Join us this Sunday for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (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: Chris Wing
- Communion Assistant: David Henschen
Ringing of the Church Bell
Announcements
Gathering
Call to Worship
(Inspired by Psalm 112)
Chris: Praise the Holy One! Be in awe of God!
All: Blessed are those who delight in the Holy One’s presence!
Chris: Fear no evil. Keep your heart firm. Be secure in God!
All: Blessed are those who delight in the Holy One’s protection!
Chris: Arise for what is right. Be pursuers of righteousness.
All: Blessed are those who delight in the Holy One’s power!
*Opening Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” (The Hymnal #1)
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)
Prayer of Invocation
Chris: Holy God, we gather as a community to worship you in spirit and in truth. May we resist empty actions. Let our rituals and routines hold meaning and connect us to you. May we seek an encounter with You to receive your revelation and be transformed, healed, and renewed.
All: Let it be so, AMEN.
Prayer of Confession
Rev Scott: Righteous One, it is not easy to follow your path. Your way requires sacrifice and intention which resists cultural norms and societal pressures and calls us to abandon our need for control and to function from our own power. Sometimes, we add complexity in order to assure ourselves it is not possible to be faithful. Yet Your way is simple
All: Soften our hearts and encourage us to return to the journey with you.
–Time of Silent Confession-
Assurance of Grace
Rev Scott: God, who is faithful, can redeem our detours and misdirections on the journey for our good and the good of others. God’s invitation to covenantal life has no expiration date, and the Holy One receives us with joy and grace when we taken even a step toward the kingdom.
Scripture Reading
Isaiah 58:1-12 and Matthew 5:13-20
Message for Young and Young at Heart: “Prayer of Invocation”
Pastoral Meditation: “You Are the Salt and the Light”
Hymn of Response: “You Are Salt of the Earth, O People” (New Century Hymnal #181)
Communion
Prayers and Concerns
Joys – Concerns – Blessings
Please share any special concerns, joys, and blessings.
Silent Prayer – Pastoral Prayer – Lord’s Prayer
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.
Collection and Presentation of the Offering
Invitation to the Offering
Rev Scott: The generous life imagines the possibilities of the kingdom of God realized through the sharing of our gifts. Generosity glorifies God and connects us as neighbors. When we give our time, talent, and treasure, we declare our trust in the abundance of God’s continuing creative acts and participate in the realization of the kingdom on earth.
*Hymn: “Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow” (The Hymnal #551)
*Prayer of Dedication
All: God of Heaven and Earth, receive our gifts as a deposit of trust in your faithfulness and a seed of hope for the flourishing of your kingdom.
Closing and Blessing
*Closing Hymn: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” (The Hymnal #272)
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 – Faith & Service Review Meeting – following worship
- Feb. 7th – Consistory Team Meeting – 6pm via ZOOM
- 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 for His House Foundation, helping Carver County homeless, raised $197. Look for the special collection basket at the rear of the sanctuary. February will focus on literacy, to create a lending library at the Bongards Farmers Market.
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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