Sunday, August 28, 2011

Spirit-Led Living

 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

One:        Love’s strong voice calls us to move beyond all that divides us, one from another.

People:   Come, let us follow Love’s lead.

Two:        With generous grace, love welcomes all that we are.

People:   Come, let us follow Love’s lead.

Three:      Love invites us to be enfolded into a community of mutual affection and respect.

People:   Come, let us follow Love’s lead.

Four:       Love’s tender voice stirs within us a desire for harmony and peace.

People:   Come, let us follow Love’s lead.

Five:        Love makes us kin with all in Christ and reveals how we are to live together.

People:   Come, let us follow Love’s lead.

Six:          Love creates space for worship so we can rest in Sabbath’s time.

People:   Come, let us follow Love’s lead.   

 *Hymn:  “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”….. ………………#558

*Invocation (We light the Christ Candle.)

Leader:   We rise on Sunday morning and discover creation is already awake, pulsing with Spirit energy.  If we pay attention, we recognize in the bird’s song, the flapping of leaves, the kind word spoken, the flower’s opening, the music of community, Love’s calling deep within and all around.

All:         We thank you God, that you continue to create all around us.

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

 Prayer Of Confession

Leader:    Genuine love holds fast to all that is good.  Yet we sometimes cling to resentments, judgments, and negativity.  Genuine love strives to be mutual, bringing honour to one another.  Yet we can be demanding, self-serving, and demeaning at times.  Genuine love seeks to welcome all into the circle of love.  Yet we often include only those in whose circles we comfortably travel.  (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “Bind Us Together.”)

 Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:    Love is merciful and forgiving.  Love ennobles and transforms.  Love makes it possible to overcome every shortcoming with good.  Let us follow Love’s lead and be shaped into a community of faith.

People:   Amen.  Let it be so.

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

We Hear The Word

ReadingOf The Scripture:    Romans 12: 9-21

A Time For Children

Anthem:       “O Worship the King” …………Lyons/Arrangement K. Kunda

Ryan, Eleanor, and Esther

Reading Of The Gospel:    Matthew 16: 21-28

Message For This Day                                        

We Respond To God

*Hymn:  “Help Us Accept Each Other”……………………..#437

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:   “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”…..Beethoven/Arrangement S. Pethel 

Ryan, Eleanor, and Esther

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

*Prayer Of Dedication

*Closing Hymn:  “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing” ………….#834

*Blessing

Leader:    Let us follow the pulsing of Love within for, in the end, God is love.

People:   We will be the love we see in Jesus.

Leader:    Live boldly for Love will be with you, the Christ will move before you, and a Spirit of Love will spring to life around you.

People:   Thanks be to God.

*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

Thanks To All Those Who Donated Supplies Or Money To SCCAP for their school supplies request. As usual,Zion members were extremely generous.   Donated money totals $85.

Our Next Community Night At Hoss’s inGettysburg, will be Monday, September 12, from noon until 8:00.  If anyone would like to receive their ticket electronically, please email Gina.

A Hot Dog Roast Fellowship will be held on Sunday, September 4, at 6:00 p.m. behind Zion House.  Join us!

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; September, boxed potatoes.

 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 Sept. 4, 25; Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27.

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

                               

Coming Up Next Week:

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

Sept. 3, Habitat for Humanity,Gettysburg, 8 am – 4 pm

Looking Forward:

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, Something More, Oakside Park, 12 noon

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

Oct. 2,  Holy Communion, Sanctuary, 9:00 am