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 28, 2017                                                              10:00 a.m.

                                   

The Seventh Sunday of Easter

Memorial Sunday

Mental Health Sunday

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 WORSHIP1 (Adapted from Psalm 66) Sue Vornholt

Leader:    No matter who you are or where you are on lifeÕs journey, you are invited here today to bless and to praise God.

People:      We will let the sound of GodÕs praise be heard loud and clear, from every one of us.  

Leader:     Somehow, despite all the pitfalls along the way, all the trials and tribulations in each of our lives, God has kept us among the living.

People:  We have been confined and burdened; we have walked through fire and water; we have been tested to the max, but now we have become as true as silver.    

Leader:     God has heard me, because in my heart I cherish truth and not wickedness.

People:    God hears us all and continues to love us with a steadfast and undying love.

All:          Together let us praise God!

 

*HYMN                      ÒGod of Our FathersÓ                    #687

 

*CALL TO CONFESSION1

And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true

God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 11;3) Let

us now be bold to state those things that have kept us

separate from this knowledge and from God.  

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION1

                 Let us cast all our anxiety on you, O Bearer of Burdens, as we seek to follow in your footsteps. Even when we are reviled, even when we feel abandoned, even when we suffer physically and mentally and emotionally, we ask that you will help us to remember that we are, no matter what, your children. Even when we pretend to hide from you, ashamed of our wandering, ashamed of our weakness, we know you will find us and forgive us when we ask. We want to resist evil, and to remain steadfast in our faith, because we know there are many who share in our suffering. Direct us toward them, O Healing God, that we might not shy away but instead deeply engage those who are in need of your love. Amen.

*WE OFFER OUR OWN PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON (I Peter 6:12)

     The God of all grace, who has called you to eternal glory in Christ, will restore, support, strengthen and establish you.  To God be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

    

 

 

*PASSING THE PEACE

     Some people have a hard time finding peace. They need our help.

     May God help us share the peace we know through our faith in Jesus Christ.  

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     

ÒGetting Help When We DonÕt Feel so Good.Ó

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                                                  Eileen Zank   

          ÒAmerica the BeautifulÓ                               (Lorie Line)

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS

I Peter   4:12-13; 5:6-11                            Sue Vornholt

John 17:12 The Message

 

SERMON                                                Pastor Jacoba Koppert

ÒOffering SupportÓ

 

We Respond to the Good News

*HYMN        ÒLead Us from Death to LifeÓ                insert

 

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                                                Eileen Zank

*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

      You have given us the gift of your child, Jesus Christ, so            that we might all know the one true God.  Everything we     have been given has the purpose of shaping us be of one      heart and mind with Christ, and so we offer what we have   to you.  Bless these honest gifts as we bring them that we               all might do the work of God.  Amen.

 

*HYMN          ÒBattle Hymn of the RepublicÓ                     #692     

*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                                                           Eileen Zank

 

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

1 This Liturgy for Mental Health Sunday was put together by MHN Executive board member Carrie Bail.

The United Church of Christ Mental Health Network works to reduce stigma and promote the inclusion of people with mental illnesses/brain disorders and their families in the life, leadership and work of congregations.  mhn-ucc.org

 

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 Mildred Lawson in memory of her husband, Arlo and their families and in honor of their family and friends.

 

Calendar

Monday, May 29 -  Memorial Day (Office Closed)

6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, May 30 – 2:30 p.m. Neillsville Care & Rehab service; Pastor Jacoba leading.

Wednesday, May 31 – 6 p.m. ÒSpring CleaningÓ continues here at the church.

Next Sunday, June 4 – Pentecost Sunday (Wear RED)

TIME CHANGE – 9:00 A.M. SUMMER WORSHIP TIME

Communion (in the pews) Senior Choir singing; 

3 p.m. Serving Communion at Neillsville Retirement Community.

 

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