Zion United Church Of Christ

Arendtsville, Pennsylvania

"Embodying the Love of God in Word and Action"

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Into the Deep:  Fishing with Jesus

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:    Holy, holy, holy is the God of hosts; the whole earth is full of God’s glory.

People:    Our hearts are filled with thanks, O God.  We bring before you our songs of praise.

Leader:    All rulers of the people are called to praise God.  All people of the earth are subject to God’s rule.

People:    The steadfast love of God surrounds us here.  We have come to see and hear and understand.

*Opening Hymn:  “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” ………#2

*Opening Prayer (We light the Christ Candle.)

Leader:    You call,

People:    we answer.

Leader:    You come close,

People:    we are enfolded in love.

Leader:    You go deep,

People:    we are caught by the surprise of your grace.

Leader:    Though we face many troubles, you shelter us in your steady love.  You are the keeper of promises and your steadfast love endures forever.  Be mindful of us, the works of your hands; enfold us in your love always.

*Response:  “O Love, How Deep, How Broad”……………….#193, V6

Prayer Of Confession

Leader:    In the midst of our business as usual, you come close; you draw us in and invite us to go deep.  You assure us that, in the deep places, we will find new life in abundance.  You ask us to trust and to take risks—to cast ourselves fully into the depths of community where we will find our true selves and be empowered to serve.  We hear your invitation but we do not always respond in faith.  Because of fear, habit, and closed hearts, we hold back and do not follow your lead.  When we recognize how we have fallen short, we can be tempted to run away.  What you offer is exactly what we need, yet we often reject your love.

All:          Search for us again, O Love of our hearts, and may we be mindful of who we are in your love so we can become all you have created us to be.   (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “Take My Life and Let It Be.”)

Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:    When we call, One who is all love answers and gives us strength for our weariness.  Though we fall short, Love draws near to us again and again bringing us out of our fear and resistance and into our calling as reflections of Christ.  We have strength for the task and love for the journey—this is our good news today.

People:    Thanks be to God!   

Affirmation:    “Christ Is the World’s Light”. . ......... ………#90,V1

We Hear The Word

Reading Of The Scripture:    Isaiah 6: 1-8 (9-13); I Corinthians 15: 1-11

A Time For Children

Anthem:       “Rockin’ The Boat”... ………………………Shafferman

Reading Of The Gospel:    Luke 5: 1-11

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 

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

*Blessing

Leader:    God provides abundantly.

People:    We will live without fear.

Leader:    God has filled our nets to bursting.

People:    We will live in joyful gratitude.

Leader:    God has a great purpose for us all.

People:    We will follow God’s lead.

Leader:    Let us trust God who has been ever steadfast.

People:    We will be bold and answer God’s call.

Leader:    Go in God.

*Choral Benediction:  “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts”….#121, V 1, 5

*Chime Meditation

Postlude

*Where noted, please stand if able.

February’s Proverb: 

Desire without knowledge is not good, and one who moves too hurriedly misses the way.               Proverbs  19: 2

Chocolate, Coffee, And Christian Caring, a Gettysburg Association chocolate festival and outreach fair will be heldtoday, February 7, from 2-4 p.m. at the Nicary Center at the Brethren Home.  It will be an open house fair where participants may sample delicious chocolate desserts, try some excellent coffee, and learn how to help others.

The Worship Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. in Zion House.

All Soup Kitchen Donations for January 30 were greatly appreciated by the Soup Kitchen recipients. Thirty-five people were served.  All the participants at the Soup Kitchen always love our food and menus; greatly, greatly appreciated.   The next Soup Kitchen date is Tuesday, March 30.  Serving is done each fifth Tuesday and fifth Saturday of the month.

Ash Wednesday Service on February 17 will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity UCC in Biglerville.  The service will include communion and imposition of ashes.

Zion will be holding New Member Classes February 14 and February 21 following Sunday School in Fellowship Hall.   We will recognize new members on February 28 during worship.  Please speak to Pastor Kim if you know of potential new members, or are interested in joining our fellowship.

Beginning On March 1, our bulletin covers will convey each Sunday’s topic with vibrant artwork.  This will enhance our worship service through imagery and God’s own words.  Bulletin sign up sheets are located on the credenza.  Beginning on March 1, scripture settings will not be included with your bulletin but may be picked up in the sanctuary if you desire one.  Sponsorships of the scripture settings will then cease.  Bulletin sponsors are requested beginning on March 1.  Cost is $10.   (The bulletin covers will appear like the 2009 Christmas Eve bulletin).

