WESTPORT RISING WORSHIP SERVICE
SEASON OF PENTECOST / REFORMATION SUNDAY
October 27, 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)
Liturgical note: Protestant churches celebrate the Reformation annually on October 31, the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. In honor of the celebration, this week’s liturgy draws on prayers and liturgy from Protestant Reformers.
PRELUDE: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott Christian Flor (1626-1697)
CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 124:8 and 146):
One: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
All: Amen.
One: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
All: Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,
One: Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
All: God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
One: “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth.”
All: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
One: Let us worship the living God!
OPENING HYMN: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God GTG#275
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED FOR GOD (a prayer by Martin Luther):
All: Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you. In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have. I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; you are upright. With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore, I will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE (a prayer by John Calvin):
One: Let us never forget you, O Lord, nor your goodness. Let the remembrance of your mercy be always engraved on our minds.
All: Hear and believe this good news! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
SUNG RESPONSE: Live in Charity (English & Latin) GTG#205
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 READINGS: Jeremiah 31:7-9 Hebrews 7:23-28
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM: Let the Whole Creation Cry Roland E. Martin
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (a prayer by Ulrich Zwingli):
One: Almighty, eternal, and merciful God, whose Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, open and illuminate our minds that we may truly understand your Word and that our life may be conformed to what we have rightly understood, that in all our ways we may be pleasing to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
SERMON: Hope and Fear In An Election Year (Part 2) Rev. Jared Witt
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee GTG#816
GIVING STORIES Debbie Anderson
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying (SING ONCE) GTG#469
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER: (Our Mother and Father in heaven…)
THE OFFERING OF OURSELVES/INVITATION TO GIVE
Offering link
OFFERTORY SOLO: Ubi Caritas; text: anonymous, year 800; translation: Christopher Brunelle; music: Gwyneth Walker Emma Witbolsfeugen, soprano
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
All: O Lord, come to me and use my bread, silver and gold. How very well they are spent if I spend them in your service. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: He Is King of Kings GTG#273
BLESSING
POSTLUDE: In Thee Is Gladness Giovanni Gastoldi, setting by Larry Shackley
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 Deanna 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!
- Our FALL PLEDGE DRIVE begins today. The Session has set a goal of $100,000. Please prayerfully consider what you are able to give in the coming year to help us reach our larger goals of making space for God’s grace here at Westport Presby. Our mission is to uncover what Jesus is doing now—here in the heart of the city—and follow him! PLEASE HELP US REACH OUR GOAL by submitting a pledge card by Sunday, November 10! Or submit your pledge online at westportpresbyterian.org/pledge-drive/
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.
- We are 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 always needed.
NEW 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. 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. 28 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
- 7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
- Tuesday, Oct. 29 4:30 p.m. FREDitation – a centering prayer experience – 20 min (Chapel)
- 6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
- Wednesday, Oct. 30 6:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee Meeting (Library)
- Thursday, Oct. 31 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, Nov. 1 10 a.m. Children’s Mercy Healthy Families Group (Fellowship Room)
- 11:30 a.m. Voting Equipment Delivered
- Saturday, Nov. 2 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
- Sunday, Nov. 3 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)
LOOKING AHEAD:
- Tuesday, Nov. 5 ELECTION DAY (Fellowship Room)
- Wednesday, Nov. 6 7:00 p.m. Zoom Bible Study – contact church office for link (Online) *meets every other week*
- Sunday, Nov. 10 Pledge Sunday (help us reach our goal by this date)
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