THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

March 17, 2019 10:00 a.m.

Second 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 “Rondo in G” (John Bull) Karen Mohr

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 “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: We seek the Lord in this sanctuary.

Leader: God shelters us in this place; in troubling times, God will save us.

People: Your face do we seek LORD! Please don’t hide from us.

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

People: We have a sure faith that we will experience the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living.

Leader: Hope in the LORD! Be Strong! Let your hearts take courage!

All: We hope in the LORD!

*HYMN “All People That on Earth Do Dwell”

(pg. 6 Bulletin)

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 “Seeking God in the Sanctuary”

THE CHILDREN SING “My God Is So Great”

SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 27

SERMON Pastor Jacoba Koppert

“Seeking God Presence / Calling on God for

Courage, Strength and Hope”

Calling on the Name of the Lord

THE CHOIR SINGS “Seekers of Your Heart”

Dick Tunney, Melodie Tunney & Beverly Darnall: arr. Jay Rouse

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 “Old Irish Air” Karen Mohr

*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 “Before Your Cross, O Jesus” Ferdinand Blanchard

1 Before your cross, O Jesus,
our lives are judged today;
The meaning of our eager strife
is tested by your way.
Across our restless living
the light streams from your cross,
And by its clear, revealing beams
we measure gain and loss.

2 The hopes that lead us onward,
the fears that hold us back,
our will to dare great things for God,
the courage that we lack.
The faith we keep in goodness,
Our love, as low or pure -
on all, the judgment of the cross
falls steady, clear, and sure.

3 Yet humbly, in our striving,
    we rise, to face its test.
We crave the power to do your will
     as once you did it best.
On us let now the healing
     of your great Spirit fall,
and make us brave and full of joy
     to answer to your call.

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE “Let Us Now Depart in Peace.”

Let us now depart in your peace, blessed Jesus.

Send us to our homes with God’s love in our hearts.

Let not the busy world claim all our loyalties,

Keep us ever mindful, dear Lord, of you.

*POSTLUDE Karen Mohr

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 worship service is given by the Vine family in loving memory of Gordon and Faith Vine.

Calendar

Monday, March 18 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

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.

Wednesday, March 20 - 3:30 p.m. CD’s & Confirmation;

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

Thursday, March 21 – 10-11:30 a.m. Sun Catcher’s Café.

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.

Wild Game Feed - Sunday, April 7 following Worship Service.

SIGN-UP on bulletin board for donations NEEDED. Thank you.