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. Or, if you prefer to give electronically, simply scan the QR code with your smartphone to be directed to our online donation page. ------------------------------------------------ SEPTEMBER Special Offering: PARK FOREST PRE- SCHOOL is dedicated to providing low income families with a comprehensive preschool program that includes education, social skills, and developmental motor skills taught by qualified teachers in a friendly, safe environment. The preschool continues their mission of assisting at-risk children to grow and thrive while preparing them for a successful start in public school. Thank you for your financial support through your special offering! September 13: Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary time TODAY! Rally Day Church School kick-off events Welcome to Centre of Faith Youth Praise Band! September 20: Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary time Welcome to guest preacher Rev. Alison Cornish (PA IPL). October 4: Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary time World Communion Sunday Welcome to guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Laurene Bowers (Conference Associate Minister) Happy GRANDPARENTS Day!
Faith United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation 300 E. College Ave. State College, PA 16801 Phone: 814.237.3904 Website: www.faithucc.info Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/scfaithucc Office: faithucc@comcast.net Pastor s Email: faithuccpastor@comcast.net Church office hours: 10:00am 2:00pm (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. September 13, 2015 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE The Welcome Song * OPENING HYMN Shine Jesus Shine Lord the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness shining, Jesus, Light of the World shine upon us, Set us free by the truth you now bring us, Shine on me. Shine on me. Shine, Jesus Shine, Fill this land with Father s glory. Blaze spirit, Blaze, Set our hearts on fire. Flow river flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy. Send forth your word, Lord and let there be light. Lord I come to your awesome presence, from the shadows into your radiance, by the blood I may enter Your brightness, Search me try me consume all my darkness, Shine on me, Shine on me. Chorus INTROIT Trading My Sorrows And we say yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord, yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord, yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord. Amen As we gaze on your kindly brightness, so our faces display your likeness, ever changing from glory to glory, mirrored here may our lives tell your story, Shine on me, Shine on me. Chorus * CALL TO WORSHIP ++ We gather in the presence of God, through whom all families on earth receive their life and their name. People: We wish to be strengthened in our inner selves, that Christ may dwell in our hearts. We seek to be rooted and grounded in God s love and in the love of Christ which surpasses understanding. People: We come to worship and to praise the source of love and peace. Glory be to God in the church and in Jesus Christ to all generations forever and ever. People: Let us worship and praise God together! (Congregation may be seated) PRAYER OF INVOCATION + Open our ears, O Lord, that we might hear your voice speaking to us, through the words of scripture, through song and prayer, and through the praise of this community, gathered in your name. Open our ears, that we might hear your Spirit, speaking to ours words of encouragement, words of promise, words of hope. Open our ears, this day, as we worship you together! Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION + What a gift it is, to know that we can reach out to God, in honest confession, and know that God accepts our prayer and encourages us to make better choices. Let us confess our sin together. Let us pray. READING OF SCRIPTURE Proverbs 22: 1-9, 22-23 The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God! PRAYER OF CONFESSION + Loving God, we know that you call us to live out our faith each day, with acts of generosity and kindness. But we fall short of this ideal. You ask that we love our neighbor as ourselves, impartially and without judging, but we restrict our compassion and put up boundaries around our ability to care. You desire that we show mercy, especially to those in desperate need, but we allow our own needs to distract us from even noticing others. Forgive us, O God, and redirect us to follow your lead. Hear us, O Lord, as we confess to you now in the silence of our hearts SERMON *HYMN Faith Training Blessed Be your Name Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be your name, Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be your glorious name (Silence for individual confession --- 10 seconds) ASSURANCE OF GRACE + No, we are not called to be perfect. We are simply called to be faithful. Believe and proclaim the astonishing 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, beginning next Sunday, September 20, Church school will be available for children (ages 4-18 years) in Asendorf Hall (3 rd floor). The nursery is available for infants and toddlers (ages 0-3 years) and is located through the door at the right front of the sanctuary and up the stairs. Children are always welcome to remain in the worship service. LITANY OF COMMITMENT (see insert) 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 Oceans (see insert) *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 + O God, you call us to be faithful and generous, even as you are faithful and generous to us. We respond to your call in many ways. Receive these gifts, to do good works in your name throughout the world. And remind us, each day, how to live out our faith, in