THE 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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February 2, 2020 10:00 a.m.

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

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 - Choir

“Blest Are They” (Matthew 5:3-12) vs.1

PRAYERS FOR THE CONGREGATION

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Jesus sees those who have gathered and he teaches them.

People: We are surprised by his teachings; they are not what our culture believes; they are not what we teach our children; they are not the ways we live.

Leader: No, Jesus intends to show us a new way to live in a harsh world.

People: The suffering, the powerless, the rejected are blessed.

Leader: The prophet Micah tells us what the Lord expects of us: to do justice, love kindness and to walk humbly with our God.

*HYMN “Blest Are They” (Matthew 5:3-12) vs. 3,4,5 (Insert)

We Confess Our Sin and Seek God’s Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Leader: The world’s wisdom surrounds us:
Left side: Look after number one…
Right side: Get them before they get you…
Left side: Better be safe than sorry…
Right side: What’s someone else’s problems got to do with me…?
Left side: Only the strong survive…
Right side: Money makes the world go ‘round…
Left side: Revenge is sweet…
Right side: Avoid pain at all costs…
All: May God forgive us when we, as Christ’s own people, believe these words to be life-giving when Jesus has shown us a better way.

*SILENTLY WE CONFESS OUR SIN TO GOD

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON¹

Pastor: Blessed are those who recognize the wisdom of God, and strive to shape their lives around its truth. In Christ God forgives us and restores us to the way of trust and mercy.

All: Thanks be to God.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*PASSING THE PEACE

Blessed are those who work for peace; blessed are those who offer peace to everyone.

We will work for God’s peace; we will offer Christ’s peace to all.

Let us share God’s peace with one another as a sign of our willingness to work for peace in all places. 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 the Word of God

CHILDREN’S TIME “Jesus Teaches Happiness”

SCRIPTURE READINGS Micah 6:6-8

Matthew 5:1-12

MEDITATION Pastor Jacoba Koppert

“Jesus Teaches: Who the Blessed Are”

We Respond To God’s Faithfulness

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

INVITATION TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

*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

Gathered around our tables, we sit with family and friends to participate in the meal Jesus asked us to eat in remembrance of him. The servers will come to the tables inviting you to pass the elements to the others seated at your table. When your table mates have all received the elements, you are invited as a family to eat and drink.

Pastor: Jesus said: I am the bread of life. You who come to me, shall not hunger; you who believe in me shall never thirst.

People: In company with all who hunger for spiritual food, we come to this table to know the risen Christ in the sharing of the life-giving bread.

MUSICAL RESPONSE “Lord, I Come to Your Table”

Words and Music by Mark Weston

Sung by the Choir, Directed by Corinne Armitage

THE COMMUNION PRAYER²

Pastor: God be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to God.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to God Most High;

People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Pastor continues with prayer

THE SANCTUS

Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty, the whole universe speaks of your glory, O God Most High. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of our God! Hosanna in highest!

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE CONSECRATION

THE BREAKING AND THE 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 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 around the table. The Deacons/nesses will serve bread; the gluten-free wafers will be served on request. Light colored glasses contain juice and dark glasses contain wine.

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING²

Almighty God, we give you thanks for the gift of our Savior’s presence in the simplicity and splendor of this holy meal. As we were united by you around the tables, unite us as one with all who are nourished by Christ’s Word. May we faithfully proclaim the good news of your love and may our congregation bring hope to an uncertain world; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

*HYMN "O Grant Us Light” vs. 1, 2, 3 (Insert)

*THE BENEDICTION

*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, from war to peace;

let peace fill our hearts, let peace fill our world,

let peace fill our universe. 

*POSTLUDE Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

¹Teaching Wisdom: Service prayers for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany were written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain; Copyright 2020 United Church of Christ, Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.

²Reprinted from Book of Worship © Copyright 1986 United Church of Christ.

Announcements

You are invited to join us here in the Fellowship Hall for coffee/refreshments and conversation following our worship service.

Radio Broadcast Sponsors – Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is given by Dan Patey in memory of his wife, Elvira Patey

Soup’er Bowl Sunday – Thank you for your generous donations of soup!

Today: Confirmands going to Bruce Mound

Calendar

Monday, February 3 –6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Nar-anon.

Tuesday, February 4 – 2 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Home; join us. 6 p.m. Pastor/Parish meeting.

Wednesday, February 5– 3:30 p.n. Confirmation.

.Next Sunday, February 9 – Sunday School Children singing; Installation of New Church Officers; Clark County Male Chorus visit; Fellowship Coffee in the Church Lounge; 11 a.m. Christian Education Board meeting.

Looking Ahead at the Calendar

Tuesday, February 18 – 12 Noon Second Half Group meeting; catered lunch served by M&M; $10.00 (tip included) “Meet Our New Police Chief.” Sign-up on the Bulletin Board.