THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

March 31, 2019 10:00 a.m.

Fourth 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 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 a 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 Confirmation Class

Leader: Seek the LORD while God may be found.

People: Jesus is nearby.

Leader: Let us run to where he is.

People: We want to be healed; to find hope; to be fed.

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

People: Jesus is filled with compassion for us because he knows we need a shepherd.

Leader: Let Jesus heal us, fill us with hope and feed the places we are hungry.

*SONG “Seekers of Your Heart” Refrain, Vs.1, Refrain

We Confess Our Sin and Seek God’s Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

All: 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;

Breaking relationship with family, friends and the world;

Through what I give my attention to each day.

Pastor: 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” Refrain

Lord we want to know You
Live our lives to show You
All the love we owe You
We're seekers of your heart.

Seeking God’s Presence

CHILDREN’S TIME “Jesus Feeds Hungry People”

Confirmation Class and Pastor Jacoba

SCRIPTURE READING Mark 6:30-46

Delaney, Alex, and Mackenzie

SERMON “Seeking God/ Calling on God:

The Crowd Jesus Fed”

Dante Erickson, Logan Erickson, Delaney Rochester,

Alex Northup, Derek Zschernitz, Mackenzie Hediger

and Pastor Jacoba Koppert

RESPONSE TO THE SERMON SUNG Senior Choir

“There’s Bread for the Journey” Jim Strathdee

Calling on the Name of the Lord

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Responding to God’s Presence

INVITATION TO OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

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

Responding to God’s Presence

INVITATION TO OFFERING

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

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

THE INVITATION

Come, from the east and the west, the north and the south to seek for Jesus. Run to him! Jesus is filled with compassion. He promises to feed our bodies. He will teach us the truth about God, ourselves and the world. He offers hope to all who are weary. Whoever you are or wherever you are on life’s journey Jesus welcomes you. Come, children of God!

COMMUNION HYMN “I Come with Joy”

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.

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.

THE COMMUNION PRAYER

Pastor: God be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor Continues prayer… In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

CONSECRATION

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

COMMUNION HYMN “I Come with Joy”

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.

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

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. We serve both wine and grape juice; the wine is dark in color and the grape juice is light in color. Please hold the elements until all have received them so that we can commune together as one body.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Let us pray.

Thank you God, for coming to be among us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Thank you for your compassionate love as you feed our bodies and souls. May the blessings of this table strengthen our faith; give us courage as we go into the world as Christ’s disciples; and increase the kindness we show to one another. In the name of Jesus, help us so that who we are and all we do honors and glorifies you. Amen.

COMMUNION HYMN “I Come with Joy” vs. 4 & 5 Insert

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.

*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 sponsored anonymously by a faithful radio listener.

Today: 3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Communion; come and join us.

Calendar

Monday, April 1 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, April 2 – 6 p.m. Pastor/Parish meeting.

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

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

Friday & Saturday April 5 & 6 – Annual Northwest & Wisconsin Conference meeting at Wisconsin Dells; Pastor Jacoba, Bonnie Weyer, David & Carol Harnisch and Sue and John Vornholt attending; 7 a.m. UCC Men’s Club Breakfast.

Easter Lilies- Time to order Easter lilies; $13 each; make checks out to Falls Florist. Check with Audrey. Deadline April 14.

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. Please give generously.

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