August 28, 2016 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. PRELUDE from Xerxes LARGO George F. Handel

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1 Welcome to all first-time (and returning) guests to Faith UCC! We would like to get to know you and for you to get to know us. Join us after worship for coffee and conversation. There is free parking on Sundays at the meters and at the McAllister & Pugh Street parking garages so, we hope you ll worship with us again next Sunday! ELECTRONIC GIVING OPTIONS: During the offering time in the service, you may place your offerings on the plates the ushers will bring around. If you prefer to give electronically, you now have 2 options: 1. Simply scan the QR code with your smartphone to be directed to our online donation page. 2. Give by text. Send a text to with the amount you would like to contribute AUGUST SPECIAL OFFERING: BETHANY CHILDREN S HOME is Pennsylvania s first DPW Sanctuary Certified agency, having earned the certification in Thanks to their Sanctuary accreditation, youth who have been abused and neglected have the opportunity to live the lives they deserve. Unique and specialized programs, give youth access to a variety of therapeutic, spiritual, and cultural services in addition to recreational activities. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and financial donation. August 28 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost TODAY Back to School/Back-pack Blessing September 1 Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm in the Sanctuary September 4 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Holy Communion (intinction) Today s Altar Flowers are given by Joe and Carolyn Meyer in loving memory of our daughter Margaret Davis Faith United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation 300 E. College Ave. State College, PA Phone: Website: Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/scfaithucc Office: faithucc@comcast.net Pastor s faithuccpastor@comcast.net Church office hours: 9:30am 1:30pm (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday) No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here! We welcome you to our church and invite you to sign the registration pads at the ends of the pews on the center aisle. Also, please join us after worship for fellowship and refreshments. August 28, 2016 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE from Xerxes LARGO George F. Handel (Please rise, as you are able, to join in the Call to Worship) * CALL TO WORSHIP + (based on Psalm 81) Leader: Sing aloud to God, who is our strength! People: Shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Leader: I am the Lord your God. I brought you out of Egypt. People: I will feed you with the finest wheat. With the honey from the rock, I will satisfy you. Leader: Let us join our hearts and our voices to worship the Lord, our God! * OPENING HYMN For the Beauty of the Earth #28 (Congregation may be seated) PRAYER OF INVOCATION + Holy One, we can spend so much time and so much energy searching for meaning and value in all the wrong places. When here you are, waiting for us and for our attention. Send your Holy Spirit to claim our hearts and fill our minds as we worship you, with all that we are and all that we hope to be. Amen.

2 CALL TO CONFESSION + No one among us can claim to be without sin. We all must rely on the grace of God for forgiveness and understanding. Let us join our voices to confess together. PRAYER OF CONFESSION + Holy God, you give us clear directives for how we should live our lives, but we don t always listen or pay attention to you. We neglect to show hospitality to strangers, and can ignore those who are imprisoned. We find it difficult to be content with what we have and can desire more financial success than what is needed. We often find it hard to share and to sacrifice, even while knowing this would please you. Forgive us, O God, we pray, and prompt us to the good works you desire for us to do, in your name. And hear us, O Lord, as we confess to you in silence, about a way in which we know we have displeased you (silence for personal confession 10 seconds) ASSURANCE OF GRACE + Leader: Jesus promised to never leave us or forsake us. We are not alone, not even in our sin. Brothers and sisters in faith, hear and proclaim the good news of the gospel: People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! * SHARING CHRIST S PEACE As a sign of our reconciliation with God and one another, greet and welcome those around you and share the peace of Christ. CHILDREN S MESSAGE Following the Children s message, the nursery is available for infants and toddlers under 4 years old. The nursery is located through the door at the right front of the sanctuary, and up the stairs. Summer Church school activities are available for children and youth (4+ years) in Asendorf Hall (3 rd floor). Children are always welcome to remain in the worship service. ANTHEM Psalm XIX Benedicto Marcello READING OF SCRIPTURE SERMON Hebrews 13:1-8, Luke 14:1, 7-14 Leader: The gospel of Jesus Christ. People: Thanks be to God. A Wider Table *HYMN Won t You Let Me Be Your Servant #539 (Congregation may be seated) PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (and the Lord s Prayer) Believing that each joy and/or concern expressed is indeed a prayer. After each expression, the people may respond: Lord, hear our prayer The 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 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, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. OFFERING Offertory Psalm XX Benedicto Marcello *Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication + Humble us, O Lord, that you might be exalted. Accept these gifts as a token of our lives, which we offer to you freely, asking only for your blessing. Amen.

