First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls, Wisconsin. January 27, 2019

Transcription

1 First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls, Wisconsin January 27, 2019

2 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN January 27, :00 am & 10:30 AM Third Sunday after Epiphany The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart. 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 PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS SILENCE AND RINGING OF THE BELL CALL TO WORSHIP L: We gather together for worship, singing our praises. P: Some sing gladly, joyfully, for there is much to celebrate. L: Some sing quietly, nourished by a deep and inner peace. P: Some sing haltingly, their notes tripping over their fears. L: Some sing longingly, remembering good days past, not yet daring to hope for the days to come. P: Accept, O Lord, our worship, and by your loving presence weave our many melodies into one great symphony of devotion. All: Come let us worship the God who leads us into life!

3 *HYMN We Are Called

4 *PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of Love, we do not always recognize your words as loving. As the people of Nazareth grew angry with Jesus, we often grow hostile when your wisdom and insight challenge our own. Content with our priorities, we resent your prophets. Set in our ways, we fail to become agents of your love and grace. God of justice and mercy, remind us of your great love, that our hearts might be open to new ideas or people. Awaken us to your challenges, that we might awaken others to the coming of your Spirit. Amen. *ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS L: The apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians that many of God s gifts were temporary, but that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. P: God s love endures and abides with us, even when we reject it. L: Know that God s love persists with us, and be at peace. In Christ we are forgiven All: 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)

5 SPECIAL MUSIC Sine Nomine Jubilee Ringers TIME WITH CHILDREN (10:30 am) Rev. Chris Myers 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.) Jesus loves me! This I know, as he loved so long ago, Taking children on his knee, saying, Let them come to me. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. Jesus loves me! Still today, walking with me on my way, Wanting as a friend to give light and love to all who live. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. SCRIPTURE LESSON 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a PSALM 19 (Cantor will introduce; congregation, please join in when directed) R NCH #3 Many and great, O God, are your works, Maker of earth and sky. L: The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God s handiwork. P: Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. L: There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. P: In the heavens God has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. L: Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hidden from its heat. P: The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. R

6 GOSPEL LESSON Luke 4:14-21 SERMON Rev. Chris Myers *HYMN Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer #18 *STATEMENT OF FAITH (World Council of Churches) I believe in the living God, the Maker of all humankind who creates and sustains the universe in power and in love. I believe in Jesus Christ, God incarnate on earth, who showed us by his words and work, suffering with others, conquest of death, what human life ought to be and what God is like. I believe that the Spirit of God is present with us now and always, and can be experienced in prayer, in forgiveness, in the Word, the Sacraments, the community of the Church and all that we do. Amen. 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. This is our prayer, O Lord

7 OFFERTORY With Our Voices We ll Tell *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Holy and Gracious God, with thankful and glad hearts, we offer our tithes and offerings to you. Thank you for the privilege of participating in your kingdom, of spreading the good news, of taking care of the least of these. Use these gifts, and us, for your purposes and will in our world. For Christ s sake we pray. Amen. *HYMN Leaning on the Everlasting Arms #471 *COMMISSIONING As members of the body of Christ, go to be ambassadors of his peace, grace and hope this week. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord your God. Amen. POSTLUDE Reprinted music used by permission under the following licenses: OneLicense.net A CCLI License

8 Assisting in today s worship service are: Liturgist: 9:00 am JaNae Westrich 10:30 am Larissa Lueck Coffee Fellowship: Neal and Caren Prochnow Ushers: 9:00 am Suzanne Hagen, Bernice Larson, Traci Hagberg 10:30 am Evelyn Purdy, Linn Lawrence, Nathan Lawrence Welcomers: JaNae Westrich, Brad Richter, Aspen Richter Nursery: Sheila Peterson Organist: Terry Mithun Trustee: Steve Pfeiffer Counters: Janice Healy, Diane Welsh Among Friends Coordinator: Norma Revels Music Coordinator: Marsha Pearson Choir Director: Scott Perau Bell Choir Director: Jamie Mills Church Moderator: Neal Prochnow Church Secretary: 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 Neal and Caren Prochnow in memory of Caren s mother, Rose, and Neal s sister, Joan Confirmation Retreat Love Your Selfie! Thanks to all who made it possible!

