Eden United Church of Christ Order for Worship Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, June 26, :00 a.m.

Transcription

1 Eden United Church of Christ Order for Worship Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, June 26, :00 a.m. WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Eden United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming congregation. We believe that all people are children of God; that persons of all ages, races and sexual orientations are part of our increasingly diverse culture. We welcome all persons into the full life and ministry of this church. Children s bulletins are available upon request from the ushers. Thank you for muting your cell phone, pager, and PDA during worship. Thank you for bringing no food or beverages in the Sanctuary other than sacramental elements and bottled water. PRELUDE Voluntary in G & D Major Samuel Jackson THE LIGHT ENTERS WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT GREETING & ANNOUNCEMENTS The Rev. Pepper Swanson (Thank you for your gift of presence and for completing a blue worship card today) INTROIT O Day of God, Draw Near (v. 1) NCH 611 O Day of God, draw near in beau-ty and in power, Come with your time-less judg-ment now to match our pres-ent hour. * CALL TO WORSHIP (All who are able may stand) Dave Wallace L: Now is our time to shine! Whether we are new to Eden Church or a life-long member. R: Now is our time to shine! L: Each of us has something vital to celebrate. R: Our congregation is 151 years bold! L: God has done amazing things through our community of faith. R: We give God the glory for every shining moment in our lives. L: We pray for God s guidance on the path ahead. R: We move forward in faith trusting that God s vision will be fulfilled.

2 * HYMN Come, O Fount of Every Blessing NCH 459 * INVOCATION (in unison) Dave We know that you have plans for us, O God, plans to give us a future and a hope even when we cannot see the future, and even when life s challenges seem particularly daunting. So we gather here in the company of the saints, we draw strength from the example of Christ, and we pray for the Spirit s guidance that we might stay the course and live into the future that you have envisioned. Amen. * PASSING OF THE PEACE L: The peace of God be with you all. Dave R: And also with you. L: Let us greet our neighbors with a sign of peace. MUSICAL INTERLUDE L: Our service continues with the Children s Gathering. Dave CHILDREN S GATHERING Pepper CHILDREN S BLESSING Touch the Earth Lightly (v. 1) 569 Touch the earth light-ly, use the earth gent-ly, nour-ish the life of the world in our care: Gift of great won-der, ours to sur-ren-der, Trust for the chil-dren to-mor-row will bear. (Summer Celebration: All children and youth are invited to attend. Nursery care is available at any time during worship. Please see an usher for an escort to the nursery.) RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS Invitation & Address Questions of the Candidates Welcome (in unison) The Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring E-Team Today we welcome you as full partners in the ministry of Eden United Church of Christ. We promise you our continuing friendship as we share the joys and challenges of Christian discipleship, and we pray for the Spirit s guidance and grace, so that together we may grow in the knowledge, love, and service of Almighty God. Presentations & Introductions

3 SCRIPTURE READING Luke 9:51-62 Dave (Today s scripture lesson can be found on page 843 of the pew Bibles.) SERMON Living Into the Vision The Rev. Dr. Arlene Nehring * HYMN O Jesus, I Have Promised 493 * UCC STATEMENT OF FAITH (doxological version; said responsively) Group 1: We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify: Group 2: You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image, and set before each one the ways of life and death. Group 1: You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. Group 2: 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. Group 1: 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. Group 2: 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. Group 1: 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. Group 2: Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you. Amen.

4 OFFERING & DEDICATION OF OUR GIFTS Invitation (Thank you for placing your blue worship card in the offering plate) Dave Offertory Nocturne Op. 15 No.1 F. Chopin * Offering Response Your Ways Are Not Our Own (v. 5) NCH 170 For-give-ness is our joy, re-ceiv-ing, giv-ing, too. Keep us from judg-ments hard and cruel, That we may dwell with you. * Prayer of Dedication Dave * HYMN Lead On Eternal Sovereign NCH 573 * BENEDICTION Arlene * RESPONSE O Grant Us Light (v. 4) NCH 469 O grant us light, when soon or late, All earth-ly scenes shall pass a-way, In you to find the o-pen gate, To death-less home and end-less day. * THE LIGHT DEPARTS WITH THE PEOPLE (The congregation is seated for the Postlude) POSTLUDE Organ Preludio in C Major C. Bossi Worship Leaders The Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring, Senior Minister The Rev. Pepper Swanson, Associate Minister Dave Wallace, Liturgist Theressa Collier, E-Team Representative Dr. Jessie Wenchieh Lo, Organist Cindy Keune, Greeter Cindy Keune, Pat Payne, Theressa Collier, Ushers Angelica Leon Garcia and Karen Ortiz, Childcare Workers Jana Aloo & Pepper Swanson, Church School Teachers Mary Haro, Fellowship Captain The Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring & Stephanie Spencer, Volunteer Appreciation Lunch Hosts Jim Fryer, Trustee on Duty Dawn Coburn, Sunday Sexton

