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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March 18, 2018                                                          10:00 a.m.

The Fifth 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.

 

We Gather to Worship God

PRELUDE                                                               Eileen Zank                                                                                                      

RINGING OF THE BELL               

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

GATHERING MUSIC                                   

CONGREGATONAL PRAYER                                        

*CALL TO WORSHIP    Psalm 19:7-9a     Karsen Czarnecki

Leader:      We have gathered here today to worship the Lord our God.

People:     We have gathered to hear GodÕs Word, which revives us.

Leader:      The LordÕs laws are faithful, making na•ve people wise.

People:     The LordÕs regulations are right, gladdening the heart.

Leader:      The LordÕs commands are pure giving light to the eyes.

People:     Honoring the Lord is right, lasting forever.

 

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

We Confess Our Sin and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION                                Tye Kranz

Let us confess our sin against God and one another.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION1

We come before you, O God, to confess what you already know–we have failed to keep your laws. Again, and again, we have followed our own selfish ways. We have twisted your laws to suit our interests rather than your own. Forgive us and free us from our faults; let our words and actions be acceptable to you, our Rock and Redeemer.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON1                    Pastor Jacoba

 God shows steadfast love and blesses those who walk in GodÕs ways. In love, God sent Jesus to bless and redeem GodÕs people. God forgives us our sins and restores us to new life. Let us rejoice in GodÕs mercy.

*PASSING THE PEACE                             Mason Roenz

In the giving of the law, God wanted to help us create peace in the world and in us.

We want the peace God wants for us.

No doubt there is great reward in keeping GodÕs law.

Let us strive to make for peace in the world. 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 PRAISE              "Gloria PatriÓ

      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 Good News

THE CHILDRENÕS TIME      ÒRulesÓ    

MacKenzie Keller and Dayne Loberg

 

SPECIAL MUSIC ÒThy WordÓ  Michael Smith & Amy Grant

The Senior Choir

The Senior Choir Directed by Corinne Armitage

 

SCRIPTURE READING   Exodus 20:1-17     

SERMON       ÒThe CommandmentsÓ

The Confirmands and Pastor Jacoba

 

We Respond to the Good News

*The Statement of Faith                             (pg. 5 bulletin)

 

*HYMN  ÒEvery Time I Feel the Spirit Moving in My HeartÓ

                                                                                          #269

     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                                                

*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                        Santana Subke

Loving God, you have given us much. We thank you. Because we want to honor you, we give a portion of what you have entrusted to us. We want to support the ministry of this church as it serves in the community; with our gifts we support people in need in our country and the world. Receive what we bring. Multiply it as you multiplied the loaves and fish so that many will also be able to honor and praise you. In the name of Jesus, we dedicate our gifts. Amen. 

 

*HYMN      ÒGod of Grace and GloryÓ        vs. 1, 3 & 5  #198                    

    *THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE   "Let There Be PeaceÓ

      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

1Adapted from materials from Ministry Matters http://www.ministrymatters.com/worship/entry/2404/worship-elements-march-4-2018 by Robert Blezard

 

Today we thank our Confirmands for leading us in worship. Several of their Mentors also worked with them. Our confirmands and their mentors are Karsen Czarnecki – Don Abel; Tye Kranz – Jim Filitz;  Mason Roenz – Russell and Susie Karl; Dayne Loberg – Carole Romens; MacKenzie Keller – Sue Vornholt; Santana Subke  – Tim Voigt. We also thank our teaching assistants, Don Abel, Larry Marshall, Mike Perkl and Jim Sjolin. 

United Church of Christ Statement of Faith

 

We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit,

God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God,

and to your deeds we testify;

      You call the worlds into being,

            create persons in your own image,

            and set before each one the ways of life and death.

      You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

      You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and     apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior,

            you have come to us

            and shared our common lot,

            conquering sin and death

            and reconciling the world to yourself

You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit,

            Creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ,

            binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

You call us into your church

            to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,

            to be your servants in the service of others,

            to proclaim the gospel to all the world

            and resist the powers of evil,

            to share in ChristÕs baptism and eat at

            his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

You promise to all who trust you

      forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,

      courage in the struggle for justice and peace,

      your presence in trial and rejoicing

      and eternal life in your realm which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you. Amen.

 

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 anonymously by a faithful radio listener.

 

Calendar

Monday, March 19 – Newsletter Week (please have your news articles in the office by Tuesday, March 20)

 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-anon

Tuesday, March 20 – 12 Noon 2nd Half Group meeting; Dee Zimmerman leading the program.  M&M catered lunch $7.50 plus tax; sign-up on the bulletin board; 5:30 p.m. Trustees meeting; 6:30 p.m. Deacon/Deaconesses meeting; 7:30 p.m. Church Council.

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

 

Lenten Service

Wednesday March 21 - 7:00 p.m. 

Calvary Lutheran

Pastor Jacoba Koppert    ÒJesusÓ

6:00 p.m. Soup Supper served

 

 

Announcements

Holy Week – Worship Schedule

Palm Sunday – March 25

10:00 a.m. Worship

Palms – Senior Choir

Sacrament of Holy Baptism – Theo Vine

Maundy Thursday – March 29

7:00 p.m. Worship

Communion – Senior Choir

Washing Feet/Hands

Good Friday – March 30

7:00 p.m. Ecumenical Worship Service

United Church of Christ

Ecumenical Choir

Good Friday Message- Pastor Chad Anderson

Easter Sunday – April 1

10:00 a.m. Easter Worship

Communion – Senior Choir

No Sunday School or Fellowship/Coffee Hour

 

Easter Lilies – Do you want to order an Easter Lily?

We must have your order by Sunday, March 25.  Falls Florist will furnish them for $14.00 each. 6-8 blossom plant.  If you write a check – please make it out to Falls Florist.  Names will be printed in the Easter Sunday bulletin.  Order in memory, in honor or for any other reason you may have.  You may take your lily home with you following the Easter worship service.

 

Lenten Offering – DonÕt forget your Lenten Offering – these offerings will be used for local missions.

 

One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering will be collected through the month of March.  This special offering helps in places lacking health and educational resources and/or where disaster has struck.  OGHS envelopes can be found in the pew racks.  Thank you for supporting this special offering.