ST. JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 139 N. Fourth Street Emmaus, Pennsylvania. The People of God Gather For Worship

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1 ST. JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 139 N. Fourth Street Emmaus, Pennsylvania September 11, 2011 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 and 10:30 AM The People of God Gather For Worship Thought for Meditation: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me. Psalm 23:41 Prelude: Eternal Father, Strong to Save arr. Dykes Hymn: O Beautiful for Spacious Skies #720 Please Be Seated Welcome and Announcements Mission Moment Marilyn Egner and Jo Davis Solemn Declaration Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 122): Leader: We were glad when they said, Let us go to the house of God! Our feet are standing within your gates, O Holy City! We pray for the peace of all God s beloved cities: May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers. Leader: For the sake of friend and stranger we say: Peace be within you, O Jerusalem! Peace be within you, O New York, O Washington, O Shanksville! Peace be within you O global community! Peace be within this community of St. John s UCC! For the sake of the house of the Holy One, our God, we will seek your good. Let us worship the living God, tender and just! Invocation: Let us pray: O God, tender and just, we come together today to commemorate the events of September 11, We come to mourn and be comforted, to reflect and to be challenged; to look toward the future and to offer our labor to your reign of peace. We come to know your will, O Holy One, revealed to faithful people through the Bible, and disclosed to us, your faithful Christian people, in our beloved Incarnate One, Jesus the Christ. Come, Holy One, make peace in this hour. Amen. Sung Response: Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. Please Be Seated The People of God Share the Word of God Blessing of Our Mission Project Installation of Sunday School Teachers and Assistants Greeting Grace, mercy, and peace to you from Jesus Christ, the head of the church in heaven and on earth. To God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. Introduction Affirmation of ministry is the act whereby a local church of the United Church of Christ recognizes the diverse gifts of its members and celebrates the particular ministry of each person in the life of the church or in various settings in the life of the world. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gave them. There are different ways of serving, but the same God is served.

2 There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to each of us for our particular service. The Spirit s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all. Christ is like a single body, which has many parts. It is still one body even though it is made up of different parts. If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness. All of us are Christ s body, and each one is a part of it. Presentation Covenant Response: I am. Sisters and brothers in Christ, it is an honor to be entrusted with responsibility for particular service in the ministry of the church, whether gathered or scattered. Having prayerfully considered the duties and responsibilities of your ministry, are you prepared to serve with the help of God in Christ s name and for the glory of God. Do you promise to exercise your ministry diligently and faithfully, showing forth the love of Christ? Response: I do, relying on God s grace. All: Members of this household of faith, you have heard the promises of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have answered God s call to service. Let us affirm our intention to live in covenant with them. Will those who are able rise and witness to the commitment we now make? We gather in celebration of the joy that is ours to be partners with you in the service of Jesus Christ. We promise to love you, honor your leadership, and assist you that together we may be a faithful church of Jesus Christ. Prayer A Time to Pass Our Faith Onto Our Children The Holy Scripture: Old Testament: Psalm 46 Page 450 Epistle: Romans 12:14-21 Page 923 Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18:21-35 Page 800 Sermon: Ten Years Later Rev. Dr. Paul W. Knappenberger Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hades; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. Hymn: Amazing Grace! #546 Please Be Seated The People of God Pray Celebrations of Joy and Moments of Concern Litany of Renewal: Mercy, Justice, Peace Sung: There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole, there is a balm in Gilead, to heal the sin-sick Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my work s in vain, But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole,

3 Sung: Sung: there is a balm in Gilead, to heal the sin-sick Let us pray: On all who continue to grieve and all who died in the events of September 11 th and its aftermath, On those whose homes, livelihood and psychological well-being were destroyed or compromised, On those displaced. On the devastation of city and countryside both in this country and throughout the world. There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole, there is a balm in Gilead, to heal the sin-sick And so we pray: When we give a death-dealing interpretation to your word of grace, When we bind up our own wounds only, and forget the suffering of strangers, When in our fear we retreat and isolate, When we seek security based only on military might and not on right-relationships among people, There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole, there is a balm is Gilead, to heal the sin-sick And so we pray; That all who continue to suffer may heal and the nations of the world will find peace; Jesus, we labor with you. That growing understanding among faithful peoples will lead to a shared vision of peace; Jesus, we labor with you. That profound cooperation among nations, which share God s earth, may lead to structures of peace; Jesus, we labor with you. That oppressive economic and military structures may be transformed and structures may grow that lead to peace; Jesus, we labor with you. O God, hear our hopes and make us faithful in your way of love and justice. In your name, Jesus, the maker of peace, Amen. Sung: There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole, there is a balm in Gilead, to heal the sin-sick Don t ever feel discouraged, for Jesus is your friend, Who, if you ask for knowledge, will never fail to lend. There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole, there is a balm in Gilead, to heal the sin-sick Lord s Prayer: 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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Sharing our Tithes and Offerings Invitation The Offering: Let There Be Peace on Earth (8:00) The Offertory Senior Choir Anthem: By the Gentle Waters (10:30)

