June 26, 2016 - Peace United Church of Christ

PRELUDE
11:00
“Movement IV from "Lyric Suite"
Thomas F. Dunhill
Ann Fessenden
WELCOME
OPENING WORDS
Worship Ways
One:
Holy seekers whom God loves,
Come to receive your goodly heritage.
Here among your gathered family
Take refuge in the Divine.
Many:
We come to know the presence of a loving God
We are here to be shown the path of life
Let us bless the One who gives us counsel.
Let us together celebrate the ways of the Holy God.
Amen.
* HYMN NCH #172
"Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult"
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
All:
Come, Holy God
Tune: Galilee
Worship Ways
Offer us your mantle of love and power in this place.
In the shelter of its love let us lay before you
our troubles, our longings, our hopes.
Let its power open us to new ways
through difficulty, struggle and loss
into your Spirit’s realm of joy and peace.
Come, Holy God,
in your presence there is fullness of glory.
Learning Hour at Peace
Church School is on summer break and will
resume in the fall.
*RESPONSE
"We Will Follow"
Tune: Somlandela
Text: Traditional Zulu
Good Questions: TODAY
Information sharing about OWL (Our
Whole Lives, a comprehensive sexuality
curriculum co-created by the UCC and
the Unitarian Universalists. Leading our
discussion will be folks who have
participated in the OWL training to
become facilitators of OWL sessions at
Peace UCC. 9:45a.m. in room 24.
July 3rd— No Class
Sandwich Sunday: TODAY
Sandwich Ministry welcomes all to join
the assembly line in Fellowship Hall
immediately following the first service.
Since 1995, Peace UCC has been making
sandwiches and sack lunches for the
Gateway 180 homeless shelter in St.
Louis.
Ding-A-Lings for a Day: TODAY
Have you ever wanted to try playing
handchimes?? Well here is your chance!
Come learn basic handchime ringing
techniques and play music. Who knows
you might just get hooked and want to
join handchimes this fall. Ding-A-Lings
for a Day will meet in the choir room
from 9:45-10:45 on these Sundays this
summer: June 26th , July 24th, and Aug.
14th. All ages welcome!!
8:30— RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBER
INTRODUCTION AND QUESTIONS
WELCOME AND RECEPTION
One: Let us, the members and friends of Peace United Church of
Christ, express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry.
Many: We welcome you with joy in the common life of this
church. We covenant with you to equip one another for
the work to which we feel called: striving for peace and
justice among all people, protecting and restoring the
integrity of all God's creation, and bringing hope to those
most vulnerable.
8:30— HYMN NCH# 351 “ I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”
Please use a hymnal or see the side bar to the right for lyrics.
A READING FROM THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION
Luke 9:51-62
As the time approached when Jesus was to be taken from this world, he
firmly set his face to the journey into Jerusalem. And he sent messengers
before his face. And having journeyed, they entered into a village of
Samaritans, in order to prepare for him. And the Samaritans did not welcome
Jesus, because his face was journeying into Jerusalem. Yet having seen, the
disciples James and John said, “Rabbi, do you want us to call down fire from
heaven and destroy them?” But having turned to them, Jesus reprimanded
them.
And they journeyed into another village. And as they were journeying on the
road, a fellow traveler said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you may
go.” And Jesus replied, “The foxes have holes and birds of the heaven have
nests, but the Chosen One has nowhere to rest.
Yet he said to another traveler, “Follow me.” But this traveler said, “Let me
bury my father first.” Jesus replied, “Let the dead bury their own dead; you
go and proclaim the reign of God everywhere.”
Yet another traveler said, “I will follow you, Rabbi; but first permit me to say
goodbye to my people at home.” Jesus said answered “Whoever puts a hand
to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God.”
One:
For the marvelous blend of fact, myth, poetry, and story that is in
scripture, we give thanks.
Many: May the Spirit open us to the wisdom we most need to hear.
CHILDREN’S STORY
Following the story, young children are encouraged to remain in worship or
they may go to the nursery (birth-3) or to Shepherds (11a.m.: ages 4-6), in
Room 21—upper level.
SPECIAL MUSIC
8:30
"Gentle Hearts"
Dennis Alexander
Grace Morris
11:00
"Song Without Words"
Ann Fessenden
SERMON
*HYMN NCH #391
E. Weissenborn
arr. H. Voxman
Rev. Wendy Bruner
"The Summons"
Tune: Kelvingrove
“I Was There To Hear
Your Borning Cry”
John Ylvisaker, 1985
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a
child,
with a faith to suit you well;
I’ll be there in case you wander off
and find where demons dwell.
When you found the wonder of the
Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living
God,
to whom you now belong.
Should you find someone to share
your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses
rhyme
from dusk 'till rising sun.
In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,
I'll be there to guide you through the
night, complete what I've begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise.
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
In Our Prayers…
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Believing that each joy and/or concern expressed is indeed a prayer, after each
expression, the worship leader will say: Loving God. And the people may respond:
Hear our prayer.
PASTORAL PRAYER
PRAYER
Bret Helsa
Gracious Spirit,
who loves us like a mother.
