First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls, Wisconsin. April 7, 2019

Transcription

1 First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls, Wisconsin April 7, 2019

2 April 7, 2019 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN 9:00 am & 10:30 AM Fifth SUNDAY in LENT There is no reason to fear running out of nard or of life either one for where God is concerned, there is always more than we can ask or imagine gifts for our lavish, lavish Lord. ~Barbara Brown Taylor Welcome to our guests who are visiting with us today! Join us for coffee in the Fellowship Hall between the 9:00 & 10:30 worship services. ~The Nursery is available for young children. ~Church Mouse activity bags are available for children. ~Large print bulletins and hearing impaired devices are available from the ushers. ~Please stand when noted by the * ~Congregation responses are in bold. No matter who you are. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here! As Jesus courageous disciples, living God s grace, we strive to: ~ Worship faithfully ~ Welcome openly ~ Grow spiritually ~ Care passionately ~ Serve generously GATHERING SONG PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS SILENCE AND RINGING OF THE BELL Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Heart Worship Ensemble CALL TO WORSHIP L. God of love, God of life, you have been with your people for countless generations. We give you thanks. P: We praise you, God! From the moment of creation, through wilderness journeys, and with Jesus by the Jordan, you are alone are God. L: With Jesus walking, wandering, teaching, calling, and following your way you have provided us a righteous pathway to follow. P: We bring you joyful voices and deep praise, voices raised in thanksgiving and wonder. L: Be present with us, God, in this time of joyous worship, and lift our hearts and our lives to you. All: Let us worship God, this day and all our days! Amen.

3 *HYMN I Sing the Mighty Power of God #12 *PRAYER OF CONFESSION Loving God, sometimes life gets us down so far we can t see up. We lose sight of you and wonder if you re with us in our journey. As we walk these last weeks of Lent toward Good Friday, open our spirits to the promise of Easter morning. Give us strength for difficult days and forgive us when we feel that you ve left us all alone. Amen. *ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS L: God does not give up on us. God breaks through our hardened ways and leads us to new life. P: Even in the most challenging days and times of our lives, God is with us! L: Even in darkness God is the light of the world! P: God renews us! God renews all creation! Thanks be to God! L: May God bless us, lead us in life s journey, and keep us always! P: Thanks be to God! L: May the peace of the Lord be with you all. P: And also with you. *PASSING OF THE PEACE *GLORIA Gloria! (Please greet one another with signs of peace)

4 TIME WITH CHILDREN (10:30 am) Rev. Dave Ostendorf SONG OF BLESSING (10:30 am) (Children preschool through grade 8 may go to Sunday School. Worship bags and children s bulletins are available in the back.) This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine, This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Everywhere I go, I m gonna let it shine, Everywhere I go, I m gonna let it shine. Everywhere I go, I m gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. SCRIPTURE LESSON Deuteronomy 15:7-11 PSALM 126 (Cantor will introduce; congregation, please join in when directed) R L: When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. P: Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, The LORD has done great things for them. L: The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. P: Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb. L: May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. P: Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. R GOSPEL LESSON John 12:1-8 SERMON Rev. Dave Ostendorf

5 *HYMN Said Judas to Mary #210 *STATEMENT OF FAITH United Church of Canada L: We are not alone, we live in God s world. P: We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. THE PRAYERS & LORD S PRAYER (debts/debtors) 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. OFFERTORY Lamb of God Worship Ensemble With Our Voices We ll Tell

6 *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING God, giver of all blessings and gifts, we thank you once again for the opportunity to bring these gifts for the work of the church in the world. We are so grateful that you have blessed us to share. We pray that these gifts and our love for you might be multiplied countless times as we seek to create your beloved community. Amen. THE COMMUNION All Christians, regardless of denomination, tradition or age are welcome at the table of our Lord. When invited, please come forward down the center aisle. Receive a piece of bread (both wheat and gluten-free breads are available) and a cup from the tray (white is grape juice and red is wine). Children choosing not to commune are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing. Return to your seat using the outside aisle. If you are unable to come forward, communion will be brought to you. The Invitation to the Supper L: Beloved in Christ, this is the table of freedom, born of sacrifice. It is the table of plenty, born of our want for God. It is the table of fulfillment, born of our emptiness. We come to this table not because we must, but because we may. Not because we are fulfilled, but because we are empty, and in our emptiness we stand in need of God s mercy and assurance. All who seek to know God in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup are welcome at this holy table. The Great Thanksgiving L: The Lord be with you. P: And also with you. L: Lift up your hearts. P: We lift them up to the Lord. L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. P: It is right to give our thanks and praise. L: We come to this table... The Words of Institution L: We rejoice in this holy meal as we proclaim the mystery of faith: All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Prayer of Consecration

7 Distribution of the Elements Hymns to be sung during the distribution of the elements: You Are Mine

8 Blest Are They

9 Taste and See

10 Prayer of Thanksgiving All: We give you thanks, Almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the 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; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *HYMN O Christ, the Great Foundation #387 *COMMISSIONING As Mary lavishly honored Jesus, let us honor him with our lives. As Jesus called us to serve generously those in great need, let us give abundantly of our time and talent and treasure that all might know the loving, living gifts of God. Go joyfully into the world to be the people of God! Amen. POSTLUDE Reprinted music used by permission under the following licenses: OneLicense.net A CCLI License

