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 22, 2019                                                   10:00 a.m.

 

The Fifteenth 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 lifeÕs journey you are welcome here.

 

PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION   

GATHERING  ÒWhat a Friend We Have in JesusÓ

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

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                  

Leader:    We come together not around the uniformity

                 of experience, belief, or expression

                 but gathered in the One who is of many names

                 and who is beyond all naming.

People:    May we live in peace.

Leader:     By GodÕs Spirit we become community

                 even as we honor the sacred

                 that exists outside the open windows

                 and beyond these walls.

People:    May we work for justice for all.

Leader:     The One who desires

                 for all to know and live in truth

                 is gathering us together

                 to worship in a spirit of truth.

People:    May we become one in heart this day.

 

*HYMN                         ÒGather Us InÓ                        (Insert)

 

OPENING PRAYER

        Unite our hearts and minds in prayer

        as we worship you,

        the one God who is in and through all.

        Through our prayers,

        those spoken and those lifted in silence,

        may your realm of love extend

        beyond the heart of our ideals

        to become the prayers we live with our lives.

        Amen.

       

*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 kind of peace Jesus promises.

Let us seek for 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 PatriÓ

      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

CHILDRENÕS TIME 

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                                           Vicente Cortez                                 

SCRIPTURE READING    Jeremiah 8:18-9:1

                                                I Timothy 2:1-17

                                                Luke 16:1-13

 

SERMON                                               Pastor James Mohr

                        ÒPeople of PrayerÓ

 

We Respond in Faith

to GodÕs Love for the World

 

 *HYMN           ÒEvery Time I Feel the SpiritÓ                #269                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*CONFESSING OUR FAITH  ÒUCC Statement of FaithÓ

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          ÒThere Is a Balm In GileadÓ                     # 235                

                                   

*THE BENEDICTION

 

*CHORAL RESPONSE "Lead Us from Death to Life"

        Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,

 from despair to hope from fear to trust. Lead us from

      hate to love, form war to peace; let peace fill our hearts,

      let peace fill our world, let peace fill our universe.

 

 *POSTLUDE                                                     Vicente Cortez

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

to Enact the Love of Jesus

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 23 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon. Newsletter Week.

Tuesday, September 24– (Rescheduled from last week)

 6:30 p.m. Deacons/Deaconesses meeting; 7:30 p.m. Church Council.

Wednesday, September 25 – 3:30 p.m. Confirmation;

 5 p.m. Stewardship meeting; 6:30 p.m. Holiday Fair Worknight;

 

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.

 

Neighbors In Need Special Offering Élooking for your generous donationsÉthank you for your support!  Special NIN offering envelopes in the pew racks.