St h ’s U ited Church f Christ EIGHTEE TH SU DAY AFTER PE TEC ST

St
h ’s U ited Church f Christ
EIGHTEE TH SU DAY AFTER PE TEC ST
Rev Pau#a $ Gustafs –Past r
The Service& 10&00 a )
ct ber 12, 2014
(/et us be si#e t a d prayerfu# as we prepare urse#ves f r w rship )
Prelude
Sharing of Announcements and Joys & Concerns
*Passing of Peace
*Gathering Words - We gather today to bring God praise and hear God’s word. It is our opportunity to find
strength and courage to face the day and prepare for the week ahead. There are many ways we may
experience God’s presence today. We may know this presence through words, prayers, hymns, offering, our
children, an anthem and through one another’s gifts that we all have received to share. It is a gift that we are
called to worship this day.
*Hymn #593 “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Opening Prayer: There are special times in our lives that lead us to prayer. It may be when we feel far from God or
when we are so joyful, it overflows from us. Today, we pray that Jesus is with us through our challenges. Let us pray
together:
(Together) O God, we look for your forgiveness for all that we have done that is wrong. We ask that in the
midst of our lives, we forget to look to You. We often turn and look away from those who make us
uncomfortable. We try to keep focused on our own self-satisfaction when there are those around us in need.
Prepare us to be your witnesses in our part of the world where all are welcomed. We ask this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Let us continue to pray in the words that Jesus taught us: 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 have sinned 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.
*Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our
Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died,
and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into Heaven, he is seated at the
right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy
catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
The Holy Scripture
Reader: Doty Noyce
Exodus 32:1-14 (page 63 in pew bible) (page 137 in large print bible)
Matthew 22:1-14 (page 699 in pew bible) (page 1534 in large print bible)
Anthem –– “Praise Him, Praise Him!” – arr. Patti Drennan
Children’s Chat
Hymn #606 “Nearer, My God, to You”
Sermon “Who Deserves to Come to the Party?”
Prayers of Intercession
Offering and Offertory
*Offertory Response No. 780
“The Doxology”
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, you heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
* Prayer of Dedication (together)
Praise you, O God of joyful giving. Praise you for all that you have made and given, that we might have
life and have it more abundantly. You did not guard your sovereignty but risked it in covenant with the world.
You did not treasure your own self-sufficiency but emptied yourself in your Son that we might have eternal joy
and peace. Help us now to be more like you and open ourselves to joyful gratitude and extravagant generosity.
And magnify our gifts that they might bring our neighbors and us closer to you. Amen.
*Hymn #55 “Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart”
*Benediction
* Postlude
*All who are able may stand.
Readings for the week of September 28, 2014
Day of the Week
Morning Reading
Afternoon Reading
Mon. 10/13/14
Tues. 10/14/14
Wed. 10/15/14
Thurs. 10/16/14
Fri. 10/17/14
Sat. 10/18/14
Ps. 1, 2, 3
Ps. 4, 7
Micah 7:1-7
7
Ps. 5, 6
Jonah 1:1-17
17
Ps. 119:1-24
24
Jonah 1:17--2:10
Ps. 18:1-20
20
Jonah 3:1-4:11
4:11
Ps. 16, 17
Ecclus. 1:1--10,18-27
Ps: 20, 21:1-7
21:1
Ecclus. 3:17-31
3:17
Acts 26:1-23
Ps. 10, 11
Acts 26:24-27
Ps. 12, 13, 14
Acts 27:9-26
Ps. 18:21-50
Acts 27:27-44
Ps. 22
Acts 28:1-16
Ps. 110:1-5, 116,117
Acts 28:17-31
Evening Reading
Luke 8:26
8:26-39
Luke 8:40
8:40-56
Luke 9:1
9:1-17
Luke 9:18
9:18-27
Luke 9:28
9:28-36
Luke 9:37
9:37-50
THE UTWARD SIG S
Atte da ce – October 05,, 20
2014 – 71
If Jesus tried to feed the 5000 today…
St. John’s United Church of Christ
1050 Buffalo Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837 - (570) 524-7606
7606 or (570) 523
523-0162 Fax: 570-524-0468
Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:300 a.m. Office: Mon.
Mon.-Fri. 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
www.stjohnslewisburg.org
stjohns@dejazzd.com
A QUIET R
$ for adults and one for children are available
wheree the service can be seen and heard.
Ph
ic Ear Heari g U its avai ab e . . . wherever y u sit
LARGE PRINT BULLETINS & BIBLES AVAILABLE . . .
ASK AN USHER
BU//ETI
SP
S R
CHA CE/ F/ WER SP
S R
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAVE !
Fr ) y ur fa)i#y, we # ve y u!
$
day,
ct 13
Tuesday
ct 14
Wed esday,
Thursday
Friday,
ct 15
ct 16
ct 17
12:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
08:30 a.m.
5:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
06:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
5:30 p.m.
6&00 p )
7&00 p )
Lewisburg Garden Club (FH)
Susquehanna Valley Children’s Choral (Ch.rm, Narth, Sanct.)
