Sunday Sneak Peek – September 17, 2023

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

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS FACEBOOK TO WORSHIP ONLINE

Lesson of the Week

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: Karen Oto
• 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

Karen: Creator God, maker and provider of all. 

All: We come before you with parched hearts for living in this world has made them so. 

Karen: O God, your ability to renew and restore us is unmatched. 

All: You renew and restore us from within and without. 

Karen: Eternal God, you held us in the beginning and you are holding us now. 

All: We reach out to you and draw you as close as we can. 

Opening Hymn: “Jesus Calls Us: O’er the Tumult” 

Prayer of Invocation 

Karen: O God, we are thankful for the renewal and restoration that can be found in you. Your presence is welcomed here. We delight in knowing that you want to be wherever we are. You give us the strength, courage, and self-control to live faithfully in You. Because you are love, you show up for us. 

All: Infuse us with your Spirit. Give us the self-control to live faithfully as your witnesses. AMEN. 

Prayer of Confession 

Rev Scott: Steadfast God, we acknowledge that repentance opens the door to forgiveness and transformation. Source of Grace, we confess that sometimes when we are tempted, we don’t have the strength to resist and test You. Sometimes when we could do good, we don’t because it is too hard. These are the times that we need your grace the most. Instead of giving up on us, you transform us as we open ourselves to you. For grace abounds as needed, when needed, we give you thanks. I invite you to quietly reflect on our need for forgiveness and grace.

–Time of Silent Confession-

Assurance of Grace 

Rev Scott: God made us and what God has made is good. God’s grace allows us to overcome our shortcomings. Live by the Spirit. Keep step with the Spirit. The Spirit leads and guides us in all truth. AMEN. 

Scripture Readings

Romans 7:21-25 and Matthew 4:1-11

Pastoral Meditation: “Spirit Control”

Hymn of Response: “O Spirit of the Living God” (The Hymnal #190)

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: God gives good things to us, so let us give good things to God. Let us bring gifts that can be like rain in dry places. May these resources be used to testify to the goodness of God.

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

*Prayer of Dedication

All: O God, receive your gifts from the open hearts from which we give them. Thank you for blessing us with gifts to share, so that good works can thrive and abound. We offer our gifts gladly. May they be used to meet the needs of our church and our world. AMEN. 

Closing and Blessing

*Closing Hymn: “He Leadeth Me” (The Hymnal #466)

Benediction and Blessing

Ringing of the Church Bell

Upcoming Events & Announcements

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

• TODAY – Consistory Team Meeting – following worship – meet in Fellowship Hall

• Sept 24th – Southern Valley Alliance presentation during worship

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

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

• Oct. 15th – Community Fellowship and Painting – 1pm

• Oct. 29th – Service of Remembrance – 915am

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.  

Fellowship and Painting. Registration is required for this event.  Cost is $25. If you need help with online registration, contact Michelle.

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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