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 1, 2017                                                               10:00 a.m.

 

New YearÕs Day

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 the Creator of All Time

 

PRELUDE                                                                     Karen Mohr

  Trumpet Tune on ÒMarch of the KingsÓ              (Gordon Young)             

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

GATHERING MUSIC     Senior Choir – Joe Anderson, Director

            ÒIn the Moon of WintertimeÓ                      (Paul Brandvik)

                                                                                                            *CALL TO WORSHIP          

Leader:    Welcome this new year in GodÕs presence.   

People:   Immanuel! God is with us in this very place and time.

Leader:     When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, all things were made new.    

All:          We come to give thanks for the past and to praise God for the newness of life promised in the birth and resurrection of Christ.   

 

*HYMN           "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past"                    #9                                       

 

Confessing Our Sin, We Seek GodÕs Forgiveness

*CALL TO RECONCILIATION1

Will this year be a time of new life, new ways for us - or will we continue to live the same old way? Let us confess to our God our failures, as well as our hopes, as we begin this year.

 

*UNISON PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS1
We admit that our days are full, God of every moment, so full that we have no time to fill our souls. We make promises to you and to ourselves, but fail to keep them. We arrange outings with our friends, yet ignore Your invitation to sit and talk. We make resolutions to change every aspect of our lives, except for that which pertains

to You.
 Forgive us, God of Glory, and make us new. In the moments to come this year, remind us that if there is a time for everything, then we do have those moments for grace, for hope, for joy, for a relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Silence is kept

 

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON1
It's over - last year is gone. Our words, our thoughts, our deeds are in the past. Today, we begin anew. Today, and every day, God offers us life and hope.
Here, now, forever - we are forgiven and healed. This year, let us live as such people. Thanks be to God. Amen.

 

*PASSING THE PEACE

GodÕs peace is freely given; yet to have peace with one another, there is work to do.

We rejoice in GodÕs peace, realizing at the same time we must work for peace and justice with and for all.

Let us be at peace with God and one another as we honor God with our love for all God created.

 (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             ÒHark the Herald Angels SingÓ vs.1 #94

 

We Listen for the News of Great Joy

CHILDRENÕS TIME            ÒMaking ChangesÓ               

 

THE CHOIR SINGS 

            ÒOnward to BethlehemÓ                                (Hank Beebe)   

        

SCRIPTURE READINGS         

      Revelation 21:1-6a

      Matthew 25:31-46

 

MEDITATION                                            Pastor Jacoba Koppert

  "Making Commitments for the New Year"                

 

We Respond to the New Life Made Known in Christ

*HYMN             ÒLord, I Want to Be a ChristianÓ                 #232   

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

 

INVITATION TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY                                                              Karen Mohr

      ÒThe Three KingsÓ                                          (Gordon Young)

 

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

As with gladness, those of old Did the guiding star behold;

As with joy they hailed its light,

Leading onward beaming bright.

So, most gracious God, may we Evermore be led to thee.

 

As they offered gifts most rare

At that manger rude and bare,

So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sinÕs alloy

All our costliest treasures bring,

Christ to Thee our heavÕnly king

 

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

The United Church of Christ practices open communion. People of all ages who confess Jesus Christ as Savior are welcome.

INVITATION2

Pastor:       Beloved in Christ, the Gospel tells us that on the first day of the week Jesus Christ was raised from death, appeared to Mary Magdalene, on that same day sat at table with two of his disciples, and was made known in the breaking of the bread.

All:     (Singing)                                                   

This is the joyful feast of the people of God—

Men and women, youth and children, come from the east and the west,

From the north and the south—and gather about ChristÕs table.

Pastor:           This table is for all Christians who wish to know the presence of Christ and to share in the community of GodÕs people.

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING1
May the God of new beginnings be with you.
And also with you.
People of God, lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the One who makes all things, including us, new.
Children of God, sing praises to the One who gives you new life.
We praise the One who continues to surprise us with hope and grace.  (pastor continues prayer)

SANCTUS1

Holy, holy, holy, God of every time and space.
All creation sings of Your majesty and glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who gives us the water of life.
Hosanna in the highest! (pastor continues prayer)

 

 

 

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION1

              Christ died, so sin would have no more power over

         us; Christ rose, destroying death's grip on us; when the new

         heaven and new earth come, Christ will make all things,

         including us, new.

CONSECRATION

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

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.

SHARING THE ELEMENTS   We invite you to come forward with your family and friends and serve one another the bread and the cup. There is bread and gluten free crackers; you may take the bread and dip it into the cup (porcelain cups contain grape juice; silver cups, wine) or take the bread, eat it and then receive a single cup (light color is grape juice; dark color is wine). As you offer the bread to each other, say ÒThe Bread of LifeÓ; as you offer the cup, say ÒThe Cup of Blessing.Ó

      Please return to your seats by the side aisles.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING2

Eternal God, you have brought us together to feast at the table of Jesus Christ. We thank you for ChristÕs presence and for his forgiveness and love for all people. By the power of your Holy Spirit, keep us faithful to your will and our commitments. Go with us to the streets, to our homes and to our places of labor and leisure that whether we are gathered or scattered, we may be the servant church of the servant Christ, in whose name we rejoice to pray. Amen.

 

*HYMN              ÒO Jesus, I Have PromisedÓ                                 (Insert)

 

*THE BENEDICTION

 

*RESPONSE              Away in a MangerÓ   

      Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay

close by me forever and love me I pray.

Bless all the dear children in your tender care,

and fit us for heaven to live with you there.

*POSTLUDE                                                              Karen Mohr

 

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

1Reprinted with adaptation from http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/2015/12/new-years-day.html by Thom M. Shuman

2Reprinted with adaptation from Book of Worship, United Church of Christ Copyright 1986 Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.  

2 Light of the World: Service for Christmas Day was written by the Rev. Mark Suriano. 

Copyright 2013 Local Church Ministries, 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.

 

Today:  3:00 p.m. Communion will be served at the Neillsville Retirement Community.  Come and join us.

 

Announcements

 

2017 Offering Envelopes on the table in the Narthex for those of you that wanted them.  Please pick them up if you have not done so.

 

Calendar

Monday, January 2 –7:30 p.m. Nar-anon.

Wednesday, January 4– 3:30 p.n.  C.D.Õs & Confirmation.

Saturday, January 7- 7 a.m. UCC MenÕs Club Breakfast.

Next Sunday, January 8 –  9 a.m. Sunday School resumes.

 

TAKE NOTE CHAIRPERSONS OF BOARDS/COMMITTEES

ANNUAL REPORTS DUE ON MONDAY, JANUARY 9

 

United Church of Christ Congregational ANNUAL MEETING Sunday, January 29 following worship downstairs in Fellowship Hall.

 

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!  Check out some of the ideas of items listed in the Newsletter and on the bulletin board you could donate if you wish. 

 

The final bids will close on Sunday, March 5 at 10:00 a.m. Have fun BIDDING!

 

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.