ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
22 Gettysburg Street Box 538
Arendtsville, Pennsylvania
Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost
November 8, 2020
9:00 a.m.
Welcome to Zion and a special welcome to our visitors in these days of adjusting to a new normal in worship. We are practicing safe distancing and wearing masks during the entire service so that you can feel secure worshiping together. The entire service is printed here so there is no need for hymnals or Bibles. As you have been ushered to your seats at the beginning of worship, you will also be ushered out, one row at a time, to exit the sanctuary. Restrooms are located in the church school building. Please leave by the Gettysburg Street door to the side door on Main Street, turn left at the end of the hall and then turn right to find the restroom. Return through the Gettysburg Street door. Thank you for your understanding and patience in these difficult times.
*Where noted, please stand if able.
Congregational response in bold print.
PRELUDE
TIME OF SHARING
*CALL TO WORSHIP
The time for sleeping is not yet;
now is the time to serve Christ.
In spite of all obstacles,
indeed because of those obstacles,
the hope of Christ needs to be proclaimed.
Let us light our lamps to fill the darkness,
to fill the darkness with hope;
to show the world there is good news in the midst of present turmoil.
* PRAYER OF INVOCATION
We are grateful, God and Savior, for new beginnings,
for second and third chances,
for fresh starts,
for additional challenges,
for the opportunity to leave the past behind
and to move on to a brighter tomorrow.
*GATHERING HYMN “When Peace Like a River”
Printed with permission under license CCLI #1149146
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed his own blood for my soul.
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.
He lives: O the bliss of this glorious thought,
My sin not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Lord, hasten the day when our faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend;
Even so it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.
TIME OF CONFESSION
God does not disappoint those who come in hope,
nor does God turn away those who approach in faith.
Let us make our confession to God in hope and faith.
Christ our God, we need to confess that we are not ready for you.
We need to confess that we are not sure we want you
to come just yet and upset our comfortable life.
We need to confess that we have not kept
the covenant you gave us to serve creation.
We need to confess that we prefer to be asleep
to all the things that matter to you:
justice, peace, compassion, mercy, generosity.
We confess we need your forgiveness.
Awaken us to repentance and inspire us to stay awake until you come.
And now let us confess in silence those fears that keep us from loving as Christ has loved us.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Salvation is nearer to us than when we first became believers;
the night is far gone, the day is near.
Thanks be to God for this magnificent gift of love.
THE GIVING OF OURSELVES AND OUR OFFERINGS
Each one of you must do as you have made up your mind,
not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Offerings can be mailed to Zion United Church of Christ, PO Box 538, Arendtsville, Pennsylvania 17303. Your ongoing support of the church is deeply appreciated in these days.)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
We give, not because we must, and not because of guilt,
and not because of pressure, and not because of a sense of self-importance,
and not to make ourselves feel good,
but we give gladly with joy in our hearts because we love you, Lord.
EPISTLE LESSON FOR THE MORNING
I Thessalonians 4: 13-18
4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.
4:15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died.
4:16 For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.
4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
GOSPEL READING FOR THE MORNING
St. Matthew 25: 1-13
25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
25:2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
25:3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;
25:4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
25:5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept.
25:6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
25:7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps.
25:8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
25:9 But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’
25:10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut.
25:11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
25:12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
25:13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
SILENT PRAYER AND PREPARATION
THE MESSAGE FOR THE MORNING – our worship service is now being live streamed should you wish to hear the Pastor’s sermon
REMEMBRANCE DAY
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.” (A time for silent reflection on sacrifices made on our behalf.)
LITANY FOR OUR DEDICATION TO PEACE
In our remembrance we know silence is not enough to change the world.
Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and life to the full.”
In our remembrance we know silence is not enough to bring peace to the world.
God said, “Behold I make all things new.”
In our remembrance we know silence is not enough
to change the minds of leaders.
Paul wrote, “Let your light shine before people.”
In our remembrance we know silence is not enough
to change the way we do things.
Jesus said, “This is what I command you: love one another.”
In our remembrance we know silence is not enough to convey the truth of war.
Jesus said, “Every tree is known by the fruit it bears.”
In our remembrance we know silence is not enough but Jesus’ words are.
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.”
As is our custom, at this time we will recognize the Zion veterans among us. We ask that all remain standing until all are recognized.
Zion’s Living Veterans Are As Follows:
| Kenneth B. | Jeff D. | Donald H. | Daryl M. | Lyle S. |
| Ben B. | Thomas D. | Loy H. | Gerald P. | Richard S. |
| Matt B. | Gary D. | Logan H. | Robert P. | Ralph S. |
| Purcell B. | Carey E. | Matthew L. | Kenneth S. | Gregory S. |
| Tamara B. | Richard H. | John M. | Michael S. | Harold T. |
| Robert V. |
PASTORAL PRAYER 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, forever. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”
Printed with permission under license CCLI #1149146
Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm has bound the restless wave,
Who bade the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Savior, whose almighty word the winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walked upon the foaming deep, and calm amid its rage did sleep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Holy Spirit, who did brood upon the chaos wild and rude,
And bade its angry tumult cease, and gave, for fierce confusion, peace:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Trinity of love and power, all travelers guard in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect them wheresoe’er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to thee
Glad praise from air and land and sea.
