WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
SEASON OF PENTECOST
August 17, 2025
PRELUDE: Offertorio Domenico Zipoli
CALL TO WORSHIP: (from Psalm 82)
One: God gives justice to the weak and the orphan.
All: God rescues the weak and the needy.
One: Blessed be the one, holy, and living God, now and forever.
All: Gathered here by God’s Spirit, we worship together with joy.
OPENING HYMN: Touch the Earth Lightly GTG#713
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED OF GOD:
All: Ever-loving God, we confess that we are not always ready to love and be loved. You call us to live with courage, but we cling to what is familiar, comfortable and non-controversial. You are at work in the world – everywhere and always – but we struggle to discern your presence in the signs of the times. Forgive us and give us courage to stand for what is right and good; to risk love and justice even when it is unpopular. Teach us faithfulness for the journey ahead. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:
One: Friends, look around! We are indeed surrounded by supportive friends. We are the body of Christ, the family of faith, all of us both saints and sinners. The grace we receive in baptism washes away our regrets and unites us with one another in bonds of love.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
SUNG RESPONSE:Halle, Halle, Hallelujah! (refrain, sing twice) GTG#591
[Kids’ Time Front of Sanctuary]
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.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
One: Lord Jesus, who brought the fire of the Holy Spirit, may that fire burn within our hearts as we read the Scriptures today. Teach us to choose your Way.
All: Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Jeremiah 23:23-29 Luke 12:49-56
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE: Dreams Shaped By Discipleship
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Lord of All Hopefulness GTG#683
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: Come, Bring Your Burdens to God GTG#851
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER:
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. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
THE OFFERING OF OURSELVES/INVITATION TO GIVE:
One: God is the giver of every good gift. Let us return our thanks to God as we receive the offering.
OFFERTORY SOLO: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Kathleen Thomerson, Sarah Baxter, alto setting by Tom Trenney
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: Generous God, receive these gifts as investments in your kingdom of love, justice and peace. Use this money and use our lives to bring about the world as you intend it.
All: With gratitude we pray, Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: Guide My Feet GTG#751
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE: Dance in D Major Franz Joseph Haydn
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 usually meets during the second half of worship in the in the 2nd floor Children’s Space, but is on break for the summer.
- Our MICROPHONE SOUND SYSTEM is under repair. We hope to have it fixed soon. If you have trouble hearing, please consider sitting near the front of the sanctuary.
- CHOIR is on break for the summer. There will be no choir practice after church.
- AFTER WORSHIP TODAY: Please join us for a POTLUCK lunch in the fellowship hall.
- Pastor Jared will be on vacation this week. He will return on Monday, Aug. 25. If you need assistance, contact the church office.
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 Fridays in the RESOURCE CENTER and Sundays as part of WESTPORT SHOWERS. Food donations of bread, fruit, meat, cheese, peanut butter are always needed.
- SPECIAL EVENT COMING UP: Monday, August 18 5-7 p.m. “LIVING IN TENTS” ART EXHIBIT (@Shirley Stiles Gallery, 4700 Rainbow) About the Exhibition: Living in Tents features paintings and mixed media work that reflect the lived realities of Kansas City’s unhoused. Imagery includes tents beneath highways, shopping carts filled with belongings, makeshift shelters, backpacks, cardboard signs, and shadows cast by forgotten buildings. All artwork from this exhibition is donated to reStart Inc. to support their mission to end homelessness with dignity. All are welcome. Entry is free. Donations to reStart Inc. are encouraged and can be made onsite.
CONNECTION HOUR SMALL GROUPS:
Sunday Mornings
9:40 a.m. “Overcoming Dumpster Fire Overwhelm” lead by Jennifer White.
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.
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK: (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
Monday, Aug. 18 5-7 p.m. Living in Tents (Shirley Stiles Gallery, 4700 Rainbow Blvd.)
6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
Tuesday, Aug. 19 6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
Wednesday, Aug. 20 4:30 p.m. Centering Prayer and Silence – 20 min (Chapel)
Thursday, Aug. 21 5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non-conforming people (Basement)
Friday, Aug. 22 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Resource Center Open (Storefront)
11:00 a.m. Sack Lunches Distributed (Storefront)
11:30 a.m. Children’s Mercy TIES Group (Fellowship Room)
Saturday, Aug. 23 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
10:00 a.m. Westport Center for the Arts Board Meeting (Fellowship Room)
10:00 a.m Finucane Project – Rockhurst Students Landscaping Service Project
(Outside Church)
Sunday, Aug. 24 8-9:30 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
Connection Hour Small Groups:
9:40 a.m. “Overcoming Dumpster Fire Overwhelm”
10:00 a.m. Book Discussion Group
11:00 a.m. Service of the Lord’s Day (Sanctuary)
Nursery Care (Upstairs Children’s Room)
LOOKING AHEAD:
Friday, Aug. 29 7:00 p.m. & Saturday, Aug. 30 2:00 p.m. Westport Center for the Arts – The Dancing Word: “Where Do We Go From Here? The road not taken, or on the beaten path?” (Center for Spiritual Living, 1014 W 39th St.)
Monday. Sept. 1 LABOR DAY (Church Office Closed)
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