THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

March 4, 2018 10:00 a.m.

Third 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

“It is Well with My Soul” John Ness Beck

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING MUSIC “Blest Be the Tie”

Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the sharing of a common life is like to that above.

We share each other’s woes, each other’s burdens bear,

And often for each other flows a sympathizing tear.

PRAYING TOGETHER

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good.

People: God’s steadfast love endures forever.

Leader: God takes our sin-sick lives and makes us alive in Christ.

People: We do not save ourselves; God sent Jesus to save us.

Leader: In relationship with Jesus we have eternal life; a life that invites us to be born again.

*HYMN “Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know” #247

Confessing Our Sin, Receiving God’s Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

We are grateful, God for your great love which has come to save us. However, there are times we take advantage of your grace, continuing to live as we always have. We claim to be born again but are not changed by your love for us. Forgive us. Help us to do deeds done in God rather than done in evil.

*PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

God hears the confession of our hearts and lips. Through Jesus Christ we are forgiven all our sins, and by the Holy Spirit we are empowered for new life.

We believe the good news that in Jesus we are forgiven.

*PASSING THE PEACE

Pastor: Forgiven by Jesus, we are encouraged to be a new creation.

People: We let go of the past and strive to be and do that which is pleasing to God.

Pastor: Forgiveness, followed by repentance leads to peace. May we each know that peace. The peace of Christ be with you.

People: And also with you.

(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.”)

*OUR RESPONSE “Our God, How Have We Wandered”

Our God of all the living, both banished and restored,

Compassionate, forgiving, our peace and hope assured,

Grant now that our transgressing, our faithfulness may cease. Stretch out your hand in blessing, in pardon and in peace.

Listening Together for the Word of God

THE CHILDREN’S TIME “Communion, Forgiveness, Repentance”

*CHOIR ANTHEM “God So Loved the World”

SCRIPTURE READING John 3:14-21

SERMON “Love Changes Things” Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Enacting Our Faith

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

INVITATION TO OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

“I Need thee Every Hour” John Ness Beck

*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

The Sacrament of Communion¹

INVITATION

COMMUNION PRAYER

Pastor: God be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to God.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to God Most High.

People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

The Pastor Continues with the prayer…

…With the faithful in every place and time, we praise with joy your holy name, saying,

All: Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty,

The whole universe speaks of your glory,

O God Most High.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE CONSECRATION

OUR RESPONSE

All: In the strength Christ gives us, we offer ourselves to you, eternal God, and give thanks that you have called us to serve you. Amen.

THE BREAKING AND THE POURING

THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR

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 to receive the bread and the cup. Come forward, using the center aisle. You may choose to take the bread and dip it in one of the chalices and then eat it; or you may take the bread, eat it and then take and drink from one of the small cups (Gluten free wafers in the covered container) The small cups contain wine (dark color) grape juice (light color). The silver chalices contain wine; the ceramic chalices, grape juice. Youth will receive your empty cups at side aisles as you return to your pews. Anyone who would like to receive the elements in the pew is asked to raise their hands as the servers come nearby

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

All: We thank you, God for inviting us to this table where we have known the presence of Christ and have received all Christ’s gifts. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

*HYMN “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” #129

*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 Light of Christ We Depart to Serve

¹The Communion Liturgy is reprinted from Book of Worship ã1986 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 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 today’s worship service is given anonymously by a faithful radio listener.

Today: Pancake & Sausage Breakfast following worship downstairs in Fellowship Hall; sponsored by the UCC Men’s Club; Regular/Potato/Blueberry pancakes; 12years-Adults $6.00 – 5-11 years $3.00 – Under 5 FREE;

3:00 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community; Join us!

Calendar

Monday, March 4 –6:30-7:30 Nar-Anon.

Wednesday, March 7 – 3:30 p.m. CD’s & Confirmation;

Lenten Service

Wednesday March 7 - 7:00 p.m.

United Church of Christ

Pastor Jacoba– “Peter”

6:00 p.m. Soup Supper served

Next Sunday, March 11 - Daylight Saving Time BEGINS! Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead.

Needed Donations for Bars/Milk for our Soup Supper March 14. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. Thanks for helping out.

Lenten Offering – Don’t forget your Lenten Offering – these offerings go for local missions.

One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering – 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.