We Gather Again and Seek God s Presence

Transcription

1 ST. PETER S CHURCH, WEST PENN where worship and service don t stop with the final hymn. The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates The Rev. Kenneth T. Melber, Jr., Designated Pastor Kristine K. Betz, Director of Music October 7, 2018 ~ 20th Sunday after Pentecost WORLD WIDE COMMUNION SUNDAY Worship 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. (Please turn off your cell phone.) Prayer of Preparation Holy One, we long to live in a world refreshed by mutual caring and honest commitment. Teach us, that we might fulfill our role towards this vision. Amen. We Gather Again and Seek God s Presence Announcements and Concerns (Prior to worship, at 8:50 a.m.) Prelude Communion ~L. Smith Leader: Congregation: Leader: Congregation: Leader: Congregation: Leader: Congregation: (All who are able, please stand.) Joyous Declaration and Choral Amen Call to Worship We were created in relationship and for relationship. We are created for community! God knew it was not right for us to be alone. We are created for community! Through Jesus Christ, God entered into human relationship with us. We are created for community! We rejoice in our unity with all humanity. We are created for community! Hymn Give to Our God Immortal Praise #112

2 (The congregation may be seated.) We Acknowledge Our Brokenness and Seek God s Forgiveness Call to Confession We remember ourselves as your children and know your unconditional love for us, so we are free to come before you with our regrets and sins. Prayer of Confession (in unison) Jesus Christ, you who lived in a human body, call us to community. Remind us that in you we are one. Awake in us a respect for one another, and celebrate with us the diversity within that unity. May it be so now and forever. Amen. (Silence for reflection.) Prayer for Mercy P. (Spoken) Lord, have mercy upon us. C. (Spoken) Christ, have mercy upon us. All (Sung) Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free Spirit. (Adapted from Psalm 51) Assurance of Forgiveness P. You are the divine creation, and it is not right for you to be alone. Know now that you are forgiven and called back into relationship with God and with one another. (All who are able, please stand.) Song of Praise (Hymnal, #107) Lord, I lift your name on high; Lord, I love to sing your praises. I m so glad you re in my life; I m so glad you came to save us. You came from heaven to earth to show the way; From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay. From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky; Lord I lift your name on high.

3 The Passing of the Peace P. The peace of Christ be with you all. C. And also with you. P. Let us greet one another with a sign of Christ s peace. (The congregation may be seated.) We Listen for God s Word to Us The Reading of Scripture The Second Reading (from the Epistles) Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 The Psalm Reading Psalm 8 The Gospel Reading Mark 10:2-16 (The Second Reading and the Gospel Reading are printed on the back of the bulletin.) (After the Gospel is announced, all who are able stand and sing:) Glory be to Thee, O Lord. (After the Gospel is read, sing: ) Praise be to Thee, O Christ. (The congregation may be seated.) The Senior Choir Anthem This is the Day The Message ~ The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates We Respond with Joy (All who are able, please stand.) Faith Promises Pastor: Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? People: I do.

4 Pastor: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? People: I do. Pastor: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? People: I do. Pastor: God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and forgiven all our sins. May God also lead us to follow and be faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ, our brother and savior, for ever and ever. All: Amen. (The congregation may be seated.) Invitation to the Offering Leader: In communion with one another, let us share what we have received, knowing that we are one flesh with all humanity. The Offering of Our Gifts (Visitor cards, found in the cup/card racks, may be placed in the offering plate. Prayer cards may be handed to an usher at this time.) The Offertory Peace for the World ~D. Hegarty (All who are able, please stand.) The Offertory Response We Give Thee but Thine Own We give Thee but Thine Own, What e er the gift may be; All that we have is Thine alone A trust, O Lord, from Thee. Amen.

