Doubts and Mistakes Do Not Disqualify Us from Christ’s Love

WESTPORT RISING WORSHIP SERVICE
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
April 14, 2024

WORDS OF WELCOME
PRELUDE:   First Gymnopedie; Erik Satie
OPENING SCRIPTURE:   John 20: 19-31
OPENING HYMN:    O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing   #255GTG
RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP:   Psalm 40:  1-3

Leader:          I waited patiently for the LORD; who inclined to me and heard my cry.
People:         God drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my  feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
All:                He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

SUNG RESPONSE:  Be Not Afraid   GTG#243
UNISON STATEMENT OF FAITH (from the Behar Confession originated in South Africa):

We believe that Christ’s work of reconciliation is made manifest in the church as the community of believers who have been reconciled with God and with one another….that this unity must become visible so that the world might believe that separation, enmity and hatred between people and groups is sin which Christ has already conquered.
That we suffer with one another for the sake of right relationships; pray together; and serve God in the world; …by virtue of reconciliation in Christ. We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ offers hope, liberation, salvation and true peace to all.

SUNG RESPONSE: Live in Charity (English & Latin)   GTG#205
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST:

Pastor:           Christ is Risen. May the love, joy and peace of the risen Christ be with us.
People:          Christ is Risen Indeed. Let us share the love, joy, and peace of the risen Christ with one another.

CHORAL ANTHEM:     Alleluia; Bradly Sowatch
UNISON PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:

May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to You, O God, our rock and redeemer.

SCRIPTURE READING:   1 John 1: 1-4;   1 John 2: 7-17
MESSAGE:   Doubts and Mistakes Do Not Disqualify Us from Christ’s Love
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: These Things Did Thomas Count as Real  GTG#256
WELCOMING, NEWS IN AROUND AND BEYOND THE COMMUNITY
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: Come, Bring Your Burdens to God  GTG#851
JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
LORD’S PRAYER (Mother, Father God who art in heaven…)
THE OFFERING OF OURSELVES/INVITATION TO GIVING
OFFERTORY SOLO:   I Stand All Amazed; G. H. Gabriel, arr. Martin Green; Sarah Baxter, alto
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
CLOSING HYMN: Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness   GTG#314
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE:  Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness  (refrain only, sing twice)
CHARGE TO GO IN PEACE
POSTLUDE

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
• WESTPORT SHOWERS happens on Sundays & Thursday nights. Men’s boxer brief underwear needed. Men’s and Women’s shoes. Backpacks!
• 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.
• *WEEKDAY LUNCH VOLUNTEERS. We could use a few more people to help with making weekday lunches. We currently have openings on Mondays and Wednesdays (to make lunches to be given out on Tuesdays & Thursdays). Please contact the church office for more information.
• Mission & Outreach is hosting a DE-ESCALATION TRAINING on Wednesday, April 24 at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Room. This workshop will help us think about ways to respond to conflict and defuse high stress situations. Everyone is welcome to attend!

INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK:

(All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)

• Monday, Apr. 15 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. 16 6:00 p.m.         Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
• Wednesday, Apr. 17 8:00 p.m.         Mission & Outreach Committee Meeting (Zoom)
• Thursday, Apr. 18 5:30 p.m.         Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non-conforming people (Basement)
• 7:30 p.m.         The Virgin Trial (MET) (Upstairs)
• Friday, Apr. 19 12:00 noon      Westport Center for the Arts’ Brown Bag Concert Series:  Sweete Accordes: Anne Biswell, Soprano & George Moss, Renaissance Lutes (Sanctuary)
• 7:30 p.m.         The Virgin Trial (MET) (Upstairs)
• Saturday, Apr. 20 8:30 a.m.         Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
• 1:30 p.m.         The Virgin Trial (MET) (Upstairs)
• 7:30 p.m.         The Virgin Trial (MET) (Upstairs)
• Sunday, Apr. 21 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)
• 2:30 p.m.         The Virgin Trial (MET) (Upstairs)