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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April 23, 2017                                                  10:00 a.m.

 

Second Sunday of Easter

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

                  ÒHymn to JoyÓ                                       (Beethoven)

RINGING OF THE BELL                       

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS  

 

EASTER ACCLAMATION

 

Copyright ©1999, GIA Publications, Inc., Chicago. Reprinted under                                                                               OneLicense.net A723900

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:    Come!  Bring your doubts, your hopes, and your  

               faith.                                                     

People:    Christ is risen!  Alleluia!

Leader:     Come!  Bring your questions, your wonderings, your misgivings.

People:      Christ is risen!  Alleluia!

Leader:   Come! Bring your fear, your sorrow, your joy

People:   Christ is risen!  Alleluia!

Leader:    Come, let us worship God.

People:    Christ is risen!  Alleluia!

All:   Christ is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

 

*HYMN                    ÒCome, We that Love the LordÓ                  #550          

 

We Confess Our Sins and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

     Redeeming God,

     with you there is always more life, more hope, more joy.

    

     When doubt assails us,

     and we fail to recognize you at work in our lives,

     Lord, have mercy!

 

     When fear impairs our faith,

     and our eyes and ears and hearts do not know you,

     Lord, have mercy!

 

     When anger and sorrow stop us

     from doing the risky work of love,

     Lord, have mercy!

 

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

 

 

 

 

*PASSING THE PEACE

     Christ is Risen!  Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among all.

Christ is risen! Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

(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.")!

 

*EASTER ACCLAMATION      

     Jesus, the Lord, is risen!  Alleluia, alleluia.

     Jesus, the Lord, is risen today!  Alleluia, alleluia.      

 

We Listen for the Word of God

CHILDRENÕS TIME   

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                                                  Karen Mohr   

 

PSALM 16

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the LORD, ÒYou are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.Ó

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my    lot.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.

For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.

In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

           

EPISTLE LESSON            I Peter `1:3-9

 

GOSPEL LESSON            John 20:19-31

 

SERMON                                                     Pastor James Mohr

ÒHow Did You Come to Faith?Ó

 

*UNITED CHURCH OF FAITH  (front of hymnal)

 

*HYMN            ÒBlest Be the Tie that BindsÓ              #560

 

We Respond To GodÕs Faithfulness

 

MORNING PRAYERS

 

PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR

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                                            Karen Mohr  

                ÒAssuranceÓ      (arr. John Ness Beck)                                           

*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                   "Be Thou My Vision"                                    #468                             

*THE BENEDICTION

*EASTER ACCLAMATION

            Jesus, the Lord, is Risen!  Alleluia, alleluia.

            Jesus, the Lord is risen today!  Alleluia, alleluia.

 

*POSTLUDE                                                          Karen Mohr

 

We thank Pastor Jim Mohr for leading our worship service today.

 

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 lifeÕs 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 Russell and Susie Karl in thankfulness for our church family.

 

Today:  Following the worship service the 1st Quarterly Congregational meeting will be held downstairs in Fellowship Hall; Deacons and Deaconesses will serve some refreshments; the Quarterly meeting will follow. We hope you will attend this important meeting of your church.

 

Calendar

Monday, April 24 -  9 a.m. Quilters will be meeting; come and join us; 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Wednesday, April 26 – 3:30 p.m. CDÕs & Confirmation

Saturday, April 29- 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Northwest Association Annual meeting at St. PaulÕs UCC in Wausau. Representing our church will be Mike Perkl, Betty Barr and Marge Goetsch.

Next Sunday, April 30 – Leading our service next Sunday will be Sue Vornholt.

 

Looking Ahead at the Calendar

Sunday, May 7 – 10 a.m. Worship; (Pastor Jacoba will be back) Haddie Mathis Baptism.

Saturday, May 13 – 11:00 a.m. Todd WallÕs Celebration of Life service; visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. here at the church.

Sunday, May 14 -ÒMotherÕs Day/Festival of the Christian HomeÓ – 9 a.m. Sunday School (Last session until fall)  (kids will sing during the worship service) 10 a.m. Worship; Confirmation for Arianna Rochester; Commuion/Intiction.

Sunday, May 21  - Baccalaureate Sunday (UCC High School Graduates will be honored)  We will also print the names of any college/tech students that have graduated.   Please give the names/information to Audrey or Pastor Jacoba. Volunteer Recognition Sunday will also take place this Sunday.

 

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

 

The Lamplight Concert  (A benefit for House of Mercy) will be take place on Saturday, May 13 – 2:00 p.m. at the Clark Cultural Art Center, 201 E. 4th St. Neillsville (former United Methodist Church.) Kate Jennings, vocal – Judith Permann, piano.  Refreshments will be served.