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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January 8, 2017 10:00 a.m.

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

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

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING MUSIC Eileen Zank

*CALL TO WORSHIP Arianna Rochester

Leader: We gather to give glory to God.

People: We sing our praises to Jesus, God’s beloved with whom God is well pleased.

Leader: In Jesus God shows us how to be faithful.

All: We want to follow his light.

*HYMN "Hark! The Herald Angels” Sing

(Jesus the Light of the World") (Insert)

*GATHERING PRAYER

God of love, we praise you for coming to us in Jesus Christ. As your servant, he brings justice and peace to all. His life brought happiness to you; we want you to be happy with us as well. Give us courage to follow in his ways in a world that seeks happiness without claiming you as Lord of their lives. We want to glorify you, our Creator, Redeemer and our Guide. Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE

God’s peace is given to those who practice their faith.

We rejoice in God’s peace, realizing at the same time we must work for peace and justice with and for all.

Let us be at peace with God and one another as we honor God with our love for all God created.

(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 Word of God

CHILDREN’S TIME “Jesus Is Baptized”

SPECIAL MUSIC Eileen Zank

“On Jordan’s Stormy Banks” (Lori Line)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Isaiah 42:1-9

Matthew 3:13-17 Arianna Rochester

MEDITATION “Happy God” Pastor Jacoba Koppert

We Respond To God’s Faithfulness

THANKSGIVING AND BLESSING OVER THE WATER

Pastor: Christ be with you.

People And also with you.

Pastor: Let us pray. Pastor continues prayer¹

We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight. In the time of Noah, you washed the earth with the waters of the flood, and your ark of salvation bore a new beginning. In the time of Moses, your people Israel passed through the Red Sea Waters from slavery to freedom and crossed the flowing Jordan to enter the Promised Land. In the fullness of time, you sent Jesus who was nurtured in the water of Mary’s womb. At the river, your Child was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.

All: By the baptism of Jesus’ death and resurrection you set us free from the power of sin and death and raise us up to live in you.

Women: Bless the tranquil and turbulent waters of our lives.

Men: Bless the hopeful and engaging waters of our lives.

All: Bless the transforming waters of our lives.

Pastor: Let us pray.

All: Pour out your Holy Spirit, the power of your living Word, on these waters and on us gathered here, that we who have been immersed in the waters of Baptism may remember our new life in Christ and commit ourselves once again to the promises we have made in the Sacrament of Baptism. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, in unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

Pastor: I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and unite with the church in all times and places in confessing our faith in the triune God.

Pastor: Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?

All: I do.

Pastor: Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

All: I do.

Pastor: Do you believe in God?

All: I believe in God.

Pastor: Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

All: I believe in Jesus Christ.

Pastor: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

All: I believe in the Holy Spirit.

REMEMBERING OUR BAPTISM

Receive the water of Baptism as it is sprinkled on you.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

We thank you God for the gifts of Spirit and water, for forgiveness of sin and newness of life. Thank you for naming and claiming us as you proclaim we are your beloved children. Help us so to live that you are pleased with us. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

*HYMN “Wonder of Wonders, Here Revealed”

(Insert) vs. 1, 2, 4

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.

INVITATION TO OFFERING

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 “Teach Me, O Lord, Thy Holy Way” #194

*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 from Book of Worship, United Church of Christ Copyright 1986 Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.

And from the 27^th General Synod of the United Church of Christ Sunday Worship Service.

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 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.

Radio Broadcast Sponsors – Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is given by Phil and Donita Follen for the church family.

2017 Offering Envelopes & 2016 Contribution Statements

Offering Envelopes on the table in the Narthex for those of you that wanted them and your 2016 Contribution Statement is there.

Please pick them up. Thank you.

Calendar

Monday, January 9 –7:30 p.m. Nar-anon; ANNUAL REPORTS ARE DUE TODAY.

Tuesday, January 10 – 10 a.m. Ministerial Alliance meeting.

Wednesday, January 11– 3:30 p.n. C.D.’s & Confirmation.

Thursday, January 12 – 1:30 p.m. Circle of Friends meeting.

United Church of Christ Congregational ANNUAL MEETING Sunday, January 29 following worship downstairs in Fellowship Hall. Refreshments will be served by Deacons/Deaconesses. Hope to see there.

Take Note: The “Silent Auction” is scheduled to BEGIN on Sunday, January 29. Another year of having fun outbidding each other. We do need your HELP - We need your donated items/services. We are asking for NEW items only. Please sign-up on the bulletin board the items or services you can donate. THANK YOU!

The final bids will close on Sunday, March 5 at 10:00 a.m. Have fun BIDDING!

Mark your calendars: “Chili Feed” Wednesday,

February 8 (One Day this year) 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.

Check out the bulletin board for ingredients/help that will be needed.