Sunday, November 13, 2011

Veterans’ Day Observance

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 lift our eyes and raise our hearts and are met by the Holy One in worship.

All:         We stretch out our arms and open our hands in the hope of finding mercy.

Leader:    In our stretching, we are met by the kind eyes and warm hands of companions on the way.

All:         May we be aware of the signs of love that are always with us.

 *Hymn:  “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” ……………………….#358

*Opening Prayer (We light the Christ Candle.)

Leader:    Source of All Goodness, you pour through us, in us, and around us.  We pause to feel the power of life within.  May we become aware of our own potential and may our imaginations be sparked against the flint of your belief in us until our world overflows with possibilities.

All:         When it come to the love of God—there is no end.  Gifted by this love, the sky is the limit to what we can become.  Amen.

 *Response:  “Spirit of the Living God”…………………….#297, V 2

 Prayer Of Confession

Leader:    We joyfully receive your abundant gifts, O God, and we look for ways to invest them in order to increase the realm of love on Earth.  But when our circumstance and limitations rise up against us, we allow them to cloud our vision for possibilities.

All:         Sometimes we think too little of ourselves.  We become weighed down with doubt and insecurity and we bury our preciousness under a diminished self-worth. 

Leader:    We can allow indifference to have its way in us growing numb to the world’s needs, neglecting our baptismal vocation, and withholding our resources.

All:         Despite the abundance of your love, a mindset of scarcity can creep into our community and we can give in to the thought that there is not enough to go around.  (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “Let Your Heart Be Broken for a World in Need.”)

 Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:  God wants only good things for us.  Wherever we are and whoever we are, God is with us.  God has destined us to be free and generous.  Let us live in God’s forgiveness and power.

 Affirmation:    “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart”. …….….….#496

 We Hear The Word

 ReadingOf The Scripture:    I Thessalonians 5: 1-11

Anthem:       “Bow the Knee” ………………………………Machen/Harland

Reading Of The Gospel:    Matthew 25: 14-30

Message For This Day                                        

 We Respond To God

 *Hymn:  “O God of Every Nation”………………………………….#422

 We Recognize The Veterans Among Us By Asking Them To Stand According To His Or Her Era Of Service, Beginning With Our WWII Veterans.   Please Remain Standing Until All Have Been Recognized.

 Anthem:  “American Anthem”………………………………….…Scheer

 *Remembrance Day:  (The following will introduce A Moment of Silence, traditionally observed at 11 a.m. on November 11 in many nations, recalling the Armistice that ended World War I.)

 Leader: Beyond words, beyond the battle, beyond the outcry, lies silence.  It is sacred, this silence; and holy, this remembering.  For only silent remembering can carry enough pain and truth together to whisper:  “It is enough.  Never again.”  We share a time for silent reflection on the sacrifices that have been  made on our behalf, as we listen to the bell tolling 11 times. 

Taps (following the playing of Taps, please be seated)

Litany for our Dedication To Peace

Leader: In our remembrance we know silence is not enough to change the world.

All:                  Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and life to the full.”

Leader: In our remembrance we know silence is not enough to bring peace to the world.

All:                  God said, “Behold I make all things new.”

Leader:             In our remembrance we know silence is not enough to change the minds of leaders.

All:                  Paul wrote, “Let your light shine before people.”

Leader: In our remembrance we know silence is not enough to change the way we do things.

All:                  Jesus said, “This is what I command you:  love one another.”

Leader: In our remembrance we know silence is not enough to convey the truth of war.

All:                  Jesus said, “Every tree is known by the fruit it bears.”

Leader: In our remembrance we know silence is not enough but Jesus’ words are.

All:                   Jesus said, “Blessed are those who work for peace.”  Jesus also said, “No one has greater      love than this—to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

 Choral Response:  Congregation will sing “Let There Be Peace on Earth”

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me; let there be peace on earth, the peace that

was meant to be.  With God our creator, children all are we.  Let us walk with each other in

perfect harmony.  Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.  With every step I take,

let this be my solemn vow:  to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

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:  “This Is My Song” ……………………………….(insert)

*Unison Prayer:  Prayer for the Nation…………………………..(insert)

*Pastoral Benediction

*Postlude

*Where noted, please stand if able.

