THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

January 7, 2018 10:00 a.m.

Epiphany 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

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

*GATHERING MUSIC Senior Choir

“The Gift of Love” (M.W. Posegate)

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Where is the Child who has been born king of the Jews?

People: We have come to honor him.

Leader: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

People: In the darkness that covers the earth, the Lord arises upon us and God’s glory appears over us.

Leader: When the star stopped over the place where the child was, the Magi were overwhelmed with joy.

People: And they knelt down and worshiped the child.

Leader: Let us join with all who worship the King born in Bethlehem.

*HYMN “We Three Kings of Orient Are” vs. 1, 2 & 5 insert

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy One, you sent the King of Love to live among us. Forgive us when we worship anyone or anything other than you. Make us aware of the times and places that our faithfulness to you falters. Show us when our behavior does not honor you. Forgive us when that which we do and that which we leave undone deprives anyone of the love and justice all deserve.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*PASSING THE PEACE

Jesus is a king like no other. He wants peace for all rather than only for his own kingdom. He removes separating walls trusting that his love will bring out the best in us. May his peace lead us to living peaceably. May the peace of Christ dwell in you richly.

And also in 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 “What Do Kings Do?”

CHOIR MUSIC “Oh, How Beautiful the Sky”

(Paul Christiansen)

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 2:1-12

SERMON “The King Is Born” Pastor Jacoba Koppert

We Respond to the Good News

*HYMN “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” #83

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

The United Church of Christ practices open communion. People of all ages who confess Jesus Christ as Savior are welcome. Today we will come forward to receive the element by Intinction.

THE INVITATION

Pastor: May the Child of Bethlehem be born in you.

People: And in your heart as well.

Pastor: Children of God, lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the One who was worshiped by the wise men.

Pastor: People of God, give thanks to the One who is the Bread of Life.

People: When we come to Him we shall never be hungry.

THE COMMUNION PRAYER¹

The Pastor continues the prayer.

Pastor: With the angels, shepherds and faithful of every nation and time, we glorify your holy name singing ("Hark the Herald Angels Sing")

All: Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us all from earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King."

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE CONSECRATION

Pastor: Holy God, make known your presence among us through the power of Holy Spirit. We ask you to send your Spirit on this bread and the fruit of the vine and on each of us. May we remain faithful living in love and hope until the perfect feast with our Savior, Jesus Christ, at the end of the age.

People: We offer ourselves to you, giving thanks for the perfect offering of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior.

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.

THE SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS

We invite you to come forward to receive the bread and the cup. Come forward, using the center aisle. You may choose to take the bread and dip it in one of the chalices and then eat it; or you may take the bread, eat it and then take and drink from one of the small cups (Gluten free wafers in the covered container) The small cups contain wine (dark color) grape juice (light color). The silver chalices contain wine; the ceramic chalices, grape juice. Youth will receive your empty cups at side aisles as you return to your pews. Anyone who would like to receive the elements in the pew is asked to raise their hands as the servers come nearby.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God of glory, we thank you for this meal where we have again experienced the love of Jesus. As we behold your glory, we commit ourselves to serving you in the world. Send your Spirit with us so that we might continue to rejoice in the good news of great joy: Christ is born and you are indeed among us. Alleluia! Amen.

*HYMN “Joy to the World” #313

*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

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.

Radio Broadcast Sponsors – The radio broadcast portion of our worship service today is given anonymously by one of our church members

Calendar

Monday, January 8 – Annual Reports due TODAY;

6:30-7:30 Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, January 9 – 10 a.m. Ministerial Alliance meeting at St. Mary’s.

Wednesday, January 10 – 3:30 p.m. CD’s & Confirmation.

Thursday, January 11 – 1:30 Circle of Friends meeting; Pastor Jacob’s “OPEN HOUSE”

2:30-4:00 p.m. & 6:30-8:30 p.m.

2017 Contribution Statements are on the table out in the Narthex. Please pick them up. There are still some 2018 Contribution envelopes that need to be picked up.

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