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 27, 2017                                                            9:00 a.m.

Twelfth 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                                                               Karen Mohr

  ÒShall We Gather at the RiverÓ with Prelude in C Major

                                                        (arranged Anna Laura Page)

RINGING OF THE BELL               

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP Leader:  Light Print -People: Bold Print

Leader:   God is all around us---

People:  Before us.

Leader:   Behind us.

People:  Above us.

Leader:   And below.  

People:  There is no where we can go where God is not already--- 

Leader:   In the darkness and the daylight,

People: from the highest mountain to the deepest sea,

Leader:  in the morning,

People:  and in the evening,

Leader:  God is with us!  Thanks be to God!

 

*HYMN   ÒCome, We that Love the LordÓ                    #550

*OPENING PRAYER

      Creator God,

      you make us all different,

      giving to each one of us

      special and wonderful gifts,

      inviting us and challenging us

      to share who and what we are

      for the good of community.

 

      In the beauty of our differences,

      remind us that we are one.

      In this time of worship,

      help us to celebrate the Body of Christ,

      and the special place each one of us has in that body,

      through your grace.  Amen.

     

*PASSING THE PEACE

        Jesus says, as I have loved you, love one another.

        As we offer care and compassion to one another, in the name of Jesus, we offer it to Him.

        Offering care and compassion is a step toward the peace Jesus offered. May his love be made known among us as we share GodÕs peace with each other.

(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       ÓHallelujah"

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

      Halle, halle, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

 

We Listen for the Good News

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                                                  Karen Mohr

     

 

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON        Isaiah 51:1-6

 

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON        Romans 12:1-8

 

SERMON                                                              Pastor James Mohr

                  ÒCreated for CommunityÓ

 

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

   United Church Statement of Faith               (front of hymnal)

 

We Respond to the Good News

*HYMN      ÒI Sing a Song of the Saints of GodÓ         (insert)                            

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD'S PRAYER

      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

   ÒCome, We That Love the LordÓ                     (Michael Shea)

*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       ÒHelp Us Accept Each OtherÓ

                                                                 (written by Fred Kaan)

      Help us accept each other

      as Christ accepted us;

      teach us as sister, brother,

      each person to embrace.

      Be present, God, among us,

      and bring us to believe

      we are ourselves accepted

      and meant to love and live.

 

      Teach us, O God, your lessons,

      as in our daily life

      we struggle to be human

      and search for hope and faith.

      Teach us to care for people,

      for all, not just for some,

      to love them as we find them,

      or as they may become.

 

      Let your acceptance change us

      so that we may be moved

      in living situations

      to do the truth in love;

      to practice acceptance,

      until we know by heart

      the table of forgiveness

      and laughterÕs healing art.

 

      God, for todayÕs encounters

      with all who are in need,

      who hunger for acceptance,

      for righteousness and bread,

      bring us new eyes for seeing,

      new hands for holding on;

      renew us with your Spirit;

      God! Free us, make us one!

*THE BENEDICTION

 

*RESPONSE  "Lead Us from Death to Life"   

Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,

from despair to hope, from fear to trust.

Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace;

let peace fill our hearts, let peace fill our world, let peace fill our universe.     

          

*POSTLUDE                                                          Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

 

Thank You  Pastor Jim for leading us in worship today.


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 church member.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar

Monday, August 21- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Saturday, September 2 – 7 a.m. UCC MenÕs Club Breakfast;  all are welcome – bring a friend!

Next Sunday, September 3 – 7:30 p.m. Weird Book Study.

Note:  Communion will be served on Sunday, September 10.

 

Looking Ahead at the Calendar

Monday, September 4 – Labor Day (Office Closed)

Wednesday, September 6 – 4 p.m. Stewardship Committee meeting; 7 p.m. Sr. Choir practice; come and join the choir! Men, women and High School Students are NEEDED!

Sunday, September 10TIME CHANGE 10:00 A.M. WORSHIP; Communion; (Intinction)

Wednesday, September 133:30 p.m. CDÕs & Confirmation; 7 p.m. Sr. Choir practice

Sunday, September 179 a.m. SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS; Blessing of the Backpacks; 9 a.m. Mission Committee meeting.