wish to pray for, concluding with The Lord’s Prayer (Glory to God, page 35)…
UNISON PRAYER:
We give you thanks that the Lord Jesus on the night before he died, took bread, After giving thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his diciples, saying: Take eat. This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, he took the cup saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.
Pour our your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and the fruit of the vine, That the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ. By your spirit make us one with Christ, That we may be one with all who share this feast, united in ministry in every place. As the bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ for the world. Thank you for your love and forgiveness. Amen.
BREAKING AND SHARING OF THE BREAD, POURING AND SHARING OF THE WINE
WELCOMING, NEWS IN AROUND AND BEYOND THE COMMUNITY
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY SOLO: The Trumpet Shall Sound; G. F. Handel
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
CLOSING HYMN: The Strife Is O’er GTG#236
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Be Not Afraid (sing 2x) GTG#243
CHARGE TO CONGREGATION
POSTLUDE: Te Deum Prelude; Marc-Antoine Charpentier, arranged for organ by Noel Rawsthorne
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.
- CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE: We are gathering information for a new church directory which will be available securely online and as a printed booklet. Please fill out the enclosed form with whatever contact information you would like to share with the congregation. Name, Address, Phone, Email, Birthdays & Anniversaries.
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.
Easter Lily Dedications:
Deanna Capps
In memory of Scott Myers & Louise Elleman
Charles & Nancy Gay
In memory of our parents & siblings
Harlan & Linda Smith
In memory of my mother & grandmother
Laura Hughes
In honor and loving memory of Emily and Bill Hughes
Martine Roesel
In memory of my grandpa, Don, & his beloved wife, Darlene
Bob & Elaine Russell
In memory of Robert & Leona Kenisan and Nancy K. Russell
Marian Thomas
In memory of Tim Thomas
Bobbie Testa
In honor of Shelton Simmons
Bob & Janet Leick
In memory of Lillie T. Leick
Roger L. Leick
& Elizabeth & William Dinklage
Paul & Jennifer White
In memory of Dorothy Hawkins
Bob Baker
& Bill Hawkins
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK:
(All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
- Monday, Apr. 1 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. 2 Election Day (Fellowship Room)
6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room) - Thursday, Apr. 4 5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non-conforming people (Basement)
- Friday, Apr. 5 10:00 a.m. Children’s Mercy Healthy Families Group (Fellowship Room)
- Saturday, Apr. 6 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
7:00 p.m. English Dance (Westport Rising Room) - Sunday, Apr. 7 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)
LOOKING AHEAD:
- Wednesday, Apr. 10 7:00 p.m. Zoom Bible Study – contact church office for link (Online) *meets every other week*
VOTING INFORMATION
Election Day: April 2, 2024 Go to VOTE411.org for polling location, registration status and what is on the ballot
Polls Open: 6:00 a.m. Polls Close: 7:00 p.m.
To find your election authority go here: https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/localelectionauthority
Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners
Serving voters in Kansas City within Jackson County
4407 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64130
Phone: (816) 842-4820
Website: https://www.kceb.org
- Weekdays, March 19-29: 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
- Saturday, March 30: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.
- Monday, April 1: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Jackson County Election Board
Serving Eastern Jackson County voters–All of Jackson County outside the city limits of Kansas City
215 N. Liberty
Independence, Missouri 64051
Phone: (816) 325-4600
Website: https://jcebmo.org/
Applications mailed to permanently disabled: February 16, 2024
No Excuse In Person Absentee (Early) Voting Opens: March 19, 2024
United Believers Community Church
5600 E. 112th Ter., Kansas City, MO 64134
- Weekdays, March 19-29: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
- Saturday, March 30: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.
The Whole Person
3710 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111
- Weekdays, March 19-29: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
- Saturday, March 30: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.
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