WELCOME!
Whoever you are, and wherever you may be on your journey, you are welcome here.
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We're glad you landed here and we hope that it will be the start of a colorful relationship.
We hope that it will be a relationship that will begin with you getting to know us, and lead toward us getting to know you. At the Belchertown United Church of Christ (BUCC) we believe that the stuff of faith is found in community; folks working and laughing and crying and singing and worshiping together, making a difference in the world. If that's a good place to start, click the TICKET below and let the ride begin! |
Please join us for this Sundays Service:
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BELCHERTOWN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
March 10, 2024 – 9:30 AM
Invitation, Order of Worship & Announcements
Sunday Service in the Chapel & via Zoom
3-10-24
The Reverend Bill Ault
+ + +
To Join the Service
By Computer
Please click (control + click) on the following link, by 9:25 AM and follow the prompts:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/715073542?pwd=UWlLWGNobVdTVWhwRGhHclVFZ2p2UT09
By Phone
Dial: (253) 215 8782
Meeting ID: 715 073 542, followed by #, (no participant code - #)
Belchertown United Church of Christ, Belchertown, MA
March 10, 2024, Lent IV Order for Worship
Prelude
Announcements
Welcome
No matter who you are, whatever your life circumstance, and wherever you are in the journey of faith, we welcome you; Jesus welcomes you! We especially welcome first time guests, today. As we continue to explore the Gospel of John, we recall that John began his gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
*Responsive Call to Worship (Standing in body or spirit) from Psalm 107
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
They loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress;
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
*Hymn #622 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
Unison Prayer of Invocation
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Sovereign. Amen.
Choir Anthem
Scripture Readings Numbers 21:4-9 & John 3:14-21
*Hymn #542 “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”
Sermon Good and Evil Rev. William Ault
Offering
Doxology 48 The Thomas Tallis version – not what we usually sing
Prayer of Dedication
Joys and Concerns of the Congregation
Pastoral Prayer and Silent Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
*Hymn #200 “What Wondrous Love Is This”
Choral Benediction
Benediction (JEP)
May grace attend you, may love surround you, may learning awaken you to possibilities unnamed.
May prayer uphold you, friendships broaden you, and may your spirits dance in joy.
Let the love of God in you spill over to make a difference in this world.
In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Postlude
* * * * * * *
Numbers 21:4-9
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.
John 3:14-21
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE SOUTH HADLEY CHORALE will present its annual concert on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 3:00p.m. In Abbey Memorial Chapel at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley. For more information about the concert, please visit www.southhadleychorale.org or call 413-533-3833.
BUCC’S BOUTIQUE OF TREASURES It is open in the Parish House Sun 10:30 to 12:30, Tues 9 to 11:30, Wed 10-2:00pm. The Boutique offers jewelry, collectibles, new and used items. Stop by and see!!
LIKE TO SING? Then you are invited to join the BUCC choir. Practice every Thursday at 7 PM in either the sanctuary or the parish house and Rejoice. See Sally for more information.
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE – A list of organizations accepting donations is available in the sanctuary or emailed upon request from the church office. We have also contacted Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ludlow to identify material donations being gathered to be shipped to Europe. Their wish list with Amazon is available through the link I Stand with Ukraine. Please donate as you are able.
PRAYER REQUESTS – You are invited to Personal Message your requests for prayers of joy or concern on the church FaceBook page - www.facebook.com/BelchertownUnitedChurchOfChrist and note desire whether or not to mention during Sunday worship. Peace and wellness to all.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: 9am-2pm, Tues through Fri
Belchertown United Church of Christ
18 Park Street, P. O. Box 603
Belchertown, MA 01007
Church Office Phone: (413) 323-7442
Church Office email: belchertownucc@gmail.com
† † †
BELCHERTOWN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
March 10, 2024 – 9:30 AM
Invitation, Order of Worship & Announcements
Sunday Service in the Chapel & via Zoom
3-10-24
The Reverend Bill Ault
+ + +
To Join the Service
By Computer
Please click (control + click) on the following link, by 9:25 AM and follow the prompts:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/715073542?pwd=UWlLWGNobVdTVWhwRGhHclVFZ2p2UT09
By Phone
Dial: (253) 215 8782
Meeting ID: 715 073 542, followed by #, (no participant code - #)
Belchertown United Church of Christ, Belchertown, MA
March 10, 2024, Lent IV Order for Worship
Prelude
Announcements
Welcome
No matter who you are, whatever your life circumstance, and wherever you are in the journey of faith, we welcome you; Jesus welcomes you! We especially welcome first time guests, today. As we continue to explore the Gospel of John, we recall that John began his gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
*Responsive Call to Worship (Standing in body or spirit) from Psalm 107
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
They loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress;
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
*Hymn #622 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
Unison Prayer of Invocation
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Sovereign. Amen.
Choir Anthem
Scripture Readings Numbers 21:4-9 & John 3:14-21
*Hymn #542 “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”
Sermon Good and Evil Rev. William Ault
Offering
Doxology 48 The Thomas Tallis version – not what we usually sing
Prayer of Dedication
Joys and Concerns of the Congregation
Pastoral Prayer and Silent Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
*Hymn #200 “What Wondrous Love Is This”
Choral Benediction
Benediction (JEP)
May grace attend you, may love surround you, may learning awaken you to possibilities unnamed.
May prayer uphold you, friendships broaden you, and may your spirits dance in joy.
Let the love of God in you spill over to make a difference in this world.
In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Postlude
* * * * * * *
Numbers 21:4-9
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.
John 3:14-21
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
† † †
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE SOUTH HADLEY CHORALE will present its annual concert on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 3:00p.m. In Abbey Memorial Chapel at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley. For more information about the concert, please visit www.southhadleychorale.org or call 413-533-3833.
BUCC’S BOUTIQUE OF TREASURES It is open in the Parish House Sun 10:30 to 12:30, Tues 9 to 11:30, Wed 10-2:00pm. The Boutique offers jewelry, collectibles, new and used items. Stop by and see!!
LIKE TO SING? Then you are invited to join the BUCC choir. Practice every Thursday at 7 PM in either the sanctuary or the parish house and Rejoice. See Sally for more information.
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE – A list of organizations accepting donations is available in the sanctuary or emailed upon request from the church office. We have also contacted Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ludlow to identify material donations being gathered to be shipped to Europe. Their wish list with Amazon is available through the link I Stand with Ukraine. Please donate as you are able.
PRAYER REQUESTS – You are invited to Personal Message your requests for prayers of joy or concern on the church FaceBook page - www.facebook.com/BelchertownUnitedChurchOfChrist and note desire whether or not to mention during Sunday worship. Peace and wellness to all.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: 9am-2pm, Tues through Fri
Belchertown United Church of Christ
18 Park Street, P. O. Box 603
Belchertown, MA 01007
Church Office Phone: (413) 323-7442
Church Office email: belchertownucc@gmail.com