5 Eden Church Jubilee Members June 23, 2016 No. Joined Name Reunited 1 2/6/1949 Lucille Lorge 2 10/2/1949 Mary Burroughs 3 10/7/1951 Peggy Barber 4 6/7/1953 Ruth Schaap 5 5/12/1957 Anne Duey 6 5/12/1957 Jim Schumann 7 12/1/1957 Ruth Jenkins 8 2/18/1962 Bob Sorensen 9 4/19/1962 Marilyn Knipe (Whitson) 5/20/ /27/1962 Manuel "Jim" Rego 2/13/1977 & 8/15/ /7/1962 Pat Ball 12 & 13 10/4/1964 Jacque and Nate Blake 1/14/1971 & 2/29/ /14/1965 Audrey Wood 4/26/71 & 6/1/1995 Flower Dedication The flowers on the altar are given by Linda and George Cumming, in memory of Mary Elizabeth Cumming, on her birthday. Welcome Welcome to Eden United Church of Christ! If you are searching for a spiritual home, please consider becoming part of our congregation. Eden welcomes members who seek a deeper relationship with God in a caring community and who strive to make a difference in the lives of others. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism and the Rite of Church Membership four to five times yearly during morning worship. Please see one of our pastors or an usher, deacon, or member of the E-Team if you seek baptism for yourself or your child, or if you would like to be received into church membership. We will celebrate infant and adult baptism and receive new members several times each year. Events TODAY Call to the 151st Annual Meeting The 151st Annual Meeting of Eden United Church of Christ has been called by the Church Council for Sunday, Jun 26, The meeting will be held in Oliver Hall following morning worship. This meeting is called in accordance with the Eden Church bylaws. Agenda items include the following: To receive the Annual Report To receive a preliminary year-end financial report To receive and act on the proposed operating budget for To receive and act on the slate of officers and board and committee members for To recognize elected leaders who are completing terms of service To install officers and board and committee members who are beginning terms of service To receive a report from the Church Council regarding the Oliver Properties LLC To receive a report from the Church Council on Eden s next Strategic Plan and act on the Plan Members are expected. Visitors are welcome. Pastor Arlene and Stephanie are providing lunch for the congregation in Oliver Hall in appreciation for all of our wonderful volunteers. Middle and high school students are encouraged to participate in the meeting and help Pastor Arlene & Stephanie serve lunch and bus tables. Childcare will be provided for N-6th Grade during the business meeting.

