Westport Presbyterian Church 1835 – present
Season of Pentecost
October 22, 2023
Westport Presbyterian Church — October 22, 2023 11 a.m. (A Unique Place and Space on the Planet Earth)
(Video will be posted LIVE on the church’s FB page at 11am and then cross-posted here. 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: Song of the Deathless Voice Omaha melody, harmonized by Arthur Farwell
This and the postlude are a result of the work of Harvard ethnomusicologist Alice Fletcher, who spent decades painstakingly compiling Native melodies. Arthur Falwell’s harmonization reflects the harmonic aesthetic of the 19th century, while his notes make it very clear that he attempted to preserve the religious significance of the music to the native people.
RESPONSIVE CALL TO RETURN TO OUR SOULS: Today, as we share gratitude for the gift of Creation, we acknowledge the Native American tribes/the First Nation/the indigenous peoples who first walked this land: The Kansa/Kaw, Osage, Kickapoo, Ocheti Sakowin, also known as the Sioux. And in the spirit and tradition of those first peoples, let us rise in body or spirit, and join together in acknowledgment.
Drew Irwin: Creator. Holy Spirit, as we gather in your name, we turn to face East: We welcome the color of this direction – yellow for the morning star. We thank you for the eagle which soars ever upward in praise of God, For your lessons calling us to balance of mind in discernment.
ALL: We pray for your spirit of illumination and far-sighted vision. Help us to love you and one another with all our heart, mind, and soul,
as we pray together: Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Marian Thomas: We turn to face South: We welcome the color of this direction – red, the hue of revelation. We thank you for the turtle, close to the earth, and intuitive, For your lessons calling us to balance of body in renewal.
ALL: We pray for your spirit of innocence, trust, and love. Help us to open our eyes to the sacredness of every living thing, as we pray together: Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Jim Turner: We welcome the color of this direction – dark blue, still and quiet. For the bear, mighty and purposeful, For your lessons calling us to balance of emotion in wisdom and honesty.
ALL: We pray for your spirit of introspection, for seeing within. Give us your strength and the courage to endure, as pray together: Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Bobbie Testa: We turn to face North: We welcome the color of this direction the white of clarity and brightness. We thank you for the buffalo, strong and nurturing, For your lessons calling us to balance in harmony with brothers and sisters everywhere.
ALL: We pray for your spirit of wisdom and grace. Give us the goodness of the ages, as we pray together. Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Leader: We look downward and face Earth.
ALL: Mother Earth, enfolding all beings with the beauty of compassion, nurturance creativity and peace. We give you thanks.
Leader: We turn to complete the circle and to look upwards.
ALL: Father Sky, who cleanses the earth with snow, wind, and rain. We give you thanks.
Leader: God, Creator of all; Jesus Christ who fills us with the wideness of mercy and embraces us all, and Holy Spirit who inspires us.
ALL: Hear our prayers.
Leader: Great Spirit, hold us and hear us. .Aho. Mitakoye Oysasin. (All my relations)
–Adapted from Worship at the 219th General Assembly in Minneapolis, Minnesota
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Many and Great, O God, Are Thy Works GTG#21
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
God, we seek your forgiveness, healing grace, and guidance as we take steps toward building mutually respectful, compassionate, and loving relationships with Native American peoples, and all of us who, as your children, seek healing for your Creation and shalom for all peoples.
–Adapted from an apology for the Doctrine of Discovery presented by the
222nd General Assembly, and delivered to the Alaska Federation of Natives
SUNG RESPONSE CELEBRATING GOD’S GRACE: Heleluyan, We Are Singing (SING 3 TIMES, singers will do as a round) GTG#642
Refrain: Heleluyan, we are singing. Hele, heleluyan. Heleluyan, now and always. Hele, heleluyan.
1. Christians everywhere shall sing now and always: hele, heleluyan (2x)
2. Town and country people sing to Jesus: hele, heleluyan (2x)
3. People far and near will join the chorus: hele, heleluyan (2x)
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: Exodus 33: 12-23; Psalm 99: 1-4 (Inclusive Bible);
YHWH reigns,
And the nations tremble!
You who are enthroned on the cherubim,
Let the earth quake!
YHWH is even higher than Zion and exalted among all the nations;
Let them praise your Name,
Great and Awesome One.