Whose realm is blooming among us now. And within.
We pray that your compassion guide us in every action.
Give us what we need for each day,
and help us to be satisfied with the miracle of that alone.
Forgiver, whose embrace brings us to wholeness without our asking,
may we reconcile ourselves to one another in humility.
And may we cancel the crushing debts that imprison our neighbors
so that communities of joy and health may flourish.
May we neither profit from nor ignore evil.
But ever work to thwart it with nonviolence
as we co-create the realm of peace in this world.
Now and each day. Amen.
CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION 8:30AM
4th of July Parade
The Webster Groves Community Days
Fourth of July parade passes by the
church as it makes its way down
Lockwood Ave. Peace folks are
encouraged to gather on the church
lawn to watch the parade together and
greet folks who have also chosen our
grassy lawn for their parade viewing.
The Servant Team will pass out
lemonade and church flyers, and the
church restrooms will be available for all
to use. The parade begins at 10a.m.,
though the streets begin to close at
8:45a.m. Please join us, all are welcome!
INVITATION
AND
REMEMBRANCE
based on our Theological Assumptions
Minister:
Come, Holy Spirit, and move among these elements
assembled at this Table.
Many:
Through this sacrament, transform our hurt into
healing, our fear into faith, and death into life.
Minister:
As the grain, sown in hills and valleys, is harvested,
and now becomes one in the loaf,
Many:
so we, scattered, diverse, separated and isolated from
one another, hear your invitation to become one body
around this Table, the center of our life together.
Liturgist:
As this juice, grown in vineyards under the sun, fills the cup,
may we be filled and refreshed by this meal,
Many:
and strengthened to respond to your call
to reach out in compassion to all living things.
Minister:
Many:
In sharing this meal we remember.
Minister:
He took the bread and, giving thanks, blessed it and broke it
and shared it with his friends as a symbol of his sacrifice.
Many:
As we share the bread today, we eat it as those who
seek to follow Jesus.
Liturgist:
After the meal, Jesus took the cup. Giving thanks, he shared it
with his friends, symbolizing a new relationship with God, a
relationship of partnership founded on grace.
Many:
As we share the cup, we seek to experience that
grace in which Jesus lived fully.
We remember meals Jesus shared
with friends and enemies, outcasts and
marginalized, fearful and earnest.
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Bless this bread and bless this fruit of the vine.
Bless all of us in our eating and drinking
that our eyes might be opened,
that we might recognize the risen Christ
in our midst, indeed, in one another.
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
All:
The Congregation is invited to come forward by the center aisle, partake of the bread
and juice, (gluten free bread and chalice available) and light a candle in prayer, and
place an offering in the plates beside the table. You may also give electronically from
the pews by scanning the QR code on the right. Catch the eye of a table host if you
would prefer to be served at your seat.
CELEBRATION OF GIVING 11:00AM
We are invited to share our tithes and gifts to support
the work of this community in the service to God.
RESPONSE
"Peace Be With You"
Christopher Grundy
Please remain seated
Mission Moment for June:
Strengthen The Church
Strengthen The Church (STC) is a special
mission offering to reimagine and build
the future of the UCC. Shared at the
conference and national levels, STC
largely supports youth ministries and
full-time leaders for new churches in
parts of the country where the UCC
voice has not been heard.
As God calls our congregations to be the
"church" in new ways, your generosity
will plant new churches, awaken new
ideas in existing churches and develop
the spiritual life in our youth and young
adults. STC funds will also be used
to award grants to help congregations
communicate the "God is still speaking,"
message. To give, use the STC special
giving envelopes located in the pew racks
and under the chairs. You may also mark
your check made payable to Peace UCC
with “STC” in the memo line. To give
electronically, simply scan the QR code
printed below and chose the option
“mission moment”.
Pastoral Support Circle
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Worship Ways
Many:
Gracious God, we give these gifts because you ask us to
share. We dedicate this offering and our lives to your
service, that those who are hungry may be fed, those
without power be healed, and the stranger welcomed in
our midst. We offer this prayer in the name of the bearer
of your good news, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
A MOMENT FOR FREEDOM
HOW WILL WE DO GOD’S WORK IN THE WORLD THIS WEEK?
As described in the UCC Manual on
Ministry, the Pastoral Support
Circle is meant to be a conduit
between the congregation and the pastor,
with communication flowing in both
directions. Peace UCC is getting to
know our Pastor, as she gets acquainted
with us. The Search Committee, along
with Pastor Wendy, has formed a
support circle, consisting of David
Faulkner, Susan Ulmer, Joe Kelly and
Mickey Clarke. They will meet with
Pastor Wendy early in July. If you have
any thoughts, ideas, or concerns to
express, please contact one of the
Circle.
Scan and Give
Supporting the work of this church has
never been easier. Just scan the QR code
with your smartphone and you can make
a donation to Peace UCC or to our
Mission Moment of the Month. For the
month of June, we are
supporting Strengthen the
Church, a special offering
of the United Church of
Christ.
