Neillsville,
Wisconsin
Pastor Jacoba Koppert
Church 715-743-2147
Pastor's Office
715-743-2117
www.uccneillsville.org
___________________________________________________
May 20, 2018 10:00 a.m.
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
BACCALUREATE 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 Eileen Zank
RINGING OF THE BELL
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
MISSION
MOMENT Strengthen the Church
GATHERING MUSIC ÒSoften My HeartÓ1
Soften my heart, Lord, Soften my heart;
from all indifference set me apart,
To feel your compassion, to weep with your tears;
come soften my heart, O Lord, soften my heart. (repeat)
PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION
*CALL TO WORSHIP2
Leader: With tongues of flame, the
Holy Spirit descends
to burn in our hearts anew.
- is
blowing afresh throughout the world.
Leader: Across the barriers of
language and culture, we hope ChristÕs message of love and grace is heard.
People: Divine
Advocate, we seek your guidance
as we search for the Spirit of Truth.
*HYMN ÒSpirit of God, Descend upon My HeartÓ
(vs. 1, 4, 5) #277
We Confess Our Sin and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION2
Heavenly Father, you dwell within us, but we fail to listen for your guidance.
Caring Mother, you wrap us up in your arms of love, giving us the breath of life, yet we fail to allow you to guide us.
Brother Jesus, you have shown us the way, the truth and the life, yet we fail to follow your teachings.
Sister Spirit, you abide in us, ready to inspire us, yet we fail to do what you whisper in our ears.
Remind us, we pray, that we only need to trust you, the giver of life to find the faith and hope you have promised. Gather us up in the winds of your Spirit and carry us to ever greater heights, through Christ who loves us still.
Silence for Personal Prayers of Confession
*ASSURANCE OF BLESSING
Do not be afraid.
Our Comforter and Advocate has come.
Rejoice in the knowledge that all is forgiven. Keep the love of Jesus in your
hearts and the SpiritÕs flame alive in you each day. People of God, listen! New
life is promised; live in hope; in faith move into the world making a
difference so all may know we love and follow Jesus.
*PASSING THE PEACE
The
Holy Spirit is among us, leading us to bring peace to all we encounter. May
GodÕs promise of peace guide our hearts and lives. 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 "The
peace of Christ be with you" and responding "and also with you.")
*OUR
RESPONSE OF JOY ÓHallelujah"
Halle,
halle, hallelujah, Halle, halle, hallelujah.
Halle,
halle, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
We Listen for News of the Resurrection
CHILDRENÕS TIME ÒThe
Day of PentecostÓ
THE CHOIR SINGS ÒCome Down, LordÓ (Stan Pethel)
SCRIPTURE READING John 14:15-17, 15:26-27, 16:4b-15
SERMON ÒSpirit LedÓ Pastor Jacoba Koppert
We Respond To
GodÕs Faithfulness
HONORING OUR GRADUATES
Neillsville
High School
Hannah Erickson
Sarah Fields
Erin Voigt
Emily Voigt
College Graduates
Alec Anderson – UW La Crosse - BS in Biology
Emma Voss (granddaughter of Wayne & JoAnn)
UW Stevens Point – Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Cumulative sciences and disorders, Psychology and Philosophy
*HYMN
ÒNow in the Days of YouthÓ
(pg. 5 bulletin)
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 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 DEDICATION
*HYMN ÒBreathe on Me, Breath of GodÓ (pg. 6 bulletin)
*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 Eileen Zank
The Light of Christ Leads Us into the
World in Easter Joy
1Words and Music. OneLicense.net A-723900
2Freely adapted by Rev. Jacoba Koppert from Ministry
Matters Worship Elements: May 20, 2015 by Sara Dunning Lambert
.
Congratulations to our 2018 UCC High School
and College Graduates!
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 – Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is given by Bob & Ruth Schmidt in memory of sister, Eunice Artac.
Calendar
Monday, May 21 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.
Wednesday, May 23-Sunday, May 27 – Pastor Jacoba/Vacation
Next Sunday, May 27 – Pastor Julie Garber leading worship.
Monday, May 28 – Memorial Day (Office Closed)
Sunday,
June 3 – TIME CHANGE
– SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE – 9:00 a.m. Worship; Communion (pews)
Vacation Bible School Dates – ÒPolar Blast WeekendÓ
Friday, June 1 - 4-8 p.m.
Saturday, June 2 - 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Sign-Up
Kids! Registration forms available in Narthex and in bulletin. Age 3 – 5th Grade are
welcome to come!
Bring
a friend! Hope to see you there!
(Looking
for volunteers to HELP with VBS) Call the church office 715-743-2147 – or
let Pastor Jacoba know.