April 22, PRELUDE 11:00 Alleluia! J. Wayne Kerr Handchimes WELCOME. OPENING WORDS adapted from Psalm 30

Transcription

1 PRELUDE 11:00 Alleluia! J. Wayne Kerr Handchimes WELCOME OPENING WORDS adapted from Psalm 30 Sing praises to God, all you faithful ones. God hears us in our fear and our sorrow. Where there was no way God leads us in a new way. Where there was no mercy God surprises us with fresh mercy. Where there was weeping God invites us to step into a new dance. Worship Ways April 22, 2018 *OPENING HYMN NCH#6 Sing Praise to God, Our Highest Good Tune: Mit Freuden Zart

2 Learning Time At Peace UCC This Sunday: Hosea 11:1-11. God never turns God s back on us, no matter how we might mess up. Children will explore the understanding that God always loves us. Room 21. Next Sunday, April 29: Mark 4: The mustard seed is a weed that spreads and takes over. Children will plant seeds and explore the understanding of God's love spreading all over like the mustard seed. Room 21. *PRAYER OF INVOCATION O Faithful God You yearn to be so close to us that we can know you in every breath, in every hope, in every relationship. You long for us to trust in your power to bring to life new possibilities where there has been no hope. Meet us here today and teach us to recognize the ways of life and hope into which you are leading us. So may our desires become your desires, our work become your work, and our community the place where you are sought and found. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. Worship Ways *RESPONSE There s A Spirit of Love in This Place Mark A. Miller New Book Study Group on Racism and White Privilege Please join us for discussion of an informative book by Jim Wallis, founder and leader of Sojourners - America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege and the Bridge to a New America. The group will meet 6:30-8:00 p.m. May 23, June 13 and 27, July 11 and 25 and August 8 at Peace. A READING FROM THE HEBREW TRADITION When Israel was a child, I loved Israel; and I called my child out of Egypt. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the baals, and offering incense to idols. Hosea 11:1-11 adapted

3 But I, I taught Ephraim to walk, taking my child by the arms. But my child did not know that I took care of them when they were sick. I went through the human pain of labor and drew my child to me; and lifted my child up to my cheek and bent down to feed my child. They shall go back to Egypt, Assyria will be the king over them because they refused to listen to me. And the sword will whirl through their cities, destroy the gossipers and consume the scheming officials. But my people are determined in turning away from me. Even when all of them call out to baal (the most high), baal will not lift them up. How can I give you up Ephraim? How can I deliver you to your enemies Israel give you up like I did with Admah or make you like Zeboiim? I have changed my mind. I am feeling more compassionate towards my child. I will not lose my temper. I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God and not a person, the Holy one who is a part of you. I will not come in anger. They will follow after Yahweh who will roar like a lion. When Yahweh roars the children will come trembling from the sea. They will come trembling like a bird from Egypt, like a dove from the land of Assyria. I will bring them back to dwell in their houses says Yahweh. For the marvelous blend of fact, myth, poetry, and story that is in scripture, we give thanks. May the Spirit open us to the wisdom we most need to hear. CHILDREN S TIME Following the story, young children are encouraged to remain in worship or they may go to the nursery (birth-3). Attendance pads will be passed out at this time; please sign in so that we may celebrate that you were here. Have compassion for everyone you meet even if they don t want it. What seems conceit, bad manners, or cynicism is always a sign of things no ears have heard, no eyes have seen. You don t know what wars are going on down where the spirit meets the bone. Miller Williams Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That's how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen What and Who Is the Servant Team? Presently, there are 4 members of this team: Sandy Bowe, Peg Kachulis, Peggy Thater and Jenn German. We meet once a month on the fourth Monday at 7:00 p.m. (usually) and consider the many opportunities to make a difference in the world. Our budget is 10% of the total Peace UCC budget. Usually, our budget consists of existing agencies and UCC special offerings. But, in the past two years we have added missions headed by members of Peace: Home, Sweet, Home; Young Women of Uganda; and Dignity Period. The Fishers Circle and Prophetic Justice Circle are supported financially by the team but operate independently. The student pastor salary is a line item in our budget. SPECIAL MUSIC 8:30 Come Home Craig Courtney Chancel Choir 11:00 Praise to the Lord arr. John A. Behnke Handchimes SERMON Rev. Wendy Bruner

