St. Peter s Union Church of Mantzville

Transcription

1 St. Peter s Union Church of Mantzville... where worship and service don t stop with the final hymn. The Reverend Kenneth L. Buckwalter, Interim Pastor Kristine K, Betz, Director of Music September 17, 2017 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Blessing of the Pets 9:00am Welcome to Worship this Day! Creation would not be complete without the animals God made, each for its particular purpose. Though none of the animals in the creation account were specifically made to be pets, human beings were given stewardship of the animals and, in our stewardship, we have chosen to have some animals as companions. Today we celebrate all creation but, in particular, the creatures God spoke into existence on the morning of the sixth day. In the midst of our celebration let us also recall what God meant when he gave us stewardship over creation: in God s stead we love creation the way God loves it nurturing, feeding, protecting as God does for us. Some things to know as we begin... We begin with words of welcome because you are welcome here! Who is saying what and when? You are the congregation (C). C Congregation A Assisting Minister P Presiding Minister L Lector Please do not use cell phones during this service. M Minister from the Congregation Please note that standing is an invitation, not a requirement!

2 Gathering WORDS of WELCOME PRELUDE Under His Wings ~ R. Hughes The assembly stands at the direction of the presiding minister. CALL to WORSHIP Be present today, O God, in a special way! P The animals of God's creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea. They share in the fortunes of human existence and have a part in human life. God, who confers gifts on all living things, has often used the service of animals or made them reminders of the gifts of salvation. C Animals were saved from the flood and afterwards made a part of the covenant with Noah. (GENESIS 9:9 10) P The paschal lamb recalls the passover sacrifice and the deliverance from slavery in Egypt. (EXODUS 12:3 14) C A giant fish saved Jonah; (JONAH 2:1 10) ravens brought bread to Elijah; (1 KINGS 17:6) P animals were included in the repentance of Nineveh; (JONAH 3:7) C and animals share in Christ's redemption of all God's creation. P We, therefore, invoke God's blessing on the animals in our worship today. As we do so, let us praise the Creator and thank God for setting us as stewards over all the creatures of the earth.

3 ACT of CONFESSION and ASSURANCE of PARDON We confess trusting that God forgives and renews. P Blessed be God, Father of all mercies, a fathomless fountain of favor, an ever-flowing stream steadfast love. C Amen. P Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Silence for reflection and self-examination. P Great Creator, still creating, C the imprint of your steadfast love is on all creation. We are slow to acknowledge your lordship over the rocks and trees, skies and seas, insects and beasts preferring to imagine that we own this world, not you. But we are your creation, too; and we also have the imprint of your love on us. Revive your Spirit within us and open our hearts to love this world as you do, with selfless abandon and a steady, protective hand; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. P Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. GATHERING HYMN We call upon all creation to marvel with us at our Creator s glory. All Creatures of Our God and King Printed on the following page

4 CCLI #

5 GREETING and PRAYER of the DAY We seek wisdom for our hearts, a vision for our soul, and faith for our world. P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C And also with you. P Let us pray. Most High, Creator God: grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of St. Francis, we may delight in your whole creation with perfect joy. O God, you have made us and all living things. You are even more wonderful than what you have made. We thank you for giving us these pets who bring us joy. As you take care of us, so also we ask your help that we might take care of those who trust us to look after them. By doing this, we share in your own love for all creation. We ask this in Jesus' name. C Amen The assembly may be seated. Word FIRST READING: Genesis 6:17-22 Sin, evil and suffering had brought humanity and all of creation to the brink of disaster. God s will for creation was to save it by means of a new beginning for the earth. The animals were every bit as much a part of that act of salvation as were humans. Noah was God s agent of salvation for humanity and the animals, who would, like Noah s family, play a significant role in renewing the earth. L A reading from Genesis.

6 17 For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons wives with you. 19 And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. 21 Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them. 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. ANTHEM Arky, Arky! --Junior Choir THE PSALM: Psalm 8 You have made them rule over the works of your hands. (Ps. 8:6a) 1 O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; 4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? 5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet,

7 7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! SECOND READING: Isaiah 11:6-9 The people of Israel are the children of a promise God have to Abraham for the sake of the whole creation not just Israel. The prophet Isaiah illustrates this point majestically with a passage about God s versions of peace revealed in mortal enemies in the animal kingdom who live in complete peace with one another. Foreshadowing the words of Jesus, this poem promises a holy mountain in which the inhabitants now love their enemies. L A reading from the Prophet Isaiah. 6 The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder s den. 9 They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. L The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Please stand after the reading to welcome the Gospel.

