THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

February 3, 2019 10:00 a.m.

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

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

“Just As I Am” (Dale Wood)

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 life’s journey you are welcome here.

GATHERING MUSIC “Ubi Caritas et Amor” Senior Choir

PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Love comes from God.

People: Everyone who truly loves is a child of God.

Leader: Let us practice love:

People: Show patience, express kindness, be forgiving, trusting, and hopeful.

Leader: Be not rude or resentful, do not brag and do not keep a record of wrong doings. Instead know that love expressed faithfully never fails.

People: With Jesus we claim our faith and hope, knowing that love remains the greatest expression of who God is and how we are to live.

Leader: Let us practice love in this very room as we worship God.

*HYMN “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” #13 vs. 1, 3 & 4

We Confess Our Sins Seeking God’s Forgiveness

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

We know, O God you are love and you created us through your love. Forgive us when we do not love you nor our neighbors as you love us. Forgive our impatience with one another. When we are unkind, send your Holy Spirit to remind us to be more loving and understanding. When words and actions are rude, may your truth be spoken with love. Fill us with your love.

*SILENCE as we confess that which has not brought Christ’s love into the world.

*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

You are loved by God who created you to be the unique person you are. Though we have all strayed from God’s intentions for us and for the world, God’s love for us remains. We are forgiven. Let us again practice expressing love. Let us seek God’s help so we might again love one another as Christ loves us.

*PASSING THE PEACE

The love of God surrounds us.
We rejoice in that love.
Let us greet one another in that love, in that hope,
in that abiding faith.

(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 “They’ll Know We Are Christians”

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,

And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son,

And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love,

by our love,

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We Listen for the Good News

CHILDREN’S TIME “Clanging Cymbals”

THE CHOIR SINGS “He Came Down” (John Bell)

SCRIPTURE READING I Corinthians 13

MEDITATION Pastor Jacoba Koppert

“A Still More Excellent Way”

Enacting Our Faith

AFFIRMATION OF MINISTRY¹

GREETING

Grace, mercy and peace to you from Jesus Christ, the head of the church in heaven and on earth.

To God, be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever.

INTRODUCTION

PRESENTATION

COVENANT

Pastor: Sisters and brothers in Christ, it is an honor to be entrusted with responsibility for particular service in the ministry of the church whether gathered or scattered. Having prayerfully considered the duties and responsibilities of your ministry, are you prepared to serve with the help of God in Christ's name and for the glory of God?

Lay Leaders: I am.

Pastor: Do you promise to exercise your ministry

diligently and faithfully, showing forth the love of Christ?

Lay Leaders: I do, relying on God's grace.

Pastor: Members of this household of faith, you have heard the promises of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have answered God’s call to service. Let us affirm our intention to live in covenant with them. Will those who are able rise and witness to the commitment we now make?

People: We gather in celebration of the joy that is ours to be partners with you in the service of Jesus Christ. We promise to love you, honor your leadership, and assist you that together we may be a faithful church of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER

DECLARATION

GREETING OF CHRISTIAN LOVE

HYMN “I Come with Joy” (Vs. 1)

I come with joy, a child of God, forgiven, loved, and

free, The life of Jesus to recall, in love laid down for me, in love laid down for me.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

INVITATION TO OFFERING THE OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

“Break Thou the Bread of Life” (Arr. by Alice Jordan)

*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 Communion²

Pastor: Beloved in Christ, this is the joyful feast of the people of God, With the entire company of saints in heaven and earth, we worship and glorify you God Most Holy.

People: 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!

Pastor: This is the welcome table of God where all who seek to be at peace with their neighbor and all who seek the mercy of God in Christ are embraced. Come, for we are invited in to this holy mystery. Come.

HYMN “I Come with Joy” Vs. 2 & 3

I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are

fed. The new community of love in Christ’s communion

bread, in Christ’s communion bread.

As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share, each proud

division ends. The love that made us, makes us one, and

strangers now are friends, and strangers now are friends.

Pastor: We praise you O God for the gift of life given in creation and through Jesus Christ our Lord. We thank you for his faithfulness and that through his life, death and resurrection we are restored to relationship with you. We rejoice in your love which frees us from our sin calling us to reconciliation with you and all people everywhere.

