UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

July 1, 2018 9:00 a.m.

The Sixth 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

GATHERING “Soften My Heart”

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)

Words and Music. OneLicense.net A-723900

PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: O give thanks to the LORD, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever.

People: God redeems us from our troubles, gathering us from the east and the west, the north and the south.

Leader: The LORD makes the storm to be still and the waves of the sea are hushed.

People: In the quiet, God brings us to the other side.

Leader: Let us thank the LORD for God’s steadfast love , for God’s wonderful works to humankind.

People: Let us honor the Lord in the congregation and praise God in the assembly.

*HYMN “God of Grace and Glory” vs. 1-3 #198

We Confess Our Sin, Seeking God’s Forgiveness

CALL TO RECONCILIATION¹
Our lives, our words, our fears show how hard it is for us to be confident to rest in God’s ways and hopes for us, and not become so scared when the winds begin to blow.  Let us confess our lack of faith to the One who knows this is the right time to receive forgiveness and hope.  Join me, as we pray together, saying,

UNISON PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS¹

     We are at our wits’ end, O God, as we try to live each day.  We could confront the angry voices around us with peace and grace, but our courage melts away.  We could see you at work in those who care for the vulnerable, but we let our fears of those who we don’t understand wash our faith away.  We see your grace drawing close to us and cry out, ‘no further!’

Holy One, you are the God who tells the storms of temptation to ‘shush!’ You are the God whose love is not just now and then, but offered to us in every moment.  You are the God who, in Jesus Christ, comes to us in order to comfort us, to encourage us, and to cradle us in your peace.

Silence is kept

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

While we may believe God does not always have the time for us, there is not a moment that God is not listening, not forgiving, and not restoring us to grace-filled lives.
This is indeed the acceptable time, to recognize, to accept, and to live out the reality that we are redeemed by our God.  Thanks be to God.  Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

As we travel with Jesus, we must find ways to be in relationship with the others who also journey with him. Jesus shows us how to live at peace one another. May we know his peace. My friends, may 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.")

*SONG OF PRAISE "Gloria Patri”

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

CHILDREN’S TIME (If children are present)

“Getting in the Boat”

SPECIAL MUSIC

SCRIPTURE READINGS

II Corinthians 6:1-13

Mark 4:35-41

SERMON “Crossing to the Other Side” Pastor Jacoba Koppert

We Respond To God’s Faithfulness

*HYMN “Jesus, Savior Pilot Me” #265

PASTORAL PRAYER

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

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

THE INVITATION²

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 the disciples, and was made known in the breaking of the bread.

(sung) 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.

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 PRAYER²

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.

Pastor continues prayer

THE SACTUS (Sung)²

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

CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS

OUR RESPONSE

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

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 (gluten free wafers in the covered container) the bread, eat it and then take and drink from one of the small cups. 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 THANKSGIVING²

Let us pray.

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 “God Bless Our Native Land” #66

*THE BENEDICTION

*CHORAL RESPONSE "God of Grace and Glory"

Set our feet on lofty places; gird our lives that they may be armored with all Christ-like graces, in the fight to set us free. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, in the quest for liberty, in the quest for liberty.

Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore; let the search, for your salvation be our glory evermore. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving you whom we adore, serving you whom we adore.

*POSTLUDE Eileen Zank

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World to Serve

¹Adapted by Rev. Jacoba Koppert from lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com by Thom M. Shuman

¹Book of Worship: United Church of Christ Copyright 1986. Used with permission.

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 – Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is given by Anita Lulloff in memory of husband, Bob and her loved ones.

Today: 3:00 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement

Community; join us!