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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August 6, 2017 9:00 a.m.

Ninth 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 WORSHIPPsalm 145, selected verses

Leader: Let us lift high our God who reigns over all the earth and bless God’s name forever.

All: Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever.

Leader: The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

People: You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.

Leader: The Lord is near to all who call on God, to all who call on God in truth. Let us open our mouths and sing praises to the Lord.

*HYMN “We Praise Thee, O God Our Redeemer” #334

We Confess Our Sin and Seek God’s Forgiveness

CALL TO RECONCILIATION¹
The Lord is not mean-spirited or vengeful. God is gracious and merciful, always willing to listen to our prayers, and to hear our hearts. Let us join in the prayer for forgiveness, saying,

UNISON PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS¹
We are sure we do not have enough
to end hunger in our communities, Holy God.
     Forgive us that we forget that, by your
     presence and power, very little can do so much.
We believe we are the only ones
who carry heartache around with us.
     Forgive us, Compassion's Heart,
     that we do not see, or embrace
     the despair of those around us.
We think we do not have the words
with which to offer hope and healing to strangers.
     Forgive us, Welcoming God, for not having
     the courage to run up to them with your grace.
We convince ourselves that we need to devote
all our time, our energy, our resources, our lives
on keeping up with others.
     Forgive us for not living that joyful,
     gracious life modeled for us by you,
     Jesus our Brother.

SILENCE IS KEPT

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Listen! Receive the One who loves with great compassion. God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. In the name of Jesus, we are forgiven; through the power of the Holy Spirit we will be shown how to live faithfully.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE

As we feed the hungry and give hope to the hopeless, we will know peace.

We are willing to show compassion to all in need.

May the peace of Christ be among us.

May we offer humbly that peace to all who hunger for love and justice in 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.”)

SONG OF PRAISE “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”

God is giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,

Wellspring of the joy of living,

ocean depth of happy rest!

Loving Spirit, Father, Mother,

all who love belong to you;

Teach us how to love each other,

by that love our joy renew.

We Listen for the Good News

CHILDREN’S TIME “Fed”

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 14:13-21

SERMON “YOU Feed Them” Rev. Jacoba Koppert

We Respond to the Good News

*HYMN “I Surrender All” #408

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING¹
May the God who has set our table be with you.
And also with you.
Lift your hungry hearts to our God.
We offer them to the One who feeds us with grace.
God gives us all we need in every moment.
Our mouths will sing God's praise in these moments.

Pastor continues prayer…
With those who have been fed by your love,
with those who drink deeply of your joy,
we lift our songs of thanksgiving to you:

Holy, holy, holy are you, God of gracious love.
All creation rejoices in you.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One filled with great compassion.
Hosanna in the highest!

Pastor continues prayer…
We need not go away empty,
but are fed at the Table,
where we speak the truth in Christ:

Christ died, the witness to obedience;
God raised Christ, the witness to the resurrection;
Christ will come, the witness to the promises to us.

BLESSING, BREAKING AND POURING

Pastor continues prayer…

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 kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

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 bread; Pastor Jacoba will serve the gluten-free wafers 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.

PRAYER OF THENAKSGIVING

Compassionate God, we thank you for feeding us the bread of life, and offering us the cup of salvation. Filled with your love, send us out to feed the hungry and offer love to all who desire community. As we have received, help us to be compassionate to all you have named as our sisters and brothers in Christ. Amen.

*HYMN “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ” (insert)

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE "Make Me a Blessing” Al Haley

Make me a blessing, touch me today.

Lord, please use me, in your own way.

Washed of your spirit, humble and low,

into your service, Lord, let me go.

Lord, take these hands: Lord, take these feet

into the paths you bid me go;

Lord make my life complete.

Short is our time, Lord, help us to know,

where we may serve you, then bid us go.

Make me a blessing, touch me, I pray;

Lord, please guide me, oh, Father, today.

*POSTLUDE Eileen Zank

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

¹ Adapted by Pastor Jacoba from Lectionary Liturgies (copyrighted) 2017 by Thom M. Shuman

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 Neil and Corinne Armitage in loving memory of son, Ben.

Today: 3:00 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community; you are welcome to join us;

7:30 p.m. “Weird Church” Book Study; Chapter 7

Calendar

Monday, August 7- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Thursday, August 10 – 12 Noon Circle of Friends Annual Potluck Picnic here at the church. You are welcome to join them!

Next Sunday, August 13 – “Fair Sunday” 9 am Worship Service at the Clark County Fairgrounds in the WCCN tent.

UCC and Calvary joining together in worship; come to the south entrance…handicap parking is available near the tent. (No admission if you tell them at the gate you are attending the church service.) NEEDED: Donations of bars/cookies for Coffee/Beverage/Fellowship following the service. Sign-up on the bulletin board. (Bring your donations to the fairgrounds) Thank you.