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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March 12, 2017                                                       10:00 a.m.

Second Sunday of Lent

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

RINGING OF THE BELL                       

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

GATHERING MUSIC                                                 Eileen Zank

                      

 *CALL TO WORSHIP           

Leader:    Apart from the presence of God, Nicodemus knew, Jesus could do no signs.

People:   When we separate ourselves from God, we miss seeing the signs of the Kingdom of God in our midst.     

Leader:     In this very room, God in Jesus Christ comes to us.     

People:     God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.     

Leader:   Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

People:   Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Leader:    Let us worship God.

 

*HYMN          "Lift High the CrossÓ                                                 (pg. 5)

 

We Confess Our Sins and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION1

 Most merciful God, we confess we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, and by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and follow in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS           

*RESPONSE ÒKyrie, EleisonÓ (ÔLord, Have MercyÕ) (Sing twice)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON1

God hears the confession of our hearts and lips. Through Jesus Christ we are forgiven all our sins, and by the Holy Spirit we are empowered for new life.

We believe the good news of Jesus Christ.

*PASSING THE PEACE

      Forgiven of all our sin, we now are invited to forgive one another. True forgiveness leads to peace.  

      We want the peace made known through forgiveness.

Let us offer to one another the peace of Christ. 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 CaritasÓ                      (pg. 4 bulletin)

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

 

We Listen for the Word of God

CHILDRENÕS TIME          ÒBrave NicodemusÓ

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                                                 Colton Williams

                                    ÒHe Is the LightÓ            Cave Quest

 

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM

   Sidney Ann Sadowska, daughter of Erick & Angela Sadowska

 

SCRIPTURE READING         John 3:1-17

 

SERMON  ÒBorn Again: A New HeartÓ     Pastor Jacoba Koppert

                                             

We Respond To GodÕs Faithfulness

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

THE 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                       ÒTake My LifeÓ                  (pg. 6)           

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE                        "Lead Us from Death to Life"   

       Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,

       from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate        to love, from war to peace; let peace fill our hearts,

            let peace fill our world, let peace fill our universe.     

          

  *POSTLUDE                                                             Eileen Zank

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

1Reprinted from Book of Worship © 1986 by permission of the United Church of Christ Office for Church Life and Leadership

 

Live in charity                        Ubi caritas      (Sing twice in Latin)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ubi Caritas & Kyrie Eleison

Copyright ©1991, Les Presses de Taize (France) Used by permission of GIA Publications, Inc. Chicago, exclusive agent.  Reprinted under

OneLicense.net A-723900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 1974 by Hope Publishing Co.  All rights reserved.  Used by permission. Reprinted under One License.net A-723900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Ð Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is given by Glenna Rhoads Marg in loving memory of Herb Rhoades.

 

Calendar

Monday, March 13 Ð 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-anon.

Tuesday, March 14 Ð 10 a.m. Minister Alliance Meeting St. MaryÕs; 2:30 p.m. Neillsville Care & Rehab Service; Pastor Jacoba leading.

Wednesday, March 15 Ð 3:30 p.m. CDÕs and Confirmation;

6 p.m. Soup Supper here at Calvary; 7 p.m. LENTEN Service at Calvary; ÒSea of Galilee.Ó

Thursday, March 16 Ð 10-11:30 a.m. Memory CafŽ.

 

Soup Supper Ð On the bulletin board you will find a sign-up sheet where you can help with our soup supper by donating ingredients for our soup and other items needed for our supper along with HELP needed to serve/clean-up.  Thank you.

 

LENTEN FOLDERS - in the pew racks and on the table in the Narthex for those of you that wish to use them. The Lenten monies are collected for local missions.

 

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Ð Look for the One Great Hour of Sharing envelopes in the pew racks.  This special UCC offering helps support disaster, refugee and development actions.  Thank you for your support!

 

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

 

Second Half Group Ð 12 Noon - The Second Half Group will be meeting on Tuesday, March 21.  M&M serving lunch; $7.50 plus tip payable at the meeting. ÒWhatÕs New at the Aging & Disability Resource Center?Ó Presented by Mary Sladich. Sign-up on the bulletin board.

 

Lilies for Easter Ð ItÕs time to order a lily(s) for Easter.  We are taking orders now.  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.  Deadline will be Sunday, April 9.  Names will be printed in the Easter Sunday bulletin.