GOOD SHEPHERD  United Church of Christ

3940 Mountain Road, Slatington, PA  18080           610-767-9680

Glance at the Week Ahead at Good Shepherd

T and Th   Office Hours: 11 am – 3 pm

Sun:       9:00 am       Faith Formation Classes

9:00 am       Christianity 101 Class

10:00 am       Worship Service/Communion

            11:15 am       Fundraising Meeting

            11:15 am       Youth Fellowship

Mon:     6:00 pm       Girl Scouts

Tues:     7:00 pm       Chancel Choir Practice

Wed:    11:30 am       Donut/Hoagie Order pick up until

2:30 pm in Fellowship Hall

Fri:        7:00 pm       AA Back to Basics

Sun:       9:00 am       Faith Formation Classes

9:00 am       Christianity 101 Class

10:00 am       Worship Service

                                  Scrip Orders Due

            11:00 am       Personnel Committee

First-Time Guests

Welcome to Good Shepherd United Church of Christ. We are delighted that you joined us for worship. It is our prayer that you will experience the presence of God and know the love and peace that comes from sharing God’s Spirit. If you are looking for a spiritual home, please consider Good Shepherd and speak with Pastor James.

REV. JAMES D. ROBISON, JR. can be contacted at the office (610) 767-9680, his mobile phone (484-571-6083), or via his email address at <j[email protected]>.

Our Church Staff

Pastor                                                                   Rev. James D. Robison, Jr.

Faith Formation Director                                                       Amanda Dieter

Preschool Director                                                                   Karen Weaver

Organist                                                                                                  TBD

Choir Director                                                                            Beth Kutzner

Secretary                                                                               Eileen Andrews

Treasurer                                                                           Erin Stenger-Guth

Financial Secretary                                                                Colleen Shields

Sexton                                                                                         Barry Silfies

Upcoming Events in the Life of Our Church

• The Northern Lehigh Food Bank is collecting 200 cans of corn for the Thanksgiving holiday. Needed November 6^th.
• Krispy Kreme Donuts and Thomson’s Hoagie orders available for pickup on Wednesday, October 5^th between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.
• “Walk-In” Three Day Basket Social in Fellowship Hall Friday, October 21^st-4:00pm to 7:00 pm, Saturday, October 22^nd-9:00 am to 2:00 pm and Sunday, October 23^rd-11:00 am-2:00 pm. Winners will be notified. Tickets Available at the Door. (1) 26 Chance Tickets for $6, (3) 26 Chance Tickets for $15. Refreshments available for Take-Out Only.
• Rada Cutlery-Fundraising Sale to Support Organ Fund
• Looking for Website Administrator, Fellowship Team Leader and Mission Team Leader. If interested, please contact Pastor James or Dennis Silfies.
• Christianity 101 Classes:

October 9, 2022-The life of Jesus part 1

October 16, 2022-The life of Jesus part 2

October 23, 2022-God and the Holy Spirit

October 30, 2022-Creeds: What are they and why are they important

November 6, 2022-The Sacraments:  Baptism and Communion/Creeds

November 13, 2022-Prayer: Who, what, where, when, how, and why.

November 20, 2022-Order of Worship and the Church Year

• Family Promise volunteers will need background checks. Contact Barbara Weaver, Clearance Coordinator at [email protected] or 610-767-5187 before November 13^th. In addition, volunteers are required to complete a training session which can be completed online at fplehighvalley.org/volunteer. Please let Pastor James know when you have completed the training.

Our Worship Leaders Today.

Guest Organist                                                                             Cindy Geho

Acolyte                                                                               Maddie Sommers

Lay Reader                                                                                   Lori Balliet

Head Deacon                                                                             Joe Conway

Elder                                                                                            Pam Puskas

Greeter                                                                                           Eric Hantz

Altar Guild                                                                                 Linda Coffin

Media Production Team             Deb Craig, Eric Hantz, Bryan Horninger,

Evan Horninger and Beth Kutzner

 

Altar Flowers are to the Honor and Glory of God.

The Bulletins are to the Honor and Glory of God.

 

 

Good Shepherd Prayer Care List

 

Family and Friends needing prayer: Mick Fehnel, Theresa Jones, Arlene Rex, Charlotte Solt, Cheryl Tully, Jane Achey, Randy Andrews, Dave Bauer, Darlene Bean, Michael Dieffenderfer, Doug Gaumer, Lisa Gilly, Jane Haldeman, Dan Hamm, Cindy Jones, Jim Joyce, Tony Patrick, Alice Schnell, Nancy Schumaker, Dee Dee Sloane, Craig Solt, Sallie Solt, Mike Sutton, Rich Taylor.

.Purged at beginning of each month.

