THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

             www.uccneillsville.org

November 18, 2018                                                   10:00 a.m.

 

Thanksgiving Sunday

The Twenty-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                                                          

RINGING OF THE BELL               

 

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

We would like to welcome all of you who have gathered with us today for worship. We come from many places to this time and place. From our varied and hectic lives, we gather in this sacred space, as community to be challenged, to give thanks and to worship. No matter who you are or where you are on lifeÕs journey you are welcome here.

 

HONORING THE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

 

GATHERING MUSIC   ÒGreat Is Thy FaithfulnessÓ

Senior Choir              Chisholm/Runyan

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS

 

CALL TO WORSHIP     

Leader:  Give thanks to the LORD; call upon GodÕs name;

People: God has done wondrous works among us.

Leader:  Pursue the LORD and his strength.

People:  We shall seek the LORD in all things.

Leader:   For God is good, let us come to worship God;

 

* HYMN          ÒThis Is My FatherÕs WorldÓ                      #33

 

*GATHERING PRAYER

Loving God, we give you thanks for the beauty of creation, for your grace and compassion. We confess at times we fail to notice all you do for us. Sometimes we are overwhelmed with fear and anxiety; restore our faith and trust in you. Instill in us a spirit of gratitude. Open our eyes to the needs of the world and to the blessings you have given to us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE 

It is amazing how God has blessed us. Aware of GodÕs blessings can relieve us of anxiety and create peace among us.  

Noticing GodÕs blessings helps us uncover the peace God hopes for each of us and our world.

As we share our peace, let us also express our gratitude to one another. UCC, thank you for your faithfulness in this last year. Thank you for all the time, energy and treasure you have given to do the fund raising of the last two weeks. Thank you for the blessing you are to one another. May GodÕs peace be yours this day.

And may GodÕs peace be with you.

 (All are invited to greet others with handshakes or hugs while saying to them ÒThank you! The peace of Christ be with youÓ and responding, Òand also with you.

 

*SONG OF PRAISE ÒThe Gloria PatriÓ
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       ÒThanksgivingÓ                          

 

CHOIR ANTHEM        ÒThanksgiving DanceÓ  

                 (arr. by Lee Dengler/music by Nancy Middlemas

 

SCRIPTURE READING    Matthew 6:25-34

 

MEDITATION         ÒHelp, Thanks, Wow!Ó                   

 

We Respond to the Word of God

*HYMN    ÒCome, Ye Thankful People, ComeÓ                    #43

     

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE         

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.

     

THE OFFERTORY                                         

*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    ÒFor the Beauty of the EarthÓ                           #34

 

*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                                                      

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

 

 

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.

 

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 Doris Bakker in thankfulness of GodÕs Goodness.

 

 

 

 

Announcements

 

Monday, November 19 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, November 20 – 12 Noon 2nd Half Group; Lunch will be served by M&M Catering; $8.00 plus tip; Sign-up on the bulletin board if you plan on coming.

Program: ÒBack Bay MissionÓ  Pastor Wanda Veldman, Pastor of UCC in Pittsville and her husband Paul have been volunteering at Back Bay in Biloxi , MS and will be sharing their experience with us. Carol Merriman, who is the Wisconsin Regional Representative for Back Bay will also help with presenting the program.  The Back Bay Mission is a ministry affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Back Bay hosts mission groups who renovate homes -youth groups often paint homes.  Back Bay also supports homeless people; helping them to apply for IDÕs to get their prescribed medicines and much more. Come and learn about this special mission and enjoy some good food!

 

Tuesday, November 20 - 5:30 p.m. Trustees meeting;

6:30 p.m. Deacons/Deaconesses meeting; 7:30 p.m. Church Council.

Wednesday, November 21 (Office Closed) NO CDÕs or Confirmation.

 Thursday, November 22 – THANKSGIVING

 (Office Closed) Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 23- (Office Closed)

Next Sunday, November 25 – Following Worship we need volunteers to HELP trim our church for ADVENT.  Thank you!

Next Week – Newsletter Week. 

Wednesday, November 28 – CDÕs trimming Christmas tree.

 

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

Sunday, December 2 –– 4 p.m. Save the Date!

The Sunday School is going to go Christmas Caroling at our three Assisted Living facilities Care & Rehab, Neillsville. They ask that church members join them. We will meet at Neillsville Retirement Community for our first stop at 4pm. Please come and join them.

 

 

 

6th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Calvary Lutheran Church

Corner of Hill Street & 2nd

Invites You

November 22

Serving from Noon until 2 pm

Open to All!

Cost:  Free Will Offering

Carry-Outs Available

Reservations appreciated, but not necessary

Need a Ride?  Want a delivery?  Call 715-743-2225

Before 10 am on Thanksgiving Day

Delivery/Pick up available within the Neillsville City Limits

Looking to help out?!

Food and monetary donations, food preparation,

and food serving are just some of the ways you

can get involved.

Please call Calvary at 715-743-2225