THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

     Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

             www.uccneillsville.org

 

February 18, 2018                                                      10:00 a.m.

  First Sunday of Lent

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.

 

Gathering Together to Worship God

PRELUDE                                                                Karen Mohr

                             ÒPrelude & Fugue in CÓ              (J.S. Bach)

                                                 

RINGING OF THE BELL               

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

GATHERING MUSIC ÒCome and Pray in UsÓ Senior Choir        

PRAYING TOGETHER

PRAYER RESPONSE

   Come and pray in us, Holy Spirit, come and pray in us.

   Come and visit us, Holy Spirit, Spirit, come, Spirit come.

                                                                                  

*CALL TO WORSHIP     

Leader:    To you, O God we lift up our souls.  

People:   O God, we trust you fully without shame.  

Leader:     Help us as we begin our Lenten journey together to grow in right relationship with Jesus.

People:    Teach us. Show us. Guide us in your paths.

Leader:     All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness for those who keep GodÕs covenant and decrees.

People:    The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near.

Pastor:     Repent and believe the good news.  

 

*HYMN    ÒSavior, When in Tears and DustÓ             (Insert)                                                             

 

Confessing Our Sin, Receiving GodÕs Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Creator God and Renewing God. Clear my mind of distractions that take my focus off of following Jesus. Forgive my apathy; help me to let go of my excuses; free me from my fears; give me courage to stand strong in the face of temptation.  Increase my words and works of compassion for those who struggle in these days. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

*PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, God hears our confession and knows our sin. God calls us to change our hearts and minds. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God guides us toward faithfulness. Through the love of Jesus, we are forgiven and restored to relationship with God. I dare to announce that through GodÕs faithful love, we are forgiven of our sin.

 

*PASSING THE PEACE

Turning away from temptation is hard work.

We need the help of God in Jesus Christ and one another.

Let us work toward peace with one another so that we are open to the help we can give to each other.

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 FAITH  ÒUbi CaritasÓ (Sing twice in Latin)

     

Copyright © 1991, Les Presses de Taize (France) Used by permission of GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723900

 

Listening Together for the Word of God

THE CHILDRENÕS TIME       ÒWhat is Lent?Ó  

 

CHOIR ANTHEM       ÒGod is So GoodÓ  (John  Coates Jr.)                             

SCRIPTURE READING       Mark 1:9-15 

SERMON      ÒLenten CourageÓ            Pastor Jacoba Koppert

 

Enacting Our Faith

*HYMN                                                                  Senior Choir

        ÒMark How the Lamb of GodÕs Self-OfferingÓ

1.    Mark how the lamb of GodÕs self-offering our human        

     sinfulness takes on  In the birth waters of the Jordan as                                                                                                                                                                   Jesus is baptized by John.  Hear how the voice from heaven thunders,

    ÒLo, this is my beloved Son.Ó  See how in dove-like form the Spirit descends on GodÕs anointed One.

 

2.  From this assurance of GodÕs favor Jesus goes to the wilderness,

    There to endure a time of testing that readied him to teach and bless. 

    So we, by water and the Spirit baptized into ChristÕs ministry,

    Are often led to paths of service through mazes of adversity.

3.       Grant us, O God, the strength and courage to live the faith our lips declare; 

    Bless us in our baptismal calling; ChristÕs royal priest-hood help us share.       

    Turn us from every false allegiance, that we may trust in Christ alone;

    Raise up in us a chosen people transformed by love to be your own.

 

Words Copyright © 1990 by Hope Publishing co., All rights reserved.  Used by permission.  Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723900

                             

Enacting Our Faith

AFFIRMATION OF MINISTRY1

GREETING 

Grace, mercy and peace to you from Jesus Christ, the head of the church in heaven and on earth.

To God, be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever.

INTRODUCTION

PRESENTATION

COVENANT

     Pastor:      Sisters and brothers in Christ, it is an honor to be entrusted with responsibility for particular service in the ministry of the                     church whether gathered or scattered. Having prayerfully considered the duties and responsibilities of your ministry,

                      are you prepared to serve with the help of God in Christ's name and for the glory of God?

 

Lay Leaders:  I am.

 

Pastor:       Do you promise to exercise your ministry diligently and faithfully, showing forth the love of Christ?

 

Lay Leaders:  I do, relying on God's grace.

 

Pastor:                 Members of this household of faith, you have heard the promises of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have answered         Gods call to service.    Let us affirm our intention to live in covenant with them. Will those who are able rise and                witness to the commitment we now make?

 

People:   We gather in celebration of the joy that is ours to be partners with you in the service of Jesus Christ. We promise to   love you, honor your leadership, and assist you that together we may be a faithful church of Jesus Christ.

 

PRAYER DECLARATION

 

GREETING OF CHRISTIAN LOVE

                                                     

     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.

 

INVITATION TO OFFERING                                         

THE OFFERTORY                                   Karen Mohr

    ÒGuide Me Ever, Great RedeemerÓ                 (Dale Wood)

*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.

 

*HYMN     ÒTeach Me, O Lord, Thy  Holy WayÓ               #194

 

*THE BENEDICTION

 

*THE RESPONSE "Lead Us from Death to Life"   

Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,

from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from          hate to love, from war to peace; let peace fill our hearts,

      let peace fill our world, let peace fill our universe.     

 

*POSTLUDE                                                       Karen Mohr

Led by the Love of Christ We Depart to Serve

1Reprinted from Book of Worship © 1986 by permission of the United Church of Christ Local Church Ministries

 

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 given by Bob and Ruth Schmidt in memory of sister, Lois Mendenhall and mom, Luella Mohr.

 

 

Announcements

 

Calendar

Monday, February 19 –6:30-7:30 Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, February 20 – 12 Noon 2nd Half Group meeting;

5:30 p.m. Trustees; 6:30 p.m. Deacons/Deaconesses;

7:30 p.m. Church Council.

Wednesday, February 21 – 3:30 p.m. CDÕs & Confirmation;

7:00 p.m. LENTEN SERVICE at Calvary Lutheran; 6:00 p.m. Soup Supper.

 

Lenten Service

February 21 - 7:00 p.m. 

Calvary Lutheran 

Pastor Jacoba Koppert – ÒMary, the Mother of JesusÓ

6:00 p.m. Soup Supper served

 

Needed Donations for Bars/Milk for our Soup Suppers.

There are sign-up sheets on the bulletin board.  Thanks for helping out. 

 

Lenten Offering – DonÕt forget your Lenten Offering – these offerings go for local missions. 

 

Second Half Group Meeting – Tuesday, February20 –

12 Noon – M&M catered lunch - $7.50 plus tip; Program presented by Kathy Levac:  ÒHealth and Wellness.Ó Sign-up on the bulletin board. All are INVITED.