ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Z I O N  U N I T E D  C H U R C H  O F   C H R I S T

Third and Jackson Streets

Decatur, Indiana

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(*)Please stand either in body or in spirit

October 20, 2024

 

Gathering Music:                 “Call It Grace”

The Church Bell Rings:

The Worship Leaders Enter:                  

The Welcome and Announcements:                        Liturgist: Barb Engle

            (Visitors: Please sign the Friendship Folder)

 

Please take a moment and quiet your minds and open your hearts

as we enter this time of worship.

The Prelude:               “Come Christians, Join To Sing”                    

The Light Of Christ Appears:                                                    

Re-Orientation:                                                                           Liturgist

Theme Song:             “Christ Has Broken Down the Wall”     See Insert    

                                                                                                           Vs. 1   

Christ has broken down the wall.

Christ has broken down the wall.

Let us join our hearts as one,

Christ has broken down the wall.

 

*Opening Prayer: (Unison)                                                      Liturgist

 

                                      Creator God, we ask you to come close and remind us

of our belovedness as your children, for we are feeling distant.

Open our eyes to the beauty and pain we all contain, and invite us to “do unto others” in ways that build up your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.  We pray this in the name of Jesus, the Center That Holds, and in the power of the Spirit That Transforms. Amen.

 

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*Theme Song:           “Christ Has Broken Down The Wall”      Vs. 2 & 3

 

We’re accepted as we are.

We’re accepted as we are.

Through God’s power, all is reconciled;

we’re accepted as we are.

 

Cast aside your doubts and fears.

Cast aside your doubts and fears.

Peace and love freely offered here;

cast aside your doubts and fears.

 

* Peace Across the Divide:

 

                            The Peace of Christ be with you.

 

                            And also with you!

 

*Opening Hymn:          “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”              No. 371

 

Proclaiming Really Good News

 

The Jesus Tour Children’s Time:

 

Prayers Of The Populace: (In remembrance, gladness, gratitude & need)

 

Pastoral Prayer:

We pray for a sense of connection,

for ourselves and others.

We pray for a setting aside of ego,

for ourselves and others.

We pray for the spiritual capacity for humility,

for ourselves and others.

We pray for the relief from fear,

for ourselves and others.

 

Holy, Loving, and Egalitarian God…

 

The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father in heaven hollowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

 

Prayer Response:                                                                Chancel Choir 

                                   

Scripture Reading:                     Ephesians 4: 1-6     Pew Bible, Pg. 1018

 

A word of God for all the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

 

 The Word In Music:        “People Need The Lord”    The Chancel Choir

 

 Sermon:        “Listen More, Speak Less: Humility”             Rev. Kahler

 

                RESPONDING WITH ALTERNATIVE NARRATIVES

                                               

The Offering:  (Unison)                                                               Liturgist

       "Praise the Lord our God, and worship at God’s holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy." Jesus, we want to go with you up that mountain to pray. We want to be changed forever through your love. May these gifts and offerings be used to change both our hearts and the hearts of those around us. May we pledge to stay on the mountain with you, working side by side to show others both your glory and your great mercy. May we continue to be always astounded at the greatness of our God. Amen.

 

            The Moment Of Offering:                                        Ushers Serve

 

             The Offertory:         “I’ve Got Peace Like A River”

 

*Doxology:                

  Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
    Praise God, all creatures here below;
    Praise God for all that love has done;
    Creator, Christ, and Spirit One. Amen.

 

*Hymn of Going into the World:   “We’ve A Story To Tell To The     

                                                          Nations”                              No. 296

  

*The Benediction:

                               We will tear down the walls.                        Vs. 4

We will tear down every wall.

God has called us one and all;

Christ has broken down the wall,

Christ has broken down the wall.

 

 *The Moment for Silent Prayers                                                                       Chimes

 

*The Light is carried forth                                                 Acolytes serve

 

*The Worship Leaders exit

 

*The Postlude:                     “Sunshine In My Soul”

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Each of Us                                                                                                       A Minister of Christ

Rev. Allen Kahler                                                                                                               Minister               Barb Engle                                                                                                                   Congregation President  Jan Miller                                                                                                                               Board Secretary

Maggie Bolinger                                                                                                     Office Secretary

Stacey Smith                                                                                                                Church Treasurer Lisa Krueckeberg                                                                                                                                       Financial Secretary

Shelly Nussbaum                                                                          Music Director/Church Organist

Kacie Shaffer                                                                                                                 Custodian

Justin Shaffer                                                                                                                                    Building Manager                           

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Sandy Uhrick, Brenda Strickler                                                                                 Door Greeters

Tim & Maggie Bolinger                                                                                                        Ushers

Scott Heller                                                                                                              Money Counter

Ushers                                                                                                                                                                                                      Acolytes

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We welcome all members, visitors, and guests to our worship service this morning. Visitors: Please sign our Friendship Folder located in each pew.

 

Our altar flowers and bulletins today are presented by Barb Engle in memory of Rex Hinsky.

 

We continue to support the efforts of the Operation Help Food Bank with monthly donations of food and nonperishable items. The products for October will be canned meat and peanut butter. Please place donations in the bins located in the west vestibule and in the dining room.

 

Funds for UNICEF will be collected throughout the month of October. Please give generously as we support disaster relief, education, social justice and abuse issues for children at risk throughout the world. Plastic pumpkins are placed in each of the vestibules for your donation.

 

We are planning a “Trunk or Treat” event for neighborhood children during the city’s Halloween Trick Or Treat time on Thursday, October 31st. Hours are 5:30-7:30 p.m. in our parking lot. We hope you will come and join in the fun as we share treats with the neighborhood kids. You are encouraged to dress in costume, but it is not required.

 

Those interested in further discussion of our current worship series, “Do Unto Others,” are encouraged to meet in the lounge on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited.

 

Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 3rd. Don’t forget to “Fall Back” by setting you clocks back one hour overnight Sunday.

 

September-October small print Upper Room devotionals have been received and are found in the vestibules.

Looking Ahead

 

        Today, October 20: Confirmation Class 11:30 a.m.

 

               Wednesday, October 23: Handbell Choir Practice 6 p.m.

         Chancel Choir Practice, 7 p.m.

 

              Thursday, October 24: Small Group Reflection, 6:30 p.m.

 

        Saturday, October 26: Happy Birthday Rev. Kahler!!

 

        Thursday, October 31: Trunk Or Treat 5:30-7:30 p.m.

 

 

website:  www.zionuccdecatur.org       e-mail: office: office@zionuccdecatur.org

                                                               pastor: arkinpastor59@gmail.com