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 14, 2019 9:00 a.m.

The Fifth 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 “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks” arr. Mark Hayes

“His Eye Is On the Sparrow” arr. Mark Hayes Holly Pisors

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: There are a variety of roads that have brought us to this place in our lives.

People: No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, all are welcome here.

Leader: May our paths lead us to God whose ways are faithful and loving.

People: God’s ways cause us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our being, with all our strength and with all our mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Leader: Let us sit at the feet of Jesus and listen for the words God speaks to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

*HYMN “Love Divine All Love’s Excelling” #275

We Confess Our Sin and Seek God’s Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God, when we are people on the road who have knowingly or unknowingly done harm to others,

Have mercy on us.

God, when we are people on the road who have turned away from others,

Have mercy on us.

God, when we are people on the road unwilling to allow others to support us on our journey,

Have mercy on us.

God, when we are people on the road, too busy to sit at the feet of Jesus,

Have mercy on us.

God, as people on the road, no matter where we are on life’s journey,

Strengthen our faith in you, increase our love for our neighbor and ourselves, that we may love and serve as Jesus showed us. Amen.

*SILENCE AS WE CONFESS OUR PERSONAL SINS

*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

*PASSING THE PEACE

When we gather for worship, we turn to God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind and we practice loving our neighbor as ourselves.

We want to lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to God, as we bear fruit in every good work and as we grow in the knowledge of God.

Leading this kind of life, leads to the peace of Christ. May we uncover this peace in our lives. The peace of Christ be 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 “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 Words that Encourage and Challenge Us

As Jesus Followers

CHILDREN’S TIME “Church Camp”

SPECIAL MUSIC “Savior Like a Savior Lead Us” Holly Pisors

SCRIPTURE READING Luke 10:27-37 CEB

²⁵A legal expert stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to gain eternal life?”

²⁶Jesus replied, “What is written in the Law? How do you interpret it?”

²⁷He responded, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

²⁸Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.”

²⁹But the legal expert wanted to prove that he was right, so he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

³⁰Jesus replied, “A man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He encountered thieves, who stripped him naked, beat him up, and left him near death. ³¹Now it just so happened that a priest was also going down the same road. When he saw the injured man, he crossed over to the other side of the road and went on his way. ³²Likewise, a Levite came by that spot, saw the injured man, and crossed over to the other side of the road and went on his way. ³³A Samaritan, who was on a journey, came to where the man was. But when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. ³⁴The Samaritan went to him and bandaged his wounds, tending them with oil and wine. Then he placed the wounded man on his own donkey, took him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵The next day, he took two full days’ worth of wages and gave them to the innkeeper. He said, ‘Take care of him, and when I return, I will pay you back for any additional costs.’ ³⁶What do you think? Which one of these three was a neighbor to the man who encountered thieves?”

³⁷Then the legal expert said, “The one who demonstrated mercy toward him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

SERMON "Crossing the Road" Pastor Jacoba Koppert

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

*HYMN “”Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love” 498 NCH Insert.,

*CONFESSING OUR FAITH “UCC Statement of Faith”

We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit,

God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify:

You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image,

and set before each one the ways of life and death.

You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself.

You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,

to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world

and resist the powers of evil,

to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.

Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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.

INVITATION TO OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY “Simple Gifts” Shaker Melody Holly Pisors

*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 Pass It On” Insert (640 old hymnal)

*THE BENEDICTION

*CHORAL RESPONSE “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

*POSTLUDE Holly Pisors

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the Word

to Enact the Love of Jesus

Announcements

Today: Following our worship servicey you are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall downstairs for coffee/refreshments and conversation.

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.

Calendar

Monday, July 15 – Nar-Anon.

Wednesday, July 17 – 5 p.m. Stewardship Committee meets.

Thursday, July 18 – 10-11:30 a.m. Sun Catchers Café.

Sunday, July 28 “Outdoor Worship Service”

9:00 a.m. Neillsville Care & Rehab (Shelter- west side)

Needed : Cookies/Bars for the Outdoor Worship Service on Sunday, July 28. Bring them to the shelter cut and ready to serve – also volunteer to help with chairs etc. Thank you!

Announcements

Today: Following our worship servicey you are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall downstairs for coffee/refreshments and conversation.

Radio Broadcast Sponsors – Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is sponsored by Doris Bakker for the church family.

Calendar

Monday, June 10 – Nar-Anon.

Thursday, June 13 – 1:30 p.m. Circle of Friends meeting.

Next Sunday, June 16- 9 a.m. Worship- Pastor Jim Mohr leading.

32^nd General Synod June 21-25 – Pastor Jacoba attending.

Check out the flyer on the bulletin board for the opportunity to go to the General Synod by bus for only $20.00. Registration forms are in the office. The bus will be leaving Black River Falls (Wal Mart Parking Lot) 7:45 a.m. – Drop off at 9:45 p.m. If you need help in registering on-line -If you have any questions – contact Sue Vornholt 715-797-4031.

Strengthen the Church Special Offering – Envelopes can be found in the pew racks. Thank you for your support!