Join us this Sunday for our “Winter Blues: A Litany for Losses” service (in-person and live stream when available)
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“Fishing for People”
Thank you for worshiping online with us. We are so glad that you are spending part of your day with us!
Order of Service
Worship Service Participants
- Rev. Scott Siefert
- Organist: Penny Rolf
- Liturgist: Jeannette Bachmann
Ringing of the Church Bell
Announcements
Gathering
Call to Worship
Rev Scott: We hope this service provides an opportunity for those who may be grieving, hurting, in pain, lonely, or simply feeling unconnected during this time of long nights, to come together in a time of worship, and to realize that they are not alone. The intensity of the isolation during this time can magnify all our emotions, making painful ones feel even more extreme. People who experience them often feel alienated or even guilty for having such feelings. So, we welcome you. If, during a song or prayer you just want to be quiet, feel free to do so.
Jeannette: O God, we are facing a long dark night. We come bearing burdens. We come with grief and loss.
All: We come seeking a place to set them down; a place where words will be heard and our feelings honored.
Jeannette: O God, we need a safe place where we can come with open hearts and share our tears and express our fears.
All: Be among us this night, O God.
Ken: Let your compassion heal us in this moment.
All: Comfort us. Strengthen us. Care for us. Christ be with us. AMEN.
*Opening Hymn: “Nearer My God to Thee” (The Hymnal #318)
Opening Prayer – Rev Scott
“As Long as There is Love, There Will be Grief” (by Heidi Priebe)
Special Music: “Amazing Grace” (Back of the Hymnal)
Scripture Reading
Isaiah 40:1-5, 28-31 and Matthew 5:1-12
Pastoral Meditation: “Blessed Are Those Who Mourn”
Hymn of Response: “When Peace, Like a River (It is Well with My Soul) (New Century Hymnal #438)
Lighting of the Candles: “A Litany for Losses”
Rev. Scott: During this time of cold short days and long nights, we gather, mindful of the losses that have multiplied this year.
Jeannette: As we look back at it all at once, we are in danger of being overwhelmed. Sickness, illness, accidents, violence, hurricanes, death and so much more. Our aim is to acknowledge this, to mourn this, and to know that in all of this there is the possibility of more light. If we are to be overwhelmed, let it be that we are overwhelmed with the assurance that we are not alone.
Rev Scott: As we light these candles the light is still there. When we feel as if our light is dimmed, we can rely on the Holy Light to continue to shine until we ourselves shine bright once more.
All: We are not alone. We are not alone.
Rev Scott: Before we continue with the Litanies for Loss and the Lighting of the Candles for the Loss of Life, the Loss of Livelihood, the Loss of Liveliness, and the Loss of Love. I invite you to take two minutes for silent meditation. Let this be a time where you can reflect on your own individual losses and losses within the community.
– Time of Silent Meditation –
Rev Scott: Now please join me in a Litany of Losses. There will be a prayer at the end of each which you will be prompted to repeat.
Loss of Life
Rev Scott: We mourn this morning the loss of life. {Light the first candle}
Jeannette: So many of us have lost loved ones. We mourn the loss of those close to us and those whose names we do not know. We mourn those who perished while working to save other lives. We mourn those who died of all causes. We mourn the loss of not always being there for those who were lost and who suffered loss of life. O Lord, comfort your people.
Rev Scott: I invite you to repeat after me: We mourn the loss of life.
All: We mourn the loss of life.
Rev Scott: We honor and remember these beloveds.
All: We honor and remember these beloveds.
Rev Scott: We pray for comfort and peace.
All: We pray for comfort and peace.
Loss of Livelihood
Rev Scott: We mourn this morning the loss of livelihoods. {Light the second candle}
Jeannette: For so many, they have lost their security this year. The security of food, shelter, care for families, and medical care. We mourn the loss of all of those who could not withstand the circumstances. There are losses of business, loss of dreams born of passion and hard work. We mourn those who find
themselves needing to rely on others for help when what they really want to do is to be able to help others.
Rev Scott: I invite you to repeat after me: We mourn the loss of livelihood.
All: We mourn the loss of livelihood.
Rev Scott: We honor and remember the dreams now deferred.
All: We honor and remember the dreams now deferred.
Rev Scott: We pray for sustenance and resilience.
All: We pray for sustenance and resilience. Amen.
