congregation’s praise and...
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How to Donate to the Vienna Community Church Funding of VCC comes solely from the gifts of members, friends, and visitors. If you would like to support this congregation’s ministry, please put your gift into the offering-basket: envelopes on the pew-racks are provided for your use. All currencies are welcome, as are electronic transfers to VCC’s account:
IBAN: AT08 2011 1287 5384 9700 BIC: GIBAATWWXXX
at the ERSTE Bank, (Bank Code / BLZ 20111) and checks (cheques). For U.S.A. tax credit, please make checks payable to AFCU (American and Foreign Christian Union) and write “Vienna Community Church” on the memo line. Checks may also be mailed to AFCU, AFCU Treasurer, 2885 Sanford Ave. SW #29934 Grandville, MI 49418 U.S.A. (note new address)
CONTACT US
You can contact our pastor on: [email protected] For questions or information about our church, please contact us via
email: [email protected]
MEETING POINT 39/3 Untere Donaustraße, 1020 Vienna
THANK YOU TO ALL SERVING IN WORSHIP
Interim Pastor: Choir Director:
Organist: Soprano
Sunday School: Bulletin Editor:
Greeters: Usher:
Reader:
Rev. Dr. Neil Parker Cassandra McConnell Tomasz Piętak
Eva Dmitrieva Edson Dorneles Ngozi Okpalaugo Nicole & Anthony Wrixon Souwanit Sonnbichler Anne Storey
Goodbye, Auf Wiedersehen, Totsiens, さようなら Paalam,
Tchau, Kwaheri, Viszontlátásra!
Many Cultures, One Faith - Praising God by Reaching People for Christ! http://www.viennacommunitychurch.com
Praise & Worship: Sunday at 12 Noon with Child Care and Sunday School Dorotheergasse 16, 1010 Vienna
To book an appointment with Pastor Neil, his online calendar is at https://doodle.com/mm/neilparker/book-a-time
We are a Bible-based, English-speaking, international, interdenominational, ecumenical, friendly
and welcoming community.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP 8 March 2020 – 2nd Sunday in Lent
———————— 11:55 A.M. SILENT MEDITATION ————————
Prayer before Service
Lent is the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Traditionally it is a season of reflection and preparation for Easter, and it commemorates Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert. You may want to read the Lenten devotional, Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (http://tlcgreencastle.org/wp-content/uploads/
2020/02/2020-Lent-Devotional-Keep-Me-Near-the-Cross.pdf) during Lent 2020 for your own time of reflection.
Come As You Are! The Lord has the power to change lives and the world! “I am the way and the truth and the life.” – John 14:6 –
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell
where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born
of the Spirit. John 3:8
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Gathering in God’s Presence
Prelude Tomasz Piętak
Choral Invocation Breath On Me, Breath Of God VCC Choir
Greeting Rev. Dr. Neil Parker
Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
People: And also with you.
Call to Worship
Leader: We are in the presence of God. Leave the places you have known and walk with God. Leave behind thoughts of limitation and imagine.
People: But we are secure where we are.
Leader: Ahh, but new ways of being in this world is possible for each of us.
People: Can’t God bless us where we are, and as we are?
Leader: If you trust enough to move from the places you have known, and question the systems around us, you will be blessed. God is our light and our salvation.
People: Lord, we open ourselves to you. Direct our paths and open our hearts and minds.
Leader: In this place, in every place,
People: for this time, for all time.
All: Let us worship our God.
Opening Hymn “To God Be the Glory” #72
Call to Confession
May we confess, as Jesus did in the wilderness. Gracious God forgive those things we have done which have caused you sadness, and those things we should have done that would have brought you joy. In both we have failed ourselves, and you. Bring us back to that place where our journey began, when we said that we would follow you.
(Silence) ___________________________________
All who are able, please rise.
22 MARCH 2 PM
SAVE THE DATE – Sunday, 22 Mar, Tour of Karlsplatz at 2 p.m. (after worship and fellowship time). Did you know that there are over 20 notable buildings on and around Karlsplatz? If you are interested in knowing more, Rainer Zimmermann, VCC's resident tour guide and photographer, will be leading a tour of Karlsplatz, where there are many architecturally and historically interesting buildings, including Karlskirche (from the outside only) and the archeological findings in front of Wien-Museum. Programme: Guided tour (one hour) led by Rainer across Karlsplatz and some of the surrounding buildings. Optional: Late lunch at Resselpark Restaurant at Karlsplatz …”
– – Bible+ examines different aspects of our faith through the lenses of philosophy, theology, and science. Look out for further details for the next Bible+. Host: Ronan Le Bras.
