March 26, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Lent 10:00 A.M. A home for the Spiritual Journey It is a joy to have you with us for worship this morning! No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here. All are invited to join us after worship for refreshments in our Fellowship Hall. If you are a visitor, please let us know if there is any way we can be of service to you. WELCOMING WORDS INTROIT CALL TO WORSHIP 1 Judy Birmingham, lay reader One: God calls us away from the tumult of the world, that we may focus our thoughts on things that are lasting. Many: In God s presence we see our lives more clearly; the broken pieces are put back together. One: God calls us out of loneliness into a life of community. Many: Worshipping together, caring about one another, we find out what it means to be truly human. One: But God will send us back into the world s confusion and busyness, its brokenness and isolation. Many: We will go with serenity and joy, strengthened to be God s servants, the bearers of peace. *OPENING HYMN #540 O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go *OPENING PRAYER 2 O God, as we gather here, may we find space enough to be gathered into your love and to celebrate it together. May we recognize you in every act of love we meet today. * Those who are able, please stand.
*THE LORD S PRAYER (use the words most familiar to you) 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, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. *PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST *SONG OF PRAISE *CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS Karen Oberg LESSON FROM CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURE (Pew Bible p. 125) John 9:1-7, 18-25 (the full story is John 9:1-41) A TIME FOR QUIET REFLECTION TO DISCERN GOD S CALLING RESPONSIVE PSLAM WITH SUNG RESPONSE Psalm 23, Psalter 734 CHILDREN'S TIME Children come forward for a lesson. SPECIAL MUSIC Sweet Little Jesus Boy REFLECTION Miracle Man s Medicinal Mudpack Rev. Dr. Thom Bower *REFLECTION HYMN #586 Open My Eyes CALL TO PRAYER Joys and Concerns Tips for offering a Prayer Request Wait for the microphone it helps everyone hear your prayer First names only please General is better than specific Be brief: 20 words is better than 50
After a joy or concern is received, the lay leader will say We are praying with you. You are invited to respond by saying We lift this prayer to God. Prayer Song #305 Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying Lord, listen to your children praying, Lord, send your Spirit in this place; Lord, listen to your children praying, send us love, send us pow'r, send us grace. Silent Prayer Morning Prayer When you hear the phrase In your mercy, you are invited to pray aloud saying hear our prayers. WORSHIPING GOD WITH THE GIVING OF OUR GIFTS Offering Invitation 3 Offertory *Doxology #47 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow *Prayer of Dedication 4 You help us to see so we may be your people, O Lord God. This is our song and our hope. Bless these gifts to the service of Jesus who shines in our hearts and illuminates every corner of this world. Amen. *CLOSING HYMN #432 O Christ, The Way, the Truth, the Life *BENEDICTION 5 One: Go into the world in faith! Many: Trusting God to lead you, trusting people to receive you. One: Go into the world with hope! Many: With God s presence before you and human dreams to carry you. One: Go into the world with love! Many: Serving with those in whom Christ lives, and laboring for those whom Jesus died. One: Go into the world with Faith, Hope, and Love!
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE #354 Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God, verse 1 Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and God s righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you, Allelu, alleluia. *POSTLUDE ++++++++++++++ TODAY S LAY READER is Judy Birmingham. THE GREETER TODAY is Cindi Fiandaca. THE FELLOWSHIP HOUR HOST is Robin Schuch. THE FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEER is Chris Korber. TODAY S ANNOUNCMENTS are read by Karen Oberg. Lenten Study & Books Wednesdays starting 8 March at 7 PM Each week we will begin with one devotion from Diving Lessons, a Lenten Devotional written by the UCC Still-speaking Writer s Group (available at uccresources.com). Led collaboratively by Pastors Faleide and Bower. Copies of Diving Lessons are already available. A $5 donation is appreciated. Bonhoeffer & Social Issues reading group This group will meet on Sundays at noon for about an hour in the pastor s office. If you would like to bring a lunch, feel free. The book is available in a variety of formats from Amazon.com. If the cost is prohibitive to anyone who would like to participate, we will find a way to provide them with a copy. TODAY 11:30ish: Dave Benziger will be providing a group ukulele lesson. Cost is free, but you need to bring your own Ukulele.
