Neillsville,
Wisconsin
Pastor Jacoba Koppert
Church 715-743-2147
Pastor's Office
715-743-2117
www.uccneillsville.org
___________________________________________________
August 20, 2017 9:00
a.m.
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
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
*CALL TO WORSHIP1 (Based on Psalm 133)
Leader: We
worship in the name of
the Creator who makes all things and calls them good; in the name of the Christ
who calls us to love God and all God creates; and in the name of the Holy
Spirit sent to guide us so we might be faithful.
People: Amen.
Leader: How very good and pleasant it is it is
when kindred live together in unity.
People: It is like the summer rain, which restores the parched earth.
Leader: It
is like the cool breeze at the shore of a lake, at the top of a mountain or
through a crowded street.
People: God meets us here.
Leader: We
have gathered to worship the Maker of Our Days, the Restorer of our Souls and
the Breath of Our Lives.
*HYMN ÒFor
the Beauty of the EarthÓ #1
*OPENING PRAYER1
Maker of Our Days, you created each of us unique beings with differing strengths and weaknesses. Help us not only to use our strengths to assist others but also to allow others to use their strengths to meet our weaknesses.
Restorer of Our Souls, you have seen the parched places we have made in our lives, along with the devastation thrust upon us by the action or inaction of others. Meet us in the places of our deepest pain so that our masks of self-sufficiency fall away and we might be drawn into right relationship with you and one another.
Breath
of Our Lives, without you we are but a mound of clay. Fill us with your
presence, invigorate our worship, set us on fire so that others might be drawn
into your light and nurtured by the warmth of your loving care. Amen.
SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS
PASSING THE PEACE
The words we speak are very powerful – they can hurt and they can bring hope and healing.
Our words can cause division and they can
foster peace.
Jesus calls us to love one another as he has loved us. As GodÕs love is expressed among us, we bring GodÕs peace into the world.
With our mouths and our lives, we share
GodsÕ peace this day.
(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 ÒJoyful, Joyful, We Adore
YouÓ
God is giving and forgiving, ever
blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Loving Spirit, Father, Mother,
all who love belong to you;
Teach us how to love each other,
by that love our joy renew.
We
Listen for the Good News
CHILDRENÕS TIME ÒWatch your MouthsÓ
SPECIAL MUSIC Eileen Zank
SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 15:10-28
SERMON ÒWords MatterÓ Rev. Jacoba Koppert
We Respond to the Good News
*HYMN
ÒLord, Speak to MeÓ #625
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
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 DEDICATION1
Holy
God, you are our provider. We
dedicate to your service our lives and these offerings from your blessing and
our labor. Work in us and through
us to extend your love and care, here and around the world. Amen.
*HYMN ÒWeÕve
a Story to Tell to the NationsÓ #659
*THE
BENEDICTION
*RESPONSE ÒLet There Be Peace on
EarthÓ
Let there be
peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Let there be
peace on earth, the peace that was meant
to be. With God
our Creator, children all are we.
Let us walk with each
other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin
with me; let this be the moment now.
With every step I
take, let this be my solemn vow:
To take each
moment, and live each moment in peace eternally!
Let there be
peace on earth and let it begin with me.
*POSTLUDE
Eileen Zank
The Light of Christ Leads Us into the
World
1 Adapted
from Worship Ways, written by Re. Dr. Gob Gross Copyright 2017; United Church
of Christ
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 – The radio broadcast portion of our worship service today is given by Doris Bakker in honor of her parentÕs wedding anniversary.
Today: 10:15 a.m. Christian Ed Board meeting;
7:30 p.m. ÒWeird ChurchÓ Book Study; Part 2
Calendar
Monday, August 21- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.
Newsletter Week; please have your news articles for the newsletter in the office by Tuesday, August 22.
4 p.m. Stewardship Committee meeting.
Tuesday, August 22 – 2:30 p.m. Worship Service at Neillsville Care & Rehab; Pastor Jacoba leading.
Wednesday, August 23 – 7:30 Confirmation meeting with parents and Confirmands – Class of 2016-17.
Thursday, August 24 – Pastor participating in Continuing Education Events through September 2.
Next Sunday, August 27 – Pastor Jim Mohr leading worship,