Sunday, July 31, 2011

“Face to Face”

Holy Communion

Visitors:  Welcome to our church.  Please sign our guest book!  If you do not have a church home, we pray that you will find one with us.  We have large-print bulletins available, as well as hearing assistance devices.  Please ask an usher if you require either of these.  Restrooms are located in the church school building.  Go through the door next to the choir loft, and straight ahead.  We also have restrooms downstairs in Fellowship Hall.  Again, exit through the door next to the choir loft, turn left down the hall, and go down the steps. 

 We Gather To Worship

Prelude

 Announcements

Chime Interlude

 *Call To Worship

Leader:    By sending down a confusion of languages, the Most High scattered the nations.  By distributing the tongues of fire, God calls all peoples into unity.

People:   In harmony we glorify the Holy Spirit.

Leader:    In the sound of a mighty wind rushing from the heavens, the Most High trumpets good news over the earth.  And those who once cast nets to fish in the sea now cast your Word to fish among people.

People:   We worship and glorify the Holy Spirit.  May the Savior who opens the gates of paradise open our hearts to wisdom and truth.

 *Hymn:  “Holy Spirit, Light Divine” ……………………………..#302

*Invocation (We light the Christ Candle.)

Leader:    As you have always been with those who have drawn apart; for solitude, for grieving, for prayer, out of fear or out of hope:

People:   Be with us now.

Leader:    As you have always been with the ones who search or flee; the ones who struggle or hunger:

People:   Be with us now.

Leader:    As you have always been in this place of worship; and in every place where those who sought you have encountered you:

People:   Be with us now.

*Response:  “For the Life That You Have Given”…………………#813

Prayer Of Confession

Leader:    God, help us to change.  To change ourselves and to change our world.  To know the need for it.  To deal with the pain of it.  To undertake the journey without understanding the destination.  The art of gentle revolution.  Amen.   (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.”)

Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:    Friends, God’s forgiveness is God’s love.  Forgiven, may we so love, knowing that Love changes things.

All:         Amen.

Affirmation:    “I Love You, Lord”. . . ……………………..…..#124

We Hear The Word

ReadingOf The Scripture:    Genesis 32: 22-31

A Time For Children

Anthem:       “Songs of Peace” ………………….……..arr. Joseph Martin

Vocal Duet by Fred and Diane

Reading Of The Gospel:    Matthew 14: 13-21

Message For This Day                                        

We Respond To God

*Hymn:  “Break Thou the Bread of Life”……………………………#315

Pastoral Prayers And 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, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.)

Our Offering

Offertory:   “Let Us Break Bread Together”  …….Piano/Organ duet byLydiaand Diane

*Doxology:  “Praise God from Whom All Blessings” ……………..#809

 *Prayer Of Dedication

 The Sacrament Of Holy Communion

(Please complete a communion card located in the pew racks.  Place your card

in the offering plate.)

Invitation

Leader:       For those who need, the bread waits.  For those who long, the wine lingers.  For those seeking transformation, the table beckons.  All are invited, not because we have faith, but because we trust; not because we understand, but because we long; not because we know, but because we are loved; not because we are well, but because we know our need.  Come now to the table.

Prayer:

Leader:       Great provider of life, we meet you in the small things of life:  the kind smiles of a stranger, the gentleness of the breeze, yeast that rises in bread and the sweetness of grapes squeezed into a cup.  In these small things your great love is known.  Into your ordinary world you came to dwell, and in the small things, Jesus lived righteously healing, teaching, preaching, gathering a community to live together, challenging injustice with acceptance and affirmation.  While this bread and this cup may seem small because they are familiar, they are also exceptional because of your love.

All:            Guide us, we pray, so that the ways we live our everyday lives in all the small things we do and say may be transformed to be exceptional ways that your love and grace may be known. 

Words of Institution

Leader:       At his last supper, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,

People:     “This is my body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Leader:      In the same way, he took the cup after supper and said,

People:      “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this in remembrance of me.”