3 BACK-TO-SCHOOL PRAYER AND BLESSING (Parents are invited forward to join the children, and college students to stand where they are in the pews) Leader 1: O Holy God, the time is come when school begins: preschool, elementary, junior high or middle school, senior high school, college or vocational school. As these your children begin their studies, for all their different talents and gifts; and for their insights and commitment to learning, O Lord of Life and Love, (Parents lay hands on their children to bless them) Leader 2: Bless, O God, these our cherished children (parents touch each child lightly on the shoulder, and we say the names of all students), those whom we have promised to love and nurture at their baptism. Lord, bless these backpacks and the children and youth who carry them as they begin yet another year of school. Give them peace when they feel nervous, focus when they feel distracted, energy when they feel tired. Open their minds to the lessons they will learn both in and outside the classroom. Help them to make friends that build one another up, and be friends to those who need them. Leader 1: Guide them in making good choices as they grow in wisdom and maturity. Be ever-present with them in the classroom, on the school bus, on the playground, and at home, and may they feel your loving care in all that they do. Remind us, their church family, to pray for these children and to teach them, here at church, about you and how much you love them! O Lord of Life and Love, (all educators are invited to stand: teachers, faculty, etc.) Leader 2: Lord, bless those in the ministry of teaching future generations. As they embark on a new school year, grant them energy, passion, discipline, and endurance for their daily tasks. Infuse their classrooms with an atmosphere of care and mutual respect, that all interactions there will be bathed in patience and understanding. Help their lessons to grow students in both knowledge and character, and help us all to support the work these teachers do building up our community and our future. O Lord of Life and Love, (Leader 2 blesses backpacks.) Leader 1: Bless, O God, these backpacks, the books, notebooks, markers, pens, pencils and computers they will use to learn. O Lord of Life and Love, Amen. [adapted --written by Rev. Larry Farris and Jessica Miller Kelley] *CLOSING HYMN Be Now My Vision #451 *BENEDICTION + Leader: As we stand on the threshold of a new month. People: As summer begins to fade, and summertime schedules morph into the busyness of school and a new program year. Leader: As you face whatever transitions and changes there might be in your life People: We know that God never changes. God is always with us. God will never leave us or forsake us. We need never be afraid. Not of change. Not of the future. Not of the unknown. Leader: May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit be with you and bless you, this day and every day. All: Amen. *BENEDICTION RESPONSE Breathe on Me, Breath of God #292 Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew That I may love the way you love, and do what you would do POSTLUDE Fanfare Jacques Lemmens + Liturgy provided by 2015 Scripture Echo. Used with permission. Musical resources printed our worship bulletins are used with permission under OneLicense.net No.A Welcome PSU students we re glad you re here!

