United Church of Christ where faith happens and love abounds No matter who you are, who you love, or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here. November 4, 2018 Twenty-fourth Sunday After Pentecost 10:00 am WELCOME! As an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, our goal is to extend to everyone an extravagant welcome in hopes that you will experience the abundant love of God here and be inspired to share that love with the world. Nursery Care is available for infants and toddlers in the education building. Ask an usher for assistance. Prayer Requests may be submitted using a form in the pew rack and placing it on the offering plate. Requests are at Prayer Ministry Gatherings on the 1 st & 3 rd Thursdays of the month, 10:30AM. Requests may also be called in to the Church Office during the week. Guests are a special blessing! Please sign our Guest Book, located in the back of the sanctuary. If you would like to receive our newsletters and weekly emails, include your email address. And join us after worship for conversation and refreshments in the Friendship Center. To Enhance Your Worship Experience Kindly silence your cell phones in the sanctuary. There are no assigned seats; sit where you feel most comfortable. A hearing loop encircles the sanctuary to help those with hearing aids. For your comfort, back cushions for the pews are available in the back pews. If you do not wish to keep your bulletin, please place it in the recycle box at the exit to Friendship Center.
SERVICE OF WORD AND SACRAMENT *Please stand in body or spirit. Welcome and the Life of the Church Prelude The Bread, The Cup Southbridge (You are encouraged to use this time for prayer & meditation. In respect for others, please observe silence in the sanctuary.) Greeting One: We gather to worship in the name of God: Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter. All: Blessed be God! Amen! Sentences of Adoration One: The Holy One says: Why spend money on what does not satisfy? Why spend your wages and still be hungry?... Hear also the words of Jesus Christ: I am the bread of life; anyone who comes to me shall not hunger; anyone who believes in me shall never thirst. All: Amen! Come, Christ Jesus! Invitation Choral Introit Praise The Lord Confession of Sin One: Jesus, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. All: But only say the word and your servant will be healed. One: Let us pray: God of compassion and mercy, we are your wounded and wounding children. We bring our wounded selves, our divided society, and our broken world, seeking your healing and transforming grace. It is easy for us to point the finger at others, All: God of all mercy, we confess before you and each other that we have been unfaithful to you. We lack love for our neighbors, we waste opportunities to do good, and we look the other way when you cry out to us in the suffering of our brothers and sisters in need. We are sincerely sorry for our sins, both those we commit deliberately and those that we allow to overtake us. We ask your forgiveness and pray for strength that we may follow in your way and love all your people with that perfect love which casts out all fear; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
Assurance of God s Grace *Hymn of Adoration #417 (All Verses) This Is a Day of New Beginnings Children s Conversation Song: To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus! My desire to be like Jesus! All through life s journey from earth to glory, My desire to be like Jesus. Prayer for Understanding Reading of Scripture Old Testament Ruth 1:1-18 Gospel Mark 12:28-34 Reflecting on the Word New Beginnings Pastoral Prayer and Response #769 Hear our prayer, O God, hear our prayer, O God, Incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace. Stewardship Testimony Charles Mory Invitation to the Offering Offertory Anthem You Are The Bread Jones/Wyatt You are the bread and you are the wine, broken and crushed for us. You are the spirit filling our hearts, just as we fill this cup. So pour us out into the world, as you poured out your blood. We will be your broken bread, feeding the world your love. You are the bread and you are the wine, broken and poured for us. You are the spirit filling our hearts, just as we fill this cup. So pour us out into the world, as you poured out your blood. We will be your broken bread, feeding the world your love. As our wills are broken, your bread of life is multiplied. As we love with your love, your thirsty ones are satisfied. Lord, break us; Lord, make us; Lord, take our lives. Lord, take our lives! And pour us out into the world, as you poured out your blood. We will be your broken bread, feeding the world your love, feeding the world your love; feeding the world your love. *Doxology #778 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done: Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. *Dialogue Pastor: People: God is with you. And also with you. The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Pastor: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to God. Pastor: Let us give thanks to God Most High. People: It is right to give God thanks and praise. Pastor: Holy God, we praise and bless you for creation and the gift of life and for your abiding love which brings us close to you, the source of all blessing With the faithful in every place and time, we praise with joy your holy name: All (singing: Tune Nicaea, #277) Holy! Holy! Holy! One God Almighty! All your work shall praise your name in earth and sky and sea! Holy! Holy! Holy! Hosanna in the highest! Bless-ed is Christ who comes to set us free! Please be seated as the Communion Prayer continues The Story of the Supper Prayer of Consecration Pastor: Consecrate, therefore, by your Holy Spirit, these gifts of bread and cup, and bless us that as we receive them at this table, we may offer you our faith and praise, we may be united with Christ and with one another, and we may continue faithful in all things. All: In the strength Christ gives us, we offer ourselves to you, eternal God, and give thanks that you have called us to serve you. Amen. Prayer of Our Savior (sung by 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Sharing God s Gracious Feast It is the custom of the Reformed tradition, including the United Church of Christ, to receive Holy communion as one body. When served, please take and hold a piece of bread all eat together when directed. In the same way, take and hold a cup when served all drink together. By eating and drinking together, we are transformed into the Body of Christ. The quiet during serving is a time to commune with God in prayer and reflection. The elements used are unfermented grape juice and gluten free bread.
*Prayer after Communion We thank you, God, for inviting us to this table where we have known the presence of Christ and have received all Christ s gifts. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. *Sending and Blessing *Closing Hymn #311 Renew Your Church You are invited to exit quietly or remain seated during the musical postlude, to enjoy a last moment of worship. Postlude He Reigns Triumphant Denton <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> PARTICIPATING IN THIS MORNING S SERVICE The Reverend Brad S. Lutz, Designated Pastor Barbara Sinclair, Liturgist Edward Krynicki, Music Director Karin Cogswell, Beverly Drolette, Susan Moore, April Nobles - Communion Servers <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH Office Hours this week are Tuesday-Friday, 9AM-1PM. Pastor Brad will be in on Tuesday and Thursday. HOSPITALITY WORKSHOP for greeters and ushers and anyone interested will be held today at 11:30 AM in the Sanctuary. Come, and help us strengthen our extravagant welcome through this important ministry. is next Sunday for all Ministry Teams, 11:30 am-12:45 pm ART CLASS sponsored by Women s Fellowship is Friday, November 9, 3 PM. Cost is $35 and includes all supplies for the 2 hour class. Call Margot Beck at 561-737-0012 for information and to sign up. NEXT SUNDAY IS STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY! Please bring your 2019 pledge card for presentation during the service. If you are unable to be present, please send your card to the office or have someone return it for you. NOVEMBER 18 is Thanksgiving Sunday. We are seeking volunteer(s) to decorate the Communion Table and Chancel. Contact the pastor or call the office. VOLUNTEERS are needed to serve as liturgists, ushers, greeters, and Communion servers. Sign up at the back of the church. REGULARLY SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES Every Thursday, 6:00 PM Choir Rehearsal (Music Room) 1 st and 3 rd Thursdays of each month, 10:30 AM Prayer Ministry (Sanctuary) 2 nd and 4 th Thursdays of each month, 10:30 AM Bible Study (Fellowship Hall)