8:15 AM Worship

8:15 AM Bulletin

Gleanings (Monthly Newsletter)

ST. STEPHEN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

249 E. Main St., New Holland, PA 17557

Reign of Christ Sunday

November 22, 2009 – 8:15 A.M.

*Indicates those able may stand

PRELUDE “Austrian Hymn” Haydn

SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS – pass the friendship pad

*CALL TO WORSHIP

One: In our circle of uncertainty and hurry,

All: You, O God, are the fixed point of calm.

One: In our stretched moments of stress and emotion,

All: You, O God, are the secure center of peace.

One: In our well-worn routine of the everyday,

All: You, O God, are the flash of fresh inspiration.

One: In our moments of the ordinary and the earthly,

All: You, O God, are the Spirit that transforms and transcends with the Holy.

*OPENING HYMN “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken” #323 (The Hymnal)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

One: Gracious God, as we think today about Jesus as Christ the King, we confess that we hesitate over his rule in our hearts as King because that suggests turning our understanding of power and authority upside down. We are ashamed to admit that we like a bit of prestige and it even feels good on occasion to lord it over another person. We do it in meetings, at work, in our families and even here - in church.
All: Forgive us, O God, and help us to hear anew Jesus’ words

that whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.
One: We confess our failure to grasp that your reign, O God, is found whenever domination is overcome, whenever justice is experienced, and whenever people are released from prejudice and exploitation.
All: Forgive us, O God, of any involvement in the pursuit of power

which exploits or demeans others.
One: We confess our lack of commitment in seeking to transform systems which leave people powerless. Too often we prefer to leave the difficult tasks to others so

that we can get on with our own safe agendas.

All: Forgive us, O God, when we forget that doing your will

is our greatest priority.
A time of silence to reflect on these words

One: Remind us, O God, that the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to witness to the values of your kingdom in and through all we do and say and that thankfully this power far exceeds any apathy or fear on our part.
All: Renew us with your Spirit, O God, so that our lives testify to the truth

of your kingdom In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

SILENCE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS:

One: The good news is this: our sins are forgiven through “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins .....to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.” Rev 1:5,6
All: Hallelujah! Amen!

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE “The Gloria Patri” #493 (The Hymnal)

PRAYER OF THE DAY

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Prophecy Lesson: Revelation 1:4-8 page #245

Gospel Lesson: John 18:33-37 page #113

*SERMON HYMN “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” #184 (The Hymnal)

SERMON “A Kingdom Not of This World” Rev. David Goode

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER RESPONSE “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord” #501 (The Hymnal)

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERTORY “Our Father, Thou In Heaven Above” Praetorius

*OFFERTORY RESPONSE “Doxology” #551 (The Hymnal)

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

One: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”

All: We offer these gifts to you, O God, in the hope that the rule of Christ

may increasingly be the rule for this nation and for this planet.

One: Equip your church as the means by which the rule of Christ may be known:

All: a rule of justice, a rule of compassion, a rule of acceptance,

a rule of undying love.

One: And equip each one of us to have a hand in establishing that rule, so that

All: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Amen.

*CLOSING HYMN “Jesus Shall Reign” #371 (The Hymnal)

*COMMISSION, BENEDICTION AND THREE FOLD AMEN

*SILENT MEDITATION

*EXTINGUISHING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES

*POSTLUDE “Duke Street” Hatton

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS

Ministers: The Congregation

Pastor: Rev. David Goode

Music Director: Kelly Saylor

Organist: A.J. Young

Greeters: Bill Poole

Acolyte: Molly Ruth

Liturgist: Connie Gehman

Ushers: *William Snyder, Don Singletary

Nursery Volunteers: John and Sharon Sheaffer

Counting Team: Bill and Joyce Snyder

Altar Guild: Betty Ludwig

Office Administrator: Charlene Good

Sexton: Penny Klopp

ANNOUNCEMENTS 11/22/09

ALL WORSHIPERS – Please sign the Friendship Pad today.

WELCOME GUESTS!! We are happy that you are with us.

Our purpose is to share Christ through all our ministries.

Please sign the guest register in the Narthex.

Nursery is offered during our 10:30 worship service

for children of Kindergarten age or younger.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:

All of our homebound members and also prayers for healing for:

Tom Payne Lee Curly H. Scott Poole

Brenda Sollenberger Galina Kochevick John Willwerth

Bob Monger Han Shultz Bob Gehman

Names will be retained on Prayer list for three weeks unless renewed

by the responsible person for the listing.

Thank you for your help in keeping our “prayers” up to date.

ALTAR FLOWERS are in loving memory of my mother, Polly and sister Sandi by Mollie Ruth

Thank You

DEAR MEMBERS OF ST. STEPHEN, I thank all of you for your prayers, cards, and expressions of concern during my cancer treatments of this past spring and summer, and also recently, in conjunction with my November 12th surgery at Ephrata Hospital. I extend special thanks to Rev. David Goode and also to my dear neighbors, Rod and Dottie Stauffer, who have assisted me in more ways than I can remember! Gratefully yours, Sue Luek

WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU for your loving support of our married life together. We had a fantastic wedding on November 7^th and a perfect honeymoon. We are grateful for those who could attend, the numerous cards and thoughtful gifts. Love and Peace, Nan and David.

ST. STEPHEN WAS BLESSED to have good coverage while Rev. Goode was away. Thanks to Rev. Brad Rentzel for preaching and leading worship. Thank you to Connie Gehman & Jean Martin who assisted Brad. Pastoral coverage was provided by: Rev. Jeff Pretz, Rev. Haydn Mclean, Connie Gehman and Rod Stauffer. Thanks for your visits Rod when Pastor Goode was away.