our unique situation. In the name of Jesus. Amen. *CLOSING HYMN Bless the Lord oh my soul Oh my soul Worship His Holy name Sing like never before Oh my soul I'll worship Your Holy name 10,000 Reasons 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. Monica Dawkins-Smith Ushers Larry Bair, Jim Welsh, Cyndi Vincenti Liturgist Pastor Monica Nursery Meeghan Hollis/Chris Coble Trustee Tom Daubert Acolyte Carter de Streel Children s Message Church school Fellowship Church school Custodian Scott Luzier Choir Director OPEN Guest Musicians Centre of Faith Youth Praise Band Church Staff Church School Coordinator Barbara Chellman Organist/Associate Choir Director Asa W. Carns *BENEDICTION + POSTLUDE Go in peace to love and to serve your Lord. Amen Manifesto THIS WEEK AT FAITH CHURCH TODAY 10:45AM Worship Service with Pastor Monica Dawkins-Smith (S), followed by a Church school sponsored luncheon, games and other activities(rh). 7:00PM Al-Anon (RH) NEXT SUNDAY 10:45AM Worship Service with Guest Preacher Rev. Alison (9/20) Cornish (S), followed by fellowship (coffee) time (RH). 7:00 PM Al-Anon (RH) + Liturgy provided by 2015 Scripture Echo. www.scriptureecho.com. Used with permission. ++ Discipleship. Carol Krau and Donna Gaither, co-editors. Musical resources printed in our worship bulletins are used with permission under OneLicense.net No.A-720062. AB = Antoinette Brown; AH = Asendorf Hall; ML = Meyer Library; RH = Romig Hall; S = Sanctuary Prayers for healing and wholeness: Harrison S. (Lisa Hogan s father), Cecil Irvin, Linda Merchant, Susan Meyer, Lisa B., (JoAnn s daughter), Ron Neidigh, Timothy Tressler (Ruth s son), Brandon G., Randy Brown (Aimee s father), Lisa Neidigh, Ali Carr-Chellman and family (grieving the passing of Ali s Dad Richard Carr), Al (Dave s father), Carolyn, Joe Meyer and family (grieving the passing of their daughter Margaret Davis), Susan White, Ernest and Leila Carns, baby Michael Dahlke. 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: 814-826-2148 (home) or 267-566-2202 (mobile).
"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" You call me out upon the waters The great unknown where feet may fail And there I find You in the mystery In oceans deep My faith will stand And I will call upon Your name And keep my eyes above the waves When oceans rise My soul will rest in Your embrace For I am Yours and You are mine Your grace abounds in deepest waters Your sovereign hand Will be my guide Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me You've never failed and You won't start now So I will call upon Your name And keep my eyes above the waves When oceans rise My soul will rest in Your embrace For I am Yours and You are mine Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders Let me walk upon the waters Wherever You would call me Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander And my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Savior Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders Let me walk upon the waters Wherever You would call me Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander And my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Savior You call me out upon the waters The great unknown where feet may fail And there I find You in the mystery In oceans deep My faith will stand LITANY OF COMMITMENT ++ People: People: Each of us is invited by Jesus to take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. We thank you, Lord, for the invitation to know you. From among us we call persons to serve as teachers and leaders. We call them to share the grace of God through their lives and through their teaching. We thank you, Lord, for those who have experienced your presence in their lives and who now serve as teachers and leaders. Teachers and leaders, you have said yes to God s call to the teaching ministry. Through you the gospel message will be shared once again. That story, always fresh, comes to us through teachers in the church. Do you accept this commission? Teachers and Leaders: People: All: Yes, we do. We thank God for this opportunity. In God s name we commit ourselves to helping children, youth, and adults know and experience God through Jesus Christ. These teachers and leaders have answered God s call to teach the faith on our behalf. Will you support them? Yes, we will, and we commit ourselves anew to the ministry of teaching and learning. God of all that was and ever will be, the world needs to know and experience the healing truth of your gospel. Strengthen us as we grow in faith. May we share that faith with others, so that your name is glorified. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS VISITATION FOR RICHARD CARR TODAY, 5:00pm, Carr- Chellman s home. Dr. Richard Carr (Ali Carr-Chellman s father) passed away on August 23, 2015. You are invited to visit with the Carr and Carr-Chellman family to express your love and condolences. It will be a potluck gathering so please bring a covered dish, if you wish. OCTOBER BOOK SALE VOLUNTEERS: A SIGN UP SHEET for the OCTOBER BOOK SALE on October 17and 18 can be found on the table in the Gathering Space. There are lots of opportunities to help, so check your calendars and make that commitment as soon as possible. Many thanks. For more information contact Sue Doran email: sue162@comcast.net PART-TIME CHOIR DIRECTOR POSITION More details soon. ----------------------------------------------------------------- COMMUNITY EVENTS (From Interfaith Initiative Centre County) FALL INTERFAITH PEACE PICNIC & CELEBRATION Sunday, September 20, 1:00 3:00 pm, Pavilion 1, Sunset Park, McKee Street, State College. Also marking the United Nations International Day of Peace / International Day of Prayer for Peace, September 21. Join us for a LUNCHEON, Games and other fun activities! ( immediately following today s worship service)