6 Upcoming Events Words for Lunch in Sunset Park: This summer Eden Church is teaming up with the Kids Breakfast Club and the Hayward Public Library to provide a free lunch, a free book, and story time for youth who gather in the Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jun 28 to Aug 4. Organizers require that all readers participate in a free one-hour training. For the convenience of volunteers, trainings are being held at Eden Church. Please see Pastor Arlene or Eden s Compañeras Summer Intern, Andrea Orea, to get involved. Closing the Books on : Our church's fiscal year ends Thursday, Jun 30, In keeping with generally accepted accounting practices, all financial contributions received by the Eden Church office by Wednesday, June 30, 2016, will be reflected in contributors giving statements. If you have questions about whether your pledge payments are current, or if you have questions about making an additional gift, please contact Michael Stuber, our Associate Treasurer, in person this Sunday, or call Castro Valley Pride, Jul 9: The 6 th Annual Castro Valley Pride Saturday, Jul 9, from 12 n. to 5 p.m. in the Castro Valley High School parking lot (located at Santa Maria, near the intersection of Redwood Road.) The event will begin with an interfaith invocation led by Pastor Arlene and will feature a series of familyfriendly activities including games, booths, food, performers, and speakers. Join members and friends of Eden Church in helping to host our hospitality table by saying hello to friends and neighbors, giving away fun swag and sharing the good news that Eden Church is only a few miles away in Hayward! If you would like to participate and help put out the welcome mat, please see Athena Malloy or Keith Smith. Eden s 21 st Open & Affirming Anniversary, Jul 10: Each year we celebrate being a gay-friendly church that truly welcomes everyone! This year, we will celebrate 21 years of being open & affirming on Sunday, Jul 10, during our morning worship. Qi Gong Demonstration, Jul 11: Are you interested in learning about Qi Gong? We are scheduling a demonstration on Monday, Jul 11 in the Fireside Room with Linda Joost, local Qi Gong instructer and Eden church friend. Time to be determined. To sign up and indicate time preference, please contact Pastor Pepper. Farewell Party for the Blakes Salad Potluck Luncheon, Jul 17: Come and celebrate with love and friendship as we bid Jacque and Nate Blake a fond farewell from our Eden family. They will be moving to Southern California later this summer. Join the party on Jul 17; bring your favorite signature salad (serve 8-10 people) to share during Coffee Hour. Beverages, bread and dessert will be provided by the Fellowship Committee. Musical entertainment is planned. A basket for greeting cards will be available in Oliver Hall. Please direct questions to Susie Newman or Anne Duey. Painting Party, Jul 23: Tap into your inner artist and find a new expression for spirituality! Participate in a member-sponsored Painting Party in the Jensen Room on Saturday, Jul 23, 2:00 pm 4:30 pm, and walk away with your very own masterpiece. Instruction by artist Bella Kruse and all supplies are provided for a low cost of $10 per person. All ages and artistic levels are welcome! Contact Mary Haro (haro.mary@ymail.com) for more details, or sign up in the church office by Sunday, Jul 17. Retirement Living Conversation, Jul 24: Bring your coffee and discussion topics to the Fireside Room after worship, and join Pastor Arlene for an informal conversation about the retirement living options. Our in-house panel of experts will illustrate that there is no one-size-fits-all approach that works best for every person or family, but it is possible to have a more enjoyable retirement if we invest ourselves in the research and planning processes and in conversations with our loved ones. The best fit with retirement living options, for example, may change over time and is often determined by a myriad of variables such as: timing, lifestyle preferences, individual s and couple s needs and wants, family resources, proximity to loved ones, loved ones skills, interests, and abilities to provide care, and proximity to and availability of services and amenities. We won t be able to answer all of our questions in an hour, but we can get this important conversation started, learn from each other, and develop a list of topics for further reflection, exploration, and conversation.