4 In Our Prayers *HYMN You Are Mine Tune: You Are Mine Lucy Ann Mehl 3300 Lake Bend Dr. #103 St. Louis, MO Sprouts of Peace Fun Day We are planning a fun day at Faust Park including rides on the Faust Park Carousel for Saturday, May 5th from 10:30-12:30. This will be a non-program day offering our children a chance to play together while the adults enjoy conversation and fellowship. More details will be coming soon, but please save the date. Scan and Give Supporting the work of this church has never been easier. Just scan the QR code with your smartphone and you can make a donation to Peace UCC. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Believing that each joy and/or concern expressed is indeed a prayer, after each expression, the worship leader will say: Loving God. And the people may respond: Hear our prayer. PRAYER This is a time for quiet reflection. LORD S PRAYER ADAPTED The New Zealand Prayer Book, adapted Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Parent of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

5 The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. Amen. T-Shirts If you did not get an In This House We Believe t-shirt, we now have more available. The cost is $15.00 per t-shirt. Sizes available are large, and extra large. Please contact the church office if you want a t-shirt. The proceeds go to the Freedom School at Peace. CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION 8:30AM INVITATION AND COMMUNION PRAYER based on our Theological Assumptions In This House We Believe Signs Minister: Come, Holy Spirit, and move among these elements assembled at this Table. Through this sacrament, transform our hurt into healing, our fear into faith, and death into life. Minister: As the grain, sown in hills and valleys, is harvested, and now becomes one in the loaf, so we, scattered, diverse, separated and isolated from one another, hear your invitation to become one body around this Table, the center of our life together. Liturgist: As this juice, grown in vineyards under the sun, fills the cup, may we be filled and refreshed by this meal, and strengthened to respond to your call to reach out in compassion to all living things. Minister: In sharing this meal we remember. We remember meals Jesus shared with friends and enemies, outcasts and marginalized, fearful and earnest. Minister: He took the bread and, giving thanks, blessed it and broke it and shared it. As we share the bread today, we eat it as those who seek to follow Jesus. Liturgist: After the meal, Jesus took the cup. Giving thanks, he shared it, symbolizing a new relationship with God, a relationship of partnership founded on grace. As we share the cup, we seek to experience that grace in which Jesus lived fully. All: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Bless this bread and bless this fruit of the vine. Bless all of us in our eating and drinking that our eyes might be opened, that we might recognize the risen Christ in our midst, indeed, in one another. Come, Holy Spirit, come. If you did not get an In This House We Believe yard sign, we now have more available. The cost is $ Please call the church to arrange a time to pick one up. The Congregation is invited to come forward by the center aisle, partake of the gluten-free bread and juice, light a candle in prayer, and place an offering in the plates beside the table. Catch the eye of a table host if you would prefer to be served at your seat.

6 Moms Group: Creativity and Play. Good topics for moms. In Brene Brown s book, The Gifts of Imperfection, she writes about the importance of adults embracing their own creativity. Come join the discussion on Monday, April 23 at noon in the fireside room. Bring a bag lunch and get ready to play! Call Dee Ban ahead of time if you need child care. RESPONSE Peace, Salaam, Shalom Emma s Revolution Lydia s House Mother s Day Bake Sale May 6, 2018 Start looking up your favorite recipes!! We need bakers, pricers & packagers, and especially buyers! All your donations and purchases will benefit the safety net Lydia s House provides for abused women and their children. Carolyn Held, Lydia s House Chaplin, is a member of Peace. Volunteers may sign up on the clip board in the narthex or Sandy Bowe (servant team). PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, you heavenly host; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen HOW WILL WE DO GOD S WORK IN THE WORLD? Thomas Ken, adapted *HYMN Our God Will Carry Us Tune: Need Fireside Art Gallery We need art work or items that members collect to be displayed in the Fireside Room monthly. If you are interested in displaying your talent or collection please contact Brenda Detrick. The Peace UCC Foundation distributed $8,439 to the church operating budget for the first quarter of *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE

