Joy That’s Deep and Wide 

WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
SEASON OF EASTERTIDE
May 25, 2025

PRELUDE: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee John Purifoy
CALL TO WORSHIP: (from Psalm 67)

One: May God be gracious to us; May God bless us.
All: We gather in worship, knowing God is here.
One: May God’s face shine upon us.
All: May God call us into the joyful work of creating peace.
One: Let us worship our God in praise.

OPENING HYMN:    Glory to God Morning Has Broken   GTG#664
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED OF GOD:

All: God of the city, you call us to meet you in the world, yet our lives are often distracted and preoccupied. We choose self-preservation and profit over acts of love. We settle for working within systems that oppress instead of working for change. God of all creation, we forget that everything comes from you. We fail to be good stewards of what you have given. Forgive us Lord and embolden us to live fully in your call: to love our neighbor.

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:

One: God blesses us, again and again, despite our failures. Friends, trust the good news of the Gospel: in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and freed for new lives.
All: Alleluia! Thanks be to God!

SUNG RESPONSE:   You Are My Strength When I Am Weak (You Are My All in All)   GTG#519
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: Psalm 67    Ephesians 3:14-21

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

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:

One: God, speak to us once more through text and sermon. May we hear the sharp and delightful edge of your good news for our lives and for the world.
All: Amen.

MESSAGE: Joy That’s Deep and Wide
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN:   Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee    GTG#611
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 has blessed us with what we need. So let us give back some of that blessing for the flourishing of our congregation and community.
All: May God bless our giving.

OFFERTORY SOLO: Die Mainacht (The May Night) Johannes Brahms     Emma Witbolsfeugen, soprano
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:

One: Source of all gifts, we appreciate the many blessings we receive from your hands. Empower us to bless others through our actions, words, and resources so that we can truly be your people in the city.
All: May we use this offering to reflect our commitment to the world’s well-being, Amen.

CLOSING HYMN:   We Are Marching in the Light of God (Siyahamba)   GTG#853
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE:  Siyahamba Carter

 

A WESTPORT WARM WELCOMING!

• We welcome guest musician JEFF JASPERSON who is singing in the choir this morning.
• MARIAN THOMAS is planning a visit to the area and will join us for worship on Sunday, June 1. She is eager to visit and hopes to see as many WPC friends as possible that day.
• 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.
• 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.

EARTH CARE:

• Two free videos show that more Earth-friendly farming methods are needed, to avoid widespread hunger within a decade or two, and to slow the heating of the Earth. Well-known entertainers and experts are part of these impactful videos.
• “Kiss the Ground” is a groundbreaking film that reveals a viable solution to the climate crisis. By regenerating the world’s soils, we can stabilize Earth’s climate, restore ecosystems, and create abundant food supplies. Using compelling graphics and NASA/NOAA footage, the film shows how soil can draw down atmospheric carbon, completing the climate puzzle. It is narrated by Woody Harrelson. — https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Ground-Josh-Tickell/dp/B0C9TGG2HX
• “Common Ground”, the sequel to the groundbreaking documentary Kiss the Ground, follows the pioneers of the Regenerative Movement, featuring Jason Momoa and Donald Glover. This uplifting story reveals how innovators are creating a new food system that produces nutrient-dense food while healing our climate, bodies, and ecosystem. — https://www.amazon.com/Common-Ground-Joshua-Tickell/dp/B0DSQ7LC5W
  Not a Prime member? New users can sign up for a 30-day free trial or watch for free with their existing membership. Every view helps amplify the message of regeneration and spreads awareness about real climate solutions.

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. Currently reading The Idiot, Novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

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

• Monday, May 26 MEMORIAL DAY (Church Office Closed)
• 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
• 7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
• Tuesday, May 27 4:30 p.m. Centering Prayer and Silence – 20 min (Chapel)
• 6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
• Wednesday, May 28 10:00 a.m. Resource Center Open (Storefront)
• 11:00 a.m. Sack Lunches Distributed (Storefront)
• 7:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee Meeting (Online)
• 8:00 p.m. Mission & Outreach Committee Meeting (Zoom)
• Thursday, May 29 5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non- conforming people (Basement)
• 6:00 p.m. Christian Ed & Worship Meeting (Broadway Café?)
• 6-7:30 p.m. Cub Scout Pack Awards Ceremony (Fellowship Room)
• Saturday, May 31 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
• 2-4:00 p.m. Westport Showers Volunteer Celebration (Fellowship Room)
• Sunday, Jun. 1 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. Communion Worship Service (Sanctuary)
  Children’s Sunday School & Nursery Care (Upstairs Children’s Room)
• 12:15 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Thursday, Jun. 5 5:30 p.m. Westport Center for the Arts: Special Concert Event (Sanctuary): Nick May, saxophone & Alex Li, piano
  performing queer music from the I Exist Project
• Saturday, Jun. 7 11:00 a.m. KC Pride Parade (volunteers use our parking lot 7 am-2 pm)
• 7:00 p.m. English Dance (Westport Rising Room)
• Sunday, Jun. 8 after church Potluck Graduation Celebration for Ave (Fellowship Room)

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

• The last day for the Missouri Session was Friday, May 16th. The governor may call a special session to work on an incentive to keep the sports teams in KC and to bring up the infrastructure appropriation bill that was left out of the final budget vote.
• The Senate used a rarely used action (previous question) to cut off debate and vote on HJR 73 (abortions only in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest if reported within 12 weeks from the incident) which dramatically changes Amendment 3 (allows abortion up to viability for any reason) that was voted on last November by a majority of citizens in Missouri. As this is an amendment to the Constitution, Missouri voters will again have a chance to vote on it. The governor may call a special election before the November 2026 elections. Organizations across the state will be working on a VOTE NO campaign for this.
• The Missouri legislature also went against the voters by doing away with the sick pay that was voted on last November passing with 58% of the vote.
• 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 PM 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.

Want to become engaged in fighting for Democracy? See attached flyer.