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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January 22, 2017                                                             10:00 a.m.

Third Sunday after Epiphany

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

           

                       

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

GATHERING MUSIC                                                                                                              

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP 1  (Inspired by Psalm 27)         

Leader:    God is our light and our salvation, whom shall we fear?    

People:   God is our shelter and our refuge on the days of trouble, and our hope and joy on the days of celebration.  

Leader:     Day after day, we seek GodÕs face and the assurance of GodÕs holy love;      

People:  O God, do not turn from us or hide your face from us!

Leader:     One thing we ask of God:

People:   That we may live in GodÕs dwelling place all the days of our life, and never cease to behold the beauty of GodÕs home.

Leader:     Beloved of God, enter this worship in thanksgiving, for God is among and within us!

People:   Thanks be to God!

 

*HYMN            "Praise to the Lord, the AlmightyÓ                #25

                                                 

We Confess Our Sin and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Gracious God, in Christ you speak words of life. Yet we are not so sure we are ready to drop all things to follow Jesus. We like the familiarity of our lives even when we feel empty. We would rather go along with the ways of our culture than risk losing friends or status. You call us to repentance yet we are unwilling to change. Forgive us Holy One, let your kingdom come near us. Transform us so signs of your kingdom are evident in us.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON1

Pastor: Receive the good news: there is no place, not even in our hearts, where the love of God cannot penetrate. God is around and among us, healing, restoring and calling us to new life as one body, united in Christ.

People: Praise be to God for the gift of forgiveness and the promise of peaceful unity.

*PASSING THE PEACE1

      In the spirit of peace and the hope of unity, let us offer each other a sign of ChristÕs peace.

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 PRAISE  "Gloria PatriÓ

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.  Amen.

 

We Listen for the Word of God

CHILDRENÕS TIME            ÒJesus by the LakeshoreÓ                 

SPECIAL MUSIC

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS         

      Matthew 4:12-23 

               

MEDITATION                                            Pastor Jacoba Koppert

ÒCalled OutÓ

 

We Respond To GodÕs Faithfulness

*HYMN           ÒYouÕve Come Down to the LakeshoreÓ       insert

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

The LordÕs Prayer

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

OFFERTORY                                                               Karen Mohr

 

*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 DEDICATION1

God, to you we dedicate these gifts this day. May this act of giving inspire other ways we may reach out to your people, seeking out those who need your nourishing spirit.

And we pray that you will multiply them and the gifts of all your faithful people like loaves and fishes, that your love may be revealed on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

*HYMN                 ÒDear Lord and Father of MankindÓ      #237

OR                  ÒJesus Calls Us, oÕer the TumultÓ                 insert

 

*THE BENEDICTION

 

*RESPONSE             "We Are Marching in the Light of GodÓ

      We are marching in the light of God,

      We are marching in the light of God. 

      We are marching in the light of God,

      We are marching in the light of God. 

      We are marching in the light of God,

      We are marching, Oo-Oo

      We are marching in the light of God,

      We are marching, Oo-oo.         

      We are marching in the light of God.

      Copyright © Plymouth Music Corp. Reprinted under

      OneLicense.net A-723900

 

*POSTLUDE                                                              Karen Mohr

 

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

1A Call to Unity: Service Prayers for the Third Sunday after Epiphany was written by the Rev. Elizabeth Dilley, Minister for Ministers in Local Congregations, UCC. Copyright 2017 United Church of Christ, Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.  

 

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 anonymously by a faithful radio listener.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

2017 Offering Envelopes & 2016 Contribution Statements

Offering Envelopes are on the table in the Narthex for those of you that wanted them and your 2016 Contribution Statement is there.  Please pick them up.  Thank you.

 

Calendar

Monday, January 16 –7:30 p.m. Nar-anon.

Tuesday, January 17 – 5:30 p.m. Trustees; 6:30 p.m. Deacons and Deaconesses; 7:30 p.m. Church Council.

Wednesday, January 18– 3:30 p.n.  C.D.Õs & Confirmation.

Thursday, January 19 – 10-11:30 a.m. Memory cafŽ.

Friday, January 20 – 5:30 p.m. Going to Jewish Temple.

 

United Church of Christ Congregational ANNUAL MEETING Sunday, January 29 following worship downstairs in Fellowship Hall.  Refreshments will be served by Deacons/Deaconesses.  Hope to see there.

 

Take Note:  The ÒSilent AuctionÓ is scheduled to BEGIN on Sunday, January 29.  Another year of having fun outbidding each other. We do need your HELP - We need your donated items/services.  We are asking for NEW items only.  Please sign-up on the bulletin board the items or services you can donate.  THANK YOU!  The final bids will close on Sunday, March 5 at 10:00 a.m. Have fun BIDDING!  Any questions – contact Emile Miller 715-937-4626 or Carla Marty 715-937-007

 

Mark your calendars: ÒChili FeedÓ Wednesday,

February 8 (One Day this year) 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.

Check out the bulletin board for ingredients/help that will be needed.

 

NEEDED:  Coffee Hosts for 2017 – Check out the schedule on the bulletin board.  Can you HELP us out?