8 GOSPEL READING: Matthew 14:22-33 God has a special place in his heart for those who are most dependent on the mercy of others for their very existence, securing for them the protection they need and even revealing to them truths that are inaccessible to the most powerful people in the world truths like the beauty of a caring community for helping us to be all that we can be. P The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 14 th chapter. C Glory to you, O Lord. At that time Jesus said, I thank you, God of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, God, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Creator; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal God. Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. P The Gospel of our Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ. Please be seated after the response. GOOD NEWS! Anthem All Things Bright and Beautiful --Senior Choir Children s Time and Prayer Sermon After the sermon please stand for the hymn of the day. HYMN of the DAY We proclaim the depth of the peace that comes with faith in God. This Is My Father s World Printed on the following page

9 CCLI #

10 CONFESSION of FAITH P Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, C where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O, God, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. SIGNS OF PEACE The peace that Christ gives to us we share with others. P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you. OFFERING We offer our time, talents and treasures to God. INSTRUMENTAL OFFERTORY Please stand for the congregational offertory. In Retrospect on Leaning ~ J. Rasley CONGREGATIONAL OFFERTORY We offer praise to the one who has given us everything good. Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow The Doxology

11 OFFERTORY PRAYER P Let us pray. Most high, almighty Lord, our Creator, yours are the praise, the glory, the honor and all blessings! To you alone do all things belong. Be praised for giving us the animals, birds and fish which fill your world. May we think of you and thank you when we play with and care for our pets. Be praised for making us so happy to have our pets and to have them to play with. We ask you, Lord, that we may be good to our pets always, so that they may be happy also. Help us always to take care of them so that they will be healthy. O God, your world is wonderful. May we all come into your even greater world of the kingdom of heaven where we shall see even more wonderful things and where we shall live and love for ever. This we ask to your eternal praise, and to our blessing. C Amen. PRAYERS of INTERCESSION We pray for God s world and God s people. P Let us give thanks to God our Creator for all the gifts so freely bestowed upon us and for the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea; C We thank you, Lord. P For the richness of the mountains, plains and rivers; C We thank you, Lord. P For all creatures that breathe, and move, and have life; C We thank you, Lord. P For the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers and trees; C We thank you, Lord. P For the trust you have shown in giving into our care these, our pets; C We thank you, Lord.

12 P For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, for all whose generosity and persistence is bringing life and salvation to flood ravaged areas of our nation; C We thank you, Lord. P That each pet here may be treasured with care; C We ask your blessing, Lord. P That we may love and honor all your works, O God; C We ask your blessing, Lord. P That we may be generous in giving and faithful in praying for all who suffer from natural disasters; C We ask your blessing, Lord. P For the lives of those who died in recent hurricanes, including pets and other animals (pause to remember), for the comfort of those who mourn their deaths, and for a blessed remembrance of all our beloved dead; C We ask your blessing, Lord. P That we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation and always be good stewards of it; C To the honor and glory of your name, now and forever, we pray to you, Lord. Amen. The assembly may be seated. The liturgy continues with the blessing of pets individually. BLESSING of the PETS The blessing is done with the sprinkling of water over the animal and the owner. "N., (name of animal) may you be blessed in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May you and (name( of owner) enjoy life together and find joy with the God who created you."

13 Sending LORD S PRAYER We pray as Christ taught us. P C Gathered by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us: 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. COMMISSIONING and BLESSING We hear the call to serve and are blessed with power to do so. P C P C P C We will go into the world as God's people, telling of God's hopes for all. We will go to serve the world as followers of Jesus, showing with our lives that all are part of the kingdom. We will go to share the Spirit, to bring peace where there is war, to share love where there is hate. P The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord s face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.