5 Prayer of Dedication (in unison) God of all creation, breathe your life-giving breath upon these gifts that they might be a blessing to all creation. (The congregation may be seated.) Pastoral Prayer We Celebrate the Mystery and Sacrament of Holy Communion The Sacrament of Holy Communion Words of Invitation: One: On this World Wide Communion Sunday, we gather at God s table, joining with disciples of Christ in many lands and places. This table is for all people. Christ invited poor and rich, male and female sinner and saint to his table. At that table, he invited the ordinary to become extraordinary. He didn t demand a profession of faith, or an R.S.V.P. Invitation. He only asked that people come. 1 Some of the communion liturgy has come from So, we too invite all to Christ s table. Wherever you come from. Whoever you are. However you believe in Jesus Christ. Wherever you are going. Come and be fed. Come and be refreshed. Come and be filled with new life! Communion Service One: God is with you! All: And also with you. One: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to God. One: Let us give God our thanks and our praise. All: With joy and celebration, we say, THANK YOU, God!

6 One: We do thank you, Creator-of-All. For all things in our lives. For all people in our lives. For life itself! We give you thanks for the many ways we are transformed, by the touch of another of your children both the ones we meet and the ones we will never know. All: Thank you, Loving God! One: We give you thanks for the many ways we are transformed, by the touch of your creation our cousins on two feet and four feet, the ones that fly in the air, the ones that swim in the waters. We give you thanks for the earth and the sea and the stars. All: Thank you, Loving God! one: For those who have come before us. Grandmothers and Grandfathers by blood and by faith, who have loved us and taught us, by their stories and by their lives. They have shared your love in their love. We celebrate that they are a part of your great community of saints of which we, too, are a part. All: Thank you, Loving God! One: All creation thanks you, Loving God, and we join them, saying, All: Holy, holy, holy God! God of love and life heaven and earth are full of your glory, hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the One who comes in God s name! Hosanna in the highest! One: We realize that we don t always live out of your love. Sometimes, in fear, we turn away. Sometimes, in anger, we turn away. Sometimes, in apathy, we turn away. Sometimes, not even realizing it we turn away. One: But you don t let us stay away, God! Time and time again, you called our Grandmothers and Grandfathers back. Time and time again, you call us back. Time and time again. No. Always. You are faithful! Hallelujah! All: Hallelujah!

7 One: When the time was right, you shared yourself with us in a new way in the life and teachings, in the death and resurrection, of Jesus the One we call Christ. One of us, dancing, crying, laughing, loving he offered us new life in You. Hallelujah! All: Hallelujah! Bringing the Elements Forth One: Matzah is unleavened bread reminds us of all who eat their bread in haste. It symbolizes for us all the refugees who, like the ancient Israelites, leave their homes and flee from danger. May it remind us, too, of the homeless in our own city and country. We pray, O God, for your church among those with no place to call home. All: May we learn from their searching faith, and may we be a place of welcome for all who seek safety. One: Frybread reminds us of Africa, the birthplace of humankind where Christianity continues to flourish. It also reminds us of a legacy of slavery, and of a people who endured. We pray, O God, for your church in places where it flourishes, and we confess the times and places when we have enslaved our brothers and sisters. All: May we learn from the vibrant faith of our African brothers and sisters, and may we build a more just and peaceable world. One: Nom Chakie is a Cambodian bread that reminds us of Asia, where Christians are a minority among Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and others. It represents for us the ways our faith calls us beyond our culture and reminds us of our brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their beliefs. We pray, O God, for your church in places where Christianity is dangerous, politically or socially. All: May we learn from the steadfast faith of our Asian brothers and sisters and walk with Jesus through every trial. One: Tortillas remind us of Central and South America, where faith and culture have colored one another beautifully; but also a place where Christians live with violence, drugs, and conflict as a daily reality. We pray, O God, for your church in places beset by violence and still colored by hope.

