Sunday Sneak Peek – September 10, 2023

Join us for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost at 915am (in-person or Facebook livestream)

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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: Cindy Henschen
• 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

Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 18)

Cindy: The Lord is my rock, my strength, my deliverer. 

All: My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. 

Cindy: Your right hand has supported me. 

All: Your humbleness has made me great. 

Cindy: The Lord lives.

All: Blessed be my rock. 

Cindy: Exalted be my God of my salvation.

All: We sing praises to thy name.

Opening Hymn: “Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart” (The Hymnal #7)

Prayer of Invocation 

Cindy: Loving God, when we search for you, we find you. When we seek you, we find you seeking us. Your presence among us changes our circumstances and our lives. We honor and worship you as an act of devotion and discipleship. 

All: Infuse us with your Spirit and keep us humble so  that our faithful witness and ministry may be a testimony to your everlasting love. AMEN.  

Prayer of Confession 

Rev Scott: Steadfast God, we acknowledge that repentance opens the door to forgiveness and transformation. Too often we try to force our opinions on others. We feel our own burdens are too heavy and we are heavy handed and seek to control rather than support. We seek to impose our own wills rather than living with love as your humble servants. We need your strength, fortitude, and conviction to overcome our fears to make room for the gains of new life for ourselves and our neighbors with goodness and humility. 

All: The steadfast love of our Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end. 

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

–Time of Silent Confession-

Assurance of Grace 

Rev Scott: God is faithful to forgive and redeem. God will sustain us through the hard work of confronting the truth about ourselves, our communities, and our world. Receive the companionship of the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us in all truth. AMEN.

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 40:9-11, Phillipians 4:4-9 and Matthew 11:28-30

Pastoral Meditation: “Spirit of Gent”

Hymn of Response: “O Come to Me, You Weary” (New Century Hymnal #484)

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: Jesus tells us to take his yoke upon us.  With generosity of spirit we humbly give from the abundance of the bounty you have given us. When we give together our burden becomes easier and our life leads to your light.

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

*Prayer of Dedication

All: Loving God, thank you for the seeding and inspiring generosity in us. May these gifts be a blessing to the ministry of this church. Multiply them and make us fruitful and faithful  with our time, talents, and treasures. AMEN. 

Closing and Blessing

*Closing Hymn: “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” (New Century Hymnal #286)

Benediction and Blessing

Ringing of the Church Bell

Upcoming Events & Announcements

• Wednesdays – Bongards Farmers Market – 3pm to 6pm 

   

• TODAY – 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 – meet in Fellowship Hall

• Sept 24th – Southern Valley Alliance presentation 

• Sept 24th – Coffee and Fellowship – following worship – Hosted by Cookie Lehtinen and Sharon Rusley

• Oct. 1st – World Communion Sunday – 915am

• Oct. 15th – SAVE the Date – Community Fellowship and Painting event – 1pm

Fruit of the Spirit.  September focuses on local community needs.  This month, Southern Valley Alliance 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.  

We’ve partnered with easyTithe so you can use your bank account for a direct ACH, debit card, or a credit card to make a secure one time or reoccurring gift.