First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls, Wisconsin. February 17, 2019

Transcription

1 First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls, Wisconsin February 17, 2019

2 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN February 17, :00 am & 10:30 AM Sixth Sunday after Epiphany The Gospel is about grace and we all know that grace is about us receiving from God the blessings that we don t deserve. ~Tony Campolo 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 come to worship the God, who has made us and knows us. P: We come to celebrate God's presence among us! L: We come to follow Jesus, who leads us to new life. P: We come with joy, knowing in Christ we have abundant life! L: We come to listen to the Holy Spirit, who calls us, gifts us and send us. P: May we enter into worship knowing the Spirit is alive among us! All: Come let us worship the God who leads us into life! *HYMN The Church s One Foundation #386

3 *PRAYER OF CONFESSION Loving God, we know that in every generation you call forth prophets to proclaim your word. We give you thanks that you are still speaking to us even today. Your Spirit inspires the young to see visions of a new creation and elders to dream of a time not yet known. Yet we confess that we often fail to hear your voice when it comes from an unexpected place. Convinced that we are right, we miss the Good News of your reconciling love. Forgive us, God. Restore us with humility and awaken us anew to your presence and your promise. Amen. *ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS L: The God of creation is a God of mercy. P: God is quick to forgive and God s promise of restoration is for all people. L: Friends, let us believe and live the good news of the Gospel. P: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. 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 Praise, Praise, Praise the Lord (sung twice)

4 SPECIAL MUSIC O Love Chancel Choir 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 Jeremiah 17:7-10 PSALM 1 (Cantor will introduce; congregation, please join in when directed) R L: Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. P: They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. L: The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. P: Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. R GOSPEL LESSON Luke 6:17-26

5 SERMON Rev. Chris Myers *HYMN The Healing Hand of Jesus

6 *STATEMENT OF FAITH United Church of Christ We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify: You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image, and set before each one the ways of life and death. You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles. In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself. You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues and races. You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory. You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you. 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. TELL ME A STORY Scott Perau

7 OFFERTORY With Our Voices We ll Tell *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Generous God, your heart is wide open to us. You have given to us freely and taught us to return to you a portion of what we have. Grant us glad and generous hearts, and help us be as open to you as you are to us. Help us use your gifts wisely and for the benefit of all your people. Amen. *HYMN Past Me Not, O Gentle Savior #551 *COMMISSIONING Blessed by God, go to live out of those blessings. Be kind and merciful, slow to anger and quick to forgive. 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 Brian Miller 10:30 am Ginny Larson Coffee Fellowship: The Myers Family Ushers: 9:00 am Peter Rayne, Gloria Gardner, Colin Richter, Aspen Richter 10:30 am Dan Herum, Evelyn Purdy, Linn Lawrence, Nathan Lawrence Welcomers: Jan Hansen Nursery: Sheila Peterson Organist: Marsha Pearson Trustee: Bob Ferguson Counters: Diane Welsh, Allen Barnes 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 Our Pre-Confirmands (6 th graders) made Valentines to be deliver to our shut-ins.

9 First Congregational UCC, 110 N. Third Street, River Falls, WI Tel: Fax: Sun., Feb 17 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 11:30 am - Holy Land Trip Meeting 4:00 pm - It Takes a Village Concert at Ezekiel Lutheran Church Tues., Feb 19 8:00 am - Men s Group 9:00 am - Yoga 9:00-3:00 pm - Among Friends 1:00-2:30 pm - Bible Study 3:00 pm - Wellhaven Gathering 6:30 pm - Boards and Committees Meetings 7:30 pm - Church Council Meeting Wed., Feb 20 3:45-5:00 pm - Wednesday School 5:15-6:15 pm - Family Meal 6:00 pm - Jubilee Ringers 6:30 pm - Confirmation Year 1 (7 th Grade) 6:30 pm - Confirmation Year 3 (9 th Grade) 7:00 pm - Chancel Choir Thurs., Feb 21 9:00 am - Yoga 6:30 pm - Creation Care Meeting Sat., Feb 23 1:00-4:00 pm - Jim and Bobbie Kuhn s Anniversary Celebration Sun., Feb 24 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 2:00 pm - Terry Mahoney Visitation 3:00 pm - Terry Mahoney Funeral

10 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), Avis Thompson (sister of Alice Hanson), Carol Merriman, Dan Meier, Denny Linder, Karen (mother of Jamie Mills), Emma (daughter of Geoff and Tammy, friend of Paul Shepherd), Sara (friend of Cheryl Zakrzewski), Dave Mountain Prayers for the ministry of our congregation: - For the It Takes a Village Concert today at Ezekiel that it may warm our souls and continue the mission and ministry begun by River Falls churches in Haiti - For our Chancel Choir leading us in worship today, that they may bring joy to our souls - For the rescheduled gathering of the Holy Land Pilgrimage group today, that their faith may grow on this trip and our whole congregation may be blessed by this experience - For Dave Mountain, our church custodian, who fell on the ice at home recently and broke some ribs, that he may rest, receive God s strength and be returned to his tireless self - For the Care for Creation Team who gather to help us better care for our creation 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!) - That we may remember the three loves of our Christian faith love of God, love of neighbor and love of self - For those who move into care facilities, that God may grace them with patience and courage - For parents trying to juggle their many responsibilities, that God may grace them with strength and wisdom - For young people anxious about so many things, that they may live in the peace of Christ - 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: - For snow castles, snow forts and the joy of sledding - For Bobbie and Jim Kuhn as they celebrate their 50 th wedding anniversary with an open house here at church Saturday, February 23 rd, that they may be blessed with many more years of marriage - 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 and heating 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 who died this past Monday and whose Memorial Service will be here at church, Sunday, February 24 at 3:00 pm with visitation at 2:00 pm and a lunch to follow - For the family of Marguerite Hoffman Barker who recently, that her family may mourn with gratitude, faith and hope - For the Stoppelmoor, Davis and Stokke families 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 FEBRUARY 17, 2019 (B) SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY SCRIPTURE LESSON: Jeremiah 17:7-10 Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse who can understand it? I the LORD test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 6:17-26 He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.