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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June 4, 2017 9:00 a.m.

Pentecost 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 Karen Mohr

“In Thee Is Gladness” (J.S. Bach)

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING MUSIC Senior Choir - Joe Anderson, Director

“Look At the World” (John Rutter) Rachel Anderson, soloist

*CALL TO WORSHIP(John 20:19-22)

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them and said,

“Peace be with you.”

After he said this, he showed them his hands and his

side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the

Lord. Jesus said to them again,

“Peace be with you.”

As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he

had said this, He breathed on them and said to them,

“Receive the Holy Spirit.”

*HYMN “Spirit of the Living God (sing twice) #155

*CALL TO CONFESSION

The Holy Spirit has been given to each of us. A Spirit that intends for us to work for the common good. Let us confess the ways we do not accept the Spirit’s gifts and the ways we hoard our gifts from working toward the benefit of all.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Gracious God, we confess we regularly miss seeing your Spirit among us. We deny our abilities and squander the time the Spirit has entrusted to us. We see the needs, but too often claim we don’t have the gifts or the time. Forgive us Lord. Help us to rely on your Spirit; give us the courage to use the gifts you have given us for the common good.

*WE OFFER OUR OWN PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Do not fear. God forgives us all through the love of Jesus. God has new opportunities for each of us whereby we will be able to glorify our Lord and make a difference in the world. Receive God’s forgiveness and take up the challenge to renew your commitment.

*PASSING THE PEACE

On the first Pentecost, no one felt any kind of peace. Everyone was bewildered and amazed.

Sometimes when God’s Spirit is at work in us, we feel that way too.

Peace is not always our first experience. However, when it is truly the Spirit of God at work in us, we will eventually find ourselves at peace.

May the Holy Spirit stir us up so that we are moved to action, bringing God’s peace into the world.

(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 ”Hallelujah"

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

Halle, halle, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

We Listen for News of the Resurrection

CHILDREN’S TIME “The Story of Pentecost”

CHOIR ANTHEM “The Spirit Sings” (Mark Hayes)

Accompanied by Karen Mohr & Deon Spangler

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Acts 2:1-21

SERMON Pastor Jacoba Koppert “Invest in the Vision”

We Respond to the Good News

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS (See Insert)

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

INVITATION TO OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

“For the Beauty of the Earth” (Gordon Young)

*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 “Strengthen the Church”

Faithful God, we love your church and celebrate its continuing work among us. Help us to share the Gospel in new ways so more people can hear it in the languages they speak. Bless our investment in the ministry of this church and churches throughout the UCC. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Sacrament of Holy Communion¹

Pastor: God be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.

People: We give them up to God.

Pastor: Give thanks to God our Creator, to Jesus Christ

whose death and resurrection brings new life and to

the Holy Spirit who guides us.

Pastor: Praise to you the Divine Creator. Thank you for the gift of life, the beauty of nature, the wisdom of the law, and your steadfast loving kindness.

Praise to you Divine Redeemer. Thank you for sharing our human existence; from birth through death to everlasting life you have shown us a way worth imitating, bringing healing and hope to those most in need.

Praise to you Divine Sustainer thank you for the vision to see beyond the immediate, a calm in the midst of storm, the strength to build an ever-expanding community and the courage to bring about any change necessary within our lives.

*SONG OF PRAISE “Praise with Joy the World’s Creator”

Praise the Maker, Christ, and Spirit, one God in Community calling Christians to embody oneness and diversity. Thus the world shall yet believe when shown Christ’s vibrant unity.

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION/REMEMBRANCE

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

Holy God, descend your Spirit upon these gifts of grain and grape that they might be for us the presence of the living Christ and pour out your Spirit upon us so that we might be taken, blessed, broken, and distributed so that others might know the blessings of living in communion with you and one another. Through Christ, with Christ and in Christ in the unity

of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours Almighty God, now and forever. Amen.

BREAKING AND POURING

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

SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP

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. The Deacons/nesses will serve the gluten free bread; Pastor Jacoba will serve the regular bread in the pews to those who request it. 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.

THE BLESSING

May the presence of Christ, Body and Spirit, keep and

preserve you to everlasting life.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

For the beauty of creation, the gift of life and your presence with us now, we give thanks. Send us now to be channels of your mission in the world, to build your community on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

*HYMN “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” (Inserted in the Strengthen the church Offering bulletin)

*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

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 anonymously by a faithful radio listener.

Calendar

Monday, June 5- 9 a.m. Quilting Session; (come and join us);

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

Thursday, June 8 – 1:30 p.m. Circle of Friends meeting;

Wisconsin Conference Annual meeting begins today; Pastor Jacoba, Sue Vornholt and Wendy Sigurdson attending.

Friday, June 9 – Annual Meeting at Green Lake.

Saturday, June 10 – Annual Meeting at Green Lake.

Next Sunday, June 11 – Annual Meeting (last day)

9 a.m. Summer Worship.

¹Communion liturgy is written by the Rev. Dr. Bob Gross, OCC, Senior Pastor at Evangelical and Reformed United Church of Christ, Waukesha, WI and adapted by Pastor Koppert. Copyright 2017 Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ, Cleveland, OH. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS²

Carol and David Harnisch and Krista Hamm

INVITATION

SENTENCES

QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES

Pastor: Do you desire to affirm your baptism into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?

Candidates: I do.

Pastor: Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?

Candidates: I do.

Pastor: Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

Candidates: I do.

Pastor: Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?

Candidates: I promise, with the help of God.

Pastor: Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in the Christian faith and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, celebrating Christ’s presence and furthering Christ’s mission in all the world?

Candidates: I promise, with the help of God.

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

Pastor: Let us unite with the church in all times and places in confessing our faith in the triune God.

Do you believe in God?

People: I believe in God.

Pastor: Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

People: I believe in Jesus Christ.

Pastor: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

People: I believe in the Holy Spirit.

ADDRESS

QUESTIONS ABOUT PARTICIPATION

Pastor: Do you promise to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing regularly in the worship of God and enlisting in the work of this local church as it serves this community and the world?

Candidates: I promise, with the help of God.

WELCOME AND RECEPTION

Pastor: Let us, the members of the United Church of Christ Neillsville, express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ.

*People: We welcome you with joy in the common life of this church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit may we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love and be witnesses of our risen Savior.

GREETING IN CHRISTIAN LOVE

Pastor and Representative Vice Moderator, Craig Sigurdson

In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the United Church of Christ Neillsville, we extend to you the hand of Christian love, welcoming you into the company of this local church.

PRAYER

BENEDICTION

Pastor: Go in peace of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God.

Announcements

Check out the sign-up sheets on the Bulletin Board

Book Study Sunday, June 18 & 25 – 7:30 p.m.

“Weird Church” – “Welcome to the Twenty-First Century

By authors Beth Ann Estock and Paul Nixon

This book is about where the church has been in the past, where it is today and how led by the Holy Spirit it can be recreated for the 21^st Century.

Order Books for Book Study ($16)

Orders will be placed on June 5

“Tulips, Tea and the Ordinary”

Thursday, June 15 – 2:30 p.m.

Fellowship Hall

Pastor Jacoba will share pictures of her trip. We will enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee) some typical Dutch breakfast foods and bars or cookies. There will be tulip pictures but mostly she wants to offer a glimpse of everyday Dutch life. Sign-up so we know how many people to expect. This program will also take place at the Memory Café the same day, only in the morning at 10:00 a.m.

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

Summer Music

The Music Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the special music this summer. Playing the piano, singing, playing an instrument. Groups, families, children are all welcome. Please contact Betty Barr or anyone on the music committee.

Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723900