Fort Collins, CO THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION An Open …...2 days ago  · Barb Gregory, office manager [email protected] Johnny & Jenn Wieda, sextons [email protected] 970-482-9212

Fort Collins, CO An Open and Affirming Congregation plymouthucc.org

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST October 4, 2020, 10:00 a.m.

PRELUDE “Scherzo” Alan Ridout WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The Rev. Hal Chorpenning

TIME OF CENTERING SILENCE (ends with the sound of the chime)

* CALL TO WORSHIP The Rev. Jane Anne Ferguson Leader: The earth is the Lord’s… People: and all that is in it: Leader: the world, and those who live in it; People: for God has founded it on the seas, Leader: and established it on the rivers. People: Who shall stand in God’s holy place? Leader: Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do

not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully.

All: They will receive blessing from the Lord. Psalm 24

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT Wendy and Vicki Thompson

* HYMN “Be Now My Vision” SLANE

TIME WITH CHILDREN The Rev. Jane Anne Ferguson

SCRIPTURE Matthew 22.15-22 The Rev. Hal Chorpenning Response: Thanks be to God.

SERMON “Rendering unto God” The Rev. Hal Chorpenning

MUSICAL OFFERING “Prayer of St. Francis” Arr. Mark Heiskanen Plymouth Ringers

Gifts may be made online at plymouthucc.org/give or mailed to Plymouth UCC, 916 West Prospect Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80526.

Thank you for your continued financial support during the pandemic.

THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION (At home, have bread & wine ready!)

* UNISON PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The Rev. Carla Cain God, everything is yours, and we give you thanks that you share these blessings with us: the gifts of Christ’s presence always and at this table, this community of faith bound together by covenant, and for the gift of life itself. We return to you a portion of what you already entrusted to us: bless our offerings! Amen

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The Rev. Carla Cain

INVITATION TO SILENT PRAYER (on next page) SERVANT SONG

Silent Prayer • Pastoral 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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

* PASSING THE PEACE

* HYMN “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ” LINSTEAD

* BENEDICTION The Rev. Hal Chorpenning

POSTLUDE “Praeludium” Hermann Schroeder

Permission to podcast/stream music is through One License #A-709014 and Christian Copyright Solutions #11133.

Musicians this morning Mark Heiskanen, organ • Blair Carpenter, cantor

Plymouth Ringers: Sheryl Christensen, Carole Oldemeyer, Roger Smith

Be Now My Vision (Vs. 1, 3 & 4)

Text: 8th century Irish, trans. Mary Byrne, versified by Eleanor Hull; Music: SLANE © 1995 The Pilgrim Press. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-709014.

Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant?

Text: Richard Gillard, alt.; Music: SERVANT SONG © 1995 The Pilgrim Press. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-709014.

Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ

Text: Fred Kaan, alt.; Music: LINSTEAD © 1995 The Pilgrim Press. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-709014.

Welcome to Plymouth Congregational Church! We are an Open & Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, including all without regard to their race, gender, physical or mental ability, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity. Our congregation has also voted to become a Peace with Justice church, stressing its importance in our common life. And we voted to become an Immigrant-Welcoming Congregation, which offers a respectful, compassionate welcome and inclusion of immigrants in our midst. Learn more about us at plymouthucc.org Keep in touch! Please keep Barb Gregory apprised of any address, phone or email changes, [email protected]. In addition, you can send Barb short (4 or fewer lines, please) pieces for the bulletin insert at plymouthucc.org/copy

The Rev. Hal Chorpenning, sr. minister [email protected] The Rev. Jane Anne Ferguson, associate minister [email protected] The Rev. Carla Cain, associate minister [email protected] Mark Heiskanen, director of music/organist [email protected] Alli Stubbs, interim director of Christian formation for youth [email protected] Tricia Medlock, interim director of Christian formation for children [email protected] Anna Broskie, it/communications coordinator [email protected] Yendra Ruiz Tencza, business manager [email protected] Barb Gregory, office manager [email protected] Johnny & Jenn Wieda, sextons [email protected]

970-482-9212 www.plymouthucc.org

Today is the Annual Feast of St. Francis Blessing of the Animals - Drive-by Style! Join your pastors and staff in another drive-by greeting. This time to bless your pets, living or passed away, in person or in pictures. Stuffed animal friends are welcome too! Sunday, Oct 4, 11:30 - 12:30 pm after the service. Enter on Lake Street! We look forward to seeing you and your animals!

