Join us for worship at 915am (in-person and Facebook livestream)
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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
- Choir: YOU!
Ringing of the Church Bell
Announcements
Greeting
Rev Scott: Jesus says “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Call to Worship
One: Give thanks to the Holy One!
All: The God of our Ancestors is with us!
One: give thanks to the Holy One!
All: We call upon the name of God, and our God responds!
One: Give thanks to the Holy One!
All: The steadfast and faithful love of God lasts forever!
Opening Hymn: “I Love to Tell the Story” (The Hymnal #467)
Prayer of Invocation
One: Eternal 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 that our witness and ministry may be a testimony to your everlasting love. AMEN.
Prayer of Confession
Rev Scott: Forgiving God, we acknowledge that repentance opens the door to forgiveness and transformation. We turn from our desire for comfort over compassion, easy solutions or challenging resolution, and avoid confrontation. We need your strength, fortitude, and conviction to overcome our fear of less to make room for the gains of new life for ourselves and our neighbors through our generous and sacrificial living.
–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 truth about ourselves, our communities, and our world. Receive the companionship of the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us.
Scripture Readings & Pastoral Meditation
Exodus 3:14-15, Romans 12:9-21 and Matthew 16:21-28
Pastoral Meditation: “Finding Life”
Hymn of Response: “Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant” (New Century Hymnal #539)
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 posed the question, “For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?” When we consider the gifts we give and receive, we remember that God is also the source. Let us give generously of the abundance of our lives so that the world may be better and the Kingdom of Heaven may come nearer.
*Hymn: “Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow” (The Hymnal #551)
*Prayer of Dedication
All: Generous 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 steward of our time, talent, and treasure. AMEN.
Closing and Blessing
*Closing Hymn: “Here I Am Lord” (Insert)
Benediction and Blessing
Ringing of the Church Bell
Upcoming Events & Announcements
- Thursdays – Bible Fellowship – 6pm – Fellowship Hall & Zoom
- TODAY – Fellowship and Painting – 1pm – Fellowship Hall
- Oct. 22nd – Worship & Gather Meeting – following Worship
- Oct. 29th – Service of Remembrance – 915am
- Oct. 29th – Fellowship following the service – Hosted by Cheryl and Michelle Bachmann
- Oct. 30th – Faith and Service Team Meeting – 6pm via Zoom
- Nov. 13th – Women’s Guild Meeting – 6pm – Fellowship Hall
- Nov. 19th – “His By Grace” followed by annual Pie Social – 915am
- Nov. 22nd – UCC Community Thanksgiving Eve Service led by Pastor Scott – 7pm – First Congregational UCC, Glencoe
Fruit of the Spirit. This month, the UCC “Our Church’s Wider Mission” will benefit from the donations. A special collection vessel is at the entrance to the sanctuary.
All Saints Day Service. Sunday, October 29th will be a special service to remember those who have come and gone before us. Please invite your friends and family to join us. Bring a small memento in honor of a loved one, to be placed on the altar for the service. If you have a special poem, reading, or musical suggestion you’d like considered for the service or want to participate, contact Pastor Scott.
God uses everyone’s talents. The October/November Team Up will be available soon.
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 1st 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. General giving and Fruit of the Spirit can both be done electronically.
St. John's United Church of Christ 
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