UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

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July 7, 2019 9:00 a.m.

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

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 Deon Spangler

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 “Soften My Heart”

Soften my heart, Lord, Soften my heart

from all indifference set me apart,

To feel your compassion, to weep with your tears;

come soften my heart, O Lord, Soften my heart. (repeat)

Words and Music. OneLicense.net A-723900

PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: You who are faithful to the LORD, sing praises to our God, give thanks to God’s holy name.

People: O Lord, my God, I cried out to you for help, you healed me.

Leader: Weeping may stay all night, but by morning, joy!

People: O Lord, you changed my mourning into dancing. My whole being sings praises to you.

All: O Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

*HYMN “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above” #24

We Confess Our Sin and Seek God’s Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION¹

God of all mercy, we confess before you and each other that we have been unfaithful to you. We lack love for our neighbors, we waste opportunities to do good, and we look the other way when you cry out in the suffering of our brothers and sisters in need. We are sincerely sorry for our sins, both those we commit deliberately and those that we allow to overtake us. We ask your forgiveness and pray for strength that we may follow in your way and love all your people with that perfect love which casts out all fear; through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

*SILENCE AS WE CONFESS OUR PERSONAL SINS

*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

*PASSING THE PEACE

When the Spirit of God is among us, amazing things happen: the oppressed are freed; anxiety is relieved, grief is lifted, and hope is restored.

When the Spirit of God is among us, there is peace – the life of peace Jesus promises.

Let us seek to create that peace among us. May you experience the peace of Christ.

May you experience the peace of Christ.

(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 "Gloria Patri”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.

We Listen for Words that Encourage and Challenge Us

As Jesus Followers

CHILDREN’S TIME

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM Emilia Kathleen Mathis

daughter of Benjamin and Kelly Mathis

SCRIPTURE READING II Kings 5:1-15a (CEB)

SERMON "Restored and Cleansed" Pastor Jacoba Koppert

We Respond in Faith to God’s Love for the World

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

INVITATION TO OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY Deon Spangler

*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

The United Church of Christ practices open communion. People of all ages who confess Jesus Christ as Savior are welcome.

INVITATION

Luke the Evangelist wrote of our risen Lord that when he was at table with two of the disciples he took bread and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread.

In company with all believers in every time and beyond time, we come to this table to know the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

For the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.

COMMUNION PRAYER

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord God.

It is good that we do.

Pastor continues the Prayer of Thanksgiving…

With the faithful in every place and time we praise with joy your holy name, saying.

Holy, holy, holy,

God of love and majesty,

The whole universe speaks of your glory,

O God Most High.

BLESSING THE ELEMENTS AND CONGREGATION

CONGREGATION’S RESPONSE

In the strength Christ gives we offer ourselves to you, giving thanks that you have called us to serve you. Amen.

BREAKING AND 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 CHRIST’S MEAL

Today we will receive the elements at the altar. Take the bread (gluten free wafers also available) and dip it in the cup, or take the bread, eat it and then take one of the small cups. The silver chalices contain wine. The pottery chalices contain grape juice. Light colored glasses contain juice and dark glasses contain wine. 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 THANKSGIVING

We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table. You have cleansed us and restored us to life and relationship with you and one another through the love and presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*HYMN "For the Bread Which Thou Has Broken” #214

*THE BENEDICTION

*CHORAL RESPONSE “Hold My Hand”

Hold my hand Lord Jesus, hold my hand.

There’s a race to be run,

Every hour, give me power, to go on.

I’m your child, Lord Jesus, I’m your child.

There’s a race to be run,

There’s a victory to be won.

Every hour, give me power, to go on.

I’ll go through Lord Jesus, I’ll go through.

There’s a race to be run,

There’s a victory to be won

Every hour, give me power, to go on.

*POSTLUDE Deon Spangler

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

to Enact the Love of Jesus

Announcements

Today: No Fellowship/Coffee today following worship; we are looking for coffee hosts for July 14 & 21; Sign-up on the bulletin board. Thank you.

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 anonymously by a faithful radio listener.

Today: 3:00 p.m. Communion will be served at the Neillsville Retirement Community. You are invited to join us.

Calendar

Monday, July 8 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Thursday, July 11 – 1:30 p.m. Circle of Friends meeting.

Take Note: Change of Church Address

DO NOT USE P.O. BOX 6

New Address: United Church of Christ

515 West Second Street

Neillsville, WI 54456