WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
13th Sunday after Pentecost
August 23, 2026
PRELUDE: Take My Life and Let it Be arr. R. Hughes
CALL TO WORSHIP: (from Matthew 4)
One: People of God, on the adventurous way we call faith, what will you eat?
All: The word of the Lord is our daily bread.
One: People of God, when you are pulled towards comfort and ease, how will you live?
All: Our faith is in the faithfulness of God.
One: People of God, at this pivotal moment in God’s new realm, whom will you serve?
All: We worship the Lord our God alone.
OPENING HYMN: #1 Glory to God Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED OF GOD: (from Genesis 2-3)
All: Lord God, you know the ways of good and evil. You know the things that tempt us and the things that give us life. You know our nakedness and you know our sin. Have mercy on us, we pray: cover us with your grace, feed us with the bread of life, and re-create us in your image; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE: (from Psalm 32)
One: Happy are those whose sin is forgiven! Be glad in the Lord and shout for joy: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
All: Thanks be to God!
SUNG RESPONSE: #519 Glory to God You Are My Strength When I Am Weak (Sing 2x)
[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: God of light, your wisdom is right here, speaking truth to us in love.
All: We pray for you to open our eyes, our ears and our hearts so we may drink in all that you have for us to learn today. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING: Genesis 3:21-24 (page 3) Romans 5:12–21 (pages 145-46)
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE: Before the Fall: Sinning, Version 2.0 Rev. Dr. Jared Witt
MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: #649 Glory to God Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound (verses 1-3)
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: #417 Glory to God Lord Jesus, Think on Me (verse 1)
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: Paul wrote that we are the body with many members, each with a different function. Our gifts are myriad, yet our calling is common: to return to God that which we have received according to God’s grace.
OFFERTORY: Grace of Mercy by Orlando Gibbons arr. R. Zimmerman Emma WitbolsFeugen, soprano
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: God of Abundance, we have received blessings from you and today we hear your call to share our time, our talent and our treasure with your beloved community. May these gifts bring your light, love and hope to all who need them.
All: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: #440 Glory to God Jesus, Lover of My Soul (verses 1, 3-4)
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE: Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy arr. L. Shackley
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.
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, Aug. 24 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Fellowship Room)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room) - Tuesday, Aug. 25 4:30 p.m. Centering Prayer and Silence – 20 min (Chapel)
- Wednesday, Aug. 26 7:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee Meeting (Zoom)
- Thursday, Aug. 27-3:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. Resource Center Open & Sack Lunches Distributed (Fellowship Room)
5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non- conforming people (Basement) - Friday, Aug. 28 11:30 a.m. Children’s Mercy TIES Group (Fellowship Room)
6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. WCA Disability Pride Event: Art Exhibit Closing Reception (Chapel & Fellowship Room) - Saturday, Aug. 29 8:30 a.m. Private Rental – Meeting (Living Room/Library)
7:00 p.m. KC English Dance (Westport Rising Room) - Sunday, Aug. 30 6:30-9:00 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
10:00 a.m. Book Discussion Group
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)
LOOKING AHEAD:
- Monday, Aug. 31 9:00 a.m. -2:30 p.m. Heartland Presby Ecumenical Leaders Gathering (Fellowship Room)
- Monday, Sept. 7 LABOR DAY HOLIDAY (Church Office Closed)
- Sunday, Sept. 13 Choir Resumes – Welcome Back Singers!
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