THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

December 31, 2017 10:00 a.m.

First Sunday after Christmas

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

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

*GATHERING MUSIC “Prepare the Way”

Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723900

*CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 148 (Responsive)

¹Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!

²Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!

³Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!

⁴Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

⁵Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.

⁶He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

⁷Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,

⁸fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!

⁹Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!

¹⁰Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!

¹¹Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!

¹²Young men and women alike, old and young together!

¹³Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. ¹⁴He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!

*HYMN “Angels from the Realms of Glory” #91

PRAYER OF CONFESSION¹

All:  Holy God, we know that you have been present to us throughout all of history, 

even throughout our own histories. 

We know you will be with us in our future.

Yet often we don’t live as if we know that.  

You ask no more of us than what we can provide.  

Parents:  As Jesus’ parents were asked to give within their means at the temple, you ask us to give of our means.  We often fail to do this.  

Men of Wisdom:  As Simeon recognized in Jesus the salvation of his people, we recognize in Jesus’ Way our own wholeness and health, yet we often fail to follow.  

Women of Wisdom:  As Anna recognized in Jesus the redemption of her people, we recognize in Jesus God’s saving grace for us, yet we often fail to rejoice and to share this good news.

All:  Forgive us, make us wise and joyful and strong 

so that we live in the understanding of your never-ending love.  Amen.  

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON¹

Youth and Pastor:  The scriptures promise that God will make all things new.  As God makes the year new, may we also be made new by God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus.  Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE

The New Year fast comes upon us. Let us let go of that which robbed of us peace with God, with others and within ourselves.

We want the peace that comes through relationship with God, one another and when we accept ourselves as we are.

Work for peace in the places where it eludes you, asking for God’s help and guidance. Know God’s peace. The peace proclaimed that Holy Night in Bethlehem to all whom God favors (and God favors all) 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 Canon” (sing twice)

Gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, gloria, alleluia, alleluia!

We Listen for the Good News

THE CHILDREN’S TIME “Looking into the Future”

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:22-40 Santana Subke

SERMON “Christmas Courage” Pastor Jacoba Koppert

We Respond to the Good News

*CHRISTMAS CAROL “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” #94

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.

PRAYER RESPONSE “Away in a Manger”

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay

close by me forever and love me I pray.

Bless all the dear children in your tender care,

and fit us for heaven to live with you there.

INVITATION TO OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

*CAROL OF ADORATION #89

Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning,

Jesus, to thee be all glory given;

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;

O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN “Great God, We Sing That Mighty Hand” #20

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE “Go, Tell it on the Mountain” #105

Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;

Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!

Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born,

And God sent us salvation that Blessed Christmas morn.

Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;

Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!

*POSTLUDE Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

¹Past Meets Future: A Blessing for Today was written by the Rev. Dr. Robert George, Karen George, Judy Colby-George. Copyright 2017 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 where ever 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: 3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community. Come and join us!

Radio Broadcast Sponsors – The radio broadcast portion of our worship service today is given by Wanda Smith in memory of her husband, Raymond and her Wedding Anniversary on December 31.

Calendar

Monday, January 1 - (Office Closed) News Year’s Day;

NO Nar-Anon.

Wednesday, January 3 – 3:30 p.m. CD’s & Confirmation.

Saturday, January 6 – 7 a.m. UCC Men’s Club Breakfast.

Christmas Fund Special Offering – This special UCC offering cares for the active and retired clergy and lay employees of the UCC. Your gift to the Christmas Fund will not only assist pastors in need, but also provide for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums, Emergency Grants and Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks next December to lower-income retirees. Your gifts are needed more than ever. You will find special Christmas Fund envelopes in the pew racks. Thank you for your gift.

2018 Offering Envelopes are on the table out in the Narthex for those of you that wanted them. Please pick them up. If you want envelopes and do not have them. See or call Audrey.

Note: We will be working on the 2018 schedules for Ushers and Greeters –if you do not want to be on the schedule, please let Audrey know. If you have a preference when you want to be scheduled, please let me know as well. Thank you.

2017 Contribution Statements will be on the table in the Narthex next Sunday.