WESTPORT RISING WORSHIP SERVICE
SEASON OF PENTECOST
EARTH CARE SUNDAY
October 13, 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
CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 19):
One: The heavens declare the glory of God.
All: The firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
One: The plants and trees show God’s presence.
All: Let us join with creation in praising God.
OPENING HYMN: My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout GTG#100
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED FOR GOD:
All: God of life, you created us in your image to care for one another and for all creation. Forgive us for turning away from you, ignoring the needs of our neighbors and the cries of the earth. As the sun brings light and warmth to this earth, make us signs of your grace, through Christ, our light and life, we pray.
SILENT CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:
One: In the waters of baptism, God pours out mercy and blessing. Know that you are forgiven. And be at peace as you care for this good earth, that all creation may shine with God’s goodness.
All: Thanks be to God!
SUNG RESPONSE: Take, O Take Me as I Am (SING TWICE) GTG#698
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST:
One: The peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us share the peace of Christ with one another.
SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise the Lord in the heights!
2 Praise the Lord, all the angels;
praise the Lord, all of God’s host!
3 Praise the Lord, sun and moon;
praise the Lord, all you shining stars!
4 Praise the Lord, you highest heavens
and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for God commanded and they were created.
6 God established them forever and ever;
God fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling God’s command!
9 Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and women alike,
old and young together!
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for God’s name alone is exalted;
God’s glory is above earth and heaven.
14 The Lord has raised up a horn for God’s people,
praise for all God’s faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
One: Gracious God, your Word is a living word. By your Spirit awaken us, that we may see and hear your presence in the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our brother and guide.
All: Amen.
PANEL CONVERSATION: Earth Care and Solar Panels at WPC
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise GTG#12
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: Come, Bring Your Burdens to God (SING TWICE) GTG#851
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (Our Mother and Father in heaven…)
THE OFFERING OF OURSELVES/INVITATION TO GIVE
One: The heavens and the earth, the sun moon and stars, the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea – all things belong to God, and to God all things return. Let us give generously as God’s people.
Offering link
OFFERTORY CHORAL ANTHEM: I Believe Mark A. Miller
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining;
I believe in love even when feeling it not;
I believe in God even when he is silent.
— An inscription on the wall of a cellar in Cologne where a number of Jews hid themselves for the entire duration of the war.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: Lord God, you have entrusted us with the works of your own hands. Now we return these gifts to you with thanksgiving and praise.
All: Use them for your glory and for the good of your world; through Jesus Christ, Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: Precious Lord, Take My Hand GTG#834
BLESSING:
One: Go and join the song of creation, singing out in praise to God. Go and join the cries of creation, yearning for healing. Go and work for the healing and wholeness of all the earth.
All: Amen.
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 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 Josh up in the front of the sanctuary at the livestream table if you would like to use one.
- INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CHURCH? We will be receiving new members to the congregation this Fall. If you’re interested or just have questions, contact Pastor Jared!
- Pastor Jared is on vacation this week. He will be returning to work on Wed., Oct. 16. Thanks to Bob Russell for being our Liturgist and leading our worship service today!
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.
- OUR WEEKDAY LUNCH PROGRAM had ended. We had insufficient volunteers to keep this programming running. A street sheet is available with information on other lunch programs in the area. Many are within 1 mile of the church. We will still be 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 still needed and welcomed.
CONNECTION HOUR SMALL GROUPS beginning next Sunday:
- “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. - Book Discussion Group readings related to various topics including faith, art, culture, politics, earth care. Join us to discuss what we want to begin reading/studying.
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK: (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
Monday, Oct. 14 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
Tuesday, Oct. 15 4:30 p.m. FREDitation – a centering prayer experience – 20 min (Chapel)
6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
Wednesday, Oct. 16 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts Pack Awards Meeting (Fellowship Room)
8:00 p.m. Mission & Outreach Committee Meeting (Zoom)
Thursday, Oct. 17 10:00 a.m. Resource Center (Storefront)
11:00 a.m. Sack Lunches Distributed (Storefront)
5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non-conforming people (Basement)
Friday, Oct. 18 12 noon Westport Center for the Arts’ Brown Bag Concert Series: Prairie Earth Ensemble (Sanctuary)
1 p.m. Concert Reception and Visual Art Exhibition Opening: Gloria Heifner, local Kansas City artist, showing her “Audacious Women” series and “Uterus” series, each focusing on women’s rights in the United States
Saturday, Oct. 19 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
Sunday, Oct. 20 8-9:30 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
NEW Connection Hour Small Groups:
9:30 a.m. “Overcoming Dumpster Fire Overwhelm”
10:00 a.m. Book Discussion Group
11:00 a.m. Service of the Lord’s Day (Sanctuary)
Children’s Sunday School (Upstairs Children’s Room)
after worship Congregational Meeting – to amend bylaws and approve nominating committee
VOTER INFORMATION/BALLOT PRESENTATIONS:
The League of Women Voters Kansas City, the Kansas City Public Libraries, AAUW, Revolucion Educativa and the Cass County Public County are collaborating on presentations in the local libraries to explain the 5 ballot questions that voters will vote on this November. 3 of these ballots were advanced by Missouri citizens, not the Missouri Legislature.
If you are unable to attend any of these events the LWVKC will put recordings of them on their YOUTUBE channel at some time before the election.
No Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting
Starting October 22nd, you can vote at the following Absentee Voting Satellite Locations
KCEB at The Shops on Blue Parkway
4407 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64130
Hours:
Weekdays October 22 – Nov. 1: 8am – 6pm
Saturday, Nov. 2: 8am – 12pm
Monday, Nov. 4: 8am – 5pm
United Believers Community Church
5600 E 112th Ter
Kansas City, MO 64134
Hours:
Weekdays, Oct. 22 – Nov. 1: 10am – 6pm
Saturday, Nov. 2: 8am – 12pm
The Whole Person
3710 Main St
Kansas City, MO 64111
Hours:
Weekdays, Oct. 22 – Nov. 1: 10am – 6pm
Saturday, Nov. 2: 8am – 12pm
The Mount Christian Worship Center
1800 E. 79th St (Corner of 79th & Paseo)
Kansas City, MO 64130
Hours:
Weekdays, Oct. 22 – Nov. 1: 10am – 6pm
Saturday, Nov. 2: 8am – 12pm
Country Club Christian Church
6101 Ward Pkwy
Kansas City, MO 64113
Hours:
Weekdays, Oct. 22 – Nov. 1: 10am – 6pm
Saturday, Nov. 2: 8am – 12pm
Palestine Senior Citizen Activity Center
3325 Prospect Ave
Kansas City, MO 64128
Hours:
Weekdays, Oct. 22 – Nov. 1: 10am – 6pm
Saturday, Nov. 2: 8am – 12pm
Important Notes: All Satellite Voting Locations use Ballot Marking Devices. Paper Ballots will ONLY be available at your home ward and precinct on Election Day.
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