THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

___________________________________________________

February 5, 2017                                                      10:00 a.m.

Fifth 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

   ÒLead On, O King Eternal

       with The Lord Is My Light       (arranged by Anna Laura Page)

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

GATHERING MUSIC     Senior Choir – Joe Anderson, Director 

            ÒEagles WingsÓ            (Michael Joncas)     

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP1      

Leader:            Called to be light,    

People:           We would carry GodÕs hope into the shadows of the world.  

Leader:            Called to be salt,    

People:           we would enhance the lives of those around us, with joy.

Leader:            Called to live in GodÕs reality,

People:           We would welcome everyone as sisters and brothers in faith.

 

*HYMN             "We Praise Thee O GodÓ                              #3

                                                 

 

*CALL TO RECONCILIATION1

This is what God hopes for us – that we will speak of the mistakes we make, so we might be forgiven. Relying on the Spirit for the right words, let us pray together.

*PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS1

It is true we break your commandments, God of our lives. Much worse, we break your heart when we point the finger at those who are different from us; and when we fail to recognize you in the people you put in our path. Forgive us, Loving God, we pray. We long to know your ways, so open our ears to hear those words we always ignore. Open our eyes to your presence in the world that our hearts might be filled with the love of Jesus Christ in whose name we prayÉ.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON1

Pastor:  God will show us the way to GodÕs realm. Gracious and merciful, filled with steadfast love is our God of salvation.

People: God rebuilds our lives, repairs our mistakes, fills our emptiness with hope and joy. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.

*PASSING OF THE 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. 

We Listen for the Word of God

CHILDRENÕS TIME            ÒJesus, ÔSays You Are the LightÕÓ

 

CHOIR SINGS ÒGo Make a DifferenceÓ      (Angrisano & Tomaszek)

        

SCRIPTURE READING          Matthew 5:13-20

           

 

MEDITATION                                           Pastor Jacoba Koppert

ÒJesus Announces Our IdentityÓ

 

  We Respond To GodÕs Faithfulness

*HYMN   ÒYou Are Salt for the Earth, O PeopleÓ            (Insert)

 

AFFIRMATION OF MINISTRY2

        GREETING

        Grace, mercy and peace to you from Jesus Christ, the head of the church in heaven and on earth.

        To God, be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever.

 

        INTRODUCTION

 

PRESENTATION

 

      COVENANT

Pastor: Sisters and brothers in Christ, it is an honor to be entrusted with responsibility for particular service in the ministry of  the church whether gathered or scattered. Having prayerfully considered the duties and responsibilities of  your ministry, are you prepared to serve with the help of God in Christ's name and for the glory of God?

 

        Lay Leaders:  I am.

 

Pastor  Do you promise to exercise you ministry diligently and faithfully, showing forth the love of Christ?

 

        Lay Leaders:  I do, relying on God's grace.

 

Pastor: Members of this household of faith, you have heard the promises of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have answered Gods call to service. Let us affirm our intention to live in covenant with them. Will those who are able rise and witness to the commitment we now make?

 

People:  We gather in celebration of the joy that is ours to be partners with you in the service of Jesus Christ. We promise to love you, honor your leadership, and assist  you that together we may be a faithful church of Jesus  Christ.

PRAYER

DECLARATION

GREETING OF CHRISTIAN LOVE

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

INVITATION TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY                                                              Karen Mohr

      ÒBe Not AfraidÓ from ÒElijahÓ               (Felix Mendelssohn)

*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

 

The Sacrament of Holy Communion3

 

Pastor:  Beloved in Christ, this is the joyful feast of the people of God, With the entire company of saints in heaven and earth, we worship and glorify, God Most Holy.

 

People:  Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty, the whole   universe speaks of your glory, O God Most High.  Blessed is the One who comes in the name of our God!  Hosanna in the highest!

 

This is the welcome table of God where all who seek to be at peace with their neighbor and all who seek the mercy of God in Christ are embraced. Come, for we are invited in to this holy mystery. Come.

