THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

March 10, 2019 10:00 a.m.

First Sunday of Lent

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 life’s journey you are welcome here.

GATHERING MUSIC “They that Wait Upon the Lord”

They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Help us Lord, help us Lord on our way.

PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Seek the LORD while God may be found.

People: God’s Word is a lamp before our feet, a light for our journey.

Leader: The Word of God is near us; it is before us and among us.

People: May it be on our lips and in our hearts.

Leader: Call upon the name of the Lord, for God is near.

People: All who call on the Lord’s name will be saved.

Leader: Let us join our hearts and voices as we seek the Lord and call upon God’s name.

VIDEO FOR REFLECTION

“Seekers of Your Heart”

We Confess Our Sin and Seek God’s Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Gracious God, help me to rightly examine all things, to discern right from wrong, to see clearly what I should do.

I have sinned against you and others:

Failing to call on your name;

Refusing to seek your guidance;

Fracturing relationship with family, friends and the world:

Through what I give my attention to each day.
Grant us insight in our thoughts and desires, so that our minds can be open, uncluttered, and vibrant. Hear our prayers confessing our sin and asking for your wisdom, that we may be more like you.

*SILENCE

*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS

*PASSING THE PEACE

May the peace of Christ control our hearts.

May the peace of Christ be made known in our

relationships with one another

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.”)

*SONG OF PRAISE “Seekers of Your Heart”

Seeking God’s Presence

CHILDREN’S TIME “Finding God in the Bible”

THE CHILDREN SING “My God Is So Great”

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Romans 10:8b-13

Luke 4:1-13

SERMON “Seeking God’s Presence through Scripture”

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Calling on the Name of the Lord

*HYMN “Wonderful Words of Life” (pg. 5 Bulletin)

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.

Responding to God’s Presence

INVITATION TO OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY Vicente Cortez

*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 “Just as I Am” (pg. 6 Bulletin)

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE “Amen, Amen, Amen.”

*POSTLUDE Vicente Cortez

Going into the World Seeking God’s Presence;

Calling on God’s Name; Proclaiming God’s Love

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 Bob and Ruth Schmidt in memory of brother, Marvin Mohr.

Calendar

Monday, March 11 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, March 12 – 10 a.m. Ministerial Alliance meeting at Hillside.

Wednesday, March 13 - 3:30 p.m. CD’s & Confirmation

7 p.m. LENTEN SERVICE – UCC - 6 p.m. Soup Supper

Tuesday, March 19 – 12 Noon 2^nd Half Group – Catered Lunch; $8.00 plus tip; Pastor Wanda Veldman and Husband, Paul will present a program on Back Bay. Sign-up on the bulletin board. 5:30 p.m. Trustees meeting; 6:30 p.m. Deacons and Deaconesses meet; 7:30 p.m. Church Council.

Easter Lilies- Time to order Easter lilies; $13 each; make checks out to Falls Florist. Check with Audrey.

Lenten Offering – Remember your Lenten Offering – You will find folders in the pew racks if you wish to use them. Monies collected go to local missions.

Needed Donations Bars/Cookies for our soup suppers – sign-up on the bulletin board.

One Great Hour of Sharing – Offering Envelopes in pew racks.