You are holy and mighty,
a Leader who loves justice,
Who established honesty, justice and righteousness in Israel!
You have done this!
We exalt you, YHWH, YHWH,
And we worship at your footstool.
You are holy!
Matthew 22: 15-22
CHORAL ANTHEM: Creator, Open Our Hearts text: Alycia Longriver Davis,
Native American Micmac
music: Andrew Birling
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
Leader: Let the words of my mouth
People: And the meditations of our hearts
Leader: Be acceptable to You,
People: O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
MESSAGE: “Sacred Circles of Creation” Diane Waddell
(Beginning and ending with “Cherokee Morning Song” chanted by Joshua Stark) “I Am of the Great Spirit, and It Is So”
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: The Lone, Wild Bird STF#2052
WELCOMING Bobbie Testa
UNISON PREPARATION FOR PRAYER:
Creator, open our hearts to peace and healing between all people.
Creator, open our hearts to provide and protect for all children of the earth.
Creator, open our hearts to respect for the earth, and all the gifts of earth.
Creator, open our hearts to end exclusion, violence, and fear among all.
Thank for for the gifts of this day and every day.
MORNING PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER:
As Christ teaches us we pray:
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of Your name echo through the universe!
The way of Your justice be followed by the peoples of the earth!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For You reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.
Amen. –from the New Zealand/ Māori Anglican liturgy, The New Zealand Prayer Book
OFFERTORY SOLO: The Universal Soldier words & music by Buffy Sainte-Marie; Emma WitbolsFeugen, soprano
Offering link
UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
God, Creator, we share this offering in gratitude for your gift of the Great Circle of Creation and for your Love- and Live-giving. Help us be stewards of Earth and honor all created beings through the drumbeat of our daily lives. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: This Path We Walk. text: Curtis Tufts, tune: O Waly Waly (found in Glory to God #202)
BENEDICTION
SUNG BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Insert This Path We Walk (Last Stanza)
This life we share, a blessing deep;
a promised gift, now ours to keep.
God grant our words were spoken true,
now clothed in life, each day anew.
POSTLUDE: Song to the Spirit harmonized by Arthur Farwell
Song of the Ghost Dance (please see note in Prelude)
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 are mourning the sudden death, August 26, of our beloved pastor REV. SCOTT MYERS. We welcome DIANE WADDELL who is leading our worship service today.
• If you need pastoral care, please contact the church office. Rev. Eric Garbision has volunteered to be on call and available to the congregation.
· 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!
• 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.
• Stan Morgan’s art exhibit continues in our church gallery spaces. Tell your friends, neighbors, family, co-workers to come and see the amazing lifetime works of this great artist and human being!
STAFF:
Music Director………………………………………………………………………………Emily Davidson
Office Manager………………………………………………………………………………Deanna Capps
Custodians……………………………………………..Jose (Chico) Jimenez & Marisel Myers-Aronson
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK: (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
Monday, Oct. 23 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, Oct. 24 7:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
Wednesday, Oct. 25 6:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee Meeting (Fellowship Room)
6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible Study – contact church office for link (Online) *meets every other week*
Thursday, Oct. 26 5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non-conforming (Basement)
Friday, Oct. 27 11:00 a.m. Children’s Mercy TIES Group (Fellowship Room)
7:00 p.m. Westport Center for the Arts’ The Dancing Word: “Carrying the Ancestors’ Stories” (Center for Spiritual Living, 1014 W 39th Street, KCMO 64111) Presented Free, Donations Welcomed.
Saturday, Oct. 28 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
10:00 a.m Cub Scouts (Westport Rising Room)
10:00 a.m. WCA Board Meeting (Fellowship Room)
2:00 p.m. Westport Center for the Arts’ The Dancing Word: “Carrying the Ancestors’ Stories” (Center for Spiritual Living, 1014 W 39th Street, KCMO 64111) Presented Free, Donations Welcomed.
Sunday, Oct. 29 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: Susan Hartley, worship leader (Sanctuary) Children’s Sunday School (Upstairs Children’s Room)
12:15 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
CONTACT INFORMATION:
www.westportpresbyterian.org
info@westportpresbyterian.org (church contact)
816-931-1032
Follow us on Facebook at: facebook.com/westportpresbyterian
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