*HYMN
"You are Mine”
Tune: You are Mine
Text: David Haas
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE
Bulletin recycling: Though we invite you to take your bulletin home to review the prayers and
opportunities throughout the week, if you choose to leave your bulletin after the 8:30a.m.
service, place it in the basket and we will use it again. Bulletins placed in the basket after the
11:00a.m. service will be recycled.
Notes: Sources for words, images, and music are noted where available. Permission to reprint
music and words from sources other than The New Century Hymnal is granted under
OneLicense.net, license no. A-704973, and/or LicenSing.org.
Peace Groups—opportunities for Fellowship, Learning and Service
Men's Breakfast— We meet at 8:00 a.m. on the 2nd
Thursday of the month at the Steak and Shake at Elm and Watson Road.
Job Jar — We meet at the church on the first and third Mondays of the month. Join
us at 9:15 a.m. for coffee, fellowship, and a few chores around the church. Please note
that the Job Jar will not meet on Monday, July 4.
Witnessing Whiteness — Witnessing Whiteness: We're excited we are beginning this
work together. Our continuing sessions are: Sundays, 1-3p.m.
6/26, 7/10, 7/24, 8/14, 8/28. Thanks to all of those who have signed-up, this session is now
full!
The Peace UCC Quilters will meet from 9 - 11 a.m. on the morning of Thursday,
July 14 in Room 23 at church. We will be working on prayer quilts. Anyone who
enjoys easy hand sewing and great fellowship is most welcome to join us! For more
information, contact Gail Saxton at saxton.gail@gmail.com
Summer Multigenerational Choir
Calling all adults, youth, and children come one come all!! Summer choir is for all
ages! Invite a new friend to come sing with us. We meet in the sanctuary at 10:15,
rehearse our anthem, and then sing during the 11:00 service. Summer Choir will sing
on these Sundays this summer: July 17th and Aug. 7th. Hope you will join us!!
“If You Knew Me, You’d Love Me”
Ripple Effect Concert at Peace UCC— July 16, 7:30p.m.
Peace UCC will host this free concert featuring, "The Ripple Effect- A Vocal
Visionary Project" from South Bend, Indiana. Not just a group of singers in a choir,
The Ripple Effect is a collective truth-speaking voice in the community, by way of the
enormous power of music. Please join us for a moving evening of music and
community. All are welcome! A free-will offering will be received.
*Hosts are needed to provide lodging for choir members. Please let Pastor Wendy or the church office
know if you can serve as a host July 15-16.
Freedom School
Freedom Schools began as a part of a nationwide effort during the Civil Rights
Movement to organize African Americans to achieve social, political and economic
equality in the United States. The most prominent example of Freedom Schools was in
Mississippi during the summer of 1964. Today, Freedom Schools, as developed by the
Children's Defense Fund (CDF), are continuing to address the educational inequities in
our world.
Peace UCC has been encouraged by the Deaconess Foundation to apply to become a
Freedom School site for the summer of 2017. In July, at our Congregational
Meeting, Peace will vote on this opportunity. In preparation for that meeting, we
ask that you familiarize yourself with the CDF’s Freedom School program and hosting
requirements. While we welcome your questions and discussion at that meeting, we will
not be offering an explanation of the program. If you are in need of additional
information, please take advantage of these offerings in advance:




To understand the historical significance of Freedom Schools, check out the PBS
documentary “Freedom Summer”. You can watch online for free by visiting:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/freedomsummer/player/
For more information about the current Freedom School program, as offered by
the Children’s Defense Fund, please visit:
http://www.childrensdefense.org/programs/freedomschools/
Pick up the one page Freedom Schools Information Sheet available in the church
narthex. (This document is also linked in our weekly e-newsletter “News and
Notes”.)
Speak with Pastor Wendy, Kelly Archer, or anyone whose name is listed on the
sign-up easel in the narthex. If you would like to sign-up for a Freedom School Circle, feel
free to add your name too!
THIS WEEK AT PEACE UCC
SUNDAY, JUNE 26 TODAY
8:30a.m.
Worship Service
9:30a..m. Sandwich Sunday
9:45a.m. Coffee Fellowship
9:45a.m. Good Questions
9:45a.m. Ding-a-lings for a Day
11:00a.m. Worship Service
1:00p.m. Witnessing Whiteness
2:00p.m. Korean Drumming Group
5:00p.m. Woodcarvers
7:00p.m. Narcotics Anonymous
MONDAY, JUNE 27
10:30a.m. Room 20– Clarence Heller
6:30p.m. Sts C&F Faith Sharing
TUESDAY, JUNE 28
8:30a.m. Walking Group
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29
1:30p.m. Peace Staff Meeting
2:00p.m. Noteworthy Music School
for Strings– Paul Huppert
THURSDAY, JUNE 30
8:30a.m. Walking Group
7:00p.m. St. Louis Equality Dancers
FRIDAY, JULY 1
7:00a.m. Contemplative Prayer–
Sts C&F
SATURDAY, JULY 2
8:30a.m. Tai Chi in the narthex
10:30a.m. Narcotics Anonymous
3:00p.m. Sts. C&F in the Fireside Rm
5:00p.m. Sts. Clare and Francis Mass
For a complete calendar visit:
www.peaceuccstl.org
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