Opportunity Cost

WESTPORT RISING WORSHIP SERVICE
SEASON OF STEWARDSHIP AND COMMITMENT
November 12, 2023

(Video will be posted LIVE on the church’s FB page at 11am and then cross-posted here ASAP.  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: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring Thomas Keesecker
CALL TO RETURN TO OUR SOULS:

Leader: When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
People: “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.”
Leader: “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are – no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.” “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.”
People: “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.” “You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.”
Leader: “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.”
ALL: “Not only that – count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens – give a cheer, even! – for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.”
–Matthew 5: 1-12 (The Message)

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN:  My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout   GTG#100
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION:

Holy God, your way for us is clear: We are to live so that the manner of our lives speaks of your goodness, your generosity, your infinite mercy. Too often, though, we forget the purposes for which you made us. Too often, when we might meet inhumanity with the reflection of your goodness, we turn aside. We return unkindness for unkindness. We cling to what might be shard. We avoid those who are not like us. We fail to give grace in the measure we have received it. Forgive us, we pray. Remind us that your goodness is enduring, and your mercy is everlasting, for we pray all these things in the name of our savior, Jesus Christ.

SILENT MEDITATION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:

Leader: By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing: It is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one might boast.
People: For we are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Leader: Believe the promise of the gospel:
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

SUNG RESPONSE CELEBRATING GOD’S GRACE:  Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!   GTG#591
PASSING OF PEACE:

Pastor: The grace, peace, love and joy of Jesus Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us share the peace of Christ with each other.

SCRIPTURE READINGS: Joshua 24: 1-3, 14-25; Matthew 25: 1-13
CHORAL ANTHEM: Blow Ye the Trumpet, Blow text: Charles Wesley; music: Thomas Clark

Blow ye the trumpet, blow; the gladly solemn sound;
Let all the nations know, to earth’s remotest bound.
Chorus:
The year of jubilee is come: return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
Extol the Lamb of God, the all-atoning Lamb;
Redemption through his blood throughout the world proclaim:
(Chorus)
The gospel trumpet hear, the news of heav’nly grace;
And, saved from earth, appear before your Saviour’s face:
(Chorus)

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:

Pastor: Let the words of my mouth
People: And the meditations of our hearts
Pastor: Be acceptable to You,
People: O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

MESSAGE: “Opportunity Cost”
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: O for a World   GTG#372
WELCOMING
PLEDGE DRIVE MESSAGE  –  Pledge Online Here
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER:   Come, Bring Your Burdens to God (SING TWICE)   GTG#851
MORNING PRAYER, LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY SOLO: O Divine Redeemer Charles Gounod, Sarah Baxter, alto
                 Offering link
UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION:

May our offerings change us.
May our offerings change our church.
May our offerings change the path and fate of just one person.
May our offerings travel a long ways beyond us and make Your Realm of Love larger.
And May our offerings travel a long ways inside of us and make us more humble. Amen.

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN:   Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning   GTG#350
UNISON BENEDICTION:

We do not leave this sanctuary and leave God behind. God’s law is clear. We are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. May this commandment be ever before us; guiding us, inspiring us, Enabling us to be Christ’s body – his hands, his feet, his heart – in this, God’s world.

SUNG BENEDICTION RESPONSE:  We’ve Come This Far by Faith   GTG#656
POSTLUDE: My Soul Cries Out Mark Hayes

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 is back in action in the redesigned 2nd floor Children’s Space, teaching & learning will emphasize Care for the Earth, Sky and all God’s creation. Sunday mornings during the 1st half of worship, beginning at 11:00 am.
We WELCOME REV. SUSAN WESLEY HARTLEY who has been hired by the church Session to serve as our Bridge Pastor for the next several months. If you need pastoral care, please contact the church office.

Join us for FRIENDSHIP TIME before and after worship with snacks and coffee. Starts at 10:20 am in the main hallway. Continues after worship. Time for spontaneous friendship interaction! Smile.
Our FALL PLEDGE DRIVE is underway. The Session has set a goal of $112,000. 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 or Pledge Online Here.
We have $40,620 in pledges so far.

MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES:

Bread, Buns, Fruit, Water, Meat, Peanut Butter, Cheese are always needed for our INTERRUPT HUNGER work.
WESTPORT SHOWERS happens on Sundays & Thursday nights. Men’s boxer brief underwear needed. Men’s and Women’s shoes. Backpacks! Jackets, Sweatshirts, Warm Clothes for this cold weather!  Volunteers always welcome!

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

• Monday, Nov. 13 4:30 p.m. FREDitation – a centering prayer experience – 20 min (Chapel)
  • • 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
    • 7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
• Tuesday, Nov. 14 7:00 p.m. Session Meeting (Fellowship Room)
  • • 7:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
• Thursday, Nov. 16 9:30 a.m. Willow Woods Grandparents Day (Sanctuary & Fellowship Room)
  • • 5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non- conforming people (Basement)
• Friday, Nov. 17 12:00 p.m. Westport Center for the Arts: Brown Bag Concert Series: Alyssa Toepfer, soprano & Tabitha Reist Steiner, harp (Sanctuary)
• Saturday, Nov. 18 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
  • • 10:00 a.m. Cub Scouts (Westport Rising Room)
• Sunday, Nov. 19 8-9:30 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
  • • 10:20 a.m. Friendship Time – coffee & snacks – before & after worship (Fellowship Hallway)
    • 11:00 a.m. Service of the Lord’s Day (Sanctuary)
• Children’s Sunday School (Upstairs Children’s Room)
  • • 12:15 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

LOOKING AHEAD:

Sunday, Nov. 26 1:00 p.m. Friendsgiving Potluck (Fellowship Room)

STAFF:

Bridge Pastor…………………………………………………………………………………..Susan Wesley Hartley
Music Director……………………………………………………………………………………….Emily Davidson
Office Manager………………………………………………………………………………………..Deanna Capps
Custodians………………………………………………………Jose (Chico) Jimenez & Marisel Myers-Aronson