THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

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April 9, 2017 10:00 a.m.

Palm Sunday/Palm Passion Sunday

All who are comfortably able are invited to stand at those

places in the service indicated by an asterisk*

We ask you to please turn off all telephones and electronic devices.

We Gather to Worship God

PRELUDE Karen Mohr

“All Glory, Laud, and Honor” (David Paxton)

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING MUSIC Senior Choir – Joe Anderson, Director

“The Palms” (Faure)

CALL TO WORSHIP Philippians 2:5-11, adapted

Leader: Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

People: Who did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,

Leader: But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,

People: Born in human likeness, and found in human form,

Leader: He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death.

People: Even death on a cross.

Leader: Therefore God highly exalted him,

People: and gave him the name above every name.

Leader: So that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend in heaven and on earth,

People: And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

Leader: To the glory of God!

People: And all glory, laud and honor to our Redeemer, King,

Leader: All praise to the One who rides on a donkey and hears our praises; to the One soon to be crucified and raised from the dead.

ALL: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of our Lord.

*HYMN “All Glory, Laud and Honor” vs 1 & 3 #249

We Confess Our Sins and Seek God’s Forgiveness

*CALL TO RECONCILIATION

How shall we come before God in Jesus Christ? Though assured of his grace, it is only in speaking the truth of our betrayal and denial that we will be set free. The peace of forgiveness only becomes real as we reveal our sin to God. Let us confess what we know is true about ourselves.

*UNISON PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

Holy Jesus, we confess that we have not followed You and Your ways. We have not become humble. We have not served others well. The crosses we claim to bear affect us, yet the crosses you ask us to bear intend to bring life to the despised and hopeless. We sing your praises, yet the injustice over which you weep, does not move us to action. Forgive us Lord, show us this week how we can carry a cross that alleviates suffering, bringing hope and new life. We proclaim you are Lord, help us live as if that is true for us.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION

*RESPONSE “Kyrie, Eleison” (‘Lord, Have Mercy’) (Sing twice)

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Our tongues have confessed, now let our hearts and lives reflect the One who saves the world. Through Jesus Christ we are forgiven as he tells us, go and sin no more.

May God help us be faithful.

*PASSING THE PEACE

Friends, peace that passes understanding is only fully known when it is shared. The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

(All are invited to greet others with handshakes or hugs while saying to them "The peace of Christ be with you" and responding "and also with you.")

SONG OF FAITH "Ubi Caritas” (pg. 4 bulletin)

(Where charity and love are found, God is there.)

We Listen for the Word of God

CHILDREN’S TIME “Did People Love or Hate Jesus?”

SPECIAL MUSIC Senior Choir

“Sing Hosanna to the King” (Page/Schafferman)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Matthew 21:1-3, 6-11, 26:14-27:54 Selected Verses

SERMON “Judas, Peter, and the Centurion”

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

We Respond To God’s Faithfulness

*HYMN “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” vs. 1, 2 &5 #274

THE RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS (page 5&6 Bulletin)

Carol and David Harnisch and Krista Hamm

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR

Our 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.

INVITATION TO OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY Karen Mohr “Beautiful Saviour” (F. Melius Christiansen)

*THE DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God for all that love has done;

Creator, Christ and Spirit One. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN “Go to Dark Gethsemane” #281

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”

What language shall I borrow to thank you, dearest friend; For this your dying sorrow, your pity without end?

May I be yours forever: and though my days be few,

O Savior, let me never out live my love for you.

*POSTLUDE Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS²

Carol and David Harnisch and Krista Hamm

INVITATION

SENTENCES

QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES

Pastor: Do you desire to affirm your baptism into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?

Candidates: I do.

Pastor: Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?

Candidates: I do.

Pastor: Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

Candidates: I do.

Pastor: Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?

Candidates: I promise, with the help of God.

Pastor: Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in the Christian faith and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, celebrating Christ’s presence and furthering Christ’s mission in all the world?

Candidates: I promise, with the help of God.

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

Pastor: Let us unite with the church in all times and places in confessing our faith in the triune God. Do you believe in God?

People: I believe in God.

Pastor: Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

People: I believe in Jesus Christ.

Pastor: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

People: I believe in the Holy Spirit.

ADDRESS

QUESTIONS ABOUT PARTICIPATION

Pastor: Do you promise to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing regularly in the worship of God and enlisting in the work of this local church as it serves this community and the world?

Candidates: I promise, with the help of God.

WELCOME AND RECEPTION

Pastor: Let us, the members of the United Church of Christ Neillsville, express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ.

*People: We welcome you with joy in the common life of this church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit may we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love and be witnesses of our risen Savior.

GREETING IN CHRISTIAN LOVE

Pastor and Representative Mike Perkl, Moderator

In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the United Church of Christ Neillsville, we extend to you the hand of Christian love, welcoming you into the company of this local church.

PRAYER

BENEDICTION

Pastor: Go in peace of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God.

Announcements

We welcome you to this service of worship. We hope you will experience the love of God and your neighbors. You are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall downstairs for coffee/refreshments and conversation. Whoever you are and wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

Note: You will find the attendance folders in the pews on the center racks of every pew - please take time to fill out the attendance sheet including your full address and return them to the side aisles, ushers will collect them during the last hymn. Thank you.

Radio Broadcast Sponsors – Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is given in loving memory of her father, Nicolaas Koppert.

Calendar

Monday, April 10 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-anon.

Tuesday, April 11 – 10 a.m. Ministerial Alliance meeting at Living Hope.

Wednesday, April 12 – 3:30 p.m. CD’s and Confirmation.

Thursday, April 13

Maundy Thursday

7 p.m. Tenebrae Service with Communion at the altar;

Senior Choir singing.

Friday, April 14

Good Friday

7 p.m. Ecumenical Good Friday Service at Calvary

Ecumenical Choir – Message – Pastor Joe Weirs

Sunday, April 16

Easter Sunday

10 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship

Communion in the pews

Sacrament of Holy Baptism – Kinsley McDonald

Lenten Offering Don’t forget your Lenten Offering. The monies collected are used for local missions.

Coffee Hour Servers – We could use some volunteers! Can you help us out? Sign-up on the bulletin board.

Lilies for Easter – TODAY is the last day to order an Easter Lily(s). The cost is the same as last year. $12.00. (Make your check out to Falls Florist) Order in memory or in honor of someone or for any other reason you may have. Names will be printed in the Easter Sunday bulletin. Please take your lily home with you following the Easter Worship service.

Thank You - We want to thank all who helped with worship and soup suppers throughout the Lenten Season.

Also, a big thank you to all who made the benefit for Krue Czarnecki such a success. His family is very grateful and humbled.

The 64, Palm Sunday Concert of sacred music will be performed at 3 p.m. today at Our Lady of Peace Church in Marshfield. Seventy singers from throughout central Wisconsin have formed this interfaith volunteer chorus. Lucinda J. Thayer, Professor of Music & Director of Choral Activities at the UW of Wisconsin -Stevens Point, will be the guest conductor. Local and area

instrumentalists and soloists will join concert accompanists Kathy Biederwolf of Marshfield and Maxine Johnson of Spencer to compliment the singing. The concert is free and all are invited to attend. (Note: Singing from our church are - Joe, Kris & Rachel Anderson, Betty Barr and Roni Kaczor Smith

Ubi Caritas & Kyrie Eleison

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