Sunday Sneak Peek – August 20, 2023 – St. John's United Church of Christ

Join us for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost at 915am (in-person only)

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The Golden Rule

Thank you for worshiping 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: Cookie Lehtinen
Choir: YOU!

Ringing of the Church Bell

Announcements

Greeting

Rev Scott: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Call to Worship

Cookie: Where do we find you, O God, and how do we follow? Find me at your table.

All: We’ll share your food.

Cookie: Find me in your resources.

All: We’ll share our riches.

Cookie: Find me in your power.

All: We’ll share your mercy.

Cookie: Find me in your pain.

All: We’ll share your forgiveness.

Cookie: Find me in your generosity.

All: We’ll share everything, and expect nothing in return.

Opening Hymn: “Take My Life, and Let It Be” (The Hymnal #253)

Cookie: O Holy God, you are deep within our world, calling us to join in creating abundant life for all. Open our hearts to recognize you. Free us to trust your call and follow. Enable us to repent and forgive, and join in your work to make “all things new.”

All: In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

Prayer of Invocation

All: In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

Prayer of Confession

Rev Scott: O Holy God, your call is deceptively simple: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you,” and yet we cling to our self-serving ways which separate us from your beloved creation. You call us to turn our lives around, to risk repentance and learn forgiveness, to work with patience and diligence to prepare the way for your Reign, but we get discouraged and give up too soon.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Rev Scott: You call us to be full of joyful confidence to create community where all have enough for abundant life, but we burden ourselves with anxiety and fear.

All: Christ have mercy.

Rev Scott: You call us to speak out in the presence of injustice, but too often we do not challenge words and actions rooted in hate.

All: God, have mercy.

Rev Scott: I invite you to quietly reflect on our need for grace.

–Time of Silent Confession-

Assurance of Grace

Rev Scott: Our God is good, and generous, and loving: Trust in Jesus’ promise: “Give, and it will be given to you, a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” The Lord’s grace be with you. AMEN.

Scripture Readings

1 John 3:16-24 and Luke 6:27-38

Pastoral Meditation: “Shaken and Stirred”

Hymn of Response: “Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant?” (New Century Hymnal #204)

Prayers and Concerns

Joys – Concerns – Blessings

Please share any special concerns, joys, and blessings.

Silent Prayer – Leader’s 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: When we give our tithes and offerings, we are witnesses to the transforming love of God in Christ. I invite you to give as generously as you have received.

*Hymn: “Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow” (The Hymnal #551)

*Prayer of Dedication

All: Accept these gifts we humbly pray, O God. Let them give you honor and glory as we serve the needs of your people. And let the called and redeemed of God say, AMEN.

Closing and Blessing

*Closing Hymn: “Here I Am, Lord” (Insert)

Benediction and Blessing

Ringing of the Church Bell

Upcoming Events & Announcements

Wednesdays – Bongards Farmers Market – 3pm to 6pm
Aug 27th – Worship at Stiftungsfest – 9am – Under the Big Tent
Aug 28th – Faith & Service Team Meeting – 6pm via ZOOM
Sept 1st – Worship Surveys due – drop box in Narthex
Sept 10th – Worship & Gather Team Meeting – Following Worship – Meet in the Sanctuary
Sept 11th – Women’s Guild Gathering – 6pm – Fellowship Hall
Sept 17th – Consistory Team Meeting following worship – Fellowship Hall
Sept 24th – Coffee and Fellowship following worship – Host needed

Be a part of our community’s history. It is a long-standing tradition for local churches to host a Sunday worship service at Stiftungsfest. This year, the selected churches are Church of Peace, All Saints Lutheran and our very own St. John’s UCC. Join us next Sunday, 9am at 21 E Main Street – NYA.

Worship Survey. The Worship and Gather team created a survey to get input about St. John’s worship experience, both in-person and online. Please take some time to complete a survey. Thanks in advance for your feedback. Forms and the drop box for completed surveys are both located in the Narthex.

Fruit of the Spirit. August focuses on local school. This month, Central Public Schools and Cologne Academy will benefit from the donations. A special collection vessel is at the entrance to the sanctuary.

God uses everyone’s talents. Check out this month’s Team Up flier for ways to share your time and talents to inspire and uplift our community.

Live Streaming. We want to train others on live-streaming and recording services. If you can make a post on Facebook from your computer, you can do this. 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 Facebook Page, St. John’s UCC of Bongards. Worship will also be live-streamed on Facebook, when available.

Bongards Buzz: Submit items for the newsletter by the 1^st of each month to Michelle Bachmann or sjuccbongards@gmail.com. Catch up online with the Buzz here.

For Pastoral Care. Please contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or email pastorsjuccbongards@gmail.com.

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