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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October 8, 2017                                                         10:00 a.m.

 

Eighteenth 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

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT ÒBackpack MinistryÓ

                                                                        Deb Perkl

 

*GATHERING MUSIC  ÒCome Now, Thou Almighty GodÓ

            Come Holy Comforter, your sacred witness bear in                    this glad hour, your grace to us impart, now rule in                   every heart, never from us depart, Spirit of power!

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP 1                                                   

Leader:   The Spirit descends like a dove, bringing peace to unite the world in a just and caring community.   

People: The Spirit comes like a breath, bringing life to renew the people of God.

Leader:  The Spirit spreads like fire, bringing energy for witnessing to the love of God.  

People:  Spirit of the living God, come to us and transform our lives by your power.

*HYMN   ÒSpirit of the Living GodÓ  (sing twice)           #155           

*GATHERIG PRAYER2

God, you are made known to us

in the rustling wind that blows, 

in the blazing fire that does not consume, 

in the face of the good, 

in the deep of the unknown.  

We meet you here.  We accept your greeting. 

We welcome your inspiration.  

We await the change you have in store for us.

Draw us in to you.  Inhabit our spirits.  Focus our

attention.  

Bring us to you – you who are already with us.

Help us to be as you would have us be.

Through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit, 

here and everywhere, now and always.  Amen

*PASSING THE PEACE

May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith.  

May the power of the Holy Spirit move in and among us.   

Let us make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 May GodÕs peace be made known in and through us.

The peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

 (All are invited to greet others with handshakes or hugs while saying to them ÒThe peace of Christ be with youÓ and responding, Òand also with you.Ó)

 

 

 

SONG OF PRAISE  "Gloria PatriÓ

      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

CHILDRENÕS TIME           ÒGodÕs BreathÓ

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                           Sunday School Children

               ÒThis Little Light of MineÓ  

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS   

              Genesis 1:1-2; 2:3-7

              Ezekiel 37:1-14

              John 20:19-23

 

SERMON   ÒThe Holy Spirit ComesÓ   Pastor Jacoba Koppert

 

We Respond to the Good News

*HYMN          ÒBlessed QuietnessÓ                           #145

 

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           ÒSweet, Sweet SpiritÓ                                #159

 

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE         ÒLet There Be Peace on EarthÓ

      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                                                          Eileen Zank

 

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

1Reprinted with permission from the Book of Worship United Church of Christ © 1986

2Gathering Prayer written by the Rev. Kaji S. Douša, Senior Minister of Park Avenue Christian Church (DOC), New York City. Copyright 2017 All publishing rights reserved.  

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Announcements

 

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 todayÕs service is given in memory of sister-in-law Pat Mohr and dad, Albert Mohr.

 

Today: 3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community; come and join us.

7:30 p.m. Weird Church Book Study.

 

Calendar

Monday, October 9-  6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, October 10 – 9:45 a.m. Memorial Committee meeting; 10 a.m. Ministerial Alliance meeting at UCC.

Wednesday, October 11 – 3:30 p.m. CDÕs & Confirmation;

7 p.m. Sr. Choir practice.

Thursday, October 121:30 p.m. Circle of Friends meeting.

 

Looking Ahead at the Calendar

Tuesday, October 17 – 12 Noon 2nd Half Group meeting; catered M&M lunch $7.50 plus tax payable at the meeting; Ryan Neville, CEO of Neillsville Memorial Hospital will be the guest speaker. Sign-up on the bulletin board.

Sunday, October 22 – Stewardship Sunday (remember to bring back or send in your Òfaith promisesÓ.  Thank you. Congregational Quarterly meeting following worship

 

2018 Radio Sponsors are NEEDED. Check with Audrey.

Looking for Coffee Hosts – sign-up on the bulletin board