Sunday, September 18, 2011

“God Leads the People”

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:    God breathed life into human beings made in God’s image.

People:   We remember.  So let’s give God the glory!

Leader:    God called to a runaway shepherd, Moses, to lead God’s people out of slavery.

People:   We remember.  So let’s give God the honor!

Leader:    God, like a pillar of clouds, lead the people through the sea to freedom.

People:   We remember.  So let’s give God the praise!

Leader:    God caused a rock in the wilderness to flow like a river.

People:   We remember.  So let’s give God our hearts and minds.

Leader:    God gives us a way when there seems no way.

People:   We remember.  So we worship today.

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

*Opening Prayer (We light the Christ Candle.)

All:         O God, turn our faces, our voices, and our lives toward you so we might know goodness, receive what we most need, and share the gifts of life with others. 

 *Response:  “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”…………………………#817

 Prayer Of Confession

Leader:    God, when we get afraid of what lies ahead, we want to go back to the old ways instead of seeking your new way with us.  Forgive us and open us to you.

People:   When we don’t see the signs of hope we expect, we complain, we turn to other things, and we blame each other.  Forgive us and open us to you. 

Leader:    When we do have enough, we want even more and, by wanting more, often others have less than enough.  Forgive us and open us to you. 

People:   When we work so hard to get something, we forget your goodness and think our lives are what we’ve done, have, or achieve.  Forgive us and open us to you.  Holy giver, our hands are open to receive your gifts.   (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “People Need the Lord.”)

Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:  Our God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  Trust in God’s forgiveness and power to transform our regret to mercy.

 Affirmation:    “Moment by Moment”. . …………………..…..#529

 We Hear The Word

 ReadingOf The Scripture:    Exodus 16: 2-15

A Time For Children

Anthem:       “On to Higher Ground” …………………………….Hayes

Reading Of The Gospel:    Matthew 20: 1-6

Message For This Day                                        

 We Respond To God

 *We Profess Our Faith:   The Apostle’s Creed (inside back cover of hymnal)

*Hymn:  “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”………………#641

Prayers Of The People

Leader:… Like gentle rain from above, so are your gifts of life to us, great God.  In your mercy, you move our hearts from anxiety to worship.  Like the sun that rises in the morning, so is the steadiness of your love that provides for us.  In your mercy, you move us from trust in things we’ve made to trust in your mystery and promises.  Like a surprise gift, a bonus we could never earn, you offer us new possibilities and a chance to breathe again.  In your mercy, you move us from fear to courage in your ways.  Restore in us the daring confidence that if we take a break and worship you, if we stop our hands and our heads, that you will provide for us out of the storehouse of your goodness.

People:   Give us the imagination to feed those who are hungry and help the thirsty find fresh water.  Give us the imagination to be companions to the sick, the lonely, and those in prison.  Give us the awareness that you are present even in our most lonely, fearful place.  (We name our specific prayer intentions.)       

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

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

 *Prayer Of Dedication

 *Closing Hymn:  “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” ………….#634

*Blessing

Leader:    We have been fed by the stories of faith.

People:   We turn our faces into the uncertain places so we may know God.

Leader:    We have been sustained in the rituals of community.

People:   We turn our lives back to the God of plenty.

Leader:    May the God of bread and justice accompany us.

People:   May the Spirit surround us with hope as we walk the way of the Christ.

 *Choral Benediction:  “Christ Beside Me”……………………………………..…………#543, V 1

*Chime Meditation

Postlude

*Where noted, please stand if able.                                           

 

September’s  Proverb:

The glory of youths is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair.          Proverbs  20: 29

Host Families Are Needed FOR A German Youth Delegation.  Trinity UCC in Biglerville is involved with the German Partnership.  More information is on the credenza.

Neighbors In Need Special Mission Offering allows the UCC to reach out to touch neighbors with justice and compassion and to advocate for a society in which all people have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.  This offering includes support for the work of the Council for the American Indian Ministry, efforts to eradicate hunger, and the promotion of justice, peace, and reconciliation.  Please give generously on October 2.

The State Of Health Care in PA is the topic of a presentation to be given byGettysburg family physician, Dr. Dwight Michael, on Monday, September 26, at 7 p.m. in Nicarry Meetinghouse at theBrethrenCrossKeysVillage. Dr. Michael’s concern on behalf of patients who are unable to afford necessary medical treatment due to the high costs of care for both the uninsured and underinsured has led him to become an advocate for health coverage reform. This public information session is sponsored by Adams Hanover Health Care 4 All PA, a nonpartisan community group.

Book Group.  Love to read?  Love to have fun?  Then join Zion’s Book Club!  We meet once a month (normally the fourth Thursday) at 7:00 in the mustard seed room to discuss a book that has been selected by one of our members.  It is always a great time for fellowship and friendship, and a great way to bond over books you may never have selected on your own.  Now that summer break is over, we are back into the “swing of things,” and will be discussing, The Fifth Woman, by Henning Mankell, on Thursday, September 22, 2011, at 7:00.  Join us!

Synopsis:   The Fifth Woman is the tenth of Henning Mankell’s police procedurals featuring Swedish detective Kurt Wallander, the fourth to be published in English.  In the prologue a woman learns that her mother has been murdered while traveling inAfrica.  A year passes, and there are two more murders.  Detective Wallander immediately realizes that the two murders are the work of the same killer, but cannot find any similarity between the victims except that they were both somewhat reclusive.  He eventually learns of the woman killed inAfrica the previous year and must come to understand her connection to the two murders.  Wallander is a tired cop, perpetually ill-fed and lacking sleep.  He muses on the deterioration of Swedish society as the country becomes increasingly violent; a subplot involves the formation of “citizen militias” throughoutSweden.  Wallander also faces his father’s death and struggles to maintain relationships with his grown daughter and long-distance girlfriend.  In a parallel effort, Wallander briefly establishes a relationship with the murderer, striving for insight into the brutality that he feels is on the rise inSweden.

The Food Pantry Item for September is boxed potatoes.

Habitat For Humanity Update.  The Gettysburg Habitat house still needs volunteers for every Saturday through at least January 7, 2012 and especially on November 12, Zion’s assigned date to provide volunteer workers and a snack.  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.  Anyone interested in working on any Saturday should please contact Roger.

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 Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27; Dec. 4, 11, 18, 24, 25.

Nursery Attendants for all Sundays.

Bulletin  Sponsors Needed for Oct. 9, 30; Nov. 13, 27; Dec. 11, 18, 25.

Coming Up Next Week:

Sept. 21, Choir Practice, Sanctuary, 7:30 pm

Sept. 22, Book Club, Mustard Seed Rm, 7:00 pm

Sept. 24, Habitat for Humanity,Gettysburg, 8 am – 4 pm

 Looking Forward:

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

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

Oct. 5, Bible Study, Fellowship Hall, 6:30 pm

Oct. 12, Christmas Choir Practice Begins, Sanctuary, 7:30 pm

Oct. 16, Trivia Nite, 6:00 pm

Oct. 29, Soup Kitchen, Prince of Peace, 10:45 – 1 pm