8 All: May we learn from the persistent faith of our Latino brothers and Latina sisters, and may we look upon them with compassion as our neighbors. One: The baguette reminds us of Europe, with its vast cathedrals that are often empty. It represents those who keep the faith alive in lean times and reminds us that the church is not a building, but a community of people. We pray, O God, for your church in places where its power is diminished and its followers are few. All: May we learn from the age-old faith of our European brothers and sisters, and may we live our faith so that our faith might live. One: Cornbread reminds us of Native Americans who first recognized God in the rhythms of nature. It reminds us that the land we call home once belonged to others. We pray, O God, for your church as it exists in every land. May we learn from the earthy faith of our Native American brothers and sisters, and may we care for the land and all those who call it home. All: Come, Holy Spirit, dwell in these breads and in this cup that they might be for us the body and blood of Christ. Come, dwell in your people of every land and language that we might be united with one another to be the body of Christ in every corner of the world today. Amen. Words of Institution One: So we remember. We remember the night before Jesus was to be put to death. He gathered with his friends and shared a meal of celebration. In love, Jesus tried to help his disciples understand what was to come. One: Jesus took a loaf of bread and blessed it. So we, too, ask your blessing upon this bread, Great God, who brings forth grain from the earth. May the power of your love feed us, and the world, as this bread feeds our bodies. Jesus broke the bread saying, Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is my body, given for you. All: Amen! One: Jesus took a cup of wine and blessed it. So we, too, ask your blessing upon this cup, Great God, who brings for fruit on the vine. May the power of your grace, fill us, and the world, as this fruit fills our bodies. And Jesus

9 offered them the cup, saying, Take this, all of you, and drink from it. In this is my covenant my promise offered to you, that sin might be forgiven. All: Amen! One: Holy God, fill us and these gifts with your Presence that they and we might be the Body of Christ feeding your world. One: Through Christ, with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, God most holy, forever and ever. All: Amen. 2 One: And so, as Jesus taught us, we are bold to say All: 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. One: These are the gifts of God for all God s people. All: Thanks be to God! One: Come, for the table is prepared, and our cup overflows! Communion Hymn In Remembrance #461 Sharing in the Communion Receiving of the Elements (During this most holy portion of our worship service, as signified by the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion, we invite the entire congregation to quietly reflect on the meaning of God s grace in our individual lives and to listen for a word of grace from the Holy Spirit. Today we will receive communion in the pews. Gluten-free bread cubes and grape juice can be found in the center of the trays. Children are invited to come forward for a blessing during the distribution of the elements; children on the lectern side may come forward during the distribution of the bread. Children on the pulpit side may come forward during the distribution of the wine.)

10 (All who are able, please stand.) Prayer of Thanksgiving All: For what you have given us, God, thank you. For what you call us to, God, thank you. For filling us again, thank you! Help us to be, all that you know we can be. In Christ s name, in your love, we ask it. We Go Forth to Proclaim the Good News Commission and Blessing P. For this little while, we have been in the arms of God. Hands of blessing have rested lightly on our heads. C. We have recognized one another as children of God. Our rivalries are turned to awe and wonder. P. We have brought our pain to the suffering Savior. Christ has welcomed us as sisters and brothers. C. We are united in love that lasts for eternity. The reign of God has already begun here and now. P. Walk with integrity through the storms of life. God crowns you with glory and honor. C. The imprint of God s love is on our lives. It is a privilege to reflect God s glory each day! The Benediction with Three-fold Amen Hymn Shine, Jesus, Shine #431 Silent Meditation The light of the resurrected Christ is carried out into the world. Let us follow the light and witness in faith to its glory.

11 Choral Blessing (Sung to the tune, Seek Ye First ) Seek ye first the kingdom of God, And his righteousness; And all these things shall be added unto you, Hallelu, Hallelujah! Postlude Arise and Go Forth ~F. Coupernin Today we extend a very warm welcome to The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates as our guest preacher and worship leader. The Reverend Dr. Bates began her work at Penn Northeast Conference Minister on September 1. Prior to coming to PNEC, she served as the EOA/WRA Associations Associate for Congregational Vitality and Development. Her role there was to support pastors and congregations in transition, assist with search and call, work with congregational revitalization, and explore new church starts. She received her Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership from Colgate Rochester Divinity School. Bonnie has served churches in the New York Conference; directed and taught in the Graduate Human Resource Development program at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, worked in Human Resources for several non-profits, and served on several not-for-profit Boards including the Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center in western New York. She served in a variety of association and conference positions while in the New York Conference UCC including chair of the conference personnel committee, Executive Council and Executive Committee, Church and Ministry Committee, Staff redesign, Visioning and Constitutional revision committee. Bonnie currently serves on the Phoebe Ministry Board of Directors. Her hobbies are singing, reading, hiking, and fly fishing. She once sang with a national choir in Carnegie Hall, Constitution Hall, the White House, Royal Albert Hall, and a variety of locations in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. She and her husband, Steve Vulcheff reside in Whitehall. Her son Sam, his wife Kim and their children reside in Louisburg, North Carolina. We will hold a love offering today for Saint Peter s United Church of Christ in Tremont PA. They have had numerous flooding issues and major damage to their church.

