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 29, 2017 10:00 a.m.

Reformation Sunday

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

“Now Thank We All Our God” (Sigfried Karg-Elert)

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING MUSIC Senior Choir

“I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art” (John Calvin)

*CALL TO WORSHIP ¹ Psalm 46

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

REFRAIN: The Mighty LORD is with us,

the God of Jacob is our fortress:

A mighty fortress is our God.

A Mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, On earth is not His equal.

Psalm 46:1-3

REFRAIN: The Mighty LORD is with us,

the God of Jacob is our fortress:

A mighty fortress is our God.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, Were not the right man on our side,

the man of God’s own choosing, Doth ask who that might be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His name. From age to age the same. And He must win the battle.

Psalm 46:4-7

REFRAIN: The Mighty LORD is with us,

the God of Jacob is our fortress:

A mighty fortress is our God.

And though this world with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear for God has willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim,

We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure,

For lo, his doom is sure; One little word shall fell him.

Psalm 46:8-9

REFRAIN: The Mighty LORD is with us,

the God of Jacob is our fortress:

A mighty fortress is our God.

That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also; The body they may kill;

God’s truth abideth still, His Kingdom is forever.

Psalm 46:10

REFRAIN: The Mighty LORD is with us,

the God of Jacob is our fortress:

A mighty fortress is our God

*GATHERING PRAYER Attributed to Martin Luther

Eternal God, you call us to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us, In Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE

God’s peace is among us even in the storms of life.

We receive God’s peace when we realize Christ is with us.

The peace of God in Christ Jesus our Lord 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 "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 “What Does ‘Reformation’ Mean?”

CHOIR ANTHEM Senior Choir

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (Martin Luther)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Romans 3:19-31

John 8:31-36

SERMON “The Reformation Revisited”

Pastor Jim Mohr and Pastor Jacoba Koppert

We Respond to the Good News

*HYMN “Faith of Our Fathers” #526 vs 1 & 3

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.

THE OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

“O God Our Help in Ages Past” (H. Alexander Matthews)

*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 “Now Thank We All Our God” #525

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE “In Christ There Is No East or West”

In Christ there is no East or West, in Christ no South or North; But one community of love

throughout the whole wide earth.

In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find; God’s service is the golden cord close binding humankind.

In Christ now meet both East and West,

in Christ meet South and North;

Our joyous, true community

throughout the whole wide earth.

*POSTLUDE Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

¹From class materials in a class taught by Dr. Clint McCan at Eden Seminary in 1987.

²Reprinted from “A Study Guide for the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation” by the Stillspeaking Writers’ Group, United Church of Christ.

Announcements

We welcome you to this service of worship. We hope you will experience the love of God and your neighbors. Following Worship you are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall downstairs to celebrate Pastor James Mohr’s 45^th year of his Ordination. 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.

Today: Following Worship Celebration for Pastor Mohr

downstairs in Fellowship Hall; all are invited.

Radio Broadcast Sponsors – The radio broadcast portion of today’s service is given today by Dolores Johnson in memory of her husband, Lloyd Johnson.

Calendar

Monday, October 30- 9 a.m. Quilting Session;

7 p.m. A Gathering conversation on who we are as a church and where we understand the Holy Spirit is leading us today.

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

Wednesday, November 1 – 3:30 p.m. CD’s & Confirmation;

7 p.m. Sr. Choir practice.

Thursday, November 2 – 6 p.m. Funeral Luncheon Committee meeting. Meet in the Lounge.

Saturday, November 4 – 7 a.m. UCC Men’s Club Breakfast.

Next Sunday, November 5 – 10 a.m. Worship; “All Saints Day” – Remembering Your Loved Ones; Communion by Intinction; 3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community; you are invited to join us.

53rd HOLIDAY FAIR

Saturday, November 11

9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. (New Hours)

“Egg Bake” Brunch 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Crafts, Outdoor Decorations, Quilts

“New to You” Treasures, Greeting Cards

Bake Shop/Goodies

Jams/Jellies

“Hope to See You All There”

Campital Campaign Fund Raiser – It’s time to raise our $5000 for 2017! Chicken Pot Pies will again be offered to help raise monies for this campaign. This year vegetable/meat pies and just meat pies will be offered. The cost of a pie is $15.00 for the 8 inch Pie and $10.00 for the 7 inch pie. Orders will begin Sunday, November 5 and run to the 12^th. Pick-up will be Sunday, November 19. Watch for sign-up’s on bulletin board. (Money donations will be accepted) If you write a check – designate on the memo line “Campital Campaign.” Thank you. (Volunteers are needed November 13-15.) Order Forms in the bulletin and on the table in the narthex.

2018 Radio Sponsors are NEEDED. Check with Audrey.

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

Community Thanksgiving Dinner – Check out the bulletin board….there are lots of ways you can help out. There are lists of items needed as well as HELP. This is a well- attended and needed event that takes place every year in Neillsville. Can you help out?