THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

             www.uccneillsville.org

November 4, 2018                                                     10:00 a.m.

All Saints Day

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                                                               Karen Mohr

            ÒPavaneÓ  (Gabriel FaurŽ)                                      

 

RINGING OF THE BELL               

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CAMPITAL CAMPAIGN AND POT PIES     Sue Vornholt

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:  We gather to worship the LORD who is our Shepherd.   

People: We gather as the people of God who come to name our faith and support one another.

Leader:  Beloved, children of God, today we come to ChristÕs table, knowing that those who have come to this same table in years past, join us.  

People: Today we remember them knowing Jesus is our Good Shepherd who leads us in this day and to life eternal.

Leader:   We worship in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever more.

 

* HYMN          ÒThe LordÕs My ShepherdÓ                  #278

We Confess Our Sin and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of love, a love made known through JesusÕs life, death and resurrection, forgive us in those moments when we do not love you with all our heart, mind and soul. Have mercy on us when we let fear, hurt, grief, bitterness and hatred separate us from family and strangers. Be kind to us so that we might learn how to be kind to all who share your world with us. Give us courage in the face of evil. Soften hearts when meanness enters our lives. We need your faithful love; help us to walk humbly with you. In the name of Jesus.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

ASSURANCE OF PARDON1

Beloved, hear these comforting words: If we repent and believe in GodÕs redeeming mercy, our sins are forgiven. Trust in GodÕs promises and live at peace with God and all people in the name of Jesus Christ.

PASSING THE PEACE  

When grief overwhelms us we need to feel God near.                             

When emptiness robs us of joy, we need our friends to support us.   

Jesus proclaims to grieving disciples, ÒPeace I leave with you; my peace I give you.Ó Let us receive and share that peace with one another. 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 ÒThe peace of Christ be with youÓ and responding, Òand also with you.Ó

SONG OF HOPE  ÒWhat a Friend We Have in JesusÓ

      What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs

      to bear!  What a privilege to carry Everything to God

in prayer! Oh, what peace often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear, all because

we do not carry Everything to God in prayer.

We Listen for the Good News

CHILDRENÕS TIME         ÒAll Saints DayÓ                                   

CHOIR SINGS  ÒCome Find Forgiveness and LoveÓ

                                                       (Music/Words – Besig/Price)

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS    Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9

 

MEDITATION                                   Pastor Jacoba Koppert    

ÒThe God Who Receives, RestoresÓ

We Respond to the Word of God

THANKSGIVING LITANY FOR THE BLESSED ONES

Pastor:    Jesus said, ÒI am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me, will never die.  Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?Ó

People: ÒDeath will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more for the first things have passed away.Ó

Pastor:    The Lord is faithful in all GodÕs words and gracious in all GodÕs deeds.

People:  The Lord upholds all who are falling down and raises up all who are bowed down.

Pastor:    The Lord is near to all who call, who call from their hearts.

People:   The desires of those who fear God are fulfilled; their cries are heard; they are saved.

Pastor:    On this day of remembrance, let us recall and give thanks for those blessed ones who have gone before us.

(The families and friends of those whose services were held

 through the ministry of the church since November 2017 are

 invited to come forward when the Pastor names their loved

 ones, light a candle and offer a sentence of remembrance.)

Followed by all who would like to light a candle in memory of

a dear one.

 

Larry Erickson          Judy Lonning                        Mildred Lawson

Beverly Batista         Ruby Ambelang        Frank Zank

Edna Lemons             Arlene Kernz

 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Pastor:   Living God, we give you thanks for the lives of these blessed ones.

People:  O God, keep them forever in your arms.  May they stay forever in our hearts.  Through their living, teach us to live faithfully.  Amen.

 

*HYMN    ÒFor All the SaintsÓ                     vs. 1, 2 & 4  #296

     

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE         

     

THE OFFERTORY                                         Karen Mohr

      ÒPie JesuÓ  (FaurŽ)

*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

THE COMMUNION PRAYER2

Pastor:      God is in this place.

People:    And in our hearts.

Pastor:     Open yourself to the nudging of God, and to

People:    Jesus, who taught us a new way.

Pastor:     Tender, transforming God, you have invited us

                 gather at this table, to taste the feast, and hear the same abundant promises offered to our ancestors in                                             faith. Time and time again youÕve offered your grace, even as we have stepped away, You continue to call us to be your people. You never left us. We praise you for second, third, and fourth chances. You are ever-patient, always faithful. We give thanks for this time of celebration; for Jesus who is remembered in this meal and  this meal; and for his life, ministry, death and resurrection. With those who have gone before us, whose hands touched the bread, whose lips embraced the cup, we worship you. We glorify you.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

     God of all, send your Spirit to this place so that those gathered here, in this sacred moment, may know your presence. As we eat the bread and drink of the cup, make us one with the saints, and our sisters and brothers in faith around the world.

     Be with us God, not only here but in every moment of our lives. Help us to know you, to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and to live as ChristÕs followers. Now and forever. Amen.

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

 

THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God of you love, you have again connected us with one another and all the saints in heaven and on earth as we feasted with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We ask your help so our faith is strengthened; so that we might act courageously; so that our love grows deeper for you and one another. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

 

*THE BENEDICTION

*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 otherÕs woes, each otherÕs burdens bear, And often for each other flows a sympathizing tear.

      When we are called to part it gives us inward pain, But we shall still be joined in heart and hope to meet again.

 

*POSTLUDE                                                          Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

 

1 Book of Worship United Church of Christ copyright 1986
2 ÒCelebrating their Lives: Holy Communion for all Saints DayÓ by Rev. Scott A Ressman, Copyright 2018 United Church of Christ. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt in a worship bulletin. 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. Following worship you are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall for coffee/refreshments and conversation.  Whoever you are and wherever 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 – The radio broadcast portion of todayÕs service is sponsored by Phil and Donita Follen for the church family.

 

Calendar

Monday, November 5 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, November 6 – 11 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Election Day Chili Feed; 2:30 p.m. Neillsville Care & Rehab church service; Pastor Jacoba leading.

Wednesday, November 7– 3:30 p.m. CDÕs & Confirmation;

(CDÕs helping set up for the Holiday Fair) 

 

ÒElection Day Chili FeedÓ

Tuesday, November 6

11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Eat in - $6.00 (10 & older)

9 & under FREE

All Carry outs/delivering - $6.00

Chili, Crackers, Cheese, Dessert

(Take out a Quart for $8.00)

Please park in the lower level and use the East entrance

 

 

5th HOLIDAY FAIR

Saturday, November 10

9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Lunch 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Chicken Salad on a Croissant

Baked Potato Soup – Dessert & Beverage

Adults $7.00 - Kids under 10- $5.00

ÒNew to YouÓ Treasures, Greeting Cards

Kitchen Cupboard

Baked Goods, Jams & Jellies

ÒHope to See You All ThereÓ