14 SENDING HYMN We share the joy of God s faithful embrace. Great Is Thy Faithfulness CCLI #

15 QUIET MEDITATION CHORAL BENEDICTION We leave declaring our confidence in God s blessings. New Life Has Bloomed! Choral Blessing (Sung to the Tune: Morning Has Broken ) New life has bloomed here, God s love has warmed us; Now the world calls us to spread that love. God s peace go with you, may it sustain you, And bring us together to praise God again. POSTLUDE Adoration -- C. Simone New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. We are honored to be able to share in worship with visitors. Cards to note your presence with us are found in the communion cup/card rack holders, along with prayer request cards, blank offering envelopes, and communion cards. Members who are not certain of their number, just put your name on the envelope. Please HAND your prayer request cards to an usher when the offering is being received. Visitor cards, envelopes, and communion cards may be placed in the offering plate. THE ALTAR FLOWERS are presented to the glory of God by the Adult Sunday School Class. GREETERS: Tony, Marsha, Alex, Olivia, Lorah, and Kailee Thomas. LECTORS: Bonnie Myers and Emily Tonkin. ACOLYTES: Lorah and Olivia Thomas. BELL RINGER: Cadence Kreimendahl. SOUND SYSTEM: Eric Schock. BIRTHDAY OFFERING FOR THIS WEEK: Received from Sharon Main. SEPTEMBER SHUTIN BIRTHDAYS: Lynn Gerber (September 8th).

16 THIS WEEK AT ST. PETER S Today, September 17: 9:00 AM OUTDOOR Worship Service ~ Blessing of the Animals 10:15 AM Sunday School 11:15 AM Confirmation Class 6:00 PM Cub Scouts Monday, September 18: 5:00 PM Church Board Supper 6:00 PM Church Board Tuesday, September 19: 5:00 PM Prayer Group 7:00 PM WASP Wednesday, September 20: 6:30 PM Cherub Choir rehearsal 7:00 PM Junior Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM Senior Choir rehearsal Next Sunday, September 24: 9:00 AM Contemporary Worship Service Dedication of the Confirmation Class 11:15 AM Confirmation Class 10:15 AM Sunday School 6:00 PM Cub Scouts *For complete details on these events, please consult your newsletter. UPCOMING DATES Sunday, September 24th ~ Contemporary Service. Dedication of the Confirmation Class. Sunday, October 1st ~ World-wide Communion Sunday Congregational meeting following worship for the purpose of voting on the motion of the church board to move forward with becoming a federated congregation. ~ All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast following worship; Adults: $6. Children $3 ~ Apple Dumpling orders due. ~ Flu Shot Clinic.

17 September 3, 2017 Attendance: 86 Offering: $ 2, Includes Building Fund: $ Plate Offering: $ Year-to-Date Total YTD Income: $ 110, Includes: YTD Fuel Offering: $ YTD Elevator Maintenance Offering: $ 1, Total YTD Expenses: $ 105, Net YTD: $ 5, Benevolence: ELCA: $ 7, UCC: $ 5, benevolence goal is $7, per denomination September 10, 2017 Attendance: 122 Offering: $ 3, Includes Building Fund: $ Plate Offering: $ Year-to-Date Total YTD Income: $ 112, Includes: YTD Fuel Offering: $ YTD Elevator Maintenance Offering: $ 1, Total YTD Expenses: $ 106, Net YTD: $ 6, Benevolence: ELCA: $ 7, UCC: $ 5, benevolence goal is $7, per denomination Last week s Joyous Noise Offering totaled $ and will be designated for St. Peter's to sponsor a child through World Vision. The money collected will be sent to our sponsor child to help him or her and his or her family.

18 Lori Orach, Licensed Pharmacist with Walmart will be offering a Flu Shot Clinic at St. Peter s on Sunday, October 1st from 8:00am ~ 12 Noon. Other immunizations offered will be: Pneumonia, Shingles and Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Anyone over the age of 65 with Medicare can receive the high dose vaccine and Pneumonia vaccine at no charge. The cost for non-insured individuals will be at a reduced price of $25.00 All other insurances will be charged on a case-by-basis. Please make sure you have your insurance information available. If you have any questions, please see Lori Orach. PLEASE NOTE: Pastor Buckwalter s new address and home phone number has changed: 639 Park Street Honesdale PA Home Phone: ; Cell Phone is the same: St. Peter s Union Church 184 St. Peter s Road Tamaqua PA The Rev. Kenneth Buckwalter, Interim Pastor For Pastoral Care or Emergency Cell: or Home: Contact our Called to Care for Your Special Needs: Jan Altenburg: Or TLC: Olga Faust: Church Office: Phone: (570) Financial Secretary: Shawn Tonkin Office: Elaine Koons Church Office Hours: Tuesday ~ Friday from 10:00 AM~2:00 PM Sexton: Lori Hoppes Director of Music: Kristine K. Betz addresses Pastor Ken: rabbikenb@aol.com Church Office: spuc@ptd.net Web Site address: Web Master spuc@ptd.net Facebook: St Peter s Union Church