Neillsville,
Wisconsin
Pastor Jacoba Koppert
Church 715-743-2147
Pastor's Office
715-743-2117
www.uccneillsville.org
___________________________________________________
January 1, 2017
10:00
a.m.
New YearÕs Day
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 the Creator
of All Time
PRELUDE Karen Mohr
Trumpet Tune on ÒMarch of the
KingsÓ
(Gordon Young)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
GATHERING MUSIC Senior Choir – Joe Anderson, Director
ÒIn the Moon of WintertimeÓ (Paul Brandvik)
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Welcome this new year in GodÕs presence.
People: Immanuel! God is with us in this very place
and time.
Leader: When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, all things were made new.
All: We
come to give thanks for the past and to praise God for the newness of life
promised in the birth and resurrection of Christ.
*HYMN "Our
God, Our Help in Ages Past" #9
Confessing Our Sin, We Seek GodÕs
Forgiveness
*CALL
TO RECONCILIATION1
Will this year be a time of new life, new ways for us - or will we continue to live the same old way? Let us confess to our God our failures, as well as our hopes, as we begin this year.
*UNISON PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS1
We admit that our days are full, God of
every moment, so full that we have no time to fill our souls. We make promises
to you and to ourselves, but fail to keep them. We arrange outings with our
friends, yet ignore Your invitation to sit and talk. We make resolutions to
change every aspect of our lives, except for that which pertains
to You.
Forgive us, God of Glory, and make us new. In the moments to come this
year, remind us that if there is a time for everything, then we do have those
moments for grace, for hope, for joy, for a relationship with our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.
Silence is kept
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON1
It's over - last year is gone. Our words, our thoughts, our deeds are in the
past. Today, we begin anew. Today, and every day, God offers us life and hope.
Here, now, forever - we are forgiven and
healed. This year, let us live as such people. Thanks be to God. Amen.
*PASSING THE PEACE
GodÕs peace is freely given; yet to have peace with one another, there is work to do.
We rejoice in GodÕs 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
ÒHark the Herald Angels SingÓ vs.1
#94
We Listen for the News of Great Joy
CHILDRENÕS
TIME ÒMaking ChangesÓ
THE CHOIR SINGS
ÒOnward to BethlehemÓ (Hank Beebe)
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Revelation 21:1-6a
Matthew 25:31-46
MEDITATION Pastor Jacoba Koppert
"Making Commitments for the New Year"
We Respond to the New Life Made Known in
Christ
*HYMN
ÒLord,
I Want to Be a ChristianÓ
#232
PRAYERS
OF THE PEOPLE
INVITATION TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY Karen Mohr
ÒThe Three KingsÓ (Gordon Young)
*HYMN OF DEDICATION
As with gladness, those of old Did the
guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward beaming bright.
So, most gracious God, may we Evermore be
led to thee.
As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from
sinÕs alloy
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ to Thee our heavÕnly king
*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.
INVITATION2
Pastor: Beloved in Christ, the Gospel tells us that on the first day of the week Jesus Christ was raised from death, appeared to Mary Magdalene, on that same day sat at table with two of his disciples, and was made known in the breaking of the bread.
All: (Singing)
This is the joyful feast of the people of God—
Men and women, youth and children, come from the east and the west,
From the north and the south—and gather about ChristÕs table.
Pastor: This
table is for all Christians who wish to know the presence of Christ and to
share in the community of GodÕs people.
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING1
May the God of new beginnings be with you.
And also with you.
People of God, lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the One who makes all
things, including us, new.
Children of God, sing praises to the One who gives you new life.
We praise the One who continues to
surprise us with hope and grace. (pastor continues prayer)
SANCTUS1
Holy, holy, holy, God of every time and
space.
All creation sings of Your majesty and
glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who gives us the
water of life.
Hosanna in the highest! (pastor continues prayer)
MEMORIAL
ACCLAMATION1
Christ
died, so sin would have no more power over
us;
Christ rose, destroying death's grip on
us; when the new
heaven
and new earth come, Christ will make
all things,
including
us, new.
CONSECRATION
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
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.
SHARING THE ELEMENTS We invite you to come forward with your
family and friends and serve one another the bread and the cup. There is bread
and gluten free crackers; you may take the bread and dip it into the cup
(porcelain cups contain grape juice; silver cups, wine) or take the bread, eat
it and then receive a single cup (light color is grape juice; dark color is
wine). As you offer the bread to each other, say ÒThe Bread of LifeÓ; as you offer the cup, say ÒThe Cup of Blessing.Ó
Please return to your seats by the side
aisles.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING2
Eternal God, you have brought us together to feast at the table of
Jesus Christ. We thank you for ChristÕs presence and for his forgiveness and
love for all people. By the power of your Holy Spirit, keep us faithful to your
will and our commitments. Go with us to the streets, to our homes and to our
places of labor and leisure that whether we are gathered or scattered, we may
be the servant church of the servant Christ, in whose name we rejoice to pray.
Amen.
*HYMN ÒO Jesus, I Have PromisedÓ
(Insert)
*THE BENEDICTION
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.
*POSTLUDE Karen Mohr
The Light of
Christ Leads Us into the World
1Reprinted
with adaptation from http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/2015/12/new-years-day.html by Thom M. Shuman
2Reprinted 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.
2 Light of the World: Service for Christmas Day was written by the Rev. Mark Suriano.
Copyright 2013 Local Church Ministries, 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 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 anonymously by a faithful radio listener.
Today: 3:00 p.m. Communion will be served at the Neillsville Retirement Community. Come and join us.
Announcements
2017
Offering Envelopes on the table in the Narthex for those of you that wanted
them. Please pick them up if you
have not done so.
Calendar
Monday, January 2 –7:30 p.m. Nar-anon.
Wednesday, January 4– 3:30 p.n. C.D.Õs & Confirmation.
Saturday, January 7- 7 a.m. UCC MenÕs Club Breakfast.
Next Sunday, January 8 – 9 a.m. Sunday School resumes.
TAKE NOTE CHAIRPERSONS OF BOARDS/COMMITTEES
ANNUAL REPORTS DUE ON MONDAY, JANUARY 9
United Church
of Christ Congregational ANNUAL MEETING Sunday, January 29 following
worship downstairs in Fellowship Hall.
Take Note:
The ÒSilent AuctionÓ 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! Check out some of the ideas of items listed in the
Newsletter and on the bulletin board you could donate if you wish.
The
final bids will close on Sunday, March 5 at 10:00 a.m. Have fun BIDDING!
Mark your calendars: ÒChili FeedÓ 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.