OctOber 4th 2020

eighteenth Sunday after PentecOSt

Gathered to Share God’S Love leader

Please silence your cell phones, but please check-in with our Church App and via social media.

For Parents and Children Join us for virtual Sunday School! fccmoline.org/virtual-Sunday-School

Contact Becca@fccmoline.org for other children and youth events!

FCC Live Sunday worship is live streamed on Facebook Live and YouTube Live! Search for FCCMoline to connect with us, click like and subscribe to stay up to date!

Interested in Membership?Contact Pastor Michael, call (309)-762-0787 or email michael@fccmoline.org.

Open and Affirming: fccmoline.org/ona We are an ONA church, covenanting with all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender expression or identity. All people are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church, including the rites, sacraments, and leadership of the congregation.

Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury, pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seekto be consoled as to console,to be understood as to understand,to be loved as to love.For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.Amen.

Welcome Today from the life of the church

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Gathering of God’s PeoplePrelude

Greeting and Welcome

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.

And also with you.

*Call To Worship

Wonderful are all works of God. Blessed be the name of our God.

Now and for ever. Amen

*Opening Prayer

O God, you have done all things wisely; in your goodness you have made us in your image and given us care over other living things. Reach out with your right hand and grant that these animals may serve our needs and that your bounty in the resources of this life may move us to seek more confidently the goal of eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Savior

May God, who created the animals of this earth as a help to us, continue to protect and sustain us with the grace God’s blessing brings, now and for ever. Amen.

*Opening Hymn All Creatures of Our God and King (Music on the next page)

* Indicates when to stand in body or spirit

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All Creatures of Our God and King

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*Passing the Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.And also with you.

*Song of Praise Alleluia

Repeat

Children’s Music

Children’s Time

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Proclaiming the Good NewsPrayer for Illumination

Lord, by the power of your Holy Spirit give us the words of life, that we may understand your way and follow your truth, in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Scripture Genesis 1:20-25

[In the beginning] God said, “Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky. And so it happened: God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds.” God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying, Be fertile, multiply and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth. Evening came and morning followed—the fifth day.

Then God said, “let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.” And so it happened: God made all kids of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was.

The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

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Psalm 148

Praise God, all you angels of God;

Praise God, all you host of heaven!

Praise God, you sun and moon;

Praise God, all you shining stars!

Praise God, you highest heavens,

And you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of God,

For God commanded and they were created.

God established them forever and ever;

God fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise God from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, Fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling God’s command!

Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts of the forest and all cattle, crawling things and flying birds!

Rulers of the earth and all peoples,

Nobles and all leaders of the earth!

Young men and women alike,

Old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Sovereign, Whose name alone is exalted, whose glory is above earth and heaven

God has raised up a horn for the people, and praise for all the faithful, For the people of Israel who are close to God! Praise be to God!

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Special Music

*Gospel Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The gospel of the Lord.Praise to you O Christ.

Sermon Rev. Michael Swartz

*Communion Hymn Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness (music on the next page)

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Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness

Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness

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Responding to the Good NewsOffering Our Gifts

Invitation

With grateful hearts, let us offer our gifts, trusting in God’s goodness.

Offertory

*Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,Praise God, all creatures here below;Praise God above, ye heavenly host;Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

*Prayer of Dedication

Almighty God, we give you thanks and praise for your love shown to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Accept the offering of our lives in union with Christ’s offering for us, and make us humble and obedient servants who will work for your good pleasure; through Christ, with the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty God, now and forever. Amen.

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Sacrament of Holy Communion*Invitation

Beloved in Christ, the Gospel tells us that on the first day of the week Jesus Christ was raised from death, appeared to Mary Magdalene, on that same day sat at the table with two disciples and was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

This is the joyful feast of the people of God.

This table is for all who wish to know the presence of Christ and to share in the community of God’s people.

The Great Thanksgiving Prayer

We thank you, Holy God,Because you lifted up your servant Francisthrough poverty and humilityto evangelize power in preachingyou gave him love to praiseall your works of creationAnd so we give you thanks And join with your whole creationIn a hymn of praise, singing:

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Words of Institution

We thank you, almighty GodBecause you gave us lifeand also New life in Jesus ChristGiven us life.

In your mercyYou have not neglected our plightNor left us to die by the wages of our sin.

Despite our sins, you have called usTo be part of your family in baptism.

In the fullness of time you sent Jesus,To share your love,And to give us hope by his work and word among us.

On the night before he diedHe took bread and wine,And praised you, holy God.He gave the broken bread and cup to all and said:This is my body, broken for you,And my blood, shed for you and all peopleThat sins may be forgiven.Whenever you do this,You will do it in memory of me.

And now we remember and celebrateHow Jesus conquered deathBy his own passion and dyingAnd how he gave us lifeBy his resurrection and gift of the spirit.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died,Christ is risen,Christ will come again.

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Prayer of Consecration and Our Lord’s Prayer

Send your Holy Spirit, O GodTo breathe upon the gifts and mealWhich we share.May we partake of this living breadAnd this living cup as men and womenUnified with you and with each other in communion.We pray that we may be signs Of your new covenant Anointed with the spirit of loveIn Christ Jesus our savior.

Let us pray as Christ our Savior has taught us.

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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Breaking Bread and Pouring Wine

The bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ.

The wine of which we bless is the Cup of Salvation.

Sharing the Elements

The gifts of God, For the people of God, Come for all things are ready.

The bread is eaten when served; the cup is held to be taken together.

*Unison Prayer of Thanksgiving

Let us pray, Almighty God, we give you thanks for the gift of our savior’s presence in the simplicity and splendor of this holy meal. Unite us with all who are fed by Christ’s body and blood that we may faithfully proclaim the good news of your love and that your universal church may be a rainbow of hope in an uncertain world; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

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Sending in Mission*Hymn of Sending Jesus, Our Brother, Strong and Good

(Music on the next page)

*Blessing of the Animals

Blessed are you, Holy God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless these pets and farm animals. By the power of your love, enable them to live according to your plan. May we always give you thanks for all creation. Blessed are you, O Creator God, in all your creatures. Amen.

At this point the pastor and worship leaders will proceed to the parking lot and bless the animals which are present in the automobiles. The pastor will remain for another 15 minutes for those who were at home during the service watching the livestream, and want to drive through and have their animals blessed and anointed. The pastor will be standing at the north door portico.

*Benediction

*Postlude

The altar flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of

our parents and Janet Renaud Liston

Given by: Paul and Marcia Renaud

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Jesus, Our Brother, Strong and Good

Jesus, Our Brother, Strong and Good

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Serving TodayMusicians Mason Moss Maureen Holmes

Lector Carson & Tyson Stickell

Liturgist Lucy Manis

FCCLive Bill Henning

First Congregational Church StaffRev. Michael Swartz Pastor michael@fccmoline.org

Maureen Holmes Chancel Choir Director maureen@fccmoline.org

Mason Moss Organist/Pianist mason@fccmoline.org

Gail Glockhoff-Long Campanella Ringers Director gail@fccmoline.org

Becca Peterson Director of Family Ministry becca@fccmoline.org

Harleigh Jones Nursery Coordinator nursery@fccmoline.org

Jennifer Dailing Office Manager & Bookkeeping jennifer@fccmoline.org

Amber Moore - Director of Marketing & Communications amber@fccmoline.org

Sara Otta Financial Manager sara@fccmoline.org

Amanda Peterson Red Wagon Preschool Director

Custodian Mike DeToye