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 29, 2017 10:00 a.m.

Fourth 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 Eileen Zank

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING MUSIC Senior Choir – Joe Anderson, Director

“God is So Good/Where he Leads Me” (John Coates Jr.)

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Hear what the LORD says, “Rise, plead your case before the mountains and let the hills hear your voice.

People: Yes, God has issues with us; we have failed to be faithful.

Leader: We want to make up with God, but God is not interested in our sacrifices, or in our apologies.

People: With what shall we come before the LORD?

Leader: The LORD has told us what is good and what the Lord requires of us.

People: Yes, we know: to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God.

Leader: Do this and many will be blessed.

*HYMN "O Grant Us Light” #48

We Confess Our Sin and Seek God’s Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of Glory and Power, we praise you for the blessings you bestow upon all creation. We confess there are some people we have a hard time blessing. At the same time, we do not recognize your blessing of the poor, grieving and sick. We wonder why you let them, and us too, struggle. Forgive our insensitivity and our inability to see your blessing and presence in all things.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Pastor: Blessed are those who know God loves them. Blessed are those who accept God’s forgiveness. Receive God’s blessing.

People: Blessed are those who do justice, embrace faithful love and walk humbly with our God.

*PASSING THE PEACE

Blessed are those who work for peace; blessed are those who offer peace, even to those who do not deserve our care and compassion.

We will work for God’s peace; we will offer Christ’s peace to all.

Let us share God’s peace with one another as a sign of our willingness to work for peace in all places. 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 Patri”

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

CHILDREN’S TIME “Jesus on the Mountain”

THE CHOIR SINGS “Folk Beatitudes” (David Eddelman)

SCRIPTURE READINGS Micah 6:1-8

Matthew 5:1-12

MEDITATION Pastor Jacoba Koppert

“Recognizing the Blessed”

We Respond To God’s Faithfulness

*HYMN “Blest Are They” (Matthew 5:3-12) (pg. 6 bulletin)

LITANY FOR THE UCC’S MINISTRY OF HEALTH

AND HUMAN SERVICES

One: Let us pray together:

All: In love, God calls us to health and wholeness in our own lives:

One: For all who care for us emotionally, physically and spiritually;

For all who hold us, encourage us and challenge us,

who stir us emotionally to make healthy response

to the ebb and flow of living;

For all who provide guidance and support for our sexual and mental health,

All: We give you thanks. In love, God calls us to mission

among those in need:

One: For all who offer food or shelter or a listening heart;

For all who gently hold a troubled hand

or sit silently in simple accompaniment;

For all who offer therapy or surgery,

who bring intervention or enable rehabilitation

with a full measure of hope,

All: We give you thanks.

In love, God calls us to care for the least among the children of God:

One: For all who honor and care for those who are aging,

who rock babies and children in need of comfort

in an unkind and terrifying world;

For all who offer care in community clinics

and at health fairs,

who diligently work to end epidemics,

who value the disabled among us;

For all who see each person's worth

and actively oppose discrimination,

All: We give you thanks.

In love, God calls us to open our hearts

to the meaning of discipleship:

One: Grant that we may have the wisdom and will,

O God, to embrace the healing and service ministry

of Jesus Christ and make it truly our own.

All: Inspire us, Holy One, to trust that your healing love

will use our humble efforts to bring

health and wholeness to us

and to the whole human family.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

The Lord’s 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.

PRAYER RESPONSE "Every Step of the Way"

(Christopher Grundy)

Help me do the justice to be done today.

Help me love kindness in all I do and say.

Help me walk humbly with you,

O God I pray every step of the way, every step of the way. (Repeat song)

INVITATION TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY Eileen Zank

*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 “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life” #190

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE "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 in the light of God,

We are marching, (we are marching) Oo-Oo

We are marching in the light of God,

We are marching, (we are marching) Oo-oo.

We are marching in the light of God.

OneLicense.net A-723900

*POSTLUDE Eileen Zank

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

TODAY: Congregational ANNUAL MEETING following worship downstairs in Fellowship Hall. Refreshments will be served by Deacons/Deaconesses. Hope to see there.

*Silent Auction BEGINS TODAY! Check it out downstairs in the north room by the west door.

Announcements

Health and Human Services Sunday

Today, we observe Health and Human Service Sunday in the United Church of Christ. Alongside many other congregations, we celebrate the UCC’s long, faithful heritage of advocating justice and extending care and compassion in Christ’s name, here in our congregation, across this nation, and around the world.

For hundreds of years, the UCC and its predecessor denominations courageously founded schools, hospitals and orphanages at times when such services were scarce and needs were great.

Today, more than 400 health care centers, affordable housing and retirement communities, homeless shelters, and service centers for children, youth, families and older adults, bear witness to the United Church of Christ’s continuing testament of mercy and kindness.

Today, we give thanks for these diverse ministries, and lift them in our collective prayers, as we celebrate the UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries and its many member institutions. Let us remember that they are not an “extension” of the church. They are the church in action! And their bold witness is ours!

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 in honor and loving memory of Anita Miller who would have celebrated her 100^th birthday on January 31^st; given by her children: Gary Miller, Glen Miller, Linette Kuhn, Wendell Miller, Steve Miller, Janice Miller, Dan Miller and Jeff Miller.

Calendar

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

Wednesday, February 1– 3:30 p.n. C.D.’s & Confirmation.

Saturday, February 4 – 7 a.m. UCC Men’s Club Breakfast.

Next Sunday, February 5 – Installation of New Church Officers; Communion; 3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community

“CHILI FEED” Wednesday, February 8 - 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Check out the bulletin board for ingredients/help that will be needed. (If you signed up to bring ingredients for the chili – Please have here by Tuesday, February 7.)

Looking Ahead at the Calendar

Tuesday, February 21 – 12 Noon Second Half Group meeting; catered lunch served by M&M; $7.50 plus tip payable at the meeting. Guest Speaker – Pastor Jim Mohr “A Tale of Two Mexico’s.” Sign-up on the bulletin board.

Sunday, February 29 – “Brian Sirchio Sunday.”

Palm Sunday Chorus Rehearsals – for Marhfields’s 64^th Palm Sunday Concert will begin at 1:30 PM January 29 at First Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Lincoln Av. in Marshfield. Future rehearsals will be held on Sundays from 1:30 to 3:30 PM with additional rehearsals the weekend of the April 9 concert. Our guest conductor this year is Lucinda Thayer, professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Music will be loaned to you at no cost. Previous experience in a vocal group is preferred but if you able to carry a tune, follow choral direction, and blend in with 4-part harmony, you are welcome to join us. We hope to see you there.