THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

March 3, 2019 10:00 a.m.

Eighth 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

“Berceuse” from the Violin concerto (Feliz Mendelssohn)

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 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer
O what peace we often forfeit, 

O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION

CALL TO WORSHIP¹ (Luke 6)

Leader: Come and learn the ways of life.

People: We have come to follow Jesus.

Leader: Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you.

People: We have come to follow Jesus.

Leader: Bless those who curse you and pray for those who persecute you.

People: We have come to follow Jesus.

Leader: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

People: We have come to follow Jesus.

Leader: Come and learn the ways of life

*HYMN “Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven” #23 vs. 1-3

*GATHERING PRAYER

*PASSING THE PEACE

Forgiven by Jesus, the Holy Spirit will help us to forgive ourselves and one another.

Forgiveness enables us to move toward inner peace and peace with one another.

Let us practice offering forgiveness to one another as a witness to our desire for peace with justice for all God created.

(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 “Joseph, Jacob’s Son”

THE CHOIR ANTHEM “We Bow Down” (Twilla Paris)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Genesis 45:3-11,15

Luke 6:27-38

SERMON “Really Lord?” Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Enacting Our Faith

*HYMN “Let There Be Peace”

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

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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.

INVITATION TO OFFERING THE OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

“By Peaceful Waters” (Mendelssohn)

*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

Beloved in Christ, the Gospel tells us that on the first day of the week Jesus Christ was raised from death, appeared to Mary Magdalene, on that same day sat at table with two of the disciples, and was made known in the breaking of the bread.

(sung) This is the joyful feast of the people of God.

Men and women, youth and children,

come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and gather about Christ’s table.

This table is for all Christians who wish to know the presence of Christ and to share in the community of God’s people.

THE COMMUNION PRAYER²

Pastor: God be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to God.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to God Most High.

People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Pastor continues prayer

THE SACTUS (Sung)

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!

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS

OUR RESPONSE

In the strength Christ gives us we offer ourselves to you,

Eternal God, and give thanks that you have called us

to serve you. Amen.

THE BREAKING AND THE POURING

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

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING²

Let us pray.

We thank you, God, for inviting us to this table where we have known the presence of Christ and have received all Christ’s gifts. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

*HYMN “O For a World ”

O for a world where everyone

respects each other’s ways.

Where love is lived and all is done

with justice and with praise.

O for a world where goods

are shared and misery relieved,

Where truth is spoken, children spared,

equality achieved.

We welcome one world family and

struggle with each choice

That opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.

The poor are rich, the weak are strong,

the foolish ones are wise.

Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong,

who perishes will rise.

O for a world preparing for

God’s glorious reign of peace.

Where time and tears will be no more

and all but love will cease.

By Miriam Therese Winter ©Medical Mission Sisters 1982

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE “We Yearn, O Christ, For Wholeness”

We need your living presence, O Christ of Galilee,

A presence that revives us and sets our spirits free,

No longer are we fearful, your love pervades each place,

Empower us with courage to claim your healing grace.

*POSTLUDE Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

¹Reprinted from Ministry Matters, Epiphany 7c, February 23, 2019; by B.J. Bleu Copyright, Used by permission.

²Book of Worship: United Church of Christ Copyright 1986. Used with permission.

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 a Pancake Breakfast served by the UCC Men’s Breakfast. 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 anonymously by a church member.

TODAY: SUNDAY, MARCH 3 (See Flyer)

“Hiding in Plain Sight”

When: Sunday, March 3

9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Where: United Church of Christ

UCC Men’s

Pancake Breakfast

TODAY Sunday, March 3 (Following Worship)

Downstairs in Fellowship Hall – Free Will Offering

Regular – Blueberry – Potato Pancakes with Sausage

Today: 3 p.m. Communion served at the Neillsville Retirement Community. Join us.

Calendar

Monday, March 4 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

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

7 p.m. ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

Calvary Lutheran Church

Communion - Imposition of Ashes – Combined Choir

6 p.m. Soup Supper

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

(First Thessalonians – Chapter 5)

Next Sunday, March 10 - DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS! TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD.

Wednesday, March 13 – 7 p.m. LENTEN SERVICE at UCC;

6 p.m. Soup Supper