WESTPORT RISING WORSHIP SERVICE
SEASON OF PENTECOST
November 17, 2024
PRELUDE: His Eye is on the Sparrow Gabriel, arr. Pepper Choplin
CALL TO WORSHIP: Drew Irwin, liturgist
One: God of unfailing light, in your realm of glory the poor are blessed, the hungry filled, and every tear is wiped away.
All: Strengthened by this vision, we are gathered by your Spirit to be transformed as your people.
OPENING HYMN: Here in This Place (Gather Us In) GTG#401
RESPONSIVE CONFESSION OF OUR NEED FOR GOD:
One: O Lord, what we would like to do is change the world – make it a little simpler for people to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves as you intended them to do.
All: By fighting for better conditions, by crying out unceasingly for the rights of the workers, the poor, of the destitute–the rights of the worthy and the unworthy poor, in other words–we can, to a certain extent, change the world; we can work for the oasis, the little cell of joy and peace in a harried world.
One: We can throw our pebble in the pond and be confident that its ever widening circle will reach around the world.
All: We repeat, there is nothing we can do but love, and, dear God, please enlarge our hearts to love each other, to love our neighbor, to love our enemy as our friend.
SILENT CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:
One: Try not to spend too much time asking God for forgiveness. You’re already forgiven and loved. And each day is just another chance to love and be loved, to make whatever difference in the world we can.
All: Thanks be to God!
SUNG RESPONSE: Halle, Halle, Hallelujah! GTG#591
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: Matthew 5:1-12
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he began to speak and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM: Kyrie John Leavitt
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
One: Open our hearts to fresh paths. Clear our minds of distractions. Fill our hearts with the humility we need to live in the way of Jesus.
All: Amen.
MESSAGE: House KC Kate Schulte- Cherith Brook/ Westport Showers
Lonnie Welch- Cherith Brook
David Goughnour- Cherith Brook
DeAndrea Watts- Westport Showers
Natalie Zanoni- Jerusalem Farm
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN (You may rise in Body or Spirit): Seek Ye First GTG#175
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 in heaven…)
THE OFFERING OF OURSELVES/INVITATION TO GIVE:
One: O Lord, receive these gifts and fan the small flames of our giving into warmth and kindness here in our neighborhood and beyond.
All: Amen.
OFFERTORY SOLO: Beautiful City (from Godspell) Stephen Schwartz Nico Caruso, tenor
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: O God, maker and provider of all, you have blessed us with many gifts. Use us, and what we have gathered, to feed, clothe, and house the world through your love; We pray in Jesus’ name.
All: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN (You may rise in Body or Spirit): Will You Let Me Be Your Servant (The Servant Song) GTG#727
BLESSING: May the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One God, Mother of us all, be with you this day and forevermore.
POSTLUDE: They’ll Know We Are Christians setting by Stan Pethel
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 is coming to an end. 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 TODAY! Or submit your pledge online at westportpresbyterian.org/pledge-drive/ We have $68,260 in pledges so far!
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, Nov. 18 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
Tuesday, Nov. 19 4:30 p.m. FREDitation – a centering prayer experience – 20 min (Chapel)
6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
Wednesday, Nov. 20 7:00 p.m. Zoom Bible Study – contact church office for link (Online) *meets every other week*
8:00 p.m. Mission & Outreach Committee Meeting (Zoom)
Thursday, Nov. 21 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. 22 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Willow Woods Luncheon (Fellowship Room)
Saturday, Nov. 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)
Sunday, Nov. 24 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)
12:00 p.m. Friendsgiving Potuck (Fellowship Room) & Decorating the Church for Advent/Christmas
LOOKING AHEAD:
Thursday, Nov. 28 7:00 p.m. THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY & Friday, Nov. 29 (Church Office Closed)
Saturday, Dec. 21 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Holiday Cookie Sale – Fundraiser for Westport Pres Music Program
*Bakers & Volunteers Needed* (Fellowship Room)
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