“Who's Calling, Please?”

“Who's calling, please?”

January 17, 2021, 10 a.m.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Pilgrim Congregational UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 2118 South Third Avenue Bozeman, Montana 59715 [email protected] http//www.uccbozeman.org

(406) 587-3690

MISSION STATEMENT

We come together to celebrate the seasons of Christian life and to welcome diverse people into community. We welcome all to share in the life and leadership, ministry, and fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in our congregation. We covenant as God’s instruments to study and practice wisdom and compassion, to encourage the spiritual work of each individual for the sake of the world, and to perform joyfully and humbly acts of kindness and justice. We, Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, declare ourselves to be open and affirming. With God’s grace, we seek to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, mental and physical ability, and racial, ethnic, or socio-economic backgrounds.

Order of Service January 17, 2021

PRELUDE: “Contentment” by G. Ad. Thomas — Denny and Ilse-Mari Lee, piano duet ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETINGS: Wendy Morical, Moderator OPENING BELL CALL TO WORSHIP: (from Psalm 139) Leader: O God, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. PEOPLE: YOU SEARCH OUT MY PATH AND MY LYING DOWN, AND ARE ACQUAINTED WITH ALL MY WAYS. Leader: Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely. PEOPLE: YOU HEM ME IN, BEHIND AND BEFORE, AND LAY YOUR HAND UPON ME. Leader: Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. PEOPLE: WHERE CAN I GO FROM YOUR SPIRIT? OR WHERE CAN I FLEE FROM YOUR PRESENCE? Leader: For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. PEOPLE: I PRAISE YOU, FOR I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE. WONDERFUL ARE YOUR WORKS!

OPENING HYMN: "God of the Sparrow God of the Whale" #32 (see sheet music below)

RESPONSIVE READING In Unison: (The United Church of Christ Statement of Faith in the Form of a Doxology, #885 New Century Hymnal)

We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify:

You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image, and set before each one the ways of life and death.

You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself.

You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS (NRSV) 1 Samuel 3:1-10 3Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. 2At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

John 1:43-51 43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

MESSAGE: “Who's calling, please?" — Dick Weaver

MUSIC FOR REFLECTION: "The Mission/How Great Thou Art" by Enrico Morricone, arr. The Piano Guys — Elizabeth and Ilse-Mari Lee, cello

PASTORAL PRAYER, 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us

not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. PRAYER RESPONSE

OFFERTORY (see stewardship update below) During this challenging time, your continued financial support of Pilgrim Church allows us to continue to serve members and friends in new ways, pay our staff, and maintain our church building. If you wish to contribute using a credit/debit card or via a direct transfer from your bank, use Pilgrim’s secure website donation page: https://uccbozeman.org/donate-1

You may also mail a check directly to the church office: Pilgrim Church, 2118 S. Third Ave. Bozeman, 59715

HYMN OF DEDICATION: “Help Us Accept Each Other” #388 (see sheet music below)

BENEDICTION POSTLUDE: "Festival Toccata" by Percy Fletcher — Ilse-Mari Lee, organ

______MANY THANKS to Amy Leach, hymnist, and Quarney Ali, live stream producer and video editor. ______

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Annual Meeting: We are gearing up for our Congregational Annual Meeting, which will be held via Zoom on January 31. Please watch for information and an invitation to this meeting. The Annual Report is being prepared and will be emailed to all in January.

The Annual Meeting is a chance to come together to approve the 2021 Budget, ratify the officers and other members of church leadership, hear an update on the Interim search process, and discuss the Annual Report. There will be opportunities to bring your questions and comments to the group. We will record the session for those who may want to simply view it at a later time.

WOMEN OF PILGRIM CELEBRATES 60th ANNIVERSARY! On January 24, 1961, ten Church women held an organizational meeting. The meeting opened with a devotion; discussion focused on activities, duties, and need for a Church women’s organization...

"We warmly welcome all women to join the fun, comradery, and spiritual support which is experienced through our service projects, programs, and social events!" [Read More]

Stewardship: Please remember to return your pledge card if you are planning to give to the church in 2021. You can find a copy on the church website if your paper copy went missing. Thank you for your support!

On the Pilgrim Blog: If you need a little midweek inspiration, check out the Pilgrim Blog. This week's post was written by Wendy Morical. Look for a new post each Wednesday. You can get there, any time, from the home page of our website. Look for "Blog" under the "Ministries" tab.

Readers Wanted: We need volunteers to read the call to worship and responsive reading for one, or more, of our online services. You'll have help with the process and the technology. All you have to do is read. To volunteer, call or email the office at 406-587-3690, [email protected].

Stay in touch! Emails and newsletters are our main communication tools these days. Subscribe at uccbozeman.org/get-our-newsletter Click Here to read this week's Concerns & Celebrations. Click Here to read last week's Newsletter.

Sledding Birthday Party, January 17, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join us at Pete's Hill, 429 East Story, for a sledding party that will also help our Christian Education board member Dilynn Wise celebrate her birthday!

Bring warm clothes, your own sleds and masks. We are asking everyone to socially distance themselves and practice Covid-19 guidelines. While Dilynn is not expecting a gift, you can always bring something as a surprise. This event is open to everyone. Please supervise any child under 12 years old.