 

People: We are ready to be at peace with one another and to receive GodÕs mercy.

 

Pastor: Jesus said: ÒI am the bread of life. All who come to me shall not hunger, and all who believe in me shall never be thirsty.

 

People: We are hungry and thirsty. O Lamb of God, we come!

 

Pastor:  We praise you O God for the gift of life given in creation and through Jesus Christ our Lord.  We thank you for his faithfulness and that through his life, death and resurrection we are restored to relationship with you.  We rejoice in your love which frees us from our sin calling us to reconciliation with you and all people everywhere.

 

People:  We praise and thank you, nurturing God, that in Jesus you bring joy and hope to loving hearts, and offer health and power to human relationships.

 

Pastor: We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion, Jesus took his authority as the Christ and offered the bread in thanksgiving and said . . .

 

People: ÒTake, eat. This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.Ó

 

Pastor: In the same way, and by the same authority, Jesus offered the cup in thanksgiving and said,

 

People: ÒTake, drink. This is my blood of the new covenant which is poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it in           remembrance of me.Ó

 

Pastor: Come, Holy Spirit. Come. Bless these gifts of bread and cup and bless us as we receive them. Open our eyes to the mystery of ChristÕs presence in these ordinary things in these our ordinary lives. Through the broken bread . . .

 

People: We participate in the Body of Christ.

 

Pastor: Through the cup of blessing . . .

 

People: We participate in the new life Christ gives.

 

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.

 

Pastor: These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready!

 

The United Church of Christ practices open communion.  People of all ages who confess Jesus Christ as Savior are welcome.  Today we will receive the elements remaining in our pews.  Light colored glasses contain juice and dark glasses contain wine.  Please hold the elements until all have received them and we will commune together as one body.

 

*UNISION PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Gracious and loving God, you have made us one in the body of Christ, and nourished us at your table with holy food and drink. Thank you for feeding our hunger and relieving our thirst. Now send us into the world to do the work you have given us to do: to find the lost and lonely, to heal broken souls, to free prisoners, and make the powerful care. Grant us strength to persevere in resisting evil, and to proclaim in all we say and do your good news in Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.

*HYMN               ÒRenew Thy ChurchÓ                                  #183

 

*THE BENEDICTION

 

*RESPONSE             "Make Me a Blessing"                   Al Hailey

      Make me a blessing, touch me today.

      Lord, please use me, in your own way.

      Washed of your spirit, humble and low,

      into your service, Lord, let me go.

      Lord, take these hands; Lord take these feet

      into the paths you bid me go

      Lord, make my life complete.

      Short is our time, Lord, help us to know

      where we may serve you, then bid us go.

      Make me a blessing, touch me, I pray;

      Lord, please guide me, oh, Father, today.

 

*POSTLUDE                                                              Karen Mohr

 

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

 

1Adapted from lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com by Thom M. Shuman ©2017

2 Reprinted from  Book of Worship ©1986by permission of the United Church of Christ, office of Church Life and Leadership

3Reprinted with adaptation from Worshipping into GodÕs Future – United Church of Christ

 

 

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 by Dan Patey in loving memory of Elvira Patey.

 

Today - CDÕs Outing at Bruce Mound – leaving right after church; 3 p.m. Communion served at the Neillsville Retirement Community. Come and join us.

DonÕt forget to Òcheck outÓ the ÒSilent AuctionÓ downstairs.

 

Calendar

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

Wednesday, February 8– ÒCHILI FEEDÓ

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.) 3:30 p.n.  C.D.Õs & Confirmation.

Thursday, February 9 – 1:00 p.m. Circle of Friends ÒValentines PartyÓ at Neillsville Retirement Community; come and join us.

Friday, February 10 – 9 a.m. Prayer Time; 10 p.m. ÒCalled to CareÓ session.

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 ÒA Tale of Two MexicoÕs.Ó  Sign-up on the bulletin board.

Sunday, February 26 – ÒBrian Sirchio Sunday.Ó

Copyright ©1986 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Reprinted under

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