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 July 9, 2017 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Holy Baptism 9:00am Welcome to Worship this Day! The mystery of God s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. Jesus associates with the lowly and outcast. Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires and seek God s mercy and forgiveness. We gather to be refreshed by Christ s invitation: Come to me, all you that are weary. Gathered around the Word of God, Holy Baptism and the Lord s Supper, we find rest for our souls. Today we welcome into the Body of Christ, Avery Marie Snyder, daughter of Andrew R. and Emily K. Snyder, born November 3, 2017, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Avery s sponsors are her mother s sister, Madalyn H. Smith, and Madalyan s husband, Beau A. Smith. We rejoice with Avery, her family and sponsors in this very special day and look forward to being part of Avery s unfolding life in Christ. 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 Prayer -- The assembly stands at the direction of the presiding minister. --J. Andrews CALL to WORSHIP Be present today, O God, in a special way! P C God has declared, You are my treasured possession. God has chosen us, we are his. P Jesus says, Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest; C Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. P The wisdom of God is foolishness to the children of earth. C But we are the children of God, and to us has been revealed a wisdom surpassing all earth s knowledge. Brief silence for reflection. P God in Heaven, C turn us back to you this day. Through prayer, song, meditation and holy words, fill us your Holy Spirit, so that we may understand the things of heaven and find rest for our souls. Amen.

3 ACT of CONFESSION and ASSURANCE of PARDON We confess trusting that God forgives and renews. P Blessed be with holy Trinity Father, + Son and Holy Spirit one God, full of compassion and mercy, abounding in steadfast love. C Amen. Silence for reflection and self-examination. P Eternal God our creator, C in you we live and move and have our being. Look upon us, your children, the work of your hands. Forgive us all our offenses, and cleanse us from proud thoughts and empty desires. By your grace draw us near to you, our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. P Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. In the mercy of almighty God, Christ died for us while we were still sinners; and, for his sake, God forgives + you all your sins, C Amen. Thanks be to God! INVOCATION The Name of God, Father in Heaven, is lifted up in glory. P C Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.

4 GATHERING HYMN We marvel together at the caring love of the Lord. Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart Celebration Hymnal #169 GREETING and PRAYER of the DAY Wee seek divine wisdom for our hearts and minds. 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. You are great, O God, and greatly to be praised. You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Grant that we may believe in you, call upon you, know you and serve you through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C Amen. The assembly may be seated. Word SACRAMENT of HOLY BAPTISM The Order of Service for Holy Baptism is printed on the worship folder insert. Children are invited to come forward to witness the baptism. The baptismal hymn is sung after the rite has been fully observed. As the hymn is sung the newly baptized is introduced to the assembly.

5 BAPTISMAL HYMN We sing words of welcome to the newly baptized. Baptized in Water Celebration Hymnal #465 FIRST READING: Zechariah 9:9-12 The coming messianic king will inaugurate an era of disarmament and prosperity. Because of God s covenant with Israel, they are designated as prisoners of hope. L L C A reading from the Prophet Zechariah. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. After the reading, the following is said. THE PSALM: Psalm 145:8-14 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. (Ps. 145:8) SECOND READING: Romans 7:15-25a Life enslaved under sin is a catch-22 existence in which we know good but do not do it and do things we know to be bad. Through Jesus Christ, God has set us free from such a futile existence. L L C A reading from Romans. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. After the reading the following is said.

6 WELCOMING the GOSPEL We welcome the good news of a compassionate Savior. Through it All Celebration Hymnal #580 GOSPEL READING: Matthew 11:16-19, Jesus chides people who find fault with both his ministry and that of John the Baptist. He thanks God that wisdom and intelligence are not need to receive what God has to offer, which is, among many things, the consolation of a gentle master. L C L C The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 11 th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. After the reading the following is said. The Gospel of our Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Please be seated at the direction of the presiding minister. GOOD NEWS! Gospel Response Solo by Makayla Kester Sermon Not a Problem to Be Solved... After the sermon the assembly stands for the Hymn of the Day. HYMN of the DAY We proclaim the love of our heavenly Father. What a Friend We Have in Jesus Celebration Hymnal #630 After the hymn is sung the assembly may be seated.

7 OFFERING We offer our time, talents and treasures to God. EXHORTATION P Our Father God has called and comforted us. By his grace we will never be distressed. We will work in this goodness to mend every broken branch on our family tree. We will use our gifts, tithes and offerings to rebuild the body of Christ. Let us give to the family that nurtures us in new growth. OFFERTORY A Summer Song --M. Shea Please stand for the offering song. OFFERING SONG All People that on Earth (sts. 1 & 4) Celebration Hymnal #101 OFFERTORY PRAYER P Let us pray. O Guardian of our souls, we give thanks for your watchful care. We are grateful for the many ways you offer healing and renewal. We are delighted with the opportunity to return, with glad and generous hearts, the love you have given us. C We praise you with our offerings and by rededicating our time, talents and treasures to the ministry of shepherding the lost of your world. Amen. PRAYERS of INTERCESSION We pray for God s world and God s people. P Made alive to God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God's creation. A brief silence. Each petition ends: Hear us, O God. The assembly responds: Your mercy is great.

8 P Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior. C Amen. P Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: C 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 and ever. Amen. SIGNS OF PEACE The peace that Christ gives to us we share with others. P C The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. Sending COMMISSIONING and BLESSING We hear the call to serve and are blessed with power to do so. P Here we have been called by God to be disciples in the world. C Here we have met the God who calls us and empowers us to do his will in the world. P And, having been called, what is our response?

9 C We will share the love of God with all we meet, for they too have been made clean. P As you go to live and serve, go with the sure knowledge that the God who calls and empowers us all will go with you. C Always and all ways. 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. SENDING HYMN We share the joy of God s immortal embrace. I am Thine, O Lord Celebration Hymnal #552 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 Fantasy Postlude --T. DuBois 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.