Loss of Liveliness
Rev Scott: We mourn this morning the loss of liveliness. {Light the third candle}
Jeannette: For so many, this year has robbed us of our energy, our enthusiasm, and our sense of well-being. We mourn for caregivers and all of those who have emptied themselves in the support of others. Those who are exhausted and needing the sustenance they give to others. We mourn the loss of all who are suffering with anxiety and depression, who are finding it difficult to live each day with fullness or to find hope for tomorrow. We mourn those who find themselves addicted to substances in order to ease the pain that feels unbearable. We mourn those who are experiencing their place of shelter as an abusive place from which they struggle to escape.
Rev Scott: I invite you to repeat after me: We mourn the loss of liveliness.
All: We mourn the loss of liveliness.
Rev Scott: We honor and remember that each person is precious and whole.
All: We honor and remember that each person is precious and whole.
Rev Scott: We pray for recovery and renewed vigor.
All: We pray for recovery and renewed vigor. Amen.
Loss of Love
Rev Scott: We mourn this morning the loss of love. {Light the fourth candle}
Jeannette: Our society’s dilemma, centuries in the making, has created hatred, suffering, oppression, and ill-will. We mourn the loss of those whose lives were lost to brutality and violence. WE mourn the loss of our ability to love one another despite our differences, as beings who deserve to be seen for their inherent beauty and worth. We mourn the pandemic of racism that still plagues the fabric of our communities.
Rev Scott: I invite you to repeat after me. We mourn this loss of love.
All: We mourn this loss of love.
Rev Scott: We honor and remember the work of prophets who proclaim justice.
All: We honor and remember the work of prophets who proclaim justice.
Rev Scott: We pray for compassion and change.
All: We pray for compassion and change. Amen.
Lighting of Candles of Remembrance
Instrumental: “I Need Thee Every Hour” (The Hymnal #469) All are invited to come forward to light candles of remembrance or to remain seated in prayer and reverence.
Lighting of the Christ Candle for More Light
Rev Scott: We light this as a sign of our belief. We believe in the Light that has come and is coming.
{Light the fifth candle}
Jeannette: We pray that we be comforted in our suffering and made whole. This light casts its glow on all the prayers we have prayed. This light resides within us, perhaps dim for a time, but always lit. An ember of the Holy inside us. This light reminds us that we are not alone.
ALL: 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. AMEN.
Closing and Blessing
Closing Hymn: “How Great Thou Art” (Back of The Hymnal)
Closing Prayer. Rev Scott: God of mercy, hear our prayers for ourselves, and for our families and friends who live with the pain of loss and grief. We ask for peace for the past, strength for today, and courage for tomorrow. We ask these things in the name of Christ, who shares our whole lives. We ask for these things in times of sorrow and in times of joy, in times of death and in times of new birth, in times of despair and in times of promise. We thank you God for your everlasting and steadfast love. We thank you that in Jesus you are always with us. Amen.
Benediction and Blessing
Ringing of the Church Bell
Upcoming Events & Announcements
- Wednesdays – Confirmation Class – 6pm – schedule on website
- Thursdays – Bible Fellowship – 6pm – Fellowship Hall and ZOOM
- TODAY – Consistory Team Strategic Planning Meeting – 1030am
- Feb. 19th – Annual Meeting in the Sanctuary following worship
- Feb. 19th – ‘Fat Sunday’ Potluck following the meeting
Fruit of the Spirit. The January Fruit of Spirit offering will go towards His House Foundation, helping Carver County homeless. Look for the special collection basket at the rear of the sanctuary.
Weather Watch Policy. This includes weather forecasts for wind chills below -20 degrees, significant snowfall, or dangerous winter weather conditions. Announcements cancelling services or events will be made via social media, our website, and email.
Many hands make light work! Please consider serving as a Consistory Team Member. We need 3 members in 2023. All talents and skills are welcomed. Contact Michelle Bachmann at 952-361-3033 or Pastor Scott for more details.
Find Food Carver County. Volunteers are needed to pack produce, sort food items, and distribute food into vehicles in NYA the first Friday of the month. This program helps with food insecurity and food rescue to reduce waste. If interested, contact Michelle Bachmann at 952-361-3033 or findfoodcarvercounty.org.
Live Streaming: We want to train others on live-streaming and recording services. Contact Michelle Bachmann if you’re interested.
Looking for a church community? If you have been led to St. John’s looking to be more than a visitor, we welcome you openly and would love an opportunity to chat. Contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or email pastorsjuccbongards@gmail.com.
The Word To Go: Find Sunday morning worship services on our YouTube channel, St. John’s UCC-Bongards. Worship will also be live-streamed on Facebook, when available.
Bongards Buzz: Submit items for the newsletter by the 1st of each month to Michelle Bachmann or sjuccbongards@gmail.com.
For Pastoral Care. Please contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or email pastorsjuccbongards@gmail.com.
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St. John's United Church of Christ 
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