9 First Congregational UCC, 110 N. Third Street, River Falls, WI Tel: Fax: Sun., Jan 27 8:00 am - Bells 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 12:00 pm - Shrimp Boil Mon., Jan 28 - Endowment Grant Requests Due Tues., Jan 29 9:00 am - Yoga 9:00-3:00 pm - Among Friends 1:00-2:30 pm - Bible Study Wed., Jan 30 3:45-5:00 pm - Wednesday School 5:15-6:15 pm - Family Meal 6:00 pm - Jubilee Ringers 6:30 pm - Pre-Confirmation (6 th Grade) 6:30 pm - Confirmation Year 2 (8 th Grade) 7:00 pm - Chancel Choir Thurs., Jan 31 9:00 am - Yoga Sun., Feb 3 8:00 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 11:30 am - Annual Meeting

10 Please remember the following in your prayers this week: Those who are ill or recovering: - Steve (brother in law of Carole Mottaz), Nancy (sister of Bobbie Kuhn), Barb (sister of Sue Simonet), Jared (relative of John and Joan Hyland), Jack Husak (father of Juli Okal), Pam Creydt (friend of Sue Grisar), Barb de Souza, Marty (nephew of Barb Wall), Larry Wiskerchen (father of Dawn Follstad), Avis Thompson (sister of Alice Hanson), Betty Church, Carol Merriman, Dan Meier, Terry Mahoney, Marguerite Barker, Denny Linder, Larry (friend of Carole Mottaz) Prayers for the ministry of our congregation: - For our congregation and its leaders as we prepare for the Annual Meeting next Sunday, February 3, that God may continue to guide and direct us as we seek to reach out in love to our community and world - For the Rev. Kerri Parker, Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches who joins us in the Adult Forum at 9:00 am and worship at 10:30 am, that God may bless her work with the body of Christ - For our Bell Choir leading us in worship today, that they may bring joy to our souls - For those attending and serving the Annual Shrimp Boil today, that it may be a time of celebrating the ministry of Back Bay Mission to whom we send a mission team in late March - For committee chairs reviewing their 2018 accomplishments and establishing goals for For the Strategic Planning Team who meet this week, that they may help our community look forward - For the It Takes a Village Concert on Sunday, February 17 at Ezekiel that it may warm our souls and continue the mission and ministry begun by River Falls churches in Haiti Prayers for our world: - That we may remember the three loves of our Christian faith love of God, love of neighbor and love of self - For those with memory issues, that they may experience God s welcome and love through us - For government workers who are furloughed, and working without pay, for when the elephants rumble it is grass that suffers - That political squabbling may end and we may address the many problems of our world - For those working to care for our delicate creation and the daily decisions we make to help do this Prayers of thanksgiving: - Those providing us shrimp to eat today! - For the sweet gift of retirement and no more bus rides to the Twin Cities! - For Jeff Pajac who shared his faith story during the Tell Me A Story moment last Sunday - For those preparing for the Holy Land pilgrimage, that it may lead them deeper in their faith journey - For the gift of furnaces that keep us warm and cars that start in cold weather - For those who set up, serve and clean up after each Wednesday meal, you are a gift! - For all those who give of their time, energy and passion to work in church ministries Those grieving the loss of loved ones: - For the family of Rudy Stoppelmoor who died recently - For Don Davis as he mourns the death of his sister - For the family of Marge Stokke who died recently - For all those in mourning, that God may comfort them 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.

11 NOTES

12 JANUARY 27, 2019 (B) THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY SCRIPTURE LESSON: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Jews or Greeks, slaves or free and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 4:14-21 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor. And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.