10 THE ALTAR FLOWERS are presented in honor of the birthday of Rebecca Zehner by Althea, Debbie and Bruce. GREETERS: Margie and Daryl Schock. LECTORS: Robert Coombe and Makayla Kester. ACOLYTES: Makayla Kester and Emily Tonkin. ANGEL USHERS: Veronica Scott, Wyatt Steigerwalt, & Abby and Seth Whitehead. BELL RINGER: Kailee Thomas. SOUND SYSTEM: Mark Eberts. BIRTHDAY OFFERINGS FOR THIS WEEK: Received from Rebecca Zehner, Kevin Miller and Mark Miller. One tiny hand to guide and hold, One tiny life to shape and mold, each child, a gift from God above a symbol of his strength and love. ~ unknown We are very grateful to Makayla Kester for sharing the gift of music with us as we gather together this morning for our worship time. 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.

11 THIS WEEK AT ST. PETER S Today, Sunday, July 9: 9:00 AM Worship Service Joyous Noise Offering Love Offering for Alan Miller, Conference Minister 10:15 AM Summer Sunday School 6:00 PM Bell Choir practice Tuesday, July 11: 5:00 PM Prayer Group Wednesday, July 12: 10:00 AM Retirees 6:00 PM Worship & Music Committee 8:00 PM Blue Mountain (Red) vs. St. Peter s at West Penn Grove Thursday, July 13: 6:45 & 8:00 PM Zion Stone (Blue) vs. St. Peter s at West Penn Grove Next Sunday, July 16: 9:00 AM Worship Service 10:15 AM Summer Sunday School 10:30 AM Church Board 6:00 PM Bell Choir practice *For complete details on these events, please consult your newsletter. This week s Joyous Noise Offering will be designated for Children's Hunger Fund - this will be the mission project for our VBS and Joyous Noise for July. Children's Hunger Fund provides nourishing food for hungry kids both across America and around the world. They also help train and equip churches around the world for gospel-centered mercy ministry. Checks should be made payable to St. Peter s Sunday School and may be mailed to the church office. If you know of an organization or individual that could benefit from St. Peter s Joyous Noise Offering, please contact Ann Fogel or Megan Frantz.

12 PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY Deployed to Afghanistan: Michael Zeigenfuss Deployed to Germany: Sean Steigerwalt Deployed to Japan: John McGuire Active Duty, Not Deployed: Patrick Donahue Katie Forgey Tyler Forgey James Frederickson Mark Habel Dustin Hoppes LeRoy E. Kromer II Timothy Kromer Sean Kurtz Quynntin Long Dominic Lorenzo Amanda Miller Lisa Miller Daryl Neff Bill Nordai Andy Snyder Emily Snyder Dakota Vadimsky Chad Wehr Mark West Scott West PRAYERS FOR OUR SHUTINS The Village at Palmerton: Willie and Edna Mertz-Frey Gracedale Nursing Home: Lynn Gerber Seton Manor, Orwigsburg: Phyllis Wehr At Home: Buddy Arner Oliver Coombe Kathryn Delano Bobby Fritz Shirley Haberman Berlyn Hoppes Ruth Houser June Williams PRAYERS FOR OUR MISSIONARIES Michael, Kay, Mikayla, Leilani, & Michael Killar in Thailand Maude, Valera, Zarina, Alexander, & Nicolas Motovilov in South Africa

13 Vacation Bible School Closing Program: Come join us for VBS July 17 th ~ July 21 st 6:00 PM ~ 8:30 PM Grab your parkas and snow boots and get ready to explore the breathtakingly beautiful Arctic region with us at VBS. On our thrilling expedition, we'll uncover the coolest book on the planet - the Bible! We are sure to have a flurry of fun and excitement at Operation Arctic. Items needed for VBS - empty water bottles with lids and empty tissue boxes both long and tall styles. Please put items in the collection box in the lobby. Closing program Sunday, July 23 rd at West Penn Park at 10:00 AM An upcoming fund raiser to benefit St. Peter s is a BBQ at West Penn Park. Join us on Sunday, July 23rd for the 10:00 am outdoor worship service which includes the VBS closing program at the West Penn Park. Support the kids at St. Peter's as they share their bible school experiences. Cary and Michelle Bates with Sister s Cantina will cater our event. There are two platter options: 1/2 chicken or pulled pork with various sides. Tickets are available following church services or contact Jen Miller. Each platter is $ Please bring a dessert to share. Invite your friends and neighbors! St. Peter s Preschool Registration St. Peter s Preschool is still accepting registrations for the school year. We offer a 3 year-old and 4 year-old program, both morning and afternoon sessions. Children must turn 3 or 4 by September 1st, 2017 and be potty trained to be enrolled. Tuition rates for the school year are $90.00 a month for the 3 year-old program, and $ a month for our 4 year-old program. Also, we have 3 fundraisers that students are involved in to keep tuition rates low, supply classroom necessities, and keep field trips affordable. If you or someone you know is interested in St. Peter s Preschool call the office at and they will put us in touch.

14 July 2, 2017 Attendance: 115 Offering: $ 4, Includes Building Fund: $ Plate Offering: $ Year-to-Date Total YTD Income: $ 86, Includes: YTD Fuel Offering: $ YTD Elevator Maintenance Offering: $ Total YTD Expenses: $ 85, Net YTD: $ 1, Benevolence: ELCA: $ UCC: $ 5, benevolence goal is $7, per denomination St. Peter s Union Church 184 St. Peter s Road Tamaqua PA The Rev. Kenneth Buckwalter, Interim Pastor For Pastoral Care or Emergency Home: or Cell: 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