WESTPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
December 1, 2024
(Video will be posted LIVE on the church’s FB page at 11am and then cross-posted here afterwards. 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: Comfort Now My People Larry Shackley
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: Prepare the Way of the Lord (SING 4 TIMES) GTG#95 (congregation is welcome to play bells/instruments)
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED OF GOD:
All: O quiet light, appear. Come and be with us. Enter our bodies, our faces and places. Shine in our hearts. Life is hard, and we get discouraged. Life is routine, and we grow sleepy. Wake us into the strangeness of this season of Advent, that we might be caught by surprise, and dazzled out of our drowsiness.
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:
One: “Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun.” The sky glows with early morning light. Open your eyes, and your heart. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.
All: Thanks be to God!
SUNG RESPONSE: While We Are Waiting, Come (verse 1) GTG#92
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.
SCRIPTURE READING: Jeremiah 33:14-16 (page 694) Luke 21:25-36 (pages 80-81)
CHORAL ANTHEM: Prepare the Way, O Zion—BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN arr. Mark Schweizer
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
One: Mystery of arriving love, guide us by your word and Spirit, that we might hear your truth, wake into this special season, and be prepared for Christ’s coming this Christmas.
All: Amen.
MESSAGE: Welcome to the Strange World of Advent Rev. Jared Witt
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verse 1) GTG#88
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER: (Our mother and Father in heaven…)
CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION:
THE OFFERING OF OURSELVES/INVITATION TO GIVE:
One: With glad and generous hearts, let us bring our tithes and offerings to the God who has so richly blessed us.
Offering link
OFFERTORY SOLO: Sleepers Wake Johann Sebastian Bach Josh Stark, baritone
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: Take these gifts we offer today, O God, and use them to the fulfillment of Christ’s ministry. May these gifts help to free the captives, heal the sick, comfort the lonely, feed the hungry, heal the wounded.
All: As Christ’s hands and feet, use us too, in service to building your beloved community. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
GREAT THANKSGIVING
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
COMMUNION
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION:
One: Sustaining God, in this holy feast you have nourished our bodies, calmed our spirits, and warmed our hearts.
All: Keep us watchful for ways we can embody your love in the world.
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
CLOSING HYMN: People, Look East GTG#105
BLESSING
POSTLUDE: Variations on “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
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 meets in the 2nd floor Children’s Space, Sunday mornings during the 1st half of worship, beginning at 11:00 am. NURSERY care is also available upstairs. Parents are asked to fill out a brief registration form before church begins. (This form only needs to be filled out once).
- 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.
MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES:
- ¬FALL WEATHER CLOTHING DRIVE: To prepare for the colder months ahead Westport Showers is collecting coats, hats, gloves, warm socks, and boots. Look through your closets and see if you have any extra items you can donate.
- 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 bread, fruit, meat, cheese, peanut butter are always needed.
NEW CONNECTION HOUR SMALL GROUPS:
Sunday Mornings
9:30 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. Currently reading When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön.
INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK: (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)
Monday, Dec. 2 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
Tuesday, Dec. 3 4:30 p.m. FREDitation – a centering prayer experience – 20 min (Chapel)
6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
Wednesday, Dec. 4 1:00 p.m. Westport House Holiday Mailing (Fellowship Room)
Thursday, Dec. 5 10:00 a.m. Resource Center Open (Storefront)
11:00 a.m. Sack Lunches Distributed (Storefront)
5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non-conforming people (Basement)
7:00 p.m. Green Party Meeting (Fellowship Room)
Friday, Dec. 6 10:00 a.m. Children’s Mercy Healthy Families (Fellowship Room)
Saturday, Dec. 7 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
10:00 a.m. Cub Scouts (Westport Rising Room)
7:00 p.m. KC English Dance (Westport Rising Room)
Sunday, Dec. 8 8-9:30 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
NEW Connection Hour Small Groups:
9:30 a.m. “Overcoming Dumpster Fire Overwhelm”
10:00 a.m. Book Discussion Group
11:00 a.m. Service of the Lord’s Day: 2nd Sunday of Advent (Sanctuary)
Children’s Sunday School (Upstairs Children’s Room)
LOOKING AHEAD:
Tuesday, Dec. 10 7:00 p.m. Session Meeting (Fellowship Room)
Friday, Dec. 13 12:00 p.m. WCA Brown Bag Concert Series: UCM Brass Quintet (Sanctuary)
Saturday, Dec. 14 8:00 a.m. Willow Woods: Pancakes with Santa Breakfast (Fellowship Room)
2:00 p.m.- Audacious Women Art Show by Gloria Heifner
4:00 p.m. Closing Reception featuring Music by Cassie Weitz & Refreshments
Saturday, Dec. 21 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Holiday Cookie Sale – Fundraiser for Westport Pres Music Program
*Bakers & Volunteers Needed* (Fellowship Room)
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