See our facebook page for our live, online service: www.facebook.com/westportpresbyterian/live
WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
May 5, 2024
WORDS OF WELCOME Pastor Susan Wesley Hartley
PRELUDE: Ballo del Granducca Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
OPENING SCRIPTURE READING: John 4: 7-15, 39-42 Jeanne Reiss
OPENING HYMN: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee GTG#611
CALL TO WORSHIP: John 6 (selected verses 27-40)
Leader: After the multiplication of the 5 barley loaves and two fishes to feed the 5000 people by the shores of Galilee, the crowds followed him asking him for a sign that he had come from God.
People: Jesus said, “Do not work for food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.”
Leader: “The bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
People: Sir, give us this bread always.
ALL: Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of God who sent me. That I should lose nothing of all that God has given me, but raise it up on the last day… that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life.”
CALL TO EMBRACE JESUS, THE TRUE VINE, THE LIVING WATER AND THE BREAD OF LIFE: Psalm 19 (selected verses)
How Awesome are you, Lord. Pure and enduring forever, We long to follow you and embrace the gifts of life that you have prepared for us. In keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Cleanse us from hidden faults. That the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts may always abide in you and trust in your mercy and forgiveness. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
Hear the good news! In Christ and through Christ, we are new creations. The old life has gone; and new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen.
SUNG RESPONSE: Change My Heart, O God GTG#695
SHARING OF THE 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 one another.
CHORAL ANTHEM: Come, Dearest Lord James Kirkby
UNISON PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION: May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to You, O God, our rock and redeemer.
SCRIPTURE READING: Selected verses from Genesis 32 and 33
MESSAGE: Reconciliation is Possible Pastor Susan Westley Hartley
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN:I Come with Joy GTG#515
WELCOME! NEWS IN, AROUND AND BEYOND THE COMMUNITY
SUNG PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION:God Is Here! GTG#409
CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION:
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE:
Pastor: Let’s gather around this planet friendly, holy table, With holy bread & drink
People: The promise of Christ coming alive among us
Pastor: This is the welcome table of God where all who intend to experience the non-physical spiritual dimension of life—
People: And live in relationships of freedom and peace with neighbors
Pastor: Hunger no more! Come to eat! Here, all who long for otherwise elusive grace
People: May enjoy the strong love of God in Jesus Christ.
Pastor: Here you are embraced and held by Self Emptying Love!—
People: One of God’s great and holy names!
Pastor: Come to drink, you are invited into this holy mystery.
People: We are ready!
Pastor: Jesus said: “I am the bread of life. All who come to me shall not hunger, and all who believe in me shall never be thirsty.”
People: We are hungry for Your Love, O God, We are thirsty for Your Deep Peace, O Lamb of God. We seek an unusual gift— an experience of wonder and joy.
Pastor: Come in, Holy Spirit. Open our eyes to the mystery of The living Christ’s presence in our midst. Through the broken bread…
People: We are becoming the Body of Christ—
Pastor: Feeding the hungry!
People: Giving showers and clothes to people who are homeless and extremely poor!
Pastor: Becoming anti-racist! Getting into Good Trouble!
People: Let us praise and pray to God by singing an African hymn!
CONGREGATIONAL SUNG PRAYER:O Lord, Here My Prayer GTG#471
Pastor: Let us lift up names of the people or situations we wish to pray for, concluding with The Lord’s Prayer (Glory to God, page 35 – Mother, Father God…)
BREAKING AND SHARING OF THE BREAD, POURING AND SHARING OF THE FRUIT OF THE VINE
Pastor: The Grace, Peace, Love and Joy of Jesus Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray in unison…
UNISON PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
Gracious, loving God, You have called us to become a body of Christ. Thank you for filling us amidst hunger & thirst. Now send us into the world to do the great work You have called us to do—Find the lost & lonely! Heal wounded souls! Free people, including ourselves, who are not at all free! Give compassion to the vulnerable & marginalized! Love Beauty, Planet & Sky, persist in resisting evil, share by how we live the Message of Jesus, who is the true vine and we are the branches, the Bread of Life, and The Light in the World. Amen.
THE OFFERING OF OURSELVES / INVITATION TO GIVING
OFFERTORY SOLO: Zion’s Walls; Aaron Copland; Joshua Stark, baritone
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
CLOSING HYMN: Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ GTG#526
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE:Goodness Is Stronger than Evil GTG#750
CHARGE TO CONGREGATION
POSTLUDE (and the Light of Christ preceding us into the world): Toccata on Lobe den Herren J. Wayne Kerr
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.
Sunday, May 19th, which is Pentecost & Communion Sunday, at 12:10pm (following Worship Service), please join us for a Bon Voyage Party in honor of Marian Thomas in the Fellowship Hall. Light refreshments will be served as we wish Marian warmest wishes as she embarks on her latest adventure – relocating to Oberlin, Ohio. Please contact Laura Hughes by text or phone at (315) 345-4524 for more information.
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, pants. Backpacks!
- WEEKDAY LUNCH VOLUNTEERS. We could use a few more people to help with making weekday lunches. We have an opening on Wednesdays (to make lunches to be given out on Thursdays).
- Please contact the church office for more information.
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK: (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
Monday, May 6 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, May 7 6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
7:00 p.m. Session Meeting (Fellowship Room)
Wednesday, May 8 7:00 p.m. Zoom Bible Study – contact church office for link (Online) *meets every other week*
Thursday, May 9 5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non-conforming people (Basement)
Saturday, May 11 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
10:00 a.m. Cub Scouts (Westport Rising Room)
Sunday, May 12 8-9:30 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
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:
Wednesday, May 15 8:00 p.m. Mission & Outreach Committee Meeting (Zoom)
Friday, May 17 12:00 noon Westport Center for the Arts’ Brown Bag Concert Series: The Violetta Duo, Dorothy Glick Maglione (flute) & Madelyn Moore (clarinet) (Sanctuary)
4:30 p.m. Willow Woods Spring Program & Graduation (Sanctuary)
Sunday, May 19 PENTECOST SUNDAY – COMMUNION SERVICE
12:10 p.m. Bon Voyage Party for Marian (Fellowship Room)
0 Comments