THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

___________________________________________________

September 17, 2017 10:00 a.m.

Fifteenth 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 Senior Choir

“Surely the Presence”

*CALL TO WORSHIP¹Based on Psalm 105:1-13

Bless God, dear friends, with all our strength, bless God’s Holy name. Bless God, dear friends, and never forget God’s gifts-

Bless God, dear friends, with all our strength, bless God’s Holy name. Bless God, dear friends, and never forget God’s gifts-

God works righteousness; does justice for all who are oppressed. God offers unending mercy and steadfast love.

Bless God, dear friends, with all our strength, bless God’s Holy name. Bless God, dear friends, and never forget God’s gifts-

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God’s love toward those who are faithful. Aa a parent has compassion for children, so our God has compassion for us.

Bless God, dear friends, with all our strength, bless God’s Holy name. Bless God, dear friends, and never forget God’s gifts-

*HYMN “O My Soul, Bless Your Creator” (Insert)

*OPENING PRAYER¹

Compassionate God, draw near to us.

Surround us with confidence in your good news:

that you love us as parents love their children;

that your mercy is boundless and generous,

that you beckon us always and will wait forever

as we find our way back to you.

Open our hearts to receive your compassion;

and then show us how to forgive,

so that we may be signs of resurrection

hope in our troubled world.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

*SONG OF PRAISE "Gloria Patri”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.

We Listen for the Good News

CHILDREN’S TIME Blessing of School Children and Staff

CHOIR MUSIC “Fairest Lord Jesus”

SCRIPTURE READING Romans 14:1-12

One: Welcome those who differ,

But not for the purpose of quarreling over

opinions.

Left side: Some believe in eating anything,

Right side: while others eat only vegetables.

Left side: Those who eat must not despise those who

abstain,

Right side: and those who abstain must not pass

All: for God has welcomed all.

Left side: Some judge one day to be better than another;

judgement on those who eat;

Right side: while others judge all days to be alike.

All: Let all be fully convinced in their own

minds.

Left side: Those who eat, eat in honor of Christ.

Right side: while those who abstain, abstain in honor of Christ:

All: And give thanks to God.

Left side: We do not live to ourselves,

Right side: and we do not die to ourselves.

Left side If we live, we live to Christ,

and if we die, we die to Christ:

All: So then, whether we live or whether we die,

we belong to Christ.

One: For to this end Christ died and lived again,

to be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Left side: Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister?

Right side: Why do you despise your brother or sister?

All: For we all stand before the judgment seat of God.

One: It is written, “As I live, says the Holy One, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.”

All: So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

GOSPEL READING Matthew 18:21-35

SERMON “Extending God’s Grace”

Pastor Rev. Jacoba Koppert

We Respond to the Good News

INVITATION TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

PASSING THE PEACE

Having received God’s forgiveness and grace, we are invited to offer that same forgiveness and grace to one another.

That is not always easy. May God help us forgive as we have been forgiven.

God stands ready to help us bring peace into the world. May God lead us to offer our peace in this sanctuary and then 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.

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 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 Help Us, Accept Each Other”

1. 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 our-selves accepted

and meant to love and live.

2. 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.

3. Let your acceptance change us,

so that we may be moved

in living situations

to do the truth in love;

To practice your acceptance,

until we know by heart

the table of forgiveness

and laughter’s healing art.

4. God, for today’s 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 “Let There Be Peace on Earth”

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant

to be. With God our Creator, children all are we.

Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:

To take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally! Let there be peace on earth

and let it begin with me.

*POSTLUDE

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

¹Service Prayers for the 15^th Sunday after Pentecost are written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain. Copyright 2017 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.

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 today’s service is given by Delores Johnson in loving memory of her sister, Erma.

Today: 7:30 p.m. “Weird Book” Study.

Calendar

Monday, September 18- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, September 19 – 5:30 p.m. Trustees meeting;

6:30 p.m. Deacons/Deaconesses; 7:30 p.m. Church Council.

Wednesday, September 20 – 3:30 p.m. CD’s and Confirmation; 7 p.m. Sr. Choir practice.

Thursday, September 21– 10:30-11:30 a.m. Memory Café.

Saturday, September 23 – 2:00 p.m. Mitchell Erickson and Cassie Suda Wedding.

Next Sunday, September 24 – Confirmation (Signing of Confirmation Covenant and giving out Bibles)

Needed: Radio sponsors for 2018 – check with Audrey

Looking for coffee hosts – check out the bulletin board for a date you can volunteer for. Thank you!