ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
315 North 3rd St.
Decatur, Indiana – 260-724-3502
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
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
April 28, 2024
Gathering Music: “" Shelly Nussbaum
The Church Bell Rings:
The Worship Leaders Enter:
The Welcome and Announcements: Liturgist: Jeanne Reidenbach
(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: “”
The Light Of Christ Appears:
The Invitation To Worship:
*The Call to Worship: Liturgist
Christ says: I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. What do you say?
Christ is the vine, we are the branches. Shelter us!
Christ says: You have been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.
Christ is the vine, we are the branches. Prune us!
Christ says: Abide in me as I abide in you.
Christ is the vine, we are the branches. Sustain us!
Christ says: Apart from me you can do nothing.
Christ is the vine, we are the branches. Save us!
Christ says: Ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Christ is the vine, we are the branches. Alleluia! Amen.
*The Hymn of Praise: "Take My Life And Let It Be" No.379
*The Invocation (In Unison): Liturgist
God of city dwellers and of country people, God of developing nations and of industrial powers, God of laborers and of administrators, your people speak many languages and experience you in many ways. Open our hearts and minds to the truth that others can tell us about you. Help us to hear today all the ways you reach out to us, and to discern your will for our lives. Amen.
The Scripture Reading Psalm 22: 25-31 Liturgist Pew Bible Pg. 475
*The Gloria Patri: No. 623
*The Affirmation of Faith: Liturgist
Christ is the exact likeness of God, who can’t be seen, the first, born over all creation; all things were created in him, in heaven and on earth, everything that can be seen and can’t be seen, including kings, powers, rulers and authorities, all things have been created through Christ and for Christ.
Christ is before all things and in Christ everything holds together.
Christ is the head of the body, the church.
Christ is the beginning, the first to be raised from the dead, so that he would be far above everything.
For in Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Christ all things are reconciled to God, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace through Christ’s blood, by his death on the cross.
The Special Music: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
“Spring Ring” Heavenly Ringers
Prayers Of The People: (In remembrance, gladness, gratitude & need)
Time With The Children:
The Invitation To Prayer:
Leader: The Lord is with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray.
The Pastoral Prayer:
The Prayer Response : “Let The Words Of My Mouth”
Let the words of my mouth
And the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
*The Sermon Hymn: "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus" No. 376
The Scripture Reading: John 15: 1-8 Rev. Kahler
Pew Bible Pg. 939
The Sermon: "Much Fruit" Rev. Kahler
Consecration of Gifts and Givers (Unison) : Liturgist
We praise God by sharing the abundant fruit of God’s love with our sisters and brothers throughout the world, so that every empty bowl may be filled with enough rice, every empty plate covered with enough tortillas, every empty stomach satisfied with enough taro. Let us live in God’s love so that our joy may be complete. Amen.
The Moment of Offering: Ushers serve
The Offertory Music: ""
*The Doxology and Presentation of Our Gifts: No. 625
*The Hymn of Commitment: "To God Be The Glory" No. 66
* The Benediction:
*The Song of Departing Friends: "God Will Take Care Of You"
Be not dismayed what-e’er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
God will take care of you, Thro’ everyday, o’er all the way;
God will take care of you, God will take care of you.
*The Moment for Silent Prayers Chimes
*The Light is carried forth Acolytes serve
*The Worship Leaders exit
*The Postlude: ""
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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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Neil & Sue Keller, Russ Augsburger Door Greeters
Scott Heller, Brenda Strickler Ushers
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.
Altar flowers are presented today by Bruce and Jeanne Reidenbach in honor of Loved Ones. Bulletins are presented in honor of their 53rd wedding anniversary.
Our Operation Help products for April are toilet paper, paper products, shampoo, and conditioner.The Food Bank serves a growing number of local families and help is vital to keeping up each month. Collection bins are in the dining room and the west vestibule.
The Decatur Ministerial Association will join in a National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2nd. A community-wide service is planned on the Adams County Court House lawn at 11 a.m.
The Spring Meeting of the Northeast Association of the Indiana-Kentucky Conference will be held at Marion Temple UCC today at 2 p.m.. Our delegates are Bruce and Jeanne Reidenbach.
The “Big Reveal” of the SPIRIT Pal program will be next Sunday, May 5th. Pizza will be served at 5 p.m., followed by the revealing of the secret pals to the young people. Please see Jan Miller if you have any questions.
The Search Committee is asking for at least 7 persons willing to join a Prayer Team to pray for the church and for the search committee as we continue the process of calling a new pastor. Please see Maggie Bolinger if you are willing to offer prayer one day a week. We still need 5 persons to volunteer.
Looking Ahead
Today, April 28: Northeast Association Spring Meeting
Marion Temple UCC, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 1: Bell Choir Practice 6 p.m.
Chancel Choir Practice 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 2: National Day of Prayer 11 a.m.
Sunday, May 5: SPIRIT Pals Pizza Party 5 p.m.
website: www.zionuccdecatur.org e-mail: office:office@zionuccdecatur.org
pastor: arkinpastor59@gmail.com
Last week's attendance: 50 Offering: $ 1355.00 (Incl. $100 OGHS)
Needed each week: $3911.15