Today we are launching our 3-week annual pledge campaign using the theme Pilgrims on a Journey! You should have received a brochure, letter, and pledge card in the US Mail, and you can also find the information on our website. You can even pledge online and sign up to be an Evergreen Partner online — it’s an easy way to pay your pledge via electronic funds transfer.

The last verse of last Sunday's "God is Here! As We Your people Meet" is worth singing again: "Sovereign God of earth and heaven, in an age of change and doubt/Keep us faithful to the gospel, help us work your purpose out./Here in this day's dedication, all we have to give, receive:/we, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!" (from Bill Thompson, Stewardship Board) Pastoral Care is still happening! Carla, Jane Anne and Hal are all happy to set up online coffee with those who might want or need it or even to meet in the Memorial Garden (weather permitting) with masks at a safe distance. Just call us…you probably received a fridge magnet with our cell phone numbers (in the Placard, too!).

The Immigration Ministry Team is sorting and distributing clothing for students in our North Wing (in groups of <10), so that wing will be fully closed to everyone else through October 17. Thanks for avoiding it!

THIS WEEK @ PLYMOUTH Today: Adult Ed. Forum: Larimer Cty. & CO Candidates (Zoom-Email Invite) 9 a.m.; Worship service (FB

Livestream) 10 a.m.; Blessing of the Animals (Parking Lot) 11:30 a.m.; Middle School Youth Group (Lawn/FH) 4:30 p.m.

Monday: New Gifts of the Dark Wood Class (Zoom-Email Invite) 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Pastoral Mtg. (Zoom-Email Invite) 9 a.m.; Celtic Spirituality (Zoom-Email Invite) 9:30 a.m.; Staff Mtg. (Zoom-Email Invite) 10:30 a.m.; Sophia Circle (Labyrinth) 6 p.m.; Virtual Choir Rehearsal (Zoom-Email Invite) 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday: Living Celtic Christianity (Zoom-Email Invite) 8 a.m.; Admin. Mtg. (Zoom-Email Invite) 10 a.m.; High School Youth Group (Lawn/FH) 7 p.m.; Midweek Vespers (FB Livestream) 7 p.m.

Thursday: CFB Class: Gifts of the Dark Wood (Zoom-Email Invite) 7 p.m.

Friday: Friday Morning Discussion Group (Zoom-Email Invite) 9 a.m.; Cong. Life Coffee Hour Meeting (Zoom-Email Invite) 9 a.m.

Saturday: Sunday: Adult Ed. Forum: Larimer Cty. & CO Candidates (Zoom-Email Invite) 9 a.m.; Worship service (FB

Livestream) 10 a.m.; Virtual Coffee Hour (Zoom) 11 a.m.; Middle School Youth Group (Lawn/FH) 4:30 p.m.

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Because of issues with Plymouth Comcast internet service, we are streaming exclusively on Vimeo for the time being. , You can find the link either for Sunday worship or Midweek Vespers by going to plymouthucc.org/streaming . For more information on Zoom software go to plymouthucc.org/zoom. If you haven’t received an Email Invite for your event, please contact your Group Leader. Be sure to upgrade your Zoom client to 5.0 here: https://zoom.us/download

From the Budget & Finance Committee: Just wanted you to know that your financial support is much appreciated and helpful! You can pay pledges online at plymouthucc.org/give or by mailing your check to the church. Thanks for your generosity!

Pledge Income – Thank you!