12 THE ALTAR FLOWERS are presented to the glory of God by the Adult Sunday School Class. GREETERS: Aaron, Jen, Noah and Mikayah Steigerwalt. LECTORS: Merk Hunsicker and Seth Whitehead. ACOLYTES: Stephen Behun and Alex Thomas. BELL RINGER: Kailee Thomas. SOUND SYSTEM: Justin Imbody. BIRTHDAY OFFERING FOR THIS WEEK: Received from Diane Butkus, Peter Butkus and Dorothy Miller. OCTOBER SHUTIN BIRTHDAYS: Shirley Haberman (October 10th) and Kathryn Delano (October 24th). We are honored to be able to share in worship with visitors. Cards to note your presence with us are found in the communion cup/card rack holders, along with prayer request cards, blank offering envelopes, and communion cards. Members who are not certain of their number, just put your name on the envelope. Please HAND your prayer request cards to an usher when the offering is being received. Visitor cards, envelopes, and communion cards may be placed in the offering plate. All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast Come to the fellowship hall following worship TODAY adults, $7.00 and children, $3.00. All Saints Day On Sunday, November 4th, during our morning worship, St. Peter s will honor all our Saints who have passed into eternal rest since last November. There will be a special observance within the liturgy to remember these loved ones and friends. If you have a family member or loved one who you would like to be remembered, please contact Kim Kistler or the office as soon as possible.

13 NEIGHBORS IN NEED: focuses on the financial commitment to justice and compassion throughout the United States. ELCA SOCIAL MINISTRY: a leading provider of senior accommodations along with family and community ministries. Throughout the month of October, your offerings will be received for these various missions. Envelopes are provided in the pews. Remember to include your name and envelope number and place it on the offering plate on Sunday morning. You may also mail your gifts to the church office. THIS WEEK AT ST. PETER S Today, Sunday, October 7: 9:00 AM Worship Service-World Wide Communion Sunday 10:15 AM Breakfast-No Sunday School 11:00 AM Junior Choir rehearsal 6:00 PM Girl Scouts Monday, October 8: 6:00 PM Play rehearsal Tuesday, October 9: NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 5:00 PM Prayer Group 7:00 PM Called To Care Wednesday, October 10: 10:00 AM Retirees 5:00 PM Confirmation Class Thursday, October 11: 7:30 PM Senior Choir rehearsal Next Sunday, October 14: 9:00 AM Worship Service Joyous Noise Offering 10:15 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Junior Choir rehearsal 6:00 PM Girl Scouts *For complete details on these events, please consult your newsletter.

14 September 30, 2018 Attendance: 114 Offering: $ 2, Includes Building Fund: $ Plate Offering: $ Year-to-Date Total YTD Income: $ 108, Includes: YTD Fuel Offering: $ 1, YTD Elevator Maintenance Offering: $ Total YTD Expenses: $ 108, Deficit YTD: $ (119.34) Benevolence: ELCA: $ 7, UCC: $ 7, benevolence goal is $7, per denomination St. Peter s Church, West Penn 184 St. Peter s Road Tamaqua PA The Rev. Kenneth T. Melber, Jr., Designated Pastor For Pastoral Care or Emergency ~ Pastor Melber s Cell: Pastor Melber has office hours by appointment Contact our Called to Care for Your Special Needs: Jan Altenburg: Or TLC: Olga Faust: Church Office Phone: (570) Financial Secretary: Shawn Tonkin Office: Elaine Koons Church Office Hours: Tuesday ~ Friday from 10:00 AM~2:00 PM Sexton: Lori Hoppes Director of Music: Kristine K. Betz addresses: Pastor Melber: pastorken86@gmail.com Church Office: spuc@ptd.net Web Site address: Facebook: Web Master spuc@ptd.net St Peter s Union Church