People: We praise and thank you, nurturing God, that in Jesus you bring joy and hope to loving hearts and offer health and power to human relationships.

Pastor: We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion, Jesus took his authority as the Christ and offered the bread in thanksgiving and said . . .

People: “Take, eat. This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Pastor: In the same way, and by the same authority, Jesus offered the cup in thanksgiving and said,

People: “Take, drink. This is my blood of the new covenant which is poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.”

Pastor: Come, Holy Spirit. Come. Bless these gifts of bread and cup and bless us as we receive them. Open our eyes to the mystery of Christ’s presence in these ordinary things in these our ordinary lives. Through the broken bread . . .

People: We participate in the Body of Christ.

Pastor: Through the cup of blessing . . .

People: We participate in the new life Christ gives.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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.

Pastor: These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready!

The United Church of Christ practices open communion. People of all ages who confess Jesus Christ as Savior are welcome. Today we will receive the elements remaining in our pews. The Deacons/nesses will serve the elements; Pastor Jacoba will serve the gluten-free wafers in the pews to those who request it. Light colored glasses contain juice and dark glasses contain wine. commune together as one body.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Gracious and loving God, you have made us one in the body of Christ and nourished us at your table with holy food and drink. Thank you for feeding our hunger and relieving our thirst. Now send us into the world to do the work you have given us to do: to find the lost and lonely, to heal broken souls, to free prisoners, and make the powerful care. Grant us strength to persevere in resisting evil, and to proclaim in all we say and do your good news in Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE “I Come with Joy” Vs. 4 &5

And thus we meet, and better know the Presence, ever near, And join our hearts and sing with joy that Christ is risen here, that Christ is risen here.

Together met, together bound, in friendship we will stay, And go with joy to love the world and live the way we pray, and live the way we pray.

*POSTLUDE

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

²Adapted from UCC.org; Worshiping into God's Future;

A Responsive Communion Liturgy

February Newsletter – Due to the really COLD weather we were unable to work on the February Newsletter. We will have it for you next Sunday, February 10. (Check out the Announcements – we have listed most of our February activities in the church bulletin.

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 service is given by the Dan Patey family in loving memory of Elvira Patey.

Today: 11:15 a.m. CD’s & Confirmands going to Bruce Mound.– Communion for Neillsville Retirement Community has been rescheduled for next Sunday, February 10.

Calendar

Monday, February 4 - 6:30-7:30 Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, February 5 – Pastor/Parish meeting will be rescheduled.

Wednesday, February 6 - 3:30 p.m. CD’s & Confirmation.

Friday, February 8 – 10-11 a.m. Bible Study;

(First Thessalonians – Chapter 2)

Next Sunday, February 10 – (Rescheduled) 3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community; come and join us.

2018 Annual Reports can be picked up here in the office.

We still have some 2018 Contribution Statements and 2019 Offering Envelopes that need to be picked up. They are here in the office too.

Soup’er Bowl Challenge

Take note of all the cans of soup on the table in the Narthex. The Soup’er Bowl challenge has been going on all month. Today “Super Bowl Sunday” is the last day of collecting. A BIG THANK YOU to all that have contributed to this special mission. Are we going to hold the record for the most cans collected by the churches? (Cans of soup will be counted on Monday morning.)

Hearts for the Home – February is the month our church takes part in the “Hearts for the Home” mission project. Monies raised go to helping our residents in our care facilities. Your support will help those without resources to participate in activities, receive haircuts, perms etc. Envelopes will be in the pew racks that are labeled “Hearts for the Home.” If you write a check make it out to United Church of Christ and in the memo line indicate “Hearts for the Home.” Thank you for your support.

Tuesday, February 19 - 12 Noon “Second Half Meeting”

Catered Lunch ($8.00 plus tip) Eileen Miller, Sr. Recreation Director from the Community Service of the Jackson prison

will present the program. Sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

Thursday, February 21 – 10-11:30 a.m. Sun Catchers Café – Ben Lindner from Tender Shoots Greenhouse will discuss what’s going on at Tender Shoots now, types of plants popular in gardens and answer your questions. This is open to anyone that wishes to come.