4 The Offertory Response: Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. Prayer of Dedication and Commitment The People of God Go Forth In Mission Benediction (The World Peace Prayer) Lead us, O God: Lead us from death to life, From falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, From fear to trust; Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe. Amen. Choral Benediction: The Blessing Riddle Insert Hymn: How Great Thou Art #33 Silent Moment Postlude: Freedom Medley arr. Innes Welcome How wonderful to be together as we celebrate the beginning of a new year of Christian education! Old friends and new, we re happy to see you! Preparation for Worship You shower us with your boundless forgiveness, heavenly Father. Please draw us into worship now. Stewardship Moment Balancing the Spiritual and the Physical John Wesley s often-quoted advice says, Make all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can. Wesley, like Jesus, did not deny the importance of caring for self and family. Like Jesus, Wesley kept that in balance by caring for spiritual needs with good giving. TODAY S WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS 8:00 AM Acolytes: Emily Drabick, Renee Martin Lay Reader: Mary Velez Greeters: Marilyn Decker, Steve Heck Ushers: Dolores Fioriglio, Curt Fehr, Bonnie Walsh, Randy Weidner Sound System: Russ Drabick 10:30 AM Acolytes: Emily Hartranft, Harrison Ike Lay Reader: Harold Huber Greeters: Jennifer Hartranft, Kimberly Ike, Bonnie Keck Ushers: Tom Capehart, Tracy Dell, Richard Miller, Rachel Wentz Sound System: John Hill Tape Ministry Nancy Wieder Flower Delivery: Marty Beers CHURCH STAFF Rev. Dr. Paul W. Knappenberger, Senior Pastor, pstpaul@stjohnsuccemmaus.org Rev. Curt Sandrock, Assisting Pastor Patrice DiCarne, Minister of Music Colleen Bernini, Administrative Secretary Diane Ritter, Financial Secretary, dedemarit@juno.com Pat Dillman, Director of Christian Education, patdillman@hotmail.com Kayli Freeman, Seminarian Cheryl Clauser, Sexton Church Office Hours: 8:30 to 11:30 & 12:30 to 3:30 Phone Number: Fax Number: office@stjohnsuccemmaus.org Website:

5 ST. JOHN S CALENDAR Sunday, September 11 Rally Day/Teacher Installation 8:00 am Worship Service 9:15 am Sunday School for all Ages 10:30 am Worship Service Tuesday, September 13 9:00 am Quilts For Kids 6:30 pm Girl Scout Troop #6640 7:00 pm Consistory 7:30 pm Brain Tumor Support Group Wednesday, September 14 6:30 pm Boy Scout Troop #25 7:45 pm Senior Choir Thursday, September 15 10:15 am Women s Bible Study 6:30 pm Junior Girl Scout Troop #6123 6:30 pm Cadettes 6:30 pm Cub Scouts All Dens Saturday, September 17 8:30 am AA 8:30 am Al Anon Sunday, September 18 8:00 am Worship Service 9:15 am Sunday School for all Ages 10:30 am Worship Service

6 ST. JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 139 North Fourth Street, Emmaus, Pennsylvania Rev. Dr. Paul W. Knappenberger, Senior Pastor, Rev. Curt Sandrock, Assisting Pastor Patrice DiCarne, Minister of Music Colleen Bernini, Administrative Secretary Diane Ritter, Financial Secretary, Pat Dillman, Director of Christian Education Kayli Freeman, Seminarian Cheryl Clauser, Sexton Church Office Hours: 8:30 to 11:30 & 12:30 to 3:30 Phone Number: Fax Number: Church Announcements for Sunday, September 11, 2011 September Mission Holy Joe s Café This Coffee House Ministry for soldiers supports military chaplains in over 120 Boots-On-The-Ground locations throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Holy Joe s Cafés are designated places where troops can go to relax, escape their duties of war, get a fresh cup of coffee, and talk with a chaplain in a casual setting. Please see the bulletin insert for additional information regarding this project. Please give as generously as you are able. Thank you. The Missions Committee Attention Members of St. John s The Nursery is in desperate need of volunteers to help in the nursery during the 10:30 worship. We have recently lost several helpers who have been involved for many years. If we don t get the adequate help that we need, we will need to have the nursery available only for parents who wish to watch their own children during the service. Please call Kris Wentz at if interested. Organ and Chancel Flowers If you are sponsoring organ or chancel flowers, please call the church office so we can include your dedication in the bulletin announcements. Confidentiality It is important that we honor the rights to privacy of medical information for our St. John s members. If someone in the congregation shares a prayer concern, a medical issue, or hospitalization information with you, please ask their permission before sharing that information with the pastors, Undershepherd Ministry, Prayer Tree or church office, or for announcement in worship. If you are hospitalized or are sharing any prayer concerns, the pastors will ask your permission before disclosing information to anyone beyond the pastoral staff. Church Hospital Code Number is 466! The pastors visit our hospitalized members. If you, or a member of your family enters the hospital, please ask the hospital to place the patient s name on church code #466, St. John s UCC, Emmaus or call the church office to inform us at Greeting Cards The Undershepherd Ministries give us the opportunity to sign greeting cards for folks on our Home Visitation List, for members of the congregation who need a lift, or just to say hello. All cards are in the Narthex. Please take a minute to sign the cards and send these folks our Christian greetings. Today we are signing cards for: Harold and Eleanor Deremer, Carol Sicher, Marilyn Barber

7 The Altar Flowers are sponsored by Ann Campbell in memory of her husband, Jim. The Bulletins are sponsored by Barry and Ellen Miller in honor of their granddaughter Reese Miller s 2 nd birthday. Church Attendance Sunday, September 4, 2011: 9:15 AM 120 Income Report for Sunday, September 4, 2011: Mortgage Account (BOFFT, Building Blocks, Building Fund) $2, General Fund - $5, Loud Offering - $165.33