Soccer (EAST field)
BVS rehearsal (FH)
State Health Clinic (CR)
ALANON (CR)
Soccer (East field)
NORTHWEST PARKING LOT IN USE
Weight Watchers
Soccer (East field)
BE// CH IR REHEARSA/ (SA CT )
CHA CE/ CH IR (CH R$)
09:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
TOPS (CR)
5:30 p.m.
Soccer (East field)
6:00 p.m.
7&00 p ).
H.O.P. Women’s Barbershop (CH.RM)
C
SIST RY
09:00 a.m.
5:30 p.m.
Music is the Balm (FH)
Soccer (East field)
Saturday, ct 18
Su day, ct 19
10&00 a )
11&00 a )
CHI/DRE ’S SABBATH W RSHIP
SU DAY SCH
/
It is a privilege to serve you . . .
Rev. Paula M. Gustafson, Pastor
Rev. James E. Johnson, Pastor Emeritus
Todd R. Hummel, Dir. of Music/Organist
Rita Griffith, Choral & Bell Choir Director
Amy Harris, Nursery
, Greeters
Russ Richard, Sound Technician
Todd Hummel, Administrative Assistant
Angie Donlin, Children’s church
Gaven Renn, Acolyte
Barry Catherman, Video Technician
MISSION STATEMENT OF ST. JOHN’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Remembering that God calls us through Christ to be ministers with each other, St. John’s United Church of Christ, as inspired
and directed by the Holy Spirit seeks:
To be inclusive and accessible to all people,
To provide loving service to all of God’s people through mission and ministry,
To strive for righteousness, justice, and peace.
St. John’s is pleased you have joined with us today. We hope that you have found this time both a blessing and a renewal.
Please sign the attendance board (and include your complete mailing address/telephone number) as it is passed down the pew
and introduce yourself to the person receiving the attendance board. If you are looking for a new church family of faith and
would like to consider St. John’s, please speak with the pastor or the ushers following worship.
Need a ride to church services or events at St. John’s UCC? Arrangements will be made for we want everyone to be able to
attend and participate in events held at the church. Contact Ron Zug at 523-3987.
Hospital Stays – If you are hospitalized, and would like to notify the pastor, it is important that you (or a family member)
inform the church office. Call us at 524-7606.
Name Tags – Please remember to wear your name tags while you are at church. Please keep it on when we have our fellowship
hour. If you don’t have a name tag, let the church office know and we will see that one is made for you.
Opportunities and Concerns – October 12, 2014
This Sunday, October 12, 2014 – EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
10:00 a.m.
Worship Service, Children’s Church, Nursery
11:00 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
3:00 p.m.
LAY MINISTRY TEAM (FH)
Next Sunday, October 19, 2014 – NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
10:00 a.m.
CHILDREN’S SABBATH Worship Service, Nursery
11:00 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Prayer for Healing
Loving God, we commend to your gracious care those who face pain or disease. Give them the special courage that
such a situation requires. May they realize how much their patience and cheerfulness can influence others for good.
Strengthen them when they are weak and low in spirit and help them to see beyond their present pain to a future with
hope. Bless, we pray, all those on our prayer list and each of us with your healing Spirit; through Jesus Christ our
Savior. Amen.
Prayer List – Lucille Barchet, Ann Beasom, Sid & Jean Bowersox, Alverda Brouse, Carrie Brouse, Ruth & Fred
Brouse, Peg Brouse, Marilyn Correll, Leona Fertig, Pearl Fisher, Bill & Lola Fuller, Bob & Lou Goff, Arminta
Gustafson, Betty Hackenberg, Deb Hassenplug, Louise Heistand, Lois & Richard Hummel, Elaine Klingler, Don
Murray, Christine Sartwell, Brenda (Pardoe) Scholl, The Whitebread Family, Ella Wise. Contact the church office
with updates regarding the prayer list.
WELCOME – please extend a warm welcome to our guest organist Judy Blee. Judy is no stranger to St. John’s!
Thanks to Judy for sharing her talents in our worship service today.
CHILDREN’S SABBATH - Sunday, October 19th marks the 23rd annual observance of Children's Sabbath. We will
join hundreds of churches, synagogues, mosques, and other interfaith communities in focusing our worship service on
justice for children. Our pledge will be to give every child a healthy, fair, and safe start in life. This year we have
included a small devotional that you will start reading on Sunday, October 12th to help prepare you for this special
service. The children and families of St John's will lead us through our time of worship. Please join us and invite your
friends and their children to worship with us here at St John's.
TRUNK OR TREAT - St John's annual TRUNK OR TREAT will be held on Sunday, October 26th, 2014 from 45:30 PM. in the East parking lot. Last year we had a great turnout. Bring your car, decorate your trunk, and hand out
candy to the children. We usually have around 60 children or more. This provides a safe place for the children of the
community to enjoy Halloween. There will be games, crafts, and food. We need everyone's help and participation to
make this happen. The safety of our children is the main focus. Of course this is more fun with lots of cars. Donations
of wrapped candy can be brought to the room across from the office. For more information or to help organize this
event please contact Linda Williams @ 524-4039.
50 YEAR MEMBER/OVER 80 CELEBRATION – once again, St. John’s will honor/celebrate 50 year members
and those Saints 80 and older on Sunday, October 26th, 2014. A pot-luck dinner will be held following the worship
service.