7 Opportunities to do God s work Chili Dinner and Silent Auction Come join us for an evening of fun, food and festivities at the chili dinner and silent auction fundraiser for Freedom School on April 28th. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. to view auction items with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. The menu will include chili (meat and vegetarian), salad, corn bread, desserts and drinks. As a special treat, entertainment will also be provided by a number of our musically talented members. A freewill donation will be accepted at the door, but bring your checkbook and plan on bidding on our wide variety of auction items. Silent Auction Items Due If you have agreed to provide items for our silent auction, please bring them to the church no later than Wednesday, April 25th. 4th - 6th Grade Youth Group will meet on Sunday, May 6th after the 11:00 a.m. worship service until 2:00 p.m.. We will have lunch together, help plant vegetables in the raised gardens, play people scramble, and continue to make some more plans for our group. The vegetables that we help plant in the raised gardens will be harvested and taken to a local food pantry. Do you have any empty coffee cans or oatmeal canisters at your house? We would love to take them off your hands for an upcoming project at the children s worship table. Please place the empty containers in the box outside the church office. CDF Freedom School is Coming Soon Please check the CDF Freedom School Bulletin Board across from the church office for ways you can help and engage with Freedom School. Currently we are in need of volunteers for lunch (11:30-1:00) and the afternoon (3:00-5:00). Please see the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board to select which week you would like to help. We are also starting to collect the needed school supplies for our scholars. Please take a card with the school supplies off the bulletin board, purchase the supply, and then place the purchased supply in the bin outside of the church office. Are you a certified teacher? Do you want to spend some of your summer mornings in a CDF Freedom School classroom? We d love to have you. Darcy will be setting up a volunteer list for teachers to help out in the CDF Freedom School classroom this summer. Your presence will provide support for the Servant Leader Interns and will make it possible to receive financial support from the Webster Groves School District. Please contact Darcy if you are willing to participate in this amazing opportunity. The deadline for submissions to our weekly publications, the Sunday Bulletin and News & Notes, is Thursday morning at 10 a.m. If you are not receiving our weekly e-newsletter News and Notes and would like to, please contact the church office. Notes: Sources for words, images, and music are noted where available. Permission to reprint music and words from sources other than The New Century Hymnal is granted under OneLicense.net, license no. A , and/or LicenSing.org. THIS WEEK AT PEACE UCC SUNDAY, APRIL 22 TODAY 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Sandwich Ministry 9:45 a.m. Learning Hour 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 12:00 p.m. OWL K-1 MONDAY, APRIL 23 9:00 a.m. Staff Meeting 12:00 p.m. Moms Group 5:30 p.m. Handchimes 7:00 p.m. Servant Team Meeting TUESDAY, APRIL 24 6:00 p.m. Governing Body WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 4:30 a.m. Children s Choir THURSDAY, APRIL 26 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir FRIDAY, APRIL 27 SATURDAY, APRIL 28 11:00 a.m. Youth Choir 6:00 p.m. Chili Dinner & Silent Auction SUNDAY, APRIL 29 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Learning Hour 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 12:00 p.m. OWL K-1 For a complete calendar visit: Mission, Vision & Values Our Mission Following the God made known in the life and teachings of Jesus, we at Peace United Church of Christ gather as an Open and Affirming community to worship, learn and serve. Our Values As a community, Peace United Church of Christ celebrates the values embodied in the ministry of Jesus: Inclusiveness in our diversity, Intentionality in our commitment to social justice, Intimacy in our fellowship together, Inspiration in our communal worship and Inquisitiveness in our personal spiritual growth. Our Vision We desire to be a leader in helping the wider community affirm that God is still speaking.