Discipleship (Spiritual Growth)

TABLE TALK – Join the dialogue! You are invited to the Garden Spot Village Chapel on Wed. Dec. 2 & 9 from 7-8:30 pm for Table Talk, a dialogue about issues of importance to Christians today. “Just War/Peace” is the topic for December 2 with Dr. John Lapp and Dr. Bob Spender. On December 9 Dr. Steve Nichols and Dr. Mark Wenger will dialogue about “How We Read Our Bible.” These events are free to the public. More information at 355-6203.

CONSISTORY MEMBERS please accept my apology for not getting the packets out to the mailboxes as promised. I will try to be more careful in the future. J

NEW MEMBER CLASS will be meeting November 22 and 29 from 9:30 am to 10:00 in the pastor’s study. New members will be received on the First Sunday of Advent, November 29^th.

9:15 CLASS SPEAKERS: Today- Joan Groh w/ Hospice, Nov 29 - Bob Piper on “Our Christian Purpose, Our Christian Inheritance” Dec 6 - Dale Moffet, Dec 13 - Ron Bensinger. Dec20 - Bob Piper on “Jesus’ Birth: 10/05 B.C. or 12/01 A.D.?”

CALLED TO CARE COMMITTEE – This committee has become inactive over the last year or two. Consistory has received a request to consider getting one going again. Please talk to Connie Gehman or Jean Martin on your ideas about reactivating a Called to Care Committee to provide transportation to appointments, meals, etc. for those in need.

Evangelism (Outreach into the Community)

AS WE ENTER INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON, BETHANY CHILDREN’S HOME is working with their youth to help them understand the process of giving, receiving and saying thanks. For many of these children the only gifts they receive are those donated by the UCC Churches. We at St. Stephen are once again collecting for the children at Bethany Home. Most of the children are between the ages of 13-18. You will find a wish list on the church bulletin board. These gifts should be unwrapped and here by December 13. Call Jeri at 733-0668 with questions.

OUR ANNUAL “TREE OF WARMTH” is now in the breezeway waiting for hats, caps, scarves, mittens, gloves and socks. These items will go to needy families. The box for Lancaster County Council of Churches is also in the breezeway for anyone who still has winter jackets and coats to donate. Thanks! The Outreach Committee

NOVEMBER OUTREACH: Auxiliary of UCC Homes needs sponsoring congregations to share Christmas with residents by providing them with “new and unwrapped” gifts of love. Money donations will be used to purchase gifts. Make checks payable to UCC Homes, and indicate (1) that it’s for a resident gift (2) which facility it is to go. Gift bags, ribbon, wrapping paper and gift tags are also needed. A list of items is on the Bulletin Board. Gifts should be in by Dec. 5.

THANKSGIVING DINNER: The following are needed: plastic grocery bags, homemade cookies, cakes, and pies (not pumpkin), individual cans of soup, snack size packs of crackers, single size applesauce, fruit, or pudding, dinner rolls, and butter. Put items in the kitchen marked "Thanksgiving". Sign up sheets in narthex with a list of how you can help. God is sure to bless you as you reach out to those in need at this time of year. Call Nancy 445-4636 with questions.

BAKE SALE/SUB SALE –The Auxiliary Homes will have a Bake/Sub sale on Fri., Dec. 4^th, from 9am – 4pm and Sat., Dec. 5^th, from 9am – 1pm. We need baked goods, candies, jams & jellies. Donations may be brought to the Manor on Thurs, Dec. 3^rd by noon, W. Cedar St. that morning or call Joan Jacobs at 354-5276. A quilt by Bethany Quilters (Antique bricks – 69” by 106”) is on display and tickets may be purchased for $1 or 6 for $5 from Betty Hillard or Joan Jacobs.

OUR COOKIE SALE BEATS BAKING! Starting today you can support Cross International’s Hunger Relief Project by selling cookie trays during the 12^th Annual Christmas Cookie Sale to Combat World Hunger. Every cookie sold will help feed 2 starving people in Haiti or Jamaica. There are Chocolate Chip, Sugar and Peanut Butter Cookies which are available in attractive $15 gift trays and make excellent gifts. The sale only lasts two weeks! Contact the office with your orders.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

THIS WEEK’S EVENTS…

Today 8:15 am Traditional worship Service

9:15 am Sunday School / Adult Bible Class

9:30 am New Members Class

10:30 am Blended worship Service

4:00 pm “Afternoon of Music”

Monday 6:00 pm Praise Team Practice

6:45 pm Bell Choir Practice

7:45 pm Adult Choir Practice

Tuesday 7:00 pm Bible Study

Wednesday 7:00 pm Community Thanksgiving Service

Thursday OFFICE CLOSED!

11:00 am Community Thanksgiving Dinner

FUTURE EVENTS…

Sunday 11/29 New Members Received

Tuesday 12/01 12:30 pm Bible Study

NEXT SUNDAY, – November 29, 2009

First Sunday of Advent

Sermon: “Looking Forward In Hope”

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Luke 21:25-36

8:15 am Traditional Service

9:15 am Sunday School

10:30 am Blended Worship

OFFERING AND ATTENDANCE FOR November 15, 2009

Attendance: 8:15 - 52 Offering $ 1,132.50

Sunday School 81 $ 42.00

10:30 - 44 $ 1,616.00

Amount received last week: $ 2,790.50

Amount needed weekly: $ 3,273.85

11/16/08 122 $ 4,162.00

Church Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9 A.M. – 1 P.M.

Telephone (717) 354-7871 Fax (717) 355-2565

Church Office Email: ststephenucc@frontiernet.net

Website address: http://www.frontiernet.net/~ststephenucc

Pastor Goode’s cell phone number: 823-1735