Leader:      For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.  As signed and sealed in this sacrament:

All:            Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Prayer Of Consecration

Leader:       God of all power, breathe your Holy Spirit upon us, and upon these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be for us the life of Christ, and that we may make that life visible through our faithful witness to him.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Preparation Of The Elements

Sharing The Elements (Please note the grape juice is in the outer ring and the wine is in the inner ring.   The round wafers are gluten-free.)  (Please hold each element so we may eat and drink together.) 

Post Communion Prayer

All:         In fulfillment of Christ’s promise, you poured out the Holy Spirit upon the chosen disciples and filled the church with power.  We thank you for sending your Spirit to us today to kindle faith and lead us into all truth, working in the church to make us faithful disciples and empowering us to proclaim the living Christ to every nation.  Amen.

*Closing Hymn:  “Great God, Your Love Has Called Us” …………….#779

*Pastoral Benediction

*Choral Benediction:  “May the Grace of Christ Our Savior”……#841, V 1 & 2

*Chime Meditation

Postlude

*Where noted, please stand if able.                                           

 

July’s Proverb:

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will help you.        Proverbs 20: 22

 A Hot Dog Roast Fellowship will be this evening at 6:00 p.m. behind Zion House.  Join us!

On Sunday, August 7, an after-church breakfast buffet will accompany a discussion on spirituality and the  variety of scriptural perspectives on the afterlife.  All are welcome.  Please RSVP your attendance by 8/3 to the church office so we can plan the food appropriately.

Our Next Trivia Nite will be Sunday, August 7, at 6:30 p.m.   Please consider getting a team together and joining us.  If interested, call Gina.

Please Note A Date Change For Our Next Community Night At Hoss’s.   It will be Monday, September 12, from noon until 8:00 p.m.

Habitat For Humanity Update.  Zion is scheduled to be in charge of the meal and refreshments on Saturday, August 6.  Volunteers from the congregation are welcome to join the work crew for that day.  The work day is from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; but if it only suits for part of the day, that would also work.  As usual, if you plan to work on that day, please contact Roger.  The work force is limited to 20 people.  If anyone is interested in working any Saturday during the summer please let Roger know, and he will sign you up.

The Food Pantry Item for July is canned vegetables; August, pancake mix and syrup.

A pianist is needed to accompany the rotational model youth each Sunday during the Sunday School year.   We have song time from 11-11:10 each morning then perform for the church approximately one time per month.   If you would be willing to help with this project, please see Jessica.

Thanks to all for your generous support of our Sunday School program with snack and/or book sponsorship.   Book plates were placed in each book/DVD recognizing the sponsor.    The books will be filed in the near future if people want to check out our wonderful, ever growing library located in the story/movie room.  We have the entire year covered for snacks as well as all of the books/DVDs.  If you have not yet done so, you may make checks payable to Zion UCC and give them to Jessica or Laurie .  Thanks again!!

 One  remaining opening exists for the fall rotation:  November K-1st Grade Shepherd.  Please see Jessica if you’re available.  Thank you.

Greeters Needed for  Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28; Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.

Bulletin  Sponsors Needed for  Aug.  14, 28; Sept. 18; Oct. 9, 30; Nov. 13, 20, 27.

Signup Clipboards Are At the Rear of the Church

Coming Up Next Week:

July 31, Hot dog roast, Zion Hse, 6:00 pm

Aug. 1, Something More, Oakside Park, 12 noon

Aug. 6, Habitat for Humanity,Gettysburg, 8 am – 4 pm

Looking Forward:

Aug. 7, Worship with infant baptism, 9:00 am

Aug. 7, Breakfast Buffet, Fellowship Hall, 10:15 am

Aug. 7, Men’s Choir practice

Aug. 7, Trivia Nite, 6:30 pm

Aug. 8, Consistory Mtg,ZionHse, 7:00 pm

Aug. 11, Mission Mtg   ,ZionHse, 7:00 pm

Aug. 30, Soup Kitchen, Prince of Peace, 10:45 – 1 pm

Sept. 6, Worship/Music Cmte Mtg,ZionHse, 7:00 pm

Sept. 7, Choir Practice, Sanctuary, 7:30 pm

Sept. 11, Sunday School Reconvenes, 10:15 am

Sept. 12, Hoss’s Community Night,Gettysburg, 12 noon – 8 pm