Wanted:  Your Old Paperback Books!!!  These books will be donated to the “Paperbacks for the Troops” program.  If you have any books you are willing to give away, please place them in the box located in the Coat Vestibule.  We will be transporting the books quarterly to Sally Brooks, owner of Alibis in Carlisle.  Ms. Brooks is a former employee of the Army War college who has started this program because she saw a need for our troops.  She prefers paperbacks over hardback books due to the cost of shipping.  I will be taking the first collection to Carlisle the end of March.  If you have any questions, please contact Annette.

Children’s Activity Bags are located under the credenza at the rear of the church.

I Would Like To Thank The Following Sunday School Volunteers for sharing their time and talents with us in January:  Chris, Joseph, Kim, Diane, Donna, Mim, and Jane.  A special thanks to the Ehly family for not only leading Creative Cookery but for also donating the supplies for that class.  In addition, a big thank you to our special guests for sharing how they are Jesus' disciples:  Pastor Kim, Gina, Ken and Chris.  As always, thanks to our year-round teachers Pastor Kim Blocher, Ken, Liz, Mandy, and Kendra.  Thanks to all for being shining examples for our youth!

The Sunday School Rotational Model Needs You!   We appreciate our volunteers and would love to have you join us.  We still need a volunteer for games' leader for April.  Clipboard is on the credenza or see Jessica. Thank you!

Zion’s Current Confirmation Class is composed of Koby, Taylor, Mitchell, Kayla, Joel, Amber, and Samantha.

The 2010 Flower Calendar is now posted in the vestibule.   We welcome your signing up.   Dates available for the first half of the calendar year are April 11, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 30; and June 27.

When Paying For Altar Flowers, please give payment to the altar guild representative for that month.

The Food Pantry item for February is canned meat.

At The Closing Of Church Functions, please check to see that all doors are locked.

Inclement Weather Policy.  If snow or ice force cancellation of Sunday services, here’s how to get the word on whether or not worship services will be held:  call the church at 677-8319 and listen to the answering machine message. The message will be updated to tell you if services have been cancelled due to inclement weather; tune in to WGET; check the church web site:  www.zionuccarendtsville.org; or contact a Consistory member.

2010 Greeters Needed for Apr. 2, 11, 18; May 2, 9, 16, 30.

2010 Nursery Attendants for February 14, 21; March 7, 14, 21, 18.

2010 Bulletin  Sponsors Needed for March – December.

(Bulletin Sponsorship is $10 per Sunday.  Please place your remittance designated for Bulletins in the offering plate.

*Signup Clipboards Are At the Rear of the Church*

E-mail address:             This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Web Site:                     www.zionuccarendtsville.org

Pastoral Relations Committee Members

Robert, Wayne, Lydia, and Donna

Prayers Of The People:  You are invited to offer any prayers you wish by writing them on the PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE paper located at the rear of the sanctuary.  Please share both joys and concerns.  Also, if you would like to share a prayer out loud during the pastoral prayers you are invited to do so during the interval provided.

Please Tell Us.  Is someone you love hospitalized?  Does someone need a visit from the pastor or the visitation team?  Do you have a birth, marriage, death or other information you'd like to include in the newsletter or bulletin?  Please tell us!  Our church office counts on you to keep us informed.  Give us a call at the office.  Hospital visitors for this month are listed with the lay ministers in this bulletin and in the monthly newsletters.

If You Have A Need For Prayer, please remember that we have a prayer chain available.  Please call Liz; she will activate the chain for you.   You may also submit a prayer request to the Prayer Center on our Web site.  It is located under “Connect.”   Our Lord teaches us in Matthew Chapter 18:  ¹⁹"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. ²⁰For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Consistory

Coming Up Next Week:

Feb. 7     Coffee, Caring, and Sharing  Brethren Home  2-4 pm

Feb. 9      Men’s Fellowship                             Apple Bin         9:00 am

Feb. 9      Worship Cmte Mtg                           Zion Hse          7:00 pm

Feb. 10                Bible Journey                        Zion Hse          6:30 pm

Feb. 10    Choir Practice                                  Sanctuary         7:30 pm

Looking Forward:

Feb. 14    New Member Class                         Fellowship Hall  11:15 am

Feb. 17    Ash Wed. Service (communion)        Trinity UCC, B-ville      7:00 pm

Feb. 17    Choir Practice                                  Sanctuary         8:00 pm

Feb. 18    Money Counters                               Zion Hse          7:00 pm

Feb. 21    Christian Ed Steering Team                           11:15 am

Feb. 21    New Member Class                         Fellowship Hall   11:15 am