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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May 21, 2017                                                              10:00 a.m.

 

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Church Volunteers Honored

Graduates Honored

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

            ÒPrelude and Fugue in FÓ    (J.S. Bach)

           

RINGING OF THE BELL               

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS  

 

GATHERING MUSIC

              ÒYou Are Welcome HereÓ                          Marty Parks

                        Senior Choir, Directed by Joe Anderson

 

CELEBRATING OUR VOLUNTEERS

 

*HYMN     ÒGod, Whose Giving Knows No EndingÓ

                                                                       (pg. 5&6 Bulletin)

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP1                              

Leader:    We are grateful for the community of this congregation and the presence of God among us.

People:   God has brought us together and Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit so we are never alone.     

Leader:     May the ever-present love of God be with you.  

People:  May the joy of Christ surround you.    

Leader:     May we know the presence of the Advocate as we gather in this community of peace, continuing to share the cost of discipleship with deeds of bold mercy and courageous justice.  

All:          As an Easter people following the Risen Lord, may the life of Jesus live on in us and through us. Amen.    

 

*PRAYER1   Holy Advocate, at times we become anxious and afraid that you are not with us, and that our lives lack meaning and purpose. You have called us to do great things, but we focus instead on what we lack, rather than on Whose we are. By your mercy help us to live out the commandments of Christ within and beyond these walls, in this hour and beyond this hour, and in so doing, may we become the very presence of justice, hope and peace.  

*PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON1

All of us have been created and called to be in community. 

Know this, but more importantly, live this: as GodÕs children, we are loved and equipped for great ministry. 

Follow JesusÕ commandment to love boldly as you are held in the grace and love of God.

 

*PASSING THE PEACE

      Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Jesus.

     No matter our troubles or our fears, as we believe in God and in Jesus our Lord we find peace.

May 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.")

 

*OUR RESPONSE OF JOY  ÓHallelujah"

      Halle, halle, hallelujah, Halle, halle, hallelujah.

      Halle, halle, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

 

We Listen for News of the Resurrection

CHILDRENÕS TIME      ÒClose to YouÓ  

 

THE CHOIR SINGS   

          ÒDown to the River to PrayÓ                   (Sheldon Curry)

The Senior Choir Directed by Joe Anderson

 

SCRIPTURE READING  

I Peter 3:13-18    (The Message)      Sue Voigt

John 14:15-21                                   Sue Voigt

 

SERMON ÒYou Have THE AdvocateÓ  Pastor Jacoba Koppert

 

We Respond to the Good News

*HYMN        ÒLeaning on the Everlasting ArmsÓ             #87

 

HONORING OUR GRADUATES

          Loyal High School

Rachel Anderson 

daughter of Joe & Kris Anderson 

Neillsville High School 

Sam Craig

 son of Nathaniel & Cindy Craig

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE         

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

              ÒBe Thou But NearÓ  (J.S. Bach)

*THE DOXOLOGY

      Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!

      Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!

      Praise Him, all ye heavenly host Alleluia!

      Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Alleluia!

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

 

*HYMN          ÒGod Will Take Care of YouÓ                        #56

 

*THE BENEDICTION

*CHORAL RESPONSE "Christ is Risen"

Soar we now where Christ has led. Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Our the cross, the grave the skies, Alleluia!

 

*POSTLUDE                                                          Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

 

1Community Advocate: Service Prayers for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, United Church of Christ. Copyright 2014 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.  

 

   Congratulations Rachel & Sam!

 

Words Copyright ©1961; renewal 1989 by The Hymn Society. All rights reserved. Used by permission.  Reprinted under OneLicense.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  The radio broadcast portion of our worship service today is given by Ruth & Bob Schmidt in memory of sister, Eunice Artac.

 

Calendar

Monday, May 22 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-anon; Newsletter Week (Please have your News article in the office by Tuesday,

May 23.

Wednesday, May 24 – 6:30 p.m. VBS meeting at Calvary.

 

Fellowship/Coffee Hour  - looking for volunteers to serve – Sign-up on the bulletin board.