7 Announcements Pastor Arlene on Vacation: Pastor Arlene will be on vacation from Jun 28 Jul 5. If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Pastor Pepper at (510) (days) or (510) (evenings). Wiebe-Freed Family Support: Eden members and friends will resume providing Friday night supper for the Wiebe-Freed family in the fall. Volunteers are needed to coordinate, cook, and deliver meals. Please contact Keith Smith to learn more and get involved. Seekers Book Discussion: The Seekers read books on religion and other topics. The next book is Beyond Religion: Ethics for the Whole World by the Dalai Lama. Please join us for our weekly discussions on Wednesdays at 10 am in the Community Room. Contact Pastor Pepper for info. Yoga for Lunch: Yoga classes are held on Wednesdays at 11:30 am in the Fireside Room. Join Yogi Amanda Sharpe and Eden members and friends. Eden Stitchers: Quilters and others with sewing projects are invited to join the Eden Stitchers on Tuesdays at 10 am in the Jensen Room. Contact Suzie Hasselkuss (suziequilting@comcast.net) or Shannon Whitney (Shannon_whitney@sbcglobal.net) for the date of the next meeting. Flowers for Worship: The 2016 Flower Calendar is posted in the Church Office. Stop by to sign up for a date to match your occasion. Flowers can be provided by: 1) Cut or purchase flowers and arrange them at home or church and place them on the communion table; 2) Make arrangements with Eden s Flower Coordinator Mary Graw to provide flowers and she or another member will arrange them; or (3) Order flowers delivered from a florist to the church on the Saturday prior to your date. Bulletin dedications are due to the Church Office by 12 noon on the Wednesday before your date. For information, contact Mary Graw at (510) Deaf Rainbow of Faith Summer Schedule: Eden Church is sharing worship and church school with Deaf Rainbow of Faith (DRF), an emerging LGBT congregation in ministry with deaf and hard of hearing members and loved ones. During the summer months, DRF will worship with Eden on Communion Sundays. For more information, see Pastor Arlene at Eden Church or Pastor Taniel with DRF. Comida Contributions Needed: Thank you to all who have responded with contributions in support of Comida para Cherryland. Based on current needs we anticipate having enough money to fund the food pantry through Oct Every dollar contributed goes directly to the purchase of food. The direct costs of the Comida are solely supported by donations from members and friends (not the church s annual budget). A contribution of $4.50 buys one bag for a family of 4-7 and includes one bag of rice and one bag of beans, a can of peanut butter, a can of tuna, a can of tomato product, oatmeal, fresh fruit and vegetables, and a bag of chicken legs. Contributions may be made using pew envelopes or by mailing contributions to the church. Please make checks payable to Eden United Church of Christ and note Comida on the envelope or check. For information about the budget, see the Rev. Rob Parrish. To discuss financial contributions to Comida, see Michael Stuber. Showcase Your Talents During Summer Music Season Our custom at Eden during the summer months is to feature vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles in our Sunday morning worship services. Members and friends are encouraged to share their time and musical talents. To get involved, please contact one of the pastors or the organist. Please provide a composition title and composer s name or a repertoire list and all dates when you (or your ensemble) are available to perform. The performance schedule will be coordinated by the Worship Team, to match worship theme with appropriate music and our musicians availability.

8 Planning the Music Season In keeping with congregational input received during the strategic planning process, a planning meeting for the music season during the program year will be held later this summer. Everyone who would like to contribute to the plan, and especially all members and friends who are interested in performing a vocal or instrumental solo, or participating in an ensemble are encouraged to attend. The date and time of that planning meeting will be chosen based on what is most convenient for the majority. A rehearsal and performance schedule will be created by the soon-to-be-appointed Worship Practices Team based on the interests and availability of Eden s volunteer and guest musicians. For more information about the proposed strategic plan, attend the Strategic Plan Workshop on Sunday, June 19.

9 Jul 9 Jul 10 Jul 11 Jul 13 Jul 17 Jul 23 Jul 24 Jul 26 Jul 27 Aug 10 Aug 21 Aug 24 Coming Attractions Mark Your Calendars! New or amended items are in italics. Castro Valley Pride (E-Team Event) Eden s 21 st Open & Affirming Anniversary Qi Gong Demonstration Comida para Cherryland Farewell to the Blakes w/ Salad Potluck Luncheon Painting Party Retirement Living Conversation Eden Area Foundation Board of Directors Meeting Comida para Cherryland Backpack & School Supply Distribution Planned Giving Seminar: Pre-Arrangement Planning Comida para Cherryland This Week At-A-Glance Sunday, Jun 26 9:00 9:45 a.m. Music Rehearsal Sanctuary 10:00 11:15 a.m. Sunday Worship Sanctuary 11:30 12:30 p.m. 151st Annual Mtg. & Volunteer Recognition Lunch OH 11:30 12:30 p.m. Sunday Counters Library 4:00 5:30 p.m. ChYLI Registration & Orientation Norberg Room Monday, June 27 1:00 4:00 p.m. Cherryland Computer Café Norberg Room 5:30 8:00 p.m. EAF Grants Committee Meeting Library Tuesday, June 28 10:00 12:00 p.m. Eden Stitchers Jensen Room 11:00 12:00 p.m. Worship Planning Sr. Pastor s Office 1:00 4:00 p.m. Cherryland Computer Café Norberg Room Wednesday, June 29 10:00 11:00 a.m. Seekers Off-Site (Cannery Café) 11:30 12:30 p.m. Yoga at Eden Fireside Room Sunday, July 3 9:00 9:45 a.m. Music Rehearsal Sanctuary 10:00 11:15 a.m. Sunday Worship Sanctuary 11:30 12:30 p.m. Fellowship Hour Oliver Hall 11:30 12:30 p.m. Sunday Counters Library

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