*COMMISSION AND BENEDICTION
May God grant you love in all your relationships;
joy in all your successes,
hope in all your difficulties,
triumph in all your challenges,
and comfort in all your sorrows.
CHIME MEDITATION
(please be seated until dismissed by the usher)
POSTLUDE
The Altar Flowers are presented to the glory of God and in honor of Doug P.’s alma mater, the University of Maryland (red and white), and Dick S.’s alma mater, Gettysburg College (orange and blue).
Greeter, Bulletin Sponsorship & Flower Sponsorship Sign-Up Sheets for 2020 are on the wall in the narthex. v(Bulletin Sponsorship is $15 per Sunday. Please place your remittance designated for Bulletins in the offering basket.)v
Coming Up Next Week:
November 8 In-person Worship Church 9:00 a.m.
Choir Mtg Fellowship Hall After worship
Sunday School Church 10:00 a.m.
November 9 Ladies Breakfast with Apple Bin 9:00 a.m.
White Elephant Sale
November 12 Book Club Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m.
Looking Forward:
November 15 In-person Worship Church 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School Church 10:00 a.m.
November 16 Mens Breakfast Apple Bin 8:00 a.m.
Consistory Mtg Fellowship Hall 7:00 p.m.
November 18 Bible Study Zoom 6:30 p.m.
Happy Birthday to Carolyn W. who celebrates her 89th birthday today! Happy Birthday also to Eddie D. who celebrates his 78th birthday on the 12th!
Cancellation of Worship: Should indoor worship be cancelled due to Covid-19 or inclement weather, an email blast will be sent and a message placed on the church answering machine by 7:30 a.m. The email will have an invitation to Zoom worship at 9:00 a.m.
Pastoral Care: If you would like a visit from George, please contact him and let him know a convenient time.
In-Person Worship: Our first in-person worship service was a great success last week. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue this adventure in our new normal circumstances.
Just a reminder to use only the Gettysburg Street door to enter and to leave the sanctuary. Please have your special prayer requests ready to give the greeter when you enter.
An usher will escort you to an available pew for seating; families who normally socialize are invited to sit together as we maintain social distancing. Masks are required, and if everyone wears their mask for the service it will allow us to sing the hymns. It was good to hear the organ again!
Your orderly dismissal after worship was greatly appreciated as we strive to maintain safe distancing. We continue to trust that if you are not feeling well or have had recent contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 you will choose to live stream the service.
Based on today’s attendance, we will determine if there are too many people to safely worship at one service. If so, we will begin two services, one at 9 a.m. and the other at 11 a.m. On November 15th, you will be given the opportunity to decide which service you would like to attend (up to the limit that is safe) and will be asked to tell one of the ushers, so that we would begin two services of worship on November 22nd.
Another reminder that we will follow the decisions of Upper Adams School District regarding in-person school. If UASD returns to all remote learning due to a rise in the number of covid-19 cases, we will suspend in-person worship and use both YouTube video and live stream (with only essential persons on the sanctuary) to continue to provide opportunities for you to worship.
Thank you for your support and understanding during these times. As we seek to continue in-person worship, we will make changes as needed to maintain your safety and comfort for worship.
Veterans Sunday, November 8th. Today we recognize all those who served or are currently serving in the military, and we thank them for their service.
Book Club: Zion’s readers will meet on Thursday, Nov. 12th, at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall to discuss Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon. We invite you to join us!
The Ladies Breakfast Group: Tomorrow morning, Zion’s ladies will meet at the Apple Bin at 9:00 for breakfast followed by their annual White Elephant Sale. If you have never joined us before, just bring a new or gently used item worth at least $20.00 and wrapped in pretty wrapping paper or even a brown paper bag! Bidding is done in $5.00 increments, and you need to have a hint ready for the item you brought. Come join the fun!
Homewood Auxiliary dues can be given to Angie V. Anyone interested in joining the Homewood Auxiliary, dues are $3/single or $5/couple.
Homewood Christmas Gifts: This year, Homewood is accepting for the residents signed Christmas cards along with UNWRAPPED, UNSCENTED, any brand body lotion and UNWRAPPED cube style tissue boxes. Residents enjoy seasonal winter themed tissue boxes. Cards with blank envelopes and signed with name/church and a brief message are appreciated. Cards and lotion/tissues can be placed in boxes in Church until 12/6. Thank you for helping to brighten the Christmas season for the Homewood residents. Any questions, please contact Angie V.
The Altar Guild is offering your choice of Prestige Red, Whitestar, and Red Glitter (red with white accents) Poinsettias for Christmas. Please use this order form. Cost is $8.50 each. Forms and money (checks preferred made out to Zion UCC Altar Guild) should be placed in the offering basket or given to Joyce or Donna by November 29th. Poinsettias will be delivered to the church for the Christmas Eve service, and drive-by pickup arrangements will be announced.
| Color | Number Ordered | Cost Each | Total |
| Prestige Red | $8.50 | ||
| Whitestar | $8.50 | ||
| Red Glitter | $8.50 | ||
| $ |
In Memory Of
In Honor Of
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