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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July 9, 2017                                                                9:00 a.m.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

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                                           

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                          

Leader:   Come, my friends, Jesus welcomes all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens.

People: We come seeking to learn from him how to find rest.

Leader:  Jesus invites us to take his yoke upon us.  

People:  His yoke challenges us to change our hearts and lives so that we might find the promised rest.  

Leader:   Come, let us worship God, praising with Jesus the Lord of heaven and earth. Let us put on the yoke Jesus offers.

*HYMN      ÒPraise My Soul, the King of HeavenÓ           #339

 

 

We Confess Our Sin and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION Psalm 145:8, 9. 14

The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.  The LORD upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.

Trusting in GodÕs grace and mercy, seeking GodÕs compassion, let us bow down and confess our sin.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

O God, we are in need of your redeeming grace. We confess our doubts: sometimes when things are rough we wonder if you are nearby. We confess our desire for control: sometimes we are sure of how you should work in our lives and world. We confess our despair: we see what is taking place around us and we lose hope. Forgive us and help us trust you. Open our hearts to your presence and healing power. Take our burdens and grant us your rest.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION

 

*ASSURANCE OF GODÕS FORGIVENESS

Hear the good news, dear friends! Jesus releases us from our burdens. Place your trust in his love. His forgiveness is genuine; our relationship with God is restored.

*PASSING THE PEACE

Jesus wants to help us carry our burdens.

We are grateful for his willingness to help us.

As we find rest and peace, he invites us to help others to also live in faith, finding peace. As we proclaim the peace of Christ among us, let us also be open to the ways we can carry one anotherÕs burdens.

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 PRAISE ÒTheyÕll Know We Are Christians by

                                          Our LoveÓ

All praise to the Father, from all things come,

And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son,

And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:

And theyÕll know we are Christians by our love,

by our love,

Yes, theyÕll know we are Christians by our love.

We Listen for the Good News

CHILDRENÕS TIME                                                   

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                                      

 

SCRIPTURE READING       Matthew 11:16-30      SERMON               ÒYokedÓ                    Rev. Jacoba Koppert                                         

We Respond to the Good News

*HYMN    ÒLeaning on the Everlasting ArmsÓ                    #87

 

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

      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      ÒGod Be with You ÔTil We Meet AgainÓ        #523

 

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE    "Father, I Adore YouÓ

Father, I adore you, and I lay my life down before you;

      How I love you.

Jesus, I adore you, and I lay my life down before you;

      How I love you.

Spirit, I adore you, and I lay my life down before you;

      How I love you.

 

*POSTLUDE                                                         Eileen Zank

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

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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 Doris Bakker for the church family.

 

Today:  NO ÒWeird ChurchÓ Book Study today;

6:30 p.m. ÒKick-Off Potluck DinnerÓ

VBS Kids, Parents and anyone who wishes to come are   INVITED!

 

Calendar

Monday, July 10 – 1-5 p.m. VBS Day Camp at Calvary;

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

Tuesday, July 11  - 10 a.m. Funeral Committee meeting;

1-5 p.m. VBS Day Camp at Calvary.

Wednesday, July 12 – 9 a.m. Music Committee;

1-5 p.m. VBS Day Camp at Calvary.

Thursday, July 13 - 1-5 p.m. VBS Day Camp at Calvary.

5 p.m. Closing program and pizza for all

Sunday, July 16 - 9 a.m. Worship; 7:30 p.m. Weird Church Book Study, chapters 3 and 4

 

 

 

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.  The committee is also searching to hire a new choir director.  If you know of any possible – speak to them.

 

 

 

Luther Park Bible Camp Vacation Bible School Day Camp

Monday, July 10- Thursday, July 13

1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Join Calvary Lutheran and the United Church of Christ

At Calvary Lutheran Church

(Today) Sunday, July 9

At 6:30 p.m. for a ÒKick-Off Potluck Dinner

VBS Kids and Parents & Anyone Else Who would like to come are INVITED!

All children Entering 4K-6th Grade are Invited to the Luther Park Bible Camp!

On Thursday, July 13 at 5 p.m. there will be a Program

Followed with Pizza for ALL

 

Contact Calvary Lutheran at 715-743-2225 to register or

Registration forms are on line –  In the UCC Newsletter or the church office