Sunday, October 30, 2011

Reformation Sunday

 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:    Come as the gathered of God, brought into God’s storied presence and saving love.

People:   Give thanks to God, whose steadfast love endures forever.

Leader:    Come from and with your wanderings and searchings.

People:   Give thanks to God, who companions us on our way.

Leader:    Come with your thirst and hunger for that which is good, and that which brings good.

People:   Give thanks to God, whose goodness does not fail.

Leader:    Come as those who would be encouraged and transformed by God.

People:   Give thanks to God, whose purpose is life renewed and redeemed.

 *Hymn:  “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” …………………..……..#43

*Opening Prayer (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:  “Sweet, Sweet Spirit”………………………………#291

 Prayer Of Confession

Leader:    Gracious God, who pours out freely the gift of your Holy Spirit:  we confess before you and to each other that we have failed to recognize this most precious gift.  We have been satisfied with ordinary things, suspicious of unfamiliar things, and blind to spiritual things.  Cleanse us, O God, with your celestial fire.  Burn away our presumptuous self-sufficiency, and open us in faith to receive the renewing touch of your hand.

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

 Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:    Our assurance comes in the gift of God’s presence, in the renewal of Holy Spirit, in the promise of Christ’s realm.  The peace of Christ be with you.

People:   And also with you.

Affirmation:    “O Breath of Life”. . . …………………..#299, V 1

 We Hear The Word

 ReadingOf The Scripture:    Joshua 3: 7-17

A Time For Children

Anthem:       “Raise Your Hands” …………………………Sorenson

 Reading Of The Gospel:     Matthew 23: 1-12

Message For This Day                                        

 We Respond To God

 *Hymn:  “Christ, Whose Purpose Is to Kindle”……………………….#720

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:  “Lead On, O King Eternal” ……………………….#747

*Blessing

Leader:    Those whom God has gathered, God now sends forth.

People:   We are blessed to go in the presence of God who leads us.

Leader:    As long as we follow in the way God is leading—

People:   we know God’s realm will surely appear.

Leader:    Go then as the people of God, encouraged and empowered by God who goes with us.

 *Choral Benediction:  “Lord, Let Us Now Depart in Peace”………#842

*Chime Meditation

Postlude

*Where noted, please stand if able.                                           

 

     October’s Proverb:

All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart.    Proverbs  21: 2

 Join us Sunday, November 6, from 6-8 p.m. for our Fall Festival.  Costumes are welcome but not mandatory.  We will share yummy snacks and participate in fall-themed activities.  A sign up sheet is located in the Main Sunday School room for RSVPs and snacks that we can all share.  See you then–please feel free to bring a friend!!

Altar Guild Members will meet on Monday, November 7, to organize for the 2012 year.

A Story/Movie Leader for November, as well as teachers, is needed for November.   See Jessica as soon as possible.

Veterans Will Be Honored In Worship On November 13.   We will once again be honored by having General David Hicks as our speaker.  Following worship we will have an educational forum on issues confronting returning vets from Iraq/Afghanistan.  Our leader will be Lt. Col. Eugene Shearer from theCarlisleArmyWarCollege.   Col. Gene Shearer is an active duty Army Officer currently attending the United States Army War College and pursuing a Masters of Strategic Studies.  He is an Army Logistics Corps officer and has served in assignments with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the 82nd Airborne Division, and the 10th Mountain Division.  He has deployed twice to bothIraq andAfghanistan for a total of 42 months in support of combat operations.  He will speak on veteran’s issues fromIraq andAfghanistan to include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), and suicide.  He will also provide an overview of potential opportunities for increased involvement with our returning veterans. 

A One-Year Term exists for the 2012 consistory.  Please consider serving.  Contact Fred, Consistory President.

Mark your calendars.  Our next Trivia Nite will be Sunday, January 15, starting at 6:00.  Why not get a team together and join us?  Any questions, see Gina.

Bring Your “Merry Heart” And Join The Homewood Auxiliary.   Memberships ($2) are now available.  Auxiliary members areHomewood’s Merry Hearts – working hand-in-hand with the staff to help provide the kind of “medicine” only a friend can give.  A clipboard is on the credenza.  Be a “good medicine” forHomewood’s health care center residents by giving time, talents, and resources.

Hoffman Home Holiday Gift Program.  As part of our Mission program,Zion will once again participate in the annual Holiday Gift Program with Hoffman Home.  The gifts will be due on December 4.  More info will follow.  Questions?  See Chris. 

 Holiday Family Outreach.  Holiday Family Outreach provides Christmas toys and food to low-income families inAdamsCounty.   Toys will be collected until November 27.  See Shirley or Chris if you have any questions. 

 Be A Homewood Hero.  Homewood Retirement Centers of United Church of Christ will be giving us names of nursing home residents at Plum Creek inHanover.  We will be purchasing Christmas gifts for these residents.  Donna is the coordinator.  A clipboard will be available as soon as the names are received to gather congregational member names who wish to participate.  A resident’s name and gift selection will be given to you when it is received. 

 Our Spring Rotation still has many openings.  Please see sign up sheets and sign up as able.  Thank you!

Soup Kitchen Update:  There are two remaining Soup Kitchens for the year – Tuesday, November 29; and Saturday, December 31.  The November sign-up sheet will be on the credenza beginning November 6.  The Soup Kitchen committee is open to all suggestions and recommendations on menus or help.  As the holiday season approaches, everyone is caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays.   Please keep in mind the need of those who attend the Soup Kitchen – any effort is always so appreciated.  There are several people who attend on a daily/yearly basis and are known by their first name along with their likes and dislikes.  It especially means a great deal to those particular people thatZion goes the extra mile in helping provide food.  Also, note – all food donations are always picked up on Saturdays by 9:30 a.m.   Thank you to everyone for your help!

 Habitat For Humanity.  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.

Greeters Needed for Nov. 27; Dec. 4, 11, 18, 24, 25.

Nursery Attendants for all Sundays.

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

 

Coming Up Next Week:

Nov. 2, Bible Study, Fellowship Hall, 6:30 pm

Nov. 2, Choir Practice, Sanctuary, 7:30 pm

Nov. 3, Book Club,Mustard Seed Rm, 7:00 pm

Nov. 5, Habitat for Humanity,Gettysburg, 8 am – 4 pm

 Looking Forward:

 Nov. 6, All Saints Sunday, 9:00 am

Nov. 6, Fall Festival, Sunday School Rm, 6-8 pm                    

Nov. 7, Something More, Oakside Park, 12 noon

Nov. 7, Altar Guild Mtg,ZionHse, 7:00 pm

Nov. 10, Worship/Music Cmte Mtg,ZionHse, 7:30 pm

Nov. 12,Zionprovided Habitat snacks, 10:00 am

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

Nov. 20, Harvest Home, 9:00 am

Nov. 28, Consistory Mtg,ZionHse, 7:00 pm