4 Faith UCC is an open and affirming church, embracing diversity in our congregation and community, and affirming the dignity and worth of every person. We are an inclusive community of faith that celebrates God s presence through worship and the sharing of God s word. We welcome all persons into the full life and ministry of the church, regardless of race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, capability, or circumstance of life. Our Ministry Ministers All the Congregation Pastor Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith Ushers Alva Chellman, Neil Christy, Jeff Wiest Trustee Neil Christy Liturgist Cyndi Vincenti Children s Message Church school Acolyte Abby Reed Nursery Jean Frank/Lois Bair Fellowship Ernie Hawk/Jean Cole Church Staff Custodian Scott Luzier Church School Coordinator Barbara Chellman Choir Director Colin Ruffer Organist/Associate Choir Director Asa W. Carns Administrative Assistant Jeffrey Stormer We warmly welcome Jeffrey Stormer to our staff! Church office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30am 1:30pm TODAY SUNDAY (9/4) SUNDAY (9/11) THIS WEEK AT FAITH CHURCH 10:45AM Worship Service followed by fellowship time (RH) 10:45AM Worship Service (with Holy Communion) followed by fellowship time (RH) 10:45AM Worship Service (with guest preacher Rev. Dr. Ruth Shaver) followed by fellowship time (RH) GIVE BY TEXT a new giving option at Faith UCC! 1. Simply send a text to with the amount you would like to contribute. 2. Make sure to include the dollar sign before the amount. Example: $ Within a few minutes, you ll be sent a text with a link to register. 4. Click on the link and enter your cardholder name and credit or debit card information. 5. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a text verification and a receipt via For future giving, simply send a text with the amount you wish to give, and it will process automatically! AB = Antoinette Brown; AH = Asendorf Hall; ML = Meyer Library; RH = Romig Hall; S = Sanctuary Prayers for healing and wholeness: Cecil Irvin, Linda Merchant, Susan Meyer, Lisa B., (JoAnn s daughter), Timothy Tressler (Ruth s son), Brandon G., Lisa Neidigh, Bunnie Hartswick, Katelynn Wilson, Jean Dreese, Wayne & Leila Carns, April S., Robin Smith, Daisy (Steven Romig s Mom), AJ, Randy Brown (Aimee s Dad), Dorothy Shirk (Vaughn s mother), Sheila W., victims of flooding in Louisiana, fires in California and earthquakes in Italy Pastor Monica s office hours: 10:00am 2:00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and by appointment. In case of a pastoral related emergency, you may contact her directly: (mobile).

5 (From Interfaith Initiative Centre County) SAVE THE DATE! FALL 2016 Interfaith Picnic Sunday, September 18, 1:00 3:00 pm Pavilion 1, Sunset Park, McKee St., State College. (From Outreach and Service Ministry Team) COMING IN SEPTEMBER: Marianna's hoagie and pizza sale. Details to follow soon! SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, September 18, 12noon Asendorf Hall (3 rd floor) (New &) Returning Penn State Students More details soon! CHOIR REHEARSAL resumes Thursday, September 1 at 7:00pm What s Alex s Million Mile? Alex s Million Mile is an event created in order to help spread cancer awareness in a way that promotes the health of all. September is childhood cancer awareness month, and over the course of those 30 days people from all over the WORLD form teams, and track the amount of miles that they walk, run, or bicycle. Collectively, by September 30 th, we will all try to reach a total of 1,000,000 miles! I m excited for the State College community to help contribute to the foundation s million-mile goal. How to join a team? My team is called The Crazy Lemons. You may join me at any time during the month of September using the link On that page, click Join the team! on the lower right side. You will then be directed to create an account. Keep your username and password handy, so that you can sign in later to track your miles. You will also be asked to set a mileage and fundraising goal. Fundraising is appreciated but not necessary to be a part of the team. At the end of the day it s all about walking, running, or cycling, with this amazing little girl in our hearts. Additionally, there are a few apps listed on the website that you may also track your miles with. No computer? I can add you as a member manually and input your miles as you tell me them. Your pet s miles count too! How to donate? 1. Donations by credit card: Visit Click on Donate to my Event. 2. Donations by check: Make checks payable to Alex s Lemonade Stand Foundation, and please include in the memo, AMM event ID E For your convenience, you may drop off (or mail) your checks to Faith Church. For more information, contact: Emily Reiss ekr5109@psu.edu