WESTPORT RISING WORSHIP SERVICE
THANKSGIVING SUNDAY/CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
November 24, 2024
PRELUDE: Nun danket alle Gott Johann Crüger, setting by Edmund Shay
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: In terms of the ancient Church calendar, today is the last Sunday of worship.
All: This Sunday is named “Christ the King” or “Reign of Christ” Sunday.
One: Next Sunday, we will gather for worship on the first Sunday of Advent.
All: But today, we pause and rest, looking back on the past year – in all its fullness.
One: Goodness appears in a thousand guises – it meets us in meals, conversations, and service; in nature, poetry, music, architecture, friendship and family life.
All: And now as we pause and look back, we entertain the possibility that in all this ordinary goodness, the risen Christ appears in camouflaged humility.
One: Grateful for every trace, glimmer, and clue – let us offer our best to the One who loves us.
OPENING HYMN: Now Thank We All Our God GTG#643
UNISON CONFESSION OF OUR NEED FOR GOD:
All: How can we say this simply? We need transformation. We need renewal. We are tired and discouraged. We are restless and bent out of shape. We don’t flourish when our lives feel isolated and alone. Forgive all the ways we veer and swerve away from you, the world’s womb and dwelling place. Bring us back home – into a belonging to each other, and to you.
SILENT CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE:
One: The One nicknamed Alpha and Omega; ancient fount and future hope of the world – the One who glimmers warm in the ordinary kindness you give and receive – this One never tires of loving us back onto the path, welcoming us back to wisdom, back to the simple way of Jesus.
All: Thanks be to God!
SUNG RESPONSE: Live in Charity (English & Latin) GTG#205
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST:
One: The peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us share the peace of Christ with one another.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 2 Samuel 23: 1-7 John 18: 33-37
One: May God bless the reading of Holy Scripture.
All: Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM: Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies setting by Kyle Johnson
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
One: O Lord, we have been using this nickname “God” so long and so often that we have lost touch with the eruption of newness it seeks to express. Hold us tight and bear us forward into a future bristling with aliveness.
All: Amen.
MEET OUR NEWEST MEMBERS Aveline Sweeney & Madison Irwin-Hall
MESSAGE: What’s New About Faith? Rev. Jared Witt
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: At the Name of Jesus GTG#264
WELCOME: News In, Around, and Beyond the Community
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying GTG#469
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER: (Our Mother and Father in heaven…)
THE OFFERING OF OURSELVES/INVITATION TO GIVE:
One: O Lord, receive these gifts and fan the small flames of our giving into warmth and kindness here in our neighborhood and beyond.
All: Amen.
OFFERTORY SOLO: This Is My Prayer text: Rabindranath Tagore Emma Witbolsfeugen, soprano music: Gwyneth Walker
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
One: Holy Mystery, receive these small gifts we bring – our effort, our wealth, our time, and our lives – and enlarge them in order to bring to birth a world of kindness, mercy, and friendship.
All: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: We Gather Together GTG#336
BLESSING:
One: Love God, love yourself, love your neighbor. May God’s Spirit wake us into fresh and surprising possibilities. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
All: Alleluia! Alleluia!
POSTLUDE: Many and Great (LAQUIPARLE) Setting by Nicholas Palmer
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.
- INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CHURCH? We will be receiving new members to the congregation this Fall. If you’re interested or just have questions, contact Pastor Jared!
- Our FALL PLEDGE DRIVE is coming to an end. The Session has set a goal of $100,000. Please prayerfully consider what you are able to give in the coming year to help us reach our larger goals of making space for God’s grace here at Westport Presby. Our mission is to uncover what Jesus is doing now—here in the heart of the city—and follow him! PLEASE HELP US REACH OUR GOAL by submitting a pledge card TODAY! Or submit your pledge online at westportpresbyterian.org/pledge-drive/ We have $86,620 in pledges so far!
- Join us after church today for a FRIENDSGIVING POTLUCK in the fellowship room. Following the meal we will also be decorating the Church for Advent/Christmas. All are welcome!
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, Nov. 25 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
Tuesday, Nov. 26 4:30 p.m. FREDitation – a centering prayer experience – 20 min (Chapel)
6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
Thursday, Nov. 28 & Friday, Nov. 29 7:00 p.m. THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY (Church Office Closed)
Resource Center and Westport Showers Closed for Holiday
Saturday, Nov. 30 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
Sunday, Dec. 1 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 (Sanctuary)
Children’s Sunday School (Upstairs Children’s Room)
12:00 p.m. Friendsgiving Potuck (Fellowship Room) & Decorating the Church for Advent/Christmas
LOOKING AHEAD:
Saturday, Dec. 7 7:00 p.m. KC English Dance (Westport Rising Room)
Friday, Dec. 13 12:00 p.m. WCA Brown Bag Concert Series: UCM Brass Quintet (Sanctuary)
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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