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

March 23, 2025

Third Sunday of Lent Year C

1 Corinthians 10: 1-13

" Character resists temptation and maintains purity "

 

Gathering Music:          “Were You There?”                  Shelly Nussbaum        

The Welcome and Announcements:                                      Liturgist: Vicki Nussbaum

(Visitors, Please sign the Friendship folder)

 

The Prelude:           “I Sing The Mighty Power Of God”

The Prelude calls us together.  It is a time of quiet reflection to focus ourselves

in preparation for worshipping God.

     

The Light appears:                                                                                            The Acolytes serve     

The Church Bell rings:

 

*The Call to Praise:                                                                      Liturgist

You who are thirsty:

Come to receive living water.

You who are hungry:

Taste the bread that satisfies.

You who long for connection:

Receive the fellowship of this community, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

You who search for love:

Experience the love of Jesus expressed in music, prayer, community, word and action.

May this time of worship fill and refresh you.

Let us worship God together!

 

*The Hymn of Praise:          “Praise Him! Praise Him!”                       No. 106

 

 

 

*Invocation:                                                                                 Liturgist

 

Holy One, draw us into community and connection. Let us receive you and our companions in worship. Keep us open to the unexpected, so that we may perceive your work in the world, and your work in us. Amen.

 

*Passing the Peace of Christ:                                                        Liturgist

Please pass the peace through our words and through our actions in a world that desperately needs to see the results of following the Prince of Peace.

May the Peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you

                  

* Prayer for Transformation and New Life: (Unison)

 

​​                     Gracious God, sometimes we are disappointed by other people,

 too ready to dismiss or discard them. Help us to see in others what

 you see in them: their growth, the fruits that they offer. Forgive us when we too quickly judge others. Forgive us also, when we doubt

that we can be worthy followers of you. May we be inspired to

 nurture your people and ourselves. Amen.

 

*Words of Grace :                                                                     Rev. Kahler

 

The Scripture Reading:                        Isaiah 55:1-9                                 Liturgist   

                                                                                                           Pew Bible, pg. 635

      

The Choir Anthem:             “Victory Medley”           The Chancel Choir

 

Prayers of the People:

 

 

The Morning Prayer: Spoken and Silent

Our Father in heaven, hallowed 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.

 

The Prayer Response:                                                                                                                                       Chancel Choir                                                    

 

The Sermon Scripture:              1 Corinthians 10: 1-13           Rev. Kahler  

                                                                                     Pew Bible, pg. 997

 

*The Sermon Hymn:   “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”             No.380

 

 Sermon:                                     “Holiness”                  Rev. Kahler

 

The Moment of Offering:                                                            Liturgist

 

Invitation to Generosity:

 

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication: (Unison)

 

Dear God, take these offerings of treasure, and our lives, to use for your purposes in the world. Amen.

 

            The Moment Of Offering:                                        Ushers Serve

 

            The Offertory:              “To God Be The Glory”

 

*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 Commitment:   “Are You Washed In The Blood?”    No. 190

 

*The Benediction:

 

Cut Down: Service Prayers for the Third Sunday in Lent was written by the Rev. Ruth Garwood, a transitional

pastor in the Heartland Conference, a certified facilitator of Sacred Conversations to End Racism, and a certified

 InterPlay leader.

 

*The Moment for Silent Prayers                                                                      Chimes

*The Light is carried forth                                                 Acolytes serve

*The Worship Leaders exit

*The Postlude:                     “Love Lifted Me”

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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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Bob Hildebrand, Bob Noack                                                                                      Door Greeters

Kacie Shaffer, Confirmands                                                                                                  Ushers

Terra Roop                                                                                                               Money Counter

Confirmands                                                                                                                                                                                               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 are presented by Karen Heller in honor of her daughter Shawny Heller’s birthday.

 

Our Operation Help for March will be canned vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, peas, beans, etc. The Food Bank gets green beans and corn from the Community Harvest food bank so those are not needed, but other varieties are much appreciated.

Our observation of Lent continues on Wednesday evenings. A light supper will be provided at 6 p.m., with worship service at 7 p.m. Our theme this year is” Exploring Parables of Jesus in Luke.”  We will also share a series of dialogues “What Do You Think Paul Would Give Up For Lent?’ during Sunday worship. We hope you will join us throughout the season each Wednesday for supper and worship and on Sunday morning for worship.

 

"Be The Light" is the theme for this year's One Great Hour of Sharing offering being received next Sunday, March 30. One Great Hour proceeds are used worldwide to support those affected when disaster strikes as well as long-term, chronic hardships. An envelope was included in the Lenten mailing and will be available next Sunday.

 

We are now able to accept automatic bank withdrawals for your weekly tithes and offerings. Forms may be found in the vestibules for your use and may be given to our treasurer, Stacey Smith. This will allow you to make either a one-time offering or a recurring contribution to be taken directly from either a checking or savings account on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. This eliminates the need to write a check or make a cash offering in person. This is completely optional and may be discontinued at any time. All information is kept completely confidential.  Please see Stacey if you have any questions. Thank you to Stacey for her efforts to set this up for us.

 

We offer our condolences to the family of Norma Shelton, who passed away on Tuesday, March 18th. Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 20th.

 

Looking Ahead

 

 

    Wednesday, March 26: Midweek Lenten Service

Supper 6 p.m.

                            Service “The Dishonest Manager” 7 p.m.

 

    Thursday, March 27: No Choir Practices

 

    Sunday, March30: “One Great Hour of Sharing” offering

                                    Confirmation 11:30 a.m.

 

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

                                                               pastor: arkinpastor59@gmail.com

 

Last week's attendance      55           Offering: $ 3055.00 (Incl. $125 Pastoral   

                                                                                                                                                                                                     Emergency Fund)

 

Needed each week: $4085.87