November’s  Proverb:

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.                                                                                                        Proverbs 21:  5

 We Are Honored To Have General David Hicks as our Veterans’ Day speaker today.  General David and Janice Hicks have retired to Adams County.  General Hicks is the former Chief of Army Chaplains.   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. 

 Hoffman Homes Gift Program.   Once againZion will be assisting the Hoffman Homes gift program by purchasing new, unwrapped gifts for Hoffman Homes.  The gifts range from toiletry items/stocking stuffers to gift certificates to CD players.  **Remember, no glass or sharp items**.  Chris will have the gift tags displayed this Sunday, November 6, and until they are all taken.  We have a total of 35 tags (up from 30 last year).  Please return the gifts to the main Sunday School room by December 4, 2011.  Once again we will be helping to wrap

the gifts either December 7 or 8.  Please let Chris know if you have any questions or would like to help wrap.

Holiday Home Bureau Toys.   As it has in previous years,Zion is contributing to the Holiday Home Bureau Toy program.  We will be collecting new and gently used (no broken, worn) toys and new hats, gloves, and

scarves for those 12 and under.  In addition, the program is seeking monetary donations to support its food certificate program (they provide $25 food certificates).  Please bring the donations to the church no later than November 27, 2011.  We will bring the items forward during the children’s message on that Sunday.  Any questions, please ask Shirley or Chris.

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.

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. 

The Food Pantry item for December is pasta and sauce.

The November Soup Kitchen has been rescheduled for another date in 2012 with the next Soup Kitchen slated for December 31.  A sign-up sheet will be on the credenza in December; further information will be in the December newsletter.

Our Next Community Night At Hoss’s Steak And Sea House inGettysburg will be Monday,     December 5, from noon until 8:00.

 Habitat For Humanity.  The Gettysburg Habitat house still needs volunteers for every Saturday through at least January 7, 2012.  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.

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

 

Many thanks to all the families who came out to participate in the fall festival.  Many hands truly do make light work, and I appreciated the help from all the parents and grandparents in attendance.  Thanks also to my teen helpers:  Kenzie, Cooley, Alexander and Jordan.  Fun was had by all!  Jessica

 Heartfelt Thanks To The Many Volunteers who have assisted with the youth Sunday School program this fall:  Sally, Dana, Joe, Kevin, Peggy, Mandy, Minda,Nancy, Kim, Penny, Heather, Peggy Sue, Diane, Donna, Clarissa, Pam, Ellen, Mike, Elener, and Angie.  And as always we appreciate our year-round volunteers:  Betsy, Kim, Heather, Donna, and Chris.  We have a thriving, successful program thanks to all of your efforts!  Jessica

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

 Coming Up Next Week:

Nov. 16, Bible Study,   Fellowship Hall, 6:30 pm

Nov. 16, Choir Practice, Sanctuary, 7:30 pm

Nov. 19, Habitat for Humanity,Gettysburg, 8 am – 4 pm

 Looking Forward:

 Nov. 20, Harvest Home, 9:00 am

Nov. 27, Holiday Family Outreach Toy Collection due date

Nov. 27, Pageant Practice, 10:45 – 11:15 am

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

Dec. 1, Book Club, Mustard Seed Rm, 7:00 pm

Dec. 3, Youth Discovery Day,LancasterSeminary, 8:30-2:30

Dec. 4, Sun Sch, 9:00; Pageant Practice 9-9:30, Worship: 10:00; Brunch: 11:15

Dec. 4, Hoffman HomeHolidayGifts Due

Dec. 5, Hoss’s Community Night,Gettysburg, 12 noon – 8 pm

Dec. 5, Something More, Oakside Park, 12 noon

Dec. 11, Annual Congregational Mtg, 10:15 am

Dec. 11, Pageant Practice, 11:00 – 11:30 or 11:45

Dec. 18, Communion, Pageant, Christmas Tea Social