Finding Hope In The Days of Climate Change

WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
SEASON OF EASTERTIDE
May 18, 2025

(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: For the Fruits of All Creation       Nicholas Palmer
CALL TO WORSHIP: (from Psalm 19) Jim Turner, liturgist

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:   Let All Things Now Living   GTG#37
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED OF GOD:

One: Beloved, we are made in the divine image, and God called us good. Yet we go our own way, harming ourselves, one another, and the planet. Confident in the mercy of the One who enables creation to flourish, let us confess our need of 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.

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:

One: Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace. Share this blessing with others. And care for this good earth, that all creation may declare God’s glory.
All: Alleluia! Thanks be to God!

SUNG RESPONSE:   Halle, Halle, Hallelujah! (refrain, sing twice)    GTG#591
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.

SCRIPTURE READINGS: Micah 3:9-4:4   Luke 12:41-56

One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.

CHORAL ANTHEM: Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land Kyle Johnson
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:

One: Gracious God, by your Spirit awaken us, that we may see and hear your presence in the world, in Scripture read and sermon preached today. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our brother and guide.
All: Amen.

MESSAGE: Finding Hope In The Days of Climate Change     Rev. Dr. Deborah Meinke
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: (from The Confession of 1967)

All: Already God’s reign is present as a ferment in the work stirring hope in humanity and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption. With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God.

WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER:  Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying    GTG#469
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: Trusting in God’s care for us and the whole world, We present our tithes and offerings to God, the source of our gladness.
All: We bring our gifts with gladness.
Offering link

OFFERTORY SOLO: Sarah Baxter, alto
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:

One: Holy Mystery, your love overflows our hearts. Accept our offering for the good of the world as we joyfully give thanks for your many gifts.
All: In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

CLOSING HYMN:   O Day of Peace   GTG#373
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE

 

A WESTPORT WARM WELCOMING!

• We welcome REV. DR. DEBORAH MEINKE who is leading our Worship Services this morning while Rev. Jared is on vacation. Rev. Meinke has lived at the intersection of science and theology for many years, which has shaped her ministry interests in creation care and environmental justice. She earned a Ph.D in Evolutionary Biology from Yale University and later an M. Div from Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa, OK. Deb is a lifelong Presbyterian and has served as a Stated Clerk In Cimarron (OK) and Heartland Presbyteries. Deb and spouse Dave have 2 adult children and 2 lively granddaughters, which occasioned their move to Kansas City after 38 years in Stillwater, OK.
• 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.
• WPC’s Session has chosen a CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY provided by HolyCow! Consulting. Members and friends of the congregation received an email with a link to the survey. Contact the church office if you did not receive the link. Help is available to those who need computer access or would prefer a paper copy. Thank you in advance for helping us make wise decisions regarding how we move faithfully into the future.

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 Wednesdays in the RESOURCE CENTER and Sundays as part of WESTPORT SHOWERS. Food donations of bread, fruit, meat, cheese, peanut butter are always needed.
• BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED: Westport Center for the Arts is seeking board members who are interested in helping us keep community arts alive in Westport. We are a volunteer board who meets monthly (usually on the 4th Saturday of the month at 10 am) to work on planning programming, fundraising, community partnerships, and marketing. With the recent loss of our board president, we need people who are willing to fill some leadership roles within the organization. Our programming includes Monthly Brown Bag Concerts, Independent Professional Theater, The Dancing Word (poetry & dance) and Visual Art Exhibits. If you have an interest in the arts or know anyone who may be interested in serving on the board, please contact us at admin@wcakc.org. Support from our community is needed to keep our organization thriving.

INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK:  (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)

• Monday, May 19 6-8 p.m. Heartland Presbytery – Committee on Representation Trans Stories: A Panel Discussion (Central Pres, 3501 Campbell)
  • 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
  • 7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
• Tuesday, May 20 4:30 p.m. Centering Prayer and Silence – 20 min (Chapel)
  • 6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
• Wednesday, May 21 10:00 a.m. Resource Center Open (Storefront)
  • 11:00 a.m. Sack Lunches Distributed (Storefront)
• Thursday, May 22 5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non- conforming people (Basement)
• Friday, May 23 11:30 a.m. Children’s Mercy TIES Group (Fellowship Room)
  • 4:00 p.m. Willow Woods Spring Program & Graduation (Sanctuary)
• Saturday, May 24 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
  • 10:00 a.m. Westport Center for the Arts Board Meeting (Fellowship Room)
• Sunday, May 25 8-9:30 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
  • Connection Hour Small Groups:
    9:30 a.m. “Overcoming Dumpster Fire Overwhelm”
    10:00 a.m. Book Discussion Group
  • 11:00 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary)
    Children’s Sunday School & Nursery Care (Upstairs Children’s Room)
  • 12:15 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Monday, May 26 MEMORIAL DAY (Church Office Closed)
• Wednesday, May 28 7:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee Meeting (Online)
  • 8:00 p.m. Mission & Outreach Committee Meeting (Zoom)
• Saturday, May 31 2:00-4:00 p.m. p.m. Westport Showers Volunteer Celebration (Fellowship Room)

CONNECTION HOUR SMALL GROUPS: Sunday Mornings

• 9:30 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. Currently reading The Idiot, Novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

MISSOURI LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: from Riva and the League of Women Voters

The last day for the Missouri Session was Friday, May 16th. Next week I will give an update of what happened during the session and whats coming up next. The budget was agreed upon, but the House didn’t not bring up an infrastructure appropriation bill which displeased the Senate and others in the House who were expecting to take home some good news to their districts for infrastructure projects. This bill was initially agreed upon by both Chambers and was also in Governor Kehoe’s budget.

COMING UP: Town Halls

• Saturday, May 31 10-12 AM at the Arts Asylum – 824 E. Meyer   Representative Patti Mansur & Representative Melissa Douglas
• Tuesday, June 3 10:30-11:30 AM at the Westport Public Library Representative Emily Weber (There may be others at this one)
• Tuesday, June 3 5:30 -7 at the Waldo Library 201 East 75th Senator Patti Lewis & Representative Tiffany Price

Even if these legislators do not represent your district, feel free to go and ask questions or just listen! Put them on your calendar.