Actual September Pledge Contributions $58,686

September Budgeted Pledge Contributions $67,454

Year-to-Date Actual Pledge Contributions $631,234

Year-to-Date Budgeted Pledge Contributions $607,089

Zoom coffee hour begins after the service ends. You won't be able to get into the Zoom link before 11 a.m. Look for the link in your Saturday email from Plymouth.

Need assistance? Do you need financial assistance with groceries, rent or medication? We have some funds available to help. Contact one of your pastors.

Adult Formation Gifts of the Dark Wood: Seven Blessings for Soulful Skeptics (and Other Wanderers) by the Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes, pastor of Countryside Community Church (UCC) in Omaha, Neb. and our Plymouth Visiting Scholar. Join Viki Johnson and Sarah Parmenter on Zoom at 7 p.m. on Thursdays (9/10-10/29) as we work our way through the gifts of the dark wood. Look for Zoom link for each class section in the Saturday emails and on the web. More more info email [email protected]. Can’t make this class? Look below! New Gifts of the Dark Wood Class Starting!!

Candidate Forums: Please join the Forum on Sundays at 9 a.m. when we offer Zoom meetings in preparation for the upcoming election. Oct. 4 for the State House, on Octr. 18 for District Attorney and on Oct. 25 for County Commissioner. On Oct. 11 a representative from the League of Women Voters will discuss the Ballot Initiatives. This is a chance to hear and be heard. More details to come. Look for the Zoom link in the Saturday email and on our website.

Mondays, Sept. 28-Oct. 26, 9-10 a.m.! Limited to 8 participants on Zoom. Email leaders, Marty Marsh ([email protected]) or Anna Olsen ([email protected]), for registration and the Zoom link!

Save the date! Your Visiting Scholar Ministry Team is excited to present Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes for a day of inspiration and contemplation on Sat., Nov. 14, live via Zoom.

Children & Youth Formation Tricia Medlock, our new interim director, is preparing take-home lesson packets for children and families to work on and is exploring a video-based program as well. Stay tuned to your email, and if you want to be added, please contact [email protected]

Middle School and High School Youth Groups will be participating in a six-week program on Mindfulness for Stress Management led by graduate students at CSU. Middle School youth will be meeting every Sunday from 4:30-6 p.m. starting Sept. 27, and High School youth will be meeting every Wednesday from 7-8:30 p.m. starting Sept. 30. For more information, contact Alli at [email protected].

Small Groups & Fellowship Ministries The church is OPEN … but we won’t be gathering in person inside the church until further notice. If you are looking for a new small-group activity to try, call any of our ministers, and we’ll help plug you in! Celtic Christianity, Healing prayer, and some new opportunities will be available.

All women are invited to join the Sophia Circle spiritually group in a socially distanced labyrinth walk, Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. on Plymouth’s Labyrinth. Brainstorming for the next program year afterward. Email [email protected] for info and reservations for the walk!

The Calling and Caring Ministry team has reorganized. There are three ministry teams: Visiting Ministry; Faith Community Nursing (FCN); and Stephen Ministry (SM). If you are interested in being a part of any of these ministries or want to learn more, please contact [email protected].

Christian Formation Board is looking for someone passionate about supporting Christian Education programs for Adults and Youth. There is a "new normal" and education programs may look very different, so we welcome

someone with innovative ideas! Please contact Ross Lane on our Nominating Committee if you would like to discuss this opportunity. [email protected]

The Prayer Shawl Ministry has many prayer shawls and would like to make them available to anyone who might benefit from having one. If you know of anyone who might like to receive a prayer shawl, please contact Karen Guter at: [email protected].

Calendar Requests/Booking Zoom Rooms While the building is closed, we have church-owned Zoom online “rooms” for remote meetings, small groups, etc.? Please visit plymouthucc.org and select the News & Events link at the top of the page. The request form can be found at the button by the Calendar. Choose “Zoom Room” as your meeting room, and we will get back to you with information you can send your group members.