Renews are welcomed

Homebound Members: Marge Bass, Mary Bilheimer, Kay Costenbader, Dale-Ann Derr, Dennis Derr, Jean Hewitt, Betty Humanick, and Susan ‘Tillie’ Waller.

All the young men and women serving our country: Colby Adams, Anthony Babb, Elijah Colon, Dalton Housenick, Kira (Kern) Kelsey, Michael Kelsey, Rebecca McMichael, Cory Musser, David Neff, Christie Peirsel, Spencer Perkins, Nicholas Sander, Benjamin Schaffer, Jacqueline Tracy, and Janel Tracy.

Prayers for Students in higher education: Megan Bankes studying at Glenville State WV, Asa Blynn studying at Kutztown University, Angie Carben studying at Widener University, Carissa Fallon studying at Penn State, Ben Griffith studying at Wilkes University, Emma Hope studying at LCCC, Evan Horninger studying at DeSales University, Jade Rice studying at Bloomsburg University, Caleb Sommers studying at Kutztown University, Ariana Smoyer studying at Metro Beauty Academy, Calista Smoyer studying at West Virginia University, Luke Zook studying at Villanova University.

 

                              Offerings

Mission Calendar

Our Mission focus for October is Meals on Wheels. They deliver nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks to millions of America’s seniors.

Joyful Noise Offering

Joyful Noise Offering is designated to help our Youth Ministry. We ask that you drop your contributions into the box in the narthex

Financial Update

Offering & (Attendance) 

Sep 04-$1,782.80 E-Giving $171.53 (53)

Sep 11-$1,195.00 E-Giving $802.80 (56)

Sep 18-$1,420.00 E-Giving $343.06 (87)

Sep 25-$2,568.70 E-Giving $274.15 (47)

Online offering at Tithe.ly

or text GIVE to 610-615-7657

 

Birthdays

Oct 02-Jesse White Oct 04-Ava Geist Oct 04-Adam Griffith Oct 04-Holley Henderson Oct 05-Barbara Lorah Oct 06-Linda Bowers Oct 08-Kim Rex Oct 08-Danielle Schmidt

 

Wedding Anniversaries

Oct 04-Andrew & Jessica (Williams) Mack

Oct 06-Bob & Connie (Kegel) Beblavy

Oct 06-Glenn & Pamela (Weaver)     Knappenberger

 

Order of Worship

October 2, 2022 – Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Worldwide Communion Sunday

NOTE: People’s responses in bold; * rise in body or in spirit

Gathering for God’s WORD

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

* SOLEMN DECLARATION

Our service is in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

* CALL TO WORSHIP

Destruction and violence are everywhere; strife and contention are all around.

The needs of the world are so great; O Lord, increase our faith.

The law is slack, and justice does not prevail.

The needs of the world are so great; O Lord, increase our faith.

How many threats surround us: warfare, homelessness, loneliness, loss.

The needs of the world are so great; but You O God, are greater still ~ the One in whom all things are possible, O Lord, increase our faith in You. Amen.

* HYMN ~ God the Spirit, Guide and Guardian                                                     #450

Preparing Our Hearts for God’s WORD

* CALL TO CONFESSION

Let us confess all we have done, and what we have not done, trusting in God’s grace.

* CONFESSION

Merciful God, You have called us to live in sincere faith and to suffer for the gospel.  We confess that we do not come before You with a clear conscience. Our faith is clouded by sin and uncertainty. We shrink from Your call to live sacrificially on behalf of others.  Too quickly, we seek our own ease and comfort first. We are fractured and fearful disciples. Restore to us the spirit of power rightly used, of love unconditionally offered, and of self-discipline gracefully lived. In new mercy forgive us and increase our faith, that we may be faithful servants at Your table. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

* ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Friends, God is for us and not against us. Believe the good news: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen!

 

* GLORIA PATRIA                                                                                                #35

 

* A DISCIPLE’S AFFIRMATION

As members of the Christian Church,

We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.

In Christ’s name and by his grace we accept our mission of witness and service to all people.

We rejoice in God, maker of heaven and earth, and in the covenant of love which binds us to God and one another.

Through baptism into Christ, we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God.

In the communion of the Holy Spirit, we are joined together in discipleship and in obedience to Christ.

At the table of the Lord, we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ.

Within the Universal Church, we receive the gift of ministry and the light of scripture.

In the bonds of Christian faith, we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One whose kingdom has no end.

Blessing, glory and honor be to God forever.  Amen.

BAPTISM OF VINCENZO THOMAS FRICCHIONE

Exhortation

Promise of the Congregation

Do you who witness this sacrament promise your love, support and care to the one about to be baptized?

We promise our love, support and care.  As we baptize you with water, there is grace upon your life and we promise to help you realize you are loved by God and we love you, too.  And we promise through everything, we will be here for you.  Amen.

