First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls, Wisconsin. March 3, 2019

Transcription

1 First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls, Wisconsin March 3, 2019

2 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN March 3, :00 am & 10:30 AM Transfiguration We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent, and God is shining through it all the time. ~Thomas Merton, 20 th century 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 Rain Down Worship Ensemble PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS SILENCE AND RINGING OF THE BELL CALL TO WORSHIP L: Beyond our busyness, above the cold winter chill, P: There is a glory rising, born of heaven and reaching out to each of us. L: Beyond our everyday vision, P: There is a light that shines through the clouds, L: An invitation seeking all of who we are, P: A light that transfigures the world. L: Beyond our expectations, P: There is a faith that transforms darkness into hope, and gives new life and energy to that which is tired and dead. All: Come let us worship the God who leads us into life!

3 *HYMN Shine, Jesus, Shine

4 *PRAYER OF CONFESSION L: Merciful God, for the things we have done that we regret, P: Forgive us, Patient God. L: For the things we have failed to do that we regret, P: Forgive us, Loving God. L: For all the times we have acted without love, P: Forgive us, Holy God. L: For all the times we have reacted without thought, P: Forgive us, Thoughtful God. L: For all the times we have withdrawn care, P: Forgive us, Caring God. L: For all the times we have failed to forgive, P: Forgive us, Gracious God. L: For hurtful words said and helpful words unsaid, for unfinished tasks and unfulfilled hopes, P: God of all time, forgive us and help us to lay down our burden of regret. Amen. *ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS L: God s grace abounds. P: God s love flows freely. L: In Christ, we are forgiven from all that holds us back. P: In Him, we are set free from the past. Thanks be to God! L: May the peace of the Lord be with you all. P: And also with you. *PASSING OF THE PEACE (Please greet one another with signs of peace) *GLORIA We are singing, for the Lord is our light, we are singing for the Lord is our light. We are singing, for the Lord is our light, we are singing for the Lord is our light. We are singing, oh, we are singing for the Lord is our light. We are singing, oh, we are singing for the Lord is our light. TIME WITH CHILDREN (10:30 am) Rev. Chris Myers

5 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.) He s got the whole world in his hands, He s got the whole wide world in his hands, He s got the whole world in his hands, He s got the whole world in his hands. He s got you and me, sister, in his hands, He s got you and me, brother, in his hands, He s got everybody in his hands, He s got the whole world in his hands. SCRIPTURE LESSON 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 PSALM 99 (Cantor will introduce; congregation, please join in when directed) R L: The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! God sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! P: The LORD is great in Zion; exalted over all the peoples. L: Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is the Lord! P: Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. L: Extol the LORD our God; worship at God s footstool. Holy is the Lord! P: Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on God s name. L: They cried to the LORD, and God answered them. P: God spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept God s decrees, and the statutes given to them. L: O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings. P: Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy. R GOSPEL LESSON Luke 9:28-36 SERMON Rev. Chris Myers

6 *HYMN Every Time I Feel the Spirit #282 *STATEMENT OF FAITH from the Iona Ecumenical Community in Scotland L: Let us affirm our faith. P: We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of the One God, maker and sustainer of earth, sea and sky. Born of Mary, faithful to the God of Abraham and Sarah, Jesus healed the sick, served the poor, and proclaimed heaven on earth. Condemned by the religious, crucified by the state, He died but transformed even death and rose to life everlasting. He blessed the disciples with his Holy Spirit and sent them forth, east and west, north and south. We commit ourselves to Jesus, to one another as brothers and sisters and to the grace of the Holy Spirit. 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. OFFERTORY You Are My All Worship Ensemble With Our Voices We ll Tell

7 *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Generous God, thank you for your gifts you bestow upon us daily. Make us aware of each blessing that comes our way and create in us the constant desire to be blessings for others. Bless us and what we bring before you this day. 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: At the Last Supper, Jesus, sharing bread and cup, invited his disciples to share his journey. Like many grains of wheat becoming one loaf of bread, the disciples were invited to become one body with him. Here in this meal, we are invited to become one with him. Here, we renew our journey with Jesus and his fellow disciples. So come, taste this bread, share this cup, that you may be strengthened in your walk with Jesus. 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 offer you praise,... 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

8 Distribution of the Elements Hymns during the distribution of the elements: One Bread, One Body Refrain: One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing which we bless. And we, though many, throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord. Gentile or Jew, servant or free, woman or man no more. Refrain Many the gifts, many the works, one in the Lord of all. Refrain Grain for the fields, scattered and grown, gathered to one for all. Refrain They ll Know We Are Christians We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, And we pray that all unity may one day be restored: Refrain: And they ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes, they ll know we are Christians by our love. We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, And together we ll spread the news that God is in our land: Refrain We will work with each other, we will work side by side, We will work with each other, we will work side by side, And we ll guard each one s dignity and save each one s pride: Refrain All praise to the Father, from whom all things come, And all praise to Christ Jesus, God s only Son, And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one: Refrain 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.

