Sunday, January 22, 2012

Fishers of 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

One:        We enter this space for worship,

All:         called by God to pray together.

One:        We enter this space for worship,

All:         called by God to share our lives together.

One:        We enter this space for worship,

All:         called by God into Sabbath rest.

One:        We enter this space for worship,

All:         leaving behind the week that has gone.

One:        We enter this space for worship,

All:         to be refreshed for worship in our daily lives.

One:        We enter this space for worship,

All:         worshipping the God who calls us ever onward.   

 *Hymn:  “Jesus Calls Us o’er the Tumult” ……………………#580

*Invocation (We light the Christ Candle.)

Leader:   Perfect Light of revelation, as you shone in the life of Jesus, whose Epiphany we celebrate, so shine in us and through us, that we may become beacons of truth and compassion, enlightening all creation with deeds of justice and mercy.

All:         Amen.

 *Response:  “O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ”………….#359, V 1

 Prayer Of Confession

Leader:   When we hear God calling us onward, sometimes it can be hard to leave things behind.  Things like hurts and grief, disappointment or success, material possessions, family, friends.  We acknowledge that for some of us gathered here, there might be things we need to leave behind so we can move forward into God’s future.  For some of us, the concern on our heart might be those things our church, our community, and our world need to leave behind in order to move forward.  As Jesus called the fishers to leave behind their nets and boats and way of life to follow and learn from him, so we are invited to discern the things we might leave behind.   (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind.”)

 Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:    God does not leave us alone.  All we hope for comes from God.  In God we find strength and comfort.  Trust, therefore, in God, as you turn your life around.  The reign of God, God’s way of love, is for all!  Thanks be to God.  Amen.

Affirmation:    “O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright”. . . ……..#27, V 1 & 3

 We Hear The Word

 ReadingOf The Scripture:    Jonah 3: 1-5, 10

A Time For Children

Anthem:       “Just a Closer Walk”        ……………Price/Besig

 Reading Of The Gospel:    Mark 1: 14-20

Message For This Day                                        

 We Respond To God

 *Hymn:  “Two Fishermen”…………………………..……..#654

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

Leader:    Wisdom guide us as we follow in the way of Jesus, the way of Love.  Spirit, bless our gifts of money, which we offer in service of your mission in the world.  Amen.

 *Closing Hymn:  “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” …………….#576

*Blessing

Leader:    As we go into the future God has promised, remember that God is there before us, God is here beside us, God is the path we follow and the light that guides us.  As we go into the future God has promised, may God be with us all, always:  source of life, source of grace, source of love.  Amen.

 *Choral Benediction:  “Lord, Now Let Your Servant”………#343, V 1 & 3

*Chime Meditation

Postlude

*Where noted, please stand if able.                                           

 

 January’s Proverb:   

The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part.         Proverbs  20: 27

 Fellowship Committee Meeting–a short 5-minute meeting will be held after church before Sunday School today, Sunday, 1/22, to organize for the 2012 year.  Everyone is welcome to join and all existing members are urged to continue to volunteer on the committee.  If you are interested in serving, please join Pam after service.  Zion UCC appreciates everyone’s help and assistance.  See you at the meeting!

 Thank You To Everyone Who Participated In Trivia Nite last Sunday.  Rather Be Bowling’s vast knowledge garnered $330 for the SPCA.  Our next Trivia Nite will be Sunday, March 11, starting at 6:00 p.m.  Why not get a team together and join us?

 The Book Club Meeting for January is on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.   The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson will be discussed.  Synopsis:   Bill Bryson is an immensely popular writer who has tackled a wide variety of subjects.  The focus of The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is something pretty personal:  his childhood inDes Moines,Iowa.  Department stores and movie theaters are just two things that Bryson argues were different and better in the 1950s, parts of a life that he observes doesn’t exist anymore.  Described as, “a very enjoyable memoir that effectively covers both the author’s childhood and the wider issues going on in the country at the time, this book is a perfect mix of personal and national issues with a fantastic touch of humor.

 The Food Pantry Item for January is laundry detergent.

 The 2012 Flower Calendar is posted in the vestibule.  Please consider sponsoring the flowers that beautify our sanctuary.   Available dates:  Feb. 5, Mar. 4, 25; Apr. 1, 22, 29; and June 10, 17.

 Soup Kitchen update:  the last Soup Kitchen meal for 2011 was held on December 31(New Year’s Eve) with an outstanding turn-out – the special holiday turkey dinner with all the fixin’s was a huge hit feeding over 40 people who attended!  Most of the attendees wanted seconds and sometimes even third refills.  The kindness ofZion members and friends went beyond the call of generosity with enough food leftover for a complete meal at the Homeless Shelter on New Year’s Eve.  Jordan and I truly felt blessed when we were able to deliver the boxed meal to the Homeless Shelter after feeding those at the Soup Kitchen.  Thank you everyone for your time and generosity in making the 2011 Soup Kitchen a fruitful and inspiring commitment from the members of Zion UCC.

 The first Soup Kitchen meal for the 2012 will be held on 1/31, Tuesday. Zion provides meal only; serving is not required. Sign-up sheet with menu will be on the credenza beginning the first week in January.  Please remember, all food will be picked up at the church by 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, 1/28, to deliver to the Soup Kitchen on the same day. 

 2012 Greeters Needed for Feb. 12, 19, 22; Mar. 4, 11, 25; Apr. 1, 6, 8, 15, 22, 29.

 2012 Bulletin  Sponsors Needed for Jan. 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 18, 25.  (Bulletin Sponsorship is $15 per Sunday.  Please place your remittance designated for Bulletin Sponsorship in the offering plate.)

 Coming Up Next Week:

Jan. 23, Consistory Mtg, ZionHse, 7:00 pm    

Jan. 25, Choir Practice,  Sanctuary, 7:30 pm

Jan. 26, Book Club, Mustard Seed Rm, 7:00 pm

 

Looking Forward:

Jan. 30, CEST Mtg, Main SS Rm, 7:00 pm                 

Jan. 31, Soup Kitchen, Peace House, 10:45 – 1 pm

Feb. 1, Bible Discovery, Fellowship Hall, 6:30 pm

Feb. 2, Worship and Music Cmte,ZionHse,    7:30 pm

Feb. 6, Something More, Oakside Park, 12 noon

Feb. 22, Ash Wednesday Serv, 7:30 pm