Blessing of the Water

Sacrament of Baptism

BAPTISMAL HYMN ~ Jesus Loves Me This I Know                                           #113

Lighting of Baptismal Candle and Placing of Name on Baptismal Banner

Presentation at the Altar and Prayer

Hearing God’s WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Open our hearts and our minds, so that we can understand the fullness of Your WORD. Amen!

A READING from Paul’s second letter to Timothy 1:1-14 [NRSV]

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.  I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands, for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace, and this grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard the deposit I have entrusted to him.  Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

RESPONSE

The WORD of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Reflecting on God’s WORD

HOMILY ~ New Directions

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father which 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.

Responding to God’s WORD

 

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT

 

 

INVITATION TO SHARING OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Give now with generous hearts that all people may hear God’s WORD and be helped by the work of our congregation here at Good Shepherd. Amen.

* DOXOLOGY                                                                                                         #46

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise God, all creatures here below

Praise God above, ye heavenly host

Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

* PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Eternal God, who brings joy out of sorrow, plenty out of want, life out of death: we thank You for the treasures of the earth, Your creation, filled with Your blessing, for it was in company with these earthly things that Your Son came to dwell, showing us the enormity of Your love. Because of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, we, too, are brought to new life, called to pray and work for the renewal of others. Take these offerings for the sake of the one without whom our poverty would be extreme, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

SPECIAL MUSIC ~ Let us Break Bread Together                        Chancel Choir

HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation

This table is for all of us, near and far, high and low, east and west and north and south. This table is for all of us, but it is not our table. It’s not a United Church of Christ table. It’s not an American table. It’s God’s table, for all of us, and it’s a table of grace. So come and take your place at the table. You are welcomed, you are invited, you are called: As we have gathered, let us share this meal together Amen.

Words of Institution

On the night before Christ died…Great is the mystery of our faith:

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

Epiclesis

Gracious God, pour out Your Holy Spirit upon these Your gifts of bread and fruit of the vine, that the bread we break together, and the cup we share together, may retell our common stories together and reshape our common bonds together, and remember our common grace together, in the communion of the body and blood of Your Son Jesus Christ, the One whose life and death You have torn down our divisions. Amen.

 

 

Breaking the bread and Lifting the Fruit of the Vine

And so may we be one with all who share this feast, on this day, of all days, with all Your people at every corner of Your table.

In breaking of the bread, may we share with all those who hunger for Your righteousness and participate in the body of Christ.

In the pouring of the fruit of the vine, may we share this abundant cup with all those who thirst for Your justice and participate in Your forgiveness in the blood of Christ. Amen.

Agnus Dei

O Christ, Though Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world; Have Mercy upon us.

O Christ, Though Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world; Have Mercy upon us.

O Christ, Though Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world; Grant us Thy peace. Amen.

Sharing the Elements

Come, for all things are ready!

Prayer of thanksgiving

Gracious God, we offer our thanks, for the whole communion of saints who witness to this feast, and for the ministry of churches around the world who gather with us today. By this broken bread may we each be restored for the work yet to come. By this cup which we all drink, may we each be claimed for the proclamation of Your Kingdom. At this shared table may we be united as children of Your promise, children of Your WORD, dying and made new again, sent boldly together into the world as servants of Your peace. Amen!

* HYMN ~ One Bread, One Body [Refrain only]                                                     #393

Living God’s WORD

* THE COMMISSION, BENEDICTION, AND THREE-FOLD AMEN          #312

POSTLUDE

Liturgy from Feasting on the Word, Worship Companion, Year C, Volume 1

                                                                                                                          CCLI#1783708

 

Today we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism for Vincenzo Thomas Fricchione, son of Giovanni Patrick Fricchione and Samantha Marie (George) Fricchione born April 17, 2022, in Allentown, PA. Enzo’s grandparents are Tony & Colette (Murray) Fricchione and Steven & Lisa (Fatzinger) George. Enzo’s great grandparents are Dr. Donald & Claudia (Bergamini) Fricchione, Carolyn (Quinlan) Murray, Gary & Jean (Fritzinger) Fatzinger and Frank & Karen (Kromer) George. Enzo’s godparents are Enzo’s uncle, Nathan George and Nathan’s fiancée, Jamie Cole.

 

Enzo receives his middle name from his great grandfather, the late Thomas Murray and the christening gown was first worn by Enzo’s father at his christening.

 

The water used for the baptism is from the Jordan River in the Holy Land. The animal placed on the Baptismal Banner marks Enzo’s entrance in our cradle roll as the beginning of his faith formation process. The Baptismal Candle is lit to remind us that Jesus Christ is our light and guide on the path of faith.