UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

            www.uccneillsville.org

 

September 9, 2018                                                    10:00 a.m.

 

The Sixteenth 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       ÒEye Has Not SeenÓ                (Marty Haugen)                    Vicente Cortez

         

RINGING OF THE BELL               

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS  

 

 PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION

GATHERING    ÒSoften My HeartÓ

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

 

CALL TO WORSHIP  (Psalm 146:5-10)

Leader:     Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is the LORD their God;

People:    who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever;       

 

Leader:      who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoner free;

People:    The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.

Leader:      The LORD watches over the strangers, God upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked God brings to ruin.

All:           The LORD will reign forever, for all generations! Praise the LORD!

 

*HYMN     ÒO for a Thousand Tongues to SingÓ  (4 Vs.). #305

        Vs 3         Jesus! the name that calms our fears,

                        that bids our sorrows cease

                        Is music in the sinnerÕs ears,         

                        is life, and health, and peace!

 

We Confess Our Sin and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

      Gracious God, like Jesus we sometimes have trouble supporting outsiders. We prefer to help those who are like us. Forgive us when we turn away from the needs of any who need to know your love. God of love, at times it is hard to remember you are the maker of all, those we like and those who make us anxious, angry or fearful. Help us to trust in you in whom we have our hope and peace.

*WE CONFESS OUR PERSONAL SIN SILENTLY

*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

In the name of Jesus, we are forgiven of all our sin as he prays that we might all be One. As we accept GodÕs grace may we lead a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called.

PASSING THE PEACE         

     This is our opportunity to practice GodÕs love for all. This is our opportunity to soften our hearts extending GodÕs peace to all. 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.

 

*THE 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

CHILDRENÕS TIME     ÒJesus ListensÓ    (If Children present)                                                                    

 

SPECIAL MUSIC     ÒOpen My EyesÓ        (Jesse Manibusan)                              Vicente Cortez

       

SCRIPTURE READINGS    

Mark 7:24-37

 

SERMON     ÒA Lesson Learned and TaughtÓ                 

                                                                Pastor Jacoba Koppert

                     

We Respond to GodÕs Faithfulness

*HYMN         ÒAmazing GraceÓ                                     #233

 

     PASTORAL PRAYER 

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.

 

INVITATION TO OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY ÒHow Long, O LordÓ (Gerard Chiusano)                                                       Vicente Cortez

*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  ÒI Am the Light of the WorldÓ      (pg. 5 & 6 bulletin)

                                              

THE BENEDICTION

CHORAL RESPONSE         ÓLet There Be PeaceÓ

By Sy Miller and Jill Jackson

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.

Reprinted under OneLiense.net A-723900

.    

*POSTLUDE     ÒThe SummonsÓ    Music by Kelvingrove,                      Arr. Bobby Fischer                                Vicente Cortez

            

                       

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World to Serve

 

 

 

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 sponsored by Phil and Donita Follen for the church family.

 

 Calendar  

Monday, September 10- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Wednesday, September 12 – 3:30 p.m. CDÕs & Confirmation (pool party;) 6 p.m. Bazaar Workshop (painting.)

Thursday, September 13 – 1:30 p.m. Circle of Friends meets.

Next Sunday, September 16– 9 a.m. Sunday School BEGINS; 9 a.m. Choir practice; 10 a.m. Worship; Vera Knoll Baptism.

Tuesday, September 18 – 12 Noon 2nd Half Group meets; catered lunch $7.50 plus tip; (sign-up on bulletin board) Program: a slideshow of birds and wildlife of the lower Rio Grande Valley plus much more presented by Deon Spangler.

5:30 p.m. Trustees; 6:30 p.m. Deacon/Deaconesses; 7:30 p.m. Church Council.