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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September 8, 2019 10:00 a.m.

The Thirteenth 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 Vicente Cortez

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 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Words and Music. OneLicense.net A-723900

PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: We gather in faith to worship God our Creator, to support each other as we follow Jesus and to be led by the Holy Spirit.

People: We wait for the LORD in whom we have our hope.

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

People: We come to you , O God, for you are the LORD our God.

Leader: When we are in relationship with you, we know life.

People: We definitely want to live!

Leader: Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

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

We Confess Our Sin and Seek God’s Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION¹

Dear God, we have known you since the time

you led our ancestors from bondage to freedom.

We have found no fault in your promise.

Yet we wander from the path that you have set and

put our faith in other “gods” which lead us away from justice, compassion and hospitality.

We forsake your blessing.

Forgive our faithlessness and our arrogance.

Restore us to right relationship with you and all those in our midst.

*SILENCE AS WE CONFESS OUR PERSONAL SINS

*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

*PASSING THE PEACE

May mutual love be among us. Do not neglect to show hospitality to one another, nor to strangers, for by welcoming one another some have entertained angels without knowing it. Let us share God’s love and peace with one another.

We welcome one another; may the peace of Christ be evident among us. 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 "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 “Making Choices”

Blessing of the Back Packs

SPECIAL MUSIC Vicente Cortez

SCRIPTURE READING Deuteronomy 30:15-20

SERMON Pastor Jacoba Koppert

“Faith Matters: Choosing Life”

We Respond in Faith

to God’s Love for the World

*HYMN “Now in the Days of Youth” (Pg. 6 Bulletin)

*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 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 “What a Fellowship” #290

*THE BENEDICTION

*CHORAL RESPONSE “Make Me a Blessing” Al Hailey

Make me a blessing, touch me today.

Lord, please use me, in your own way.

Washed of your spirit, humble and low,

into your service, Lord, let me go.

Lord, take these hands; Lord take these feet

into the paths you bid me go

Lord, make my life complete.

Short is our time, Lord, help us to know

where we may serve you, then bid us go.

Make me a blessing, touch me, I pray;

Lord, please guide me, oh, Father, today.

*POSTLUDE Vicente Cortez

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

to Enact the Love of Jesus

¹Adapted from Worship Elements, September 4, 2016 by Deborah Sokolove; ministrymatters.com Copyright Abingdon Press; The Abingdon Worship Annual 2017

Announcements

Today: Following our worship service 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 given anonymously by a faithful radio listener.

Calendar

Monday, September 9 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, September 10 – 10 a.m. Ministerial Alliance meeting at Calvary.

Wednesday, September 11– No Confirmation Class;

6:30 p.m. Holiday Fair Work Night.

Thursday, September 12 – 1:30 p.m. Circle of Friends meets.

Next Sunday, September 15 – 9 a.m. Sunday School BEGINS; 10 a.m. Worship; Pastor Jim Mohr leading worship.

Tuesday, September 17 – 5:30 p.m. Trustees meeting only.

Note: Deacons/Deaconesses meet next Tuesday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m. and Church Council meets at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 18 – Confirmation Class going to Hope Lodge to prepare a meal.

Pie/Baked Goods Auction

Sunday, October 6 -following worship - downstairs in Fellowship Hall; Looking for our good cooks to donate to this fundraiser; Sign-up on the bulletin board. Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions, contact Emile Miller or Carla Marty.