WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
21ST Sunday after Pentecost
October 18, 2026
PRELUDE: Faith of Our Fathers arr. L. Smith
CALL TO WORSHIP: Diane Kennedy, liturgist
One: God’s Spirit can’t be fixed or fastened down. Our God is love in motion, always breathing us into being, calling us to serve, sustaining us as we go.
All: We’ve been called here – glad and grateful – to worship God and to trust in the good news of Jesus Christ.
OPENING HYMN: God Is Here! GTG#409
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED OF GOD:
All: God of Mystery, God of life, sometimes we dream of doing big things, reaching for the stars. Sometimes we can barely muster hope for even the smallest things. Forgive us when we lose track of the vast scope of your new realm. Forgive us when we fail to foster faithfulness in our daily lives. Help us to trust ourselves to your way, as we make of our lives an offering to you. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:
One: Your sins are forgiven in Jesus Christ. And God will fan your small sparks of kindness into flame. God will lift and enlarge your little efforts to love. God will transform your simple gifts, shared with others, into abundance.
All: Thanks be to God!
SUNG RESPONSE: Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (verses 1, 3) GTG#529
TIME WITH YOUNG DISCIPLES
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.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
One: Holy Spirit, open and illumine our hearts, So that we can welcome the life-changing power of these little stories.
All: Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 13:18-21 (pages 71-72)
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM: Christ, the Vine by R. Powell
MESSAGE: Money Matters: Thinking Big and Small Rev. Jared Witt
MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Give Thanks (sing 2x) GTG#647
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: Glory to God Open My Eyes, That I May See (verse 1) GTG#451
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER:
All: 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: Because God sustains our lives with all we need, we trust in God’s care for us and gratefully present our offerings.
OFFERTORY SOLO: Walk in Jerusalem arr. Chester Music Ltd. Billy Holdeman, baritone
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: God of gifts, we trust you to multiply the blessings these gifts represent, even as we recommit ourselves to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world, doing justice, practicing kindness, and serving others in humility.
All: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: #320 Glory to God The Church of Christ in Every Age
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE: Tune for a Trumpet arr. L. Smith
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! NURSERY care is available in the upstairs children’s space. Parents are asked to fill out a brief registration form before church begins. (This form only needs to be filled out once). Children’s Sunday School will meet during the second half of worship in the in the 2nd floor Children’s Space. Children are invited to remain in the service until the “Time for Young Disciples” and then go upstairs for the remainder of the service.
- 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.
- CHILDREN’S CHOIR PRACTICE: Kids that want to sing with the choir are invited to join Renee in the front of the sanctuary on Sunday mornings from 10:00-10:25 a.m.
- WPC Bible Study, Wed. Oct. 21, 5:45-7 pm (Church Library) https://yalebiblestudy.org/courses/exodus/
We’ll be using the curriculum for “Week 2: The Burning Bush” (Exodus 3:13-22)
There is a short video, a study guide, and discussion questions you can check out before our gathering. All are welcome. - WPC Fall Mini-Retreat: An Invitation to Post-Election Re-Connection
Sat, Nov. 14, 8:30 am-1 pm
WPC will host a small retreat designed to create space for re-connecting what so often feels dis-connected. Through simple rhythms of Scripture and poetry readings, silence and conversation, we’ll experiment with ways to reconnect to our bodies, our strengths, our wisdom, our places, and our communities. Please RSVP so that we can plan for breakfast and lunch. Let us know of any food allergies.
Cost for the retreat is $20. If the cost is prohibitive for you, just email jared@westportpresbyterian.org and we will make sure you can attend. To register use the sign-up sheet at the back of our sanctuary or use the QR code to register on our website. - OCTOBER 25 – POTLUCK & AFTERNOON MUSIC RECITAL
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 Thursdays in the RESOURCE CENTER and Sundays as part of WESTPORT SHOWERS. Food donations of fruit cups, meat, cheese, peanut butter, squeeze jelly are always needed.
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK: (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
- Monday, Oct. 19 5:30-8 p.m. MO Workers Center Base Meeting (Fellowship Room)
6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Chapel)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room) - Tuesday, Oct. 20 4:30 p.m. Centering Prayer and Silence – 20 min (Chapel)
- Wednesday, Oct. 21 5:45-7 p.m. Fall Bible Study (Library)
8:00 p.m. Mission & Outreach Committee (Zoom) - Thursday, Oct. 22 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Resource Center Open & Sack Lunches Distributed (Fellowship Room)
5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non- conforming people (Basement) - Saturday, Oct. 24 10:00 a.m. Cub Scouts (Westport Rising Room)
1-4:00 p.m. NAAAP Diwali Event (Storefront & Fellowship Room) - Sunday, Oct. 25 6:30-9:00 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
10:00 a.m. Book Discussion Group (Library)
10:00 a.m. Children’s Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
11:00 a.m. Service of the Lord’s Day (Sanctuary)
Children’s Sunday School/Nursery Care (Upstairs Children’s Room)
after church Potluck & Musical Recital (Fellowship Room)
“Music of the Night” Fred & Renee Zimmerman
presentation by Reese & Zack Capps
LOOKING AHEAD:
- Tuesday, Oct. 27 5-8 p.m. Rental: New Community Church Gathering (Fellowship Room)
- Wednesday, Oct. 28 6:30 p.m. Stewardship Committee Meeting (Zoom)
- Sunday, Oct. 31 10:00 a.m. WCA Board Meeting (Fellowship Room)
- Saturday, Nov. 14 9 a.m.-1 p.m. WPC Fall Mini-Retreat
- Sunday, Nov. 15 after church Friendsgiving Potluck
ELECTION NEWS:
- Voter guides are officially live on VOTE411.org!
- Unsure of what’s going to be on your ballot on November 3? Wondering where candidates stand on important issues in your community? Need help understanding local ballot measures? VOTE411 has the information you need to feel confident casting your ballot. Check your registration here and also your polling place. EARLY VOTING STARTS OCT 20th.
- IF YOU MISSED THE LWV CANDIDATE FORUMS OR THE PRESENTATIONS ON THE AMENDMENTS AND REFERENDUM THAT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT GO TO: YOUTUBE.COM/@LWVKC TO WATCH THE VIDEOS
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