THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

     Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

             www.uccneillsville.org

 

January 14, 2018                                                        10:00 a.m.

  Second Sunday After Epiphany

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                                            Eileen Zank                  

                                           

*CALL TO WORSHIP 1 

Leader:   God is calling.  Do you not hear?  You are being called by name, for a purpose.

People:   God, you have searched us and know us.  You discern our thoughts from far away.

Leader:    Do not confuse the calls of the world for GodÕs call.  Do not confuse the values of this world for GodÕs vision.

People:    You, know, O God, when we sit and when we stand.  You know when we lie down and where we go.

Leader:     Your words and your deeds are known to God.  You were known to God before you were born.

People:    Your knowledge of us is more that we can understand.  Your thoughts embrace us amid all you have created.

 

*HYMN       ÒOur God, Our Help in Ages PastÓ                       #9

 

*GATHERING PRAYER

O God, whether we hear your voice or deny it, you speak to us. You invite us to listen and to respond. When darkness surrounds us, you are with us, calling in the night. When the day is filled with joy, you are celebrating with us. Help us to be more aware of your presence and your call to us. Forgive us for those times when we leave undone the things you call us to do and when we do that which is opposed to the teachings of Jesus. It is in his name that we ask your forgiveness and guidance.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

 

*PASSING THE PEACE

The voice of God is calling. It calls us to make amends in the places where peace eludes us.

We need the help of God and each otherÕs support to find and make peace.

GodÕs help is promised; let us offer support to one another.

Let us share the peace of Christ as we encourage one another on our faith journey. The peace of Christ 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

THE CHILDRENÕS TIME        ÒSamuelÓ

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                                                Eileen Zank

 

SCRIPTURE READING     I Samuel 3:1-10  

 

SERMON       ÒAre We Listening?        Pastor Jacoba Koppert

 

We Respond to the Good News

*HYMN        ÓHere I Am LordÓ                       (pg. 5 bulletin)                                                              

     PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORDÕS 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       ÒAway in a MangerÓ    

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                                                 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                  ÒGod Speak to MeÓ            (pg. 6 bulletin)     

 

    *THE BENEDICTION

      

*RESPONSE      "Make Me a Blessing"                     Al Hailey

      Make me a blessing, touch me today.

      Lord, please use me, in your own way.

      Washed of your spirit, humble and low,

      into your service, Lord, let me go.

      Lord, take these hands; Lord take these feet

      into the paths you bid me go

      Lord, make my life complete.

      Short is our time, Lord, help us to know

      where we may serve you, then bid us go.

      Make me a blessing, touch me, I pray;

      Lord, please guide me, oh, Father, today.

 

 

*POSTLUDE                                                       Eileen Zank

 

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

 

1Reprinted with adaptation by permission of the United Church Press from Led by Love by Lavon Bayler.  Copyright 1996 by United Church Press.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

©1981 Daniel L. Schutte and New Dawn Music. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723899

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 lifeÕs 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 todayÕs worship service is sponsored by the Circle of Friends.

 

Today:  2 p.m. Judy Lonning Funeral Service.

1:00-2:00 p.m. Visitation at the church.

 

Calendar

Monday, January 14 – 11:00 a.m. Mildred Lawson Funeral Service; 9:30-11:00 a.m. Visitation at the church;

6:30-7:30 Nar-Anon;

Tuesday, January 16 -9:30 a.m. Memorial Committee meeting;

Tuesday, January 16 –  RESCHEDUED!

Pastor JacobaÕs ÒOpen HouseÓ

      2:30-4:00 p.m.

      6:30-8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 17 – 3:30 p.m. CDÕs & Confirmation.

Thursday, January 18 – 10-11:30 a.m. Memory CafŽ.

 

 

Looking Ahead at the Calendar

Monday, January 22 – Newsletter Week.

Tuesday, January 23 – 5:30 p.m. Trustees meeting; 6:30 p.m. Deacons/Deaconesses meeting; 7:30 p.m. Church Council meeting

Sunday, February 4 – Neillsville United Church of Christ ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING following worship service downstairs in Fellowship Hall.

 

2017 Contribution Statements are in the church officer.  Please pick them up.  There are still some 2018 Contribution envelopes that need to be picked up.

 

Christmas Fund Offering – You will find ÒChristmas FundÓ Special offering envelopes in the pew racks.  We will collect through January 2018. Thank you for your support!

 

 

 Souper Bowl Challenge –

The ÒCHALLENGEÓ is on again! We want to collect as many cans of soup as we can by Sunday, February 4 ÒSuper Bowl Sunday.Ó  We have word that all the churches in the Ministerial Alliance are up for the challenge.  We lost to Calvary last year.  Can we do it this year?  Bring those cans of soup in NOW!  The table will be set up next Sunday to set your cans on. The soup collected will be divided up between the food pantries.

BRING THOSE CANS OF SOUP IN!!!!