9 *HYMN How Can I Keep From Singing (verses 1, 3, & 5) *COMMISSIONING Transformed by God s presence, let us leave worship to transform the world. Let us listen to Jesus, that we might be instruments of God s grace and love. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord your God. Amen.

10 POSTLUDE Reprinted music used by permission under the following licenses: OneLicense.net A ; CCLI License Assisting in today s worship service are: Liturgist: 9:00 am Jan Hansen 10:30 am Midge Kees Ushers: 9:00 am Martha Olson, Peter Rayne, Gloria Gardner, Traci Hagberg, Colin Richter, Aspen Richter 10:30 am Suzanne Hagen, Dan Herum, Beth Rausch, Linn Lawrence, Nathan Lawrence Nursery: Sheila Peterson Organist: Marsha Pearson Trustee: Merle Paulson Counters: Kris Roen, Trish Graves, Jane Truesdill Among Friends Coordinator: Norma Revels Music Coordinator: Marsha Pearson Choir Director: Scott Perau Bell Choir Director: Jamie Mills Church Moderator: Brad Williams Church Secretary: Missy Luedtke Youth Pastor: JaNae Westrich Minister for Community: Rev. Dave Ostendorf CE Minister: Senior Pastor: Rev. Stacy Johnson Myers Rev. Chris Myers Altar table flowers are in honor of Ray Anderson s birthday and the birthdays of his friends Deb Hoffman, Grace TerMaat and Barb Peterson. Tues., March 5 Wed., March 6 Thurs., March 7 Sun., March 10 First Congregational UCC, 110 N. Third Street, River Falls, WI Tel: office@firstchurchrf.org Fax: :00 am - Men s Group 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 - Ash Wednesday Worship Service - All Confirmation Classes 7:30 pm - Chancel Choir 7:30 pm - Back Bay Mission Trip Meeting 9:00 am - Yoga 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 11:30 am - Veteran s Gathering

11 Please remember the following in your prayers this week: Those who are ill or recovering: - Marty (nephew of Barb Wall), Nancy (sister of Bobbie Kuhn), Jack Husak (father of Juli Okal), Pam Creydt (friend of Sue Grisar), Carol Merriman, Karen (mother of Jamie Mills), Emma (daughter of Geoff and Tammy, friend of Paul Shepherd), Sara (friend of Cheryl Zakrzewski), Donna (sister of Marc Otto), John and Joan (parents of Jolene Sullivan) 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 our Care Team who visits our shut-ins in their homes and brings God s love a little closer - For those who participated in the Learning Community this past week that it may grow our faith and love - For those headed to Back Bay Mission at the end of March, that they may be agents of God s restoration - For our deacons, musicians & clergy gearing up for Ash Wednesday and Lent, that it may be a time of renewal Prayers for our world: - For those who have aching backs from all the snow shoveling - For commuters tired of weather plagued commutes, that their time may be used wisely (prayer!) - For those who move into care facilities, that God may grace them with patience and courage - For people trying to compassionately care for those with dementia, that they be given strength - For young people anxious about so many things, that they may live in the peace of Christ - For those struggling with addictions, that they may be freed - For parents struggling to find childcare on snow days Prayers of thanksgiving: - For Wade Ryan Peck who arrived at 7:39 am on Feb 20 th, weighing in at 9.1 oz; 21.5 tall, son of Megan and Lucas Peck and grandson of Bernice and Mark Larson - For Polly Wymer our own Hero of the Heart who was honored by the Red Cross for her work on blood drives - For our Trustees & their helpers who did some spring cleaning for our building yesterday (now bring on spring!) - For the healing of Avis, sister of Alice Hansen - For Justin Wilson, Firefighter of the Year for the RF Fire Department, and for all of our volunteer firefighters, that God may watch over them - For snow plow drivers, including our own Dan Herum and Scott Sippel, for keeping us safe - For Tim Bylander, our church snow blowing, heating and now plumbing hero! - For those preparing for the Holy Land pilgrimage, that it may lead them deeper in their faith journey - For our church musical leaders, Scott, Jamie, Marsha and Terry you are a blessing! - 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 Mahoney family as they mourn the death of Terry, that God may comfort them - For the Hoffman and Stoppelmoor families 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. Daylight Savings Time Begins Sunday, March 10 Remember to turn your clocks ahead.

12 MARCH 3, 2019 (B) TRANSFIGURATION SCRIPTURE LESSON: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. Therefore, since it is by God s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 9:28-36 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him! When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.