11 Assisting in today s worship service are: Liturgist: 9:00 am Jan Hansen 10:30 am Ginny Larson Coffee Fellowship: Lu Lueck Ushers: 9:00 am Peter Rayne, Gloria Gardner, Traci Hagberg, Martha Olson, Bernice Larson 10:30 am Evelyn Purdy, Dan Herum, Beth and Kathy Rausch, Nathan Lawrence Welcomers: Peg Thompson Nursery: Sheila Peterson Organist: Marsha Pearson Trustee: Mike Stifter Counters: Jean Smith, Midge Kees Among Friends Coordinator: Norma Revels Music Coordinator: Marsha Pearson Choir Director: Scott Perau Bell Choir Director: Jamie Mills Church Moderator: Brad Williams Office Coordinator: Missy Luedtke Youth Pastor: JaNae Westrich Minister for Community: Rev. Dave Ostendorf CE Minister: Rev. Stacy Johnson Myers Senior Pastor: Rev. Chris Myers Altar table flowers are given by Marsha Pearson in memory of Maynard Pearson. Wednesday Night Schedule During Lent 3:45 5:15 pm - Wednesday School 5:15 6:15 pm - Family Meal (Please make a reservation) 5:45 6:30 pm - Bell Practice 6:30 7:00 pm - Worship 7:00 7:30 pm - Confirmation 7:00 8:00 pm - Choir

12 Sun., April 7 Mon., April 8 Tues., April 9 Wed., April 10 Thurs., April 11 Sun., April 14 First Congregational UCC, 110 N. Third Street, River Falls, WI Tel: office@firstchurchrf.org Fax: :00 am - Music Practice 9:00 am - Worship Service 9:00 am - Adult Forum 10:00 am - Coffee Fellowship 10:30 am - Worship Service 10:45 am - Sunday School 11:00 am - WEVR Broadcast 7:00 pm - Cribbage 9:00 am - Yoga 9:00-3:00 pm - Among Friends 1:00-2:30 pm - Bible Study 3:45-5:00 pm - Wednesday School 5:15-6:15 pm - Family Meal 5:45 pm - Jubilee Ringers 6:30 pm - Lenten Worship Service 7:00 pm - Pre-Confirmation & Confirmation Year 2 (Grades 6 & 8) 7:00 pm - Chancel Choir 9:00 am - Yoga - Palm Sunday 8:00 am - Choir Practice 9:00 am - Worship Service 9:00 am - Adult Forum 10:00 am - Coffee Fellowship 10:30 am - Worship Service 10:45 am - Sunday School 11:00 am - WEVR Broadcast

13 Please remember the following in your prayers this week: Those who are ill or recovering: - Nancy (sister of Bobbie Kuhn), Jack Husak (father of Juli Okal), Pam Creydt (friend of Sue Grisar), Carol Merriman, Emma (daughter of Geoff and Tammy, friend of Paul Shepherd), Sara (friend of Cheryl Zakrzewski), John and Joan (parents of Jolene Sullivan), Gary (brother of Mike Gardner), Cindy Gandrud, Rosalie Harper (cousin of JoAnn Lentz), Rich Hirstein, Lee Lueck, Lu Lueck, Polly Wymer Prayers for the ministry of our congregation: - For our Worship Ensemble leading us in worship today, that they may bring joy to our souls - For those leading our Lenten worship services, Prayer Around the Cross, that it may nurture all of us in the way of Christ - For our Care Team who visits our shut-ins in their homes and brings God s love a little closer - For our Relay for Life Team who completed the relay event April 5-6, that a cure for cancer may be found - For those who are on the Holy Land Pilgrimage April 1-15, that they may be blessed with understanding and deepen their faith roots Prayers for our world: - For our Muslim brothers and sisters living in fear after the attacks in Christchurch, that they may be comforted - For family farmers struggling with low prices and increasing healthcare costs - For those facing flooding, that they may be strengthened for the hard work of recovery through the help of others - For those losing their jobs at Shopko and shoppers losing the last big store in River Falls - For those struggling with addictions, that they may be freed Prayers of thanksgiving: - For our choir busy practicing for the Good Friday Cantata - For teachers, administrators, support staff and all who work in education, that their passion for learning may be contagious - For our Wednesday School kids and their teen and adult helpers who keep us feeling alive you are a joy! - For deacons, trustees, coffee fellowship hosts, welcomers and all who strive to make this a welcoming place Those grieving the loss of loved ones: - For family and friends of Lorraine Anderson (mother of Mark Anderson) who died recently - For family and friends of Anna Mortenson (mother of Lu Lueck) who died recently - For family and friends of Donna (sister of Marc Otto) who died recently - For the Simmonet family as they mourn the death of Barb - For the Mahoney family in mourning, that healing may occur If you have people you wish to include on our prayer list, please see the pastor or use the blue prayer cards in the pews or on the back sign-up table.

14 BACK BAY MISSION TRIP

15 NOTES

16 APRIL 7, 2019 (C) FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT SCRIPTURE LESSON: Deuteronomy 15:7-11 If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be. Be careful that you do not entertain a mean thought, thinking, The seventh year, the year of remission, is near, and therefore view your needy neighbor with hostility and give nothing; your neighbor might cry to the LORD against you, and you would incur guilt. Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land. GOSPEL LESSON: John 12:1-8 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor? (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.