Sunday, August 7, 2011
Storms of Life
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: Trusting that God loves us as beloved children—come and worship.
People: With God as our companion, we come to worship.
Leader: Trusting that God invites us—come and worship.
People: With God as our guide, we come to worship.
Leader: Trusting that God seeks our good—come and worship.
People: With God as our King, we come to worship.
*Hymn: “O Worship the King” …………………………………….#29
*Invocation (We light the Christ Candle.)
Leader: God in heaven, you surprised and amazed your disciples at Pentecost with the gift of the Holy Spirit. We praise you for the Spirit who still fills our lives and hearts. Send your mighty Spirit on us as we worship; fill us with joy and excitement.
All: Amen.
*Response: “For the Life That You Have Given”…………………..#813
Prayer Of Confession
Leader: There are times when we feel cast down, in deep places, abandoned. Come to us, O God, when fear overtakes us.
People: Companion us with your love and presence.
Leader: There are times when we lash out in anger, seeking revenge. Come to us, O God, when fear controls us.
People: Companion us with your forgiveness and mercy.
Leader: There are times when we come to our wit’s end, not knowing where to turn. Come to us, O God, when fear disorients us.
People: Companion us with your plans for good.
Leader: In this time, let us open our selves and our fears to God, in the hope of transformations and a way forward. (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music: “Through It All.”)
Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness
Leader: God does not abandon us in our fear: for ourselves or of others. God comes to us, God journeys with us—and God can be trusted even when all seems lost.
People: Thanks be to God!
Affirmation: “I Love You, Lord”. . . ……………………………………………………………..#124
We Hear The Word
ReadingOf The Scripture: Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28
Anthem: “The Prayer With Leas Us Lord” ……………………………………………..……Carol Sager
Soloist: Kevin
The Sacrament Of Baptism For Luke
Leader: They were bringing children to Jesus that Jesus might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, Jesus was indignant, and said to them,
People: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the realm of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the realm of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Leader: And Jesus took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.
Address
Leader: The sacrament of baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of God. Inasmuch as the promise of the gospel is not only to us but also to our children, baptism with water and the Holy Spirit is the mark of their acceptance into the care of Christ’s church, the sign and seal of their participation in God’s forgiveness, and the beginning of their growth into full Christian faith and discipleship.
People: This is the water of baptism. Out of this water we rise with new life, forgiven of sin and one in Christ, members of Christ’s body.
Questions For The Parents
Pastor: Do you desire to have Luke baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?
Parents: We do.
Pastor: Will you encourage Luke to renounce the powers of evil and to receive the freedom of new life in Christ?
Parents: We will, with the help of God.
Pastor: Will you teach him that he may be led to profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
Parents: We will, with the help of God.
Pastor: Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow with your child in the Christian faith, to help him to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ by celebrating Christ’s presence, by furthering Christ’s mission in all the world, and by offering the nurture of the Christian church so that he may affirm his baptism?
Parents: We do, with the help of God.
*Congregational Assent (please stand)
Leader: Jesus Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations and to offer them the gift of grace in baptism. Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love, support, and care to the one about to be baptized, as he lives and grows in Christ?
People: We promise our love, support, and care.
*Blessing Of The Water
Pastor: Bless by your Holy Spirit, gracious God, this water. By your Holy Spirit save those who confess the name of Jesus Christ that sin may have no power over them. Create new life in the one baptized this day that he may rise in Christ. Glory to you, eternal God, the one who was, and is, and shall always be, world without end. Amen.
Act Of Baptism
Prayer For The Baptized
Pastor: We give you thanks, O Holy One, mother and father of all the faithful, for this your child and for the grace acknowledged here today in water and the Holy Spirit. Embrace us all as sons and daughters in the one household of your love. Grant us grace to receive, nurture, and befriend these new members of the body of Christ.
All: Give to the newly baptized: strength for life’s journey, courage in time of suffering, the joy of faith, the freedom of love, and the hope of new life: through Jesus Christ, who makes us one. Amen.
*Baptism Hymn: “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”………….(insert)
Reading Of The Gospel: Matthew 14: 22-33
Message For This Day
We Respond To God
*Hymn: “Give to the Winds Your Fears”………………………………#618
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: “How Beautiful (Your Songs of Praise)”………………..Scott
Soloist: Kevin
*Doxology: “Praise God from Whom All Blessings” ………………#809
*Prayer Of Dedication
*Closing Hymn: “Standing on the Promises” ………………..#306
*Pastoral Benediction
*Choral Benediction: “May the Grace of Christ Our Savior”… #841, V 1 & 2
*Chime Meditation
Postlude
*Where noted, please stand if able.
August’s Proverb:
The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part. Proverbs 20: 27
Today an after-church breakfast buffet will accompany a discussion on spirituality and the variety of scriptural perspectives on the afterlife.
Trivia Nite: this evening at 6:30 p.m.
‘Amazing, Outstanding, Best Meal Ever’ were many of the comments received for the July Soup Kitchen. The fried chicken menu was enjoyed so much, almost all on hand returned for 2nds, 3rds and even 4ths. 40 happy diners were served and the coordinator said it was a special treat. Thank you to everyone who furnished monetary donations for the chicken and who furnished the prepared food. The August Soup kitchen menu is end-of-the summer with hot dogs, baked beans and watermelon. The meal will be served on Tuesday, 8/30. Sign-up sheet is on credenza. Please note – all food donations will be picked-up on Saturday, 8/27 by 9:30 a.m. to deliver same day. Approximately 40-50 people are expected to be served.
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. Volunteers from the congregation are welcome to join the work crew each Saturday. 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 for signup. 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 August is 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. 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.
Coming Up Next Week:
Aug. 7, Breakfast buffet, 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. 13, Habitat for Humanity,Gettysburg, 8 am – 4 pm
Looking Forward:
Aug 14 , Men’s Choir practice
Aug. 30, Soup Kitchen, Prince of Peace, 10:45 – 1 pm
Sept. 4, Hot dog roast, Zion Hse, 6:00 pm
Sept. 6, Worship/Music Cmte Mtg,ZionHse, 7:00 pm
Sept. 7, Choir Practice, Sanctuary, 7:30 pm
Sept. 11, Rally Day; Sunday School Reconvenes, 10:15 am
Sept. 12, Hoss’s Community Night,Gettysburg, 12 noon – 8 pm
Sept. 22, Book Club, Mustard Seed Rm, 7:00 pm
Greeters Are Needed For Each Sunday In August. Please Sign Up.
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