UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

September 23, 2018 10:00 a.m.

The Eighteenth 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 Vicente Cortez

“Peace is Flowing Like a River” (Carey Landry)

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION

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

CALL TO WORSHIP¹

Leader: Jesus challenges us in today’s gospel:

People: Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.

Leader: Then Jesus took a little child and put it among them; and taking the child in his arms, he said to them:

People: Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.

Leader: We are still learning today what Jesus came to teach us two thousand years ago. To change the world we must change the way we love and welcome all children!

*HYMN “Children of God” vs . 1-3 (Insert)

*GATHERING PRAYER

God, we so want to understand what you want from us, yet often like the disciples we are confused. Are the least really the first? Are we to always be the servant? We try in many ways to be faithful; yet we are not sure we are doing enough. Show us what you expect of us and guide us so that by our words and actions your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Help us to glorify and honor you, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

*PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Even when we are chastised by God’s Word; even when we feel shame or guilt, God’s love and acceptance of us remains. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven of all our sin. Through the Holy Spirit we are guided so we might follow in the ways of Jesus. Take heart, Jesus is looking for us to again do his work in the world.

PASSING THE PEACE

We all need practice sharing and receiving God’s love. At church we have the opportunity to practice being Jesus’ followers. Let us turn to those we love, those with whom we have differences and those we don’t know very well and share God’s love and peace with each other. God’s loves us all. Let us seek God’s peace with all and for 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

CHILDREN’S TIME “What Are You Like?”

CONFIRMATION CLASS RECEIVES THEIR BIBLES

CONFIRMATION CLASS, PARENTS AND MENTORS

SIGN COVENANTS

Members of UCC - Will you promise your love, support and care to the class members, their parents, mentors, the teaching assistants and your Pastor as all work together to learn the faith and grow in a closer relationship with God in Jesus Christ?

We promise our love, support and care. We offer our prayers for you as you do the important work of growing in faith and love.

SPECIAL MUSIC Vicente Cortez

Psalm 23 “The Lord is My Shepherd”

SCRIPTURE READINGS Mark 9:30-38

SERMON “First in Caring” Pastor Jacoba Koppert

We Respond to God’s Faithfulness

*HYMN “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love (Insert)

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 Vicente Cortez

“My God and My All” (Rufino Zaragoza)

*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 “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service” (Insert)

THE BENEDICTION

CHORAL RESPONSE “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds”

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.

*POSTLUDE Vicente Cortez

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (Joseph Medicott Steriven)

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World to Serve

Written by the Rev. Bonnie Tarwater of San Diego, CA. Copyright 2018 United Church of Christ. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.

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 Jim and Rosie Repinski in remembrance of Frank Zank’s 100^th birthday.

Calendar

Monday, September 24 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon

Wednesday, September 26 – 3:30 p.m. CD’s & Confirmation; 5:30 p.m. Supper with Confirmation Mentors; 6 p.m. Bazaar Workshop.

Next Sunday, September 30 – 9 am Choir practice; 9 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Worship; (Sue Vornholt leading worship)

(Pastor Jacoba will be on vacation September 28-October 6)

Neighbors In Need Special Offering

“Love of Neighbor” is the theme for this year’s Neighbors in Need special offering. The NIN offering, which will be received on Sunday, October 7, supports the UCC’s ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Neighbors in Need helps make “A Just World for All Possible.” For this to occur, it needs your support. Please give generously! Look for the special offering envelopes in the pew racks.

Helping Hearts and Hands

The Mission and Outreach committee has decided to have a new fund raiser! It is called “Helping Hearts and Hands.” Bob and Barb Petkovsek’s daughter, Brenda and her husband, Aaron are missionaries with Cru, formerly Campus Crusade for Christ. They with their children have been involved for 15 years. The committee has decided to partner with them for one year. We need $100 a month to do so. We are asking people to purchase a hand for $50. You can go together with another person if you so choose. We will put your hand on a heart shape located in the church somewhere. You can purchase these hands by filling out the envelope found in the pew racks. Our committee thanks you for your help! (Make checks out to United Church of Christ – Memo Line: Helping Hearts & Hands.)

Annual Potluck Church Picnic???

A tentative date (Sunday, October 21) has been put on our calendar for our Annual Church Potluck Picnic. (No Packer Game that Sunday) The UCC Men’s Club would again provide the chicken. There is a sign-up to find out if you will be attending. We need to know how much chicken to make. If the interest is not there…there will be no picnic. Look for the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.