Sunday, August 14, 2011

Bold Moves Toward Reconciliation

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:    We have moved through the open doors in hope of finding a place of belonging.

People:   Love is possible.

Leader:    We cross the boundaries that divide us by ages and stages, ethnicities and genders, hurts and disagreements.

People:   Peace is possible.

Leader:    We open our hearts and ready our hands to reach out to one another and discover One who is within and beyond us.

People:   Forgiveness is possible.

Leader:    Let us worship together in love.

 *Hymn:  “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship” …………………..#802

Invocation (We light the Christ Candle.)

Leader:    Come, Creator Spirit, and move over this chaotic world.

People:   Come, Creator Spirit, and bring life to this world.

Leader:    Come, Creator Spirit, and move over the chaos of our lives.

People:   Come, Creator Spirit, and bring us new life.  Amen.

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

 Prayer Of Confession

Leader:    Come, Holy Spirit!  Rain upon our dry and dusty lives.  Wash away our sin and heal our wounded spirits.  Kindle within us the fire of your love to burn away our apathy.  With your warmth bend our rigidity and guide our wandering feet.

All:         Amen.   (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove.”)

 Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:    Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

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

 We Hear The Word

 ReadingOf The Scripture:    Genesis 45: 1-15

A Time For Children

Anthem:       “His Hands” ……………………………………………………………..Ruth Elaine Schram

Soloist:  Cindy

 Reading Of The Gospel:    Matthew 15: 10-20, 21-28

Message For This Day                                        

 We Respond To God

 *Hymn:  “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me”…………………#556

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:   “Holy, Holy, Holy”…….by Franz Schubert ; arr. by Patrick M. Liebergen

Soloist:  Cindy

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

*Prayer Of Dedication

Leader:    We give to restore life.  We give to heal the broken relationships.  We give as a step on the journey to renewed sharing.  Use our gifts, God, to restore, heal, and renew us in faith with one another.  Amen.

 *Closing Hymn:  “I Then Shall Live” ………………………….#507

*Blessing

Leader:    We leave this place to encounter the Unknown, attentive to the hints of holy in glances and averted eyes, smiles and frowns, restful hands and shaky bodies, laughing and weeping, leaving and coming near.  May the God of all be with us as we go.

 *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

 A Christian Education Steering Team Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the main Sunday School room.

 Thank You To Everyone Who Participated In Zion’s Trivia Nite.  The winning team, “Rather Be Bowling,” garnered $210 for their charity, the Adams Co. SPCA.  Our next Trivia Nite will be Sunday, Oct.16, beginning at 6:00.  Please consider fielding a team and joining us.

 ‘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.

Our Next Community Night At Hoss’s.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.  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. 21, 28; Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27.

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

(Bulletin Sponsorship is $15 per Sunday.  Please place your remittance designated for Bulletins in the offering plate.)  *Signup Clipboards Are At the Rear of the Church*

 

Coming Up Next Week:

Aug. 14, Men’s Choir practice

Aug. 18, Christian Education Steering Team, Main SS Rm,       7:00 pm

Aug. 20, Habitat for Humanity,Gettysburg, 8 am – 4 pm

Looking Forward:

 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

Sept. 26, Consistory Mtg,ZionHse, 7:00 pm