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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April 1, 2018 10:00 a.m.

Easter Sunday

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 and Celebrate the Resurrection

PRELUDE “In Thee Is Gladness” (J.S. Bach) Karen Mohr

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING MUSIC Senior Choir

“Resurrection Introit” (Ken Parker)

*CALL TO WORSHIP¹

Leader: Alleluia! Out of the darkness of grief and despair

comes a message of hope. Christ is risen.

People: Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

Leader: In the garden the stone is rolled away; the tomb is empty. Christ is risen!

People: Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed!

Leader: We hear a voice call our name. It is Jesus who speaks; the power of death is defeated. Grief is replaced with joy.

People: Alleluia! Christ is risen.

Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed. Thanks be to God!

*HYMN “Christ The Lord Is Risen” #130

*PRAYER

Most Holy God, you raised Jesus from the dead and with him, raise us to new life. Forgive us when we fail to see the new creation surrounding us in the beauty of nature, in one another and in ourselves. Free us from our despair, anger and fear; help us to forgive one another as you forgive us. May your resurrection love be made known in us and through us; through Jesus, our crucified and risen Savior. Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE

Christ is Risen! Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among all.

Christ is risen! Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

(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 OF JOY ”Hallelujah"

Halle, halle, hallelujah, Halle, halle, hallelujah.

Halle, halle, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

We Listen for News of the Resurrection

CHILDREN’S TIME “Mary Magdalene”

HYMN “The Day of Resurrection” (pg. 6)

SCRIPTURE READING John 20:1-18

SERMON “Where Is He?” Pastor Jacoba Koppert

We Respond To God’s Faithfulness

PRAISING THE LORD Senior Choir

Directed by Roni Kazor-Smith

“All Earth Rejoice with a Gladsome Voice” Vivaldi

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

INVITATION TO OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

“Awake Thou Wintry Earth” (J.S. Bach)

*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 Holy Communion¹

THE INVITATION

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 Christ’s table.

Pastor: This table is for all Christians who wish to know

the presence of Christ and to share in the community

of God’s people.

THE COMMUNION PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Pastor: God be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to God.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to God Most High.

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

Pastor: We give you thanks God of all creation for calling the world into being and for your gift of life in the midst of signs of death. We come celebrating the gift of Jesus Christ, whom you sent in the fullness of time, to be the good news bringing hope to all people. We remember the love of Jesus, his life, death and resurrection. Because you raised Christ to life eternal and grant to us the presence of the risen Christ among us, because you offer eternal life to those who trust in you, we praise and magnify your holy name singing—

THE SANCTUS SUNG

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

the whole universe speaks of your glory, O God most High. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of our God! Hosanna in the highest.

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion, Jesus took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples, saying: “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, Jesus took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this in remembrance of me.”

By eating this bread and drinking this cup, we proclaim Christ’s death, celebrate Christ’s resurrection and await Christ’s coming again.

THE CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS

By your Holy Spirit bless and make holy both these your gifts and us. Open our eyes that we might recognize you in our midst, in each other and in all for whom Christ died.

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.

THE BREAKING AND THE POURING

THE SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS

The gifts of God for the people of God.

Alleluia! Christ our Passover is offered for us. Alleluia!

The United Church of Christ practices open communion. People of all ages who confess Jesus Christ as Savior are welcome. Today we will receive the elements remaining in our pews. The Deacons/nesses will serve the bread; Pastor Jacoba will serve the gluten free bread in the pews to those who request it. Light colored glasses contain juice and dark glasses contain wine. Please hold the elements until all have received them and we will commune together as one body.

*THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

We thank you Holy God, for this meal where we have known the presence of the living Christ. Grant us a strong faith, watching for you in all the places of the world. Send us out freed from fear and in Easter joy to glorify you through Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen Savior. Amen.

*HYMN "Thine Is the Glory" #139

*THE BENEDICTION

*CHORAL RESPONSE "Christ is Risen"

Soar we now where Christ has led. Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Our the cross, the grave the skies, Alleluia!

*POSTLUDE Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World in Easter Joy

¹Adapted from Ministry Matters, Worship Elements: Easter 2018 by Joanne Carlson Brown

²Adapted from Book of Worship ©2002 by permission of the United Church of Christ, Local Church Ministries, Worship and Education Ministry Team.

Announcements

Welcome

We are glad you came to celebrate the resurrection of Christ on this Easter morning. We rejoice in your presence and hope that you will experience God’s love and new life in Christ. We look forward to worshipping with you again.

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 Bob and Lorraine Shaw in loving memory of family.

Today: No Fellowship Coffee Hour.

Calendar

Monday, April 2 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-anon.

Saturday, April 7 – 7 a.m. UCC Men’s Club Breakfast.

Next Sunday, April 8 – New Member Reception.

Sunday, April 22 – 1^st Quarterly Congregational Meeting

Saturday, April 28 – 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Farmer Appreciation Luncheon at Fairground Municipal Building. Needed: Donations/Monetary – Bars – Help

(Invite and Sign-up a farm family on the bulletin board.)

Pie/Baked Goods Auction

Sunday, April 29 – Following Worship

Sign-up Sheet on Bulletin Board

For our bakers/cooks to list your donations

Needed – Pies, Cakes, Bars, Casseroles

Put this day on your calendar – Fun Day – Good Food

Hope to see you there – we love our BIDDERS