Sunday, September 25, 2011

“Standing on the Promises”

 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:    When we are hungry for a sustaining faith, we ask,

People:   Are you among us, O God?

Leader:    When we are thirsty for justice and peace, we ask,

People:   Are you among us, O God?

Leader:    As wandering people who long for mercy, we ask,

People:   Are you among us, O God?

Leader:    Secure in the freedom of your love, we ask,

People:   Are you among us, O God?

 *Hymn:  “Amid the Thronging Worshipers”….. ……………….#340

*Opening Prayer (We light the Christ Candle.)

All:         God of desert days and wilderness nights, we rest in the comfort of your presence and trust in the sustaining power of your love.  Provide us with all that we need to live abundantly and serve with abandon.  Amen. 

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

 Prayer Of Confession

All:         O God, we stand at the brink of what has been and what is yet to be.  We long to receive the gift of your liberation and to taste the sweetness of your promises.  But the way forward is unknown and so we hesitate:  discouraged, frightened, insecure, complaining.  Yet we know we must move ahead on our journey.  Make us mindful of your sustaining presence and, like a bird in full flight, may this assurance soar within our faith so we can rise above the challenges of this moment.   (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “Through It All.”)

Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:    God rains down manna in the wilderness and squeezes water from a desert rock.  With fire and cloud God leads us out of the bondage of our past into a future of freedom and safety.  God has been with us in the past, is with us in this present moment, and will be with us forever and ever. 

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

We Hear The Word

 ReadingOf The Scripture:    Exodus 17: 1-7

A Time For Children

Anthem:       “This Is My Word”…. …………………………Choplin

Reading Of The Gospel:    Matthew 21: 23-32

Message For This Day                                        

We Respond To God

*Hymn:  “As Water to the Thirsty”…………………………..#608

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

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

 *Prayer Of Dedication

 *Closing Hymn:  “Standing on the Promises” ……………………#306

* Blessing

Leader:    You have watered our desert souls.

People:   We cried out in our longings and you answered.

Leader:    You drew near to us bringing comfort and peace.

People:   We leave now with the assurance of your presence always with us, in and around us, the sturdy rock upon which we stand.

*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

 Decorate This Christmas With Mixed Pine Wreaths and Yuletide Cheer Swags.  Orders are due by October 16. 

The Neighbors In Need Offering, which will be received on October 2, supports the UCC’s ministries of justice and compassion throughout theUnited States.  Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects.  One-third of the offering supports the UCC’s Council for American Indian Ministries. 

Thank You To Everyone Who Participated In Our Community Night At Hoss’s.  We made $129.40.  Our next Community Night will be Monday, December 5.

 The Upper Adams Community CROP Walk will be held on Sunday, October 16, starting at 1:00 p.m. from the Wenksville churches.  The purpose of the CROP Walk is to raise funds to feed, clothe and house people; install water sources; and provide self-help programs and recovery programs during national and worldwide disasters. This year once again, 25 percent of the money will go to the Gettysburg Soup Kitchen.  Please join family, friends, and neighbors of the Upper Adams Community to support those less fortunate.  Funds may be turned in anytime, by sending to the church office, placing in the offering plate or giving your donation to Wayne (Chairperson).  Please specify for the CROP Walk.  As in the past, we will pass the volleyball in church.  Checks may be made payable to CWS/CROP.   “Ending hunger one step at a time.”

No Fellowship Hall Adult SS Class will be held on October 2 and October 9.

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

Sept. 28, Choir Practice, Sanctuary, 7:30 pm

Oct. 1, Habitat for Humanity,Gettysburg, 8 am – 4 pm

 Looking Forward:

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

Oct. 3, Something More, Oakside Park, 12 noon

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

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

Oct. 16, CROP Walk, Wenksville, 1:00 pm

Oct. 16, Trivia Nite, 6:00 pm

Oct. 17, Christian Ed Steering Team, Main SS Rm, 7:00 pm

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

Nov. 6, All Saints Sunday, 9:00 am

Nov. 13, Veterans’ Day Observance,   9:00 am