WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
SEASON OF PENTECOST
August 10, 2025
PRELUDE: Concerto in G Major (P. 129): Antonio Vivaldi: Andante molto Meribeth Risebig, oboe Claudia Risebig, bassoon
CALL TO WORSHIP: (based on Hebrews 11)
One: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the convictions of things not seen.
All: Like Abraham, let us follow God, even when we don’t know where we are going.
One: By faith, let us look forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
All: Let us worship the God whose promises call and claim us.
OPENING HYMN: God of Great and God of Small GTG#19
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED OF GOD:
All: God of Hope and Promise, we admit that our faith sometimes falters. We acknowledge that our doubts and grievances often overwhelm. We struggle to comprehend our own suffering and that of others. Pardon us when we lose faith in you and in ourselves. Guide us back to loving, supportive relationships. Encourage us to stay committed to the way of kindness. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:
One: God’s grace is given freely. God’s love is reliable and sure. Receive the good news that you are forgiven and loved, freed from self-preoccupation into the service of others.
All: Thanks be to God!
SUNG RESPONSE: Halle, Halle, Hallelujah! (refrain, sing twice) GTG#591
[Kid’s Time Front of Sanctuary]
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: God, your Word and Wisdom direct our steps. Help us to pay attention to the guiding voice of your Spirit, speaking to us in the Word read and preached today.
All: Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE: Our Real Work, by Wendell Berry
It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings.
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Spirit of the Living God GTG#288
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying GTG#469
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 loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Let us present our tithes and offerings to God.
OFFERTORY SOLO: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Kathleen Thomerson, Sarah Baxter, alto arr. Tom Trenney
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: God of abundance, everything we have is on loan from you. Help us be good stewards of all your precious resources.
All: Bless these gifts we give in return that they might, in turn, be a blessing to others. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: O Day of Peace GTG#373
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE: Concerto in G Major Antonio Vivaldi: Allegro molto Meribeth Risebig, oboe Claudia Risebig, bassoon
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 usually meets during the second half of worship in the in the 2nd floor Children’s Space, but is on break for the summer.
- Our MICROPHONE SOUND SYSTEM is under repair. We hope to have it fixed soon. If you have trouble hearing, please consider sitting near the front of the sanctuary.
- CHOIR is on break for the summer. There will be no choir practice after church.
- AFTER WORSHIP TODAY: Following a condensed worship service, we’ll gather in fellowship hall for refreshments and Jared will lead a discussion about the results from our congregational assessment.
- Earlier this summer, Music Director Emily Davidson submitted a letter of resignation to the Session. Emily plans to stay with us until we find our next Music Director. Emily has served the congregation with excellence for over a decade. Join us for a POTLUCK lunch in Emily’s honor on 8/17.
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 Fridays in the RESOURCE CENTER and Sundays as part of WESTPORT SHOWERS. Food donations of bread, fruit, meat, cheese, peanut butter are always needed.
- SPECIAL EVENT COMING UP: Monday, August 18 5-7 p.m. “LIVING IN TENTS” ART EXHIBIT (@Shirley Stiles Gallery, 4700 Rainbow) About the Exhibition: Living in Tents features paintings and mixed media work that reflect the lived realities of Kansas City’s unhoused. Imagery includes tents beneath highways, shopping carts filled with belongings, makeshift shelters, backpacks, cardboard signs, and shadows cast by forgotten buildings. All artwork from this exhibition is donated to reStart Inc. to support their mission to end homelessness with dignity. All are welcome. Entry is free. Donations to reStart Inc. are encouraged and can be made onsite.
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.
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK: (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
Monday, Aug. 11 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
Tuesday, Aug. 12 6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
Wednesday, Aug. 13 4:30 p.m. Centering Prayer and Silence – 20 min (Chapel)
Thursday, Aug. 14 5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non-conforming people (Basement)
Friday, Aug. 15 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Resource Center Open (Storefront)
11:00 a.m. Sack Lunches Distributed (Storefront)
Saturday, Aug. 16 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
Sunday, Aug. 17 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. Service of the Lord’s Day (Sanctuary)
Nursery Care (Upstairs Children’s Room)
After church Third Sunday Potluck: Celebrating Emily Davidson (Fellowship Room)
LOOKING AHEAD:
Monday, Aug. 18 5-7 p.m. Living in Tents (Shirley Stiles Gallery, 4700 Rainbow Blvd.)
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