WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
November 30, 2025
PRELUDE: Two Noels from Burgundy arr. Olive Russell
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE: The Capps Family
Reader: In ancient times, people lit candles and placed them in wreaths during the winter as a sign of hope, as they prayed for the light to return. Christians adopted this practice and used Advent wreaths as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas.
Reader: To us, these candles are signs of the growing light of Christ who is coming again in all fullness to illumine the shadows of our lives. In Advent, we wait for Christ’s return with hopeful anticipation, lighting candles to remind each other of God’s promises.
Reader: The Prophet Isaiah writes, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined… For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Reader: Today, we remember the prophets of old, who demanded to be heard, who dared to speak of a child to come, unexpected liberator of the people, vulnerable incarnation of the Holiest of Holies, a new name for God.
Congregation: Today, we give thanks for the prophets among us, who bring to us surprising new visions of hope, who challenge us to think outside the box, who show us a future we never anticipated.
Reader: On this first Sunday of Advent, we light this candle as a symbol of the prophets who renew our faith and remind us of what may be.
OPENING HYMN: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus GTG#82
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED OF GOD:
All: Prince of Peace, wars, conflict, and competition betray our addiction to violence, our destructive ways. We want lives that are larger and lovelier than that. In all of this, you remain faithful, a steadfast source of peace amid our warring madness. Holy God, turn us away from harm-doing. Return us to Christ’s path of peace. May you grant us a fresh start this Advent season. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE: (from 2 Corinthians 5:17)
One: “Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun.” Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.
All: Thanks be to God!
SUNG RESPONSE: He Came Down (sing twice) GTG#137
[Kids’ 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: Healing Light, guide us by your Word and Spirit that we might hear your truth, heed your call and be prepared for the arrival of Christ’s light in this special season.
All: Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM: Savior of the Nations, Come Toole
MESSAGE: The Art of Subtraction: Simplifying During a Busy Season Rev. Jared Witt
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: (Book of Common Worship)
All: We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; for we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose. We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN (You may rise in Body or Spirit): While We Are Waiting, Come GTG#92
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: Come, Come Emmanuel (sing twice) GTG #91
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, BLESSINGS, 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: (from 2 Peter 3:8-15)
One: “All things in heaven and earth belong to God, who is arriving to transform all things into a new creation.” Let us present our tithes and offerings to the Lord.
OFFERTORY SOLO: Gesu Bambino arr. Mark Hayes Emma Witbolsfeugen, soprano
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: Christ calls us to live generous and grateful lives. Divine Giver, take these gifts we offer today and use them to fulfill Christ’s ministry through our lives. May these gifts help to free the captives, heal the sick, comfort the lonely, feed the hungry, heal the wounded. As Christ’s hands and feet, use us in service to building your beloved community.
All: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: Watchman, Tell Us of the Night GTG#97
CHARGE AND BLESSING
POSTLUDE: Coventry Carol arr. Lani Smith
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.
- 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.
- Our FALL PLEDGE DRIVE is coming to an end. We have $87,826 in pledges so far. You can place your pledge card in the offering plate, turn it in to the church office, or submit your pledge online at westportpresbyterian.org/pledge-drive/
- Thinking Environmentally with Presbyterian Young Adults – Environmental justice is an activating and vital issue for young people considering their futures on this planet. Some of these folks have come together as the Creation Action Network of Presbyterian Young Adults. Let’s hear what they have to say! Learn about this new space; come think with and alongside people ages 18-35 doing faith-based activism. Hear about the environmental justice issues that are close to the heart of this group, and explore some of the theological underpinnings motivating their work. WEBINAR DATE: Thursday, December 4, 2025 TIME: 6:30 p.m. (Central) PRESENTER: Emma Marshall, CANOPY Organizer REGISTER: https://presbyearthcare.org/thinking-environmentally-presbyterian-young-adults/
- ADVENT BIBLE STUDY on Zoom | December 4, 11, and 18 | 7:30 pm Eastern | 3 Sessions
The Gospel of Luke offers our most extensive biblical look at the anticipation of Jesus’s advent. Through angel visits, the enthusiastic response of faithful women, the lowly circumstances of the birth, and the earliest days of the incarnation, the Gospel trumpets the significance and shape of God’s appearing among us in Bethlehem. Join the Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton for a three-week engagement with all this wonder.
You only need to register one time in order to attend all 3 sessions. Registration closes on December 2, 2025. Cost: $10. Link to register: https://yalebiblestudy.org/event/luke-1-and-2/
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.
- WINTER WEATHER CLOTHING DRIVE: As cooler weather approaches Westport Showers will be collecting coats, hats, gloves, warm socks, shoes and boots. Look through your closets and see if you have any extra items you can donate.
- BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED & PAID PART-TIME POSTITIONS AVAILABLE: Westport Center for the Arts, an non-profit organization founded by our church that has dedicated itself to bringing free art exhibits, concerts, dance performances, etc to the neighborhood, has several positions that need filling. They need a board president to set a meeting agenda and keep track of who is doing what, and they are looking to fill several paid positions: Photographer, Grant Writer, Visual Arts Program Director. If interested, email [email protected] or speak with Josh Stark or Deanna Capps.
CHRISTMAS AT WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH:
- Sunday, Dec. 14 11:00 a.m. Lessons & Carols Service (Sanctuary) Special Musical Worship Service
- Saturday, Dec. 20 11 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Holiday Cookie Sale Fundraiser (Fellowship Room) Homemade Cookies by the Pound – Volunteers & Bakers Needed
Sign up sheets are at the back of the Sanctuary let us know if you can help! Contact James Capps for more information. - 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Carol Sing (Chapel) Come sing-along to your favorite Christmas songs, requests welcome!
- Wednesday, Dec. 24 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (Sanctuary)
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK: (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
- Monday, Dec. 1 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room) - Tuesday, Dec. 2 4:30 p.m. Centering Prayer and Silence – 20 min (Chapel)
6-8 p.m. Administrative Committee: Staff Reviews - Wednesday, Dec. 3 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Committee Meeting (Online)
- Thursday, Dec. 4 5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non-conforming people (Basement)
- Friday, Dec. 5 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Resource Center Open & Sack Lunches Distributed (Storefront)
11:30 a.m. Children’s Mercy Healthy Families (Fellowship Room) - Saturday, Dec. 6 8:30 a.m. Private Rental – Meeting (Storefront)
9:00 a.m. Willow Woods Santa Breakfast (Fellowship Room)
10:00 a.m. Cub Scouts (Westport Rising Room)
7:00 p.m. KC English Dance (Westport Rising Room) - Sunday, Dec. 7 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
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)
12:15 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
LOOKING AHEAD:
- Tuesday, Dec. 9 7:00 p.m. Session Meeting (Fellowship Room)
- Sunday, Dec. 14 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
11:00 a.m. Lessons & Carols Service (Sanctuary) - Friday, Dec. 19 12:00 p.m. Westport Center for the Arts: Brown Bag Concert Series: Ad Astra Duo (Sanctuary)
Nativity Illustration by Zack Capps
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