Baby Shower To Benefit Community Nurse Sunday, April 2 2-4 p.m. At Leader Shop 4903 Willow Springs Rd. (across from the high school) All baby items are appreciated: baby wipes, diaper lotion, onsies, nursing pads, receiving blankets, diapers, diapers bags, baby shampoo, small toys, etc. They are suggesting anything larger than newborn size. If you have questions or plan to participate, call Wilma Mrazek. Maundy Thursday Supper April 13th Everyone is invited to come and share a meal together on Maundy Thursday from 6:00-6:45 down in Lyonsville Fellowship Hall before our service. A simple meal of soup and salad will be served. Any questions or for more information, or if you need a ride, please see/ call Laurie Tsukuno. Update from Pastoral Search Team In order for everyone to stay informed on the progress of finding a new Pastor, you will be receiving a letter this week which gives a summary of the Search and Call process in the United Church of Christ. Next week, you will receive three questionnaires. Your input will help us complete the Local Church Profile, which is the document that will be made available to pastors seeking a call. We would appreciate receiving your input no later than Sunday, April 9th. Please contact either Cindi Fiandaca (Chair), Judy Birmingham (Secretary) or any member of the Pastoral Search Team if you have any questions. Renew, Repurpose, Reuse, Upcycle for Earth Day We all have stuff we no longer use, need, have outgrown or is "collecting dust". In honor of Earth Day, you are invited to bring in any items on Sunday, April 23rd and April 30th. All items need to be in working order, clean and in fairly good condition. You are also invited to claim all the "treasures you find. All unclaimed items will be donated to Goodwill. For more information please see or contact, Laurie Tsukuno. We are looking for people who can serve as Sunday Greeters and/or Coffee Hour Hosts. If you can help, please sign up on the sheets in the Fellowship Hall or contact Sherry Suomi.
SUNDAY 3/26 8:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10:00 a.m. Worship 12:00 p.m. Bonhoeffer Reading Group 6:00 p.m. WOPC worship 6:00 p.m. A.A. MONDAY 3/27 6:30 p.m. Aerobics TUESDAY 3/28 3:30 p.m. Music Lessons 7:15 p.m. Search Committee WEDNESDAY 3/29 5:00 p.m. Music Lessons 5:00 p.m. Irish Dancers 6:30 p.m. Aerobics THIS WEEK AT LYONSVILLE 7:00 p.m. Lenten Study Group 7:15 p.m. WOPC Bible Study THURSDAY 3/30 12:00 p.m. LG Men s Club FRIDAY 3/31 SATURDAY 4/1 8:00 a.m. IPP 11:30 a.m. Irish Dancers SUNDAY 4/2 8:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10:00 a.m. Worship 12:00 p.m. Bonhoeffer Reading Group 1:00 p.m. WOPC lunch 6:00 p.m. A.A. OUR CHURCH STAFF Rev. Dr. Thom Bower, Interim Minister Gary Boxell, Administrative Assistant Nayna Byers, Moderator WORSHIP LEADERS Michael Molloy, Choir Director Jim Molina, Keyboards Dave Benziger, Guitar Lyonsville Church is an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ. 1 by Paul J. Flucke, in Bread for the Journey: Resources for Worship, Ruth Duck ed. (Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 1981), p. 36. adapted. 2 Adapted from Seasons of the Spirit 2008. 3 Adapted from Marilyn Kennedy Levine, Sharing the Light: Service Prayers and Holy Communion for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Worship Ways (Cleveland: Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 2017) 4 Adapted from Sharing the Light 5 by William R. Wolfe Bread for the Journey: Resources for Worship, Ruth Duck ed. (Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 1981), p. 39.