4 APRIL 11:00-17:00
SAVE THE DATE S’Haferl VCC is providing the volun-teers funds for the food to prepare hot meals and serve 200 or more people at S'Haferl in the 6th district from 11:00-17:00, possibily, to work shifts. This is an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus and love the marginalized of society in a practical way. More details & a sign up will be
coming soon. Maryanne Macris: [email protected]
SUNDAYS 11 AM
The VCC Choir – Practice The VCC Choir is looking for new singers! If you know of a musician or singer who would like to guest with us or you like to sing, come join in – Practice in the Sanctuary at 11 AM every Sunday. Contact
our Choir Director: [email protected]
SUNDAYS
VCC Volunteers Would you like to lend a hand in VCC activities?
Sign up as a Volunteer at coffee hour.
PRAYER CHAIN: [email protected]
OUR DAILY DEVOTION: https://utmost.org
Data Protection Waiver Notice: Please note that by attending our Sunday Service or VCC organised event you expressly agree to the publication of photographs, film and sound recordings that arise during this event for VCC-related purposes only. We ask that you make a request to the photographer before
or after the Sunday Service or event if you do not wish any photos with you to appear in any VCC or VCC-related publications.
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WELCOME VISITORS/Prayer Request/Volunteer Forms can be found at the ends of the pews. Please print your request clearly
and place the completed form in one of the offering baskets. Thank you!
WHAT’S ON
11 MARCH 6:30-9 PM
Film & Co. A Long Walk Home (USA 1990). Two women, black & white, form an unusual friendship based on shared values, must decide what they are going to do in response to the famous bus boycott lead by Martin Luther King, from 6:30-9 PM at the
VCC MP* Hosts: Maurine Mellinger & Mickela Moore.
12 MARCH
7-9 PM
Pottery Exhibition Come and join us at the MP* on Thu. Mar 12,
7-9 PM for the Vernissage of Linda Bednar's Pottery Exhibition and Nicole Wrixon with her Photo Exhibition. Sat. Mar 14, 2-5 PM Fellowship time at the "Tea Party". The proceeds from the cups and donations going to the MP* improvement fund. Fri. Mar 13, 4-6 PM and Sun. Mar 15, 2-5 PM. The MP* will be open and Linda will be on hand, for those that are interested.
TUESDAYS 10-11:30 AM
Women of Faith Bible Study Meets every Tuesday from 10-11:30 AM at the VCC MP* Host: Tertia Behr.
8 MARCH
2 PM
Prayer Circle meets at 2 PM on the 1st Sunday of every month at the VCC MP* However, due to the upcoming VCC Retreat, the next Prayer Circle will meet on 8 March.
29 MARCH 1 PM
(approx.)
SAVE THE DATE – Special Congregational Meeting (SCM) It is intended to hold a SCM on 29 Mar. following the Sunday Service. It will take place in the Sanctuary and is expected to last no more than 15 minutes and 30 minutes max. The purpose of the SCM is to vote on the Pastor Search Committee slate. If you are interested in being on the Pastor Search Committee, please contact: Kitty McKinsey on [email protected]. More details to follow.
27 March
Ladies Who Lunch (LWL) LWL is held on the last Friday of month. The next LWL is 27 March For more information please contact: Nita Schimscha: [email protected]
*VCC Meeting Point (MP), Untere Donaustraße 39/3, 1020
Let us confess together…
Unison Confession
Holy One, who is able to make all things new, we are thankful for the gift of each day being an opportunity to do better, to be better. We ask forgiveness for wanting new life without being willing to die to old ways of being. Forgive us for doubting that new life, rebirth is possible. Bring our spirits to new birth, that we may be born into a new way of being; that we may be born from above.
Passing the Peace
Pastor: The Peace of Christ be with you all.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us extend the Peace of Christ to one another.
Special Music “Laudamus te” (Mozart C Minor Mass) Eva Dmitrieva, Soprano
Time with Children
“Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” #113
Hearing the Word of God
Bible Reading “Genesis 12:1-4a” Anne Storey (see pages 4-5) “John 3:1-17”
Sermon Scripture
Rev. Dr. Neil Parker
Responding to God’s Word
Responding Hymn “Spirit” #249
Offering “Wind Upon The Waters” VCC Choir
Doxology #46
Pastoral Prayer
Silent Meditation
Lord’s Prayer
Join us for coffee hour
across the courtyard after the service!
Blowin’ in the Wind
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Closing
Welcome and Congregational News
Closing Hymn “Majesty” #257 (See Insert)
Choral Benediction “Shalom Chaverim” VCC Choir
Benediction
Congregational “Amen” #312
Dismissal
Pastor: Go in peace and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Postlude Tomasz Piętak
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Scripture Genesis 12:1-4 (NIV)
The Call of Abram
1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.[a] 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”[b]
4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. Footnotes: [a] Genesis 12:2 Or be seen as blessed
[b] Genesis 12:3 Or earth / will use your name in blessings (see 48:20)
Sermon Notes
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All who are able, please rise.
Scripture John 3:1-17 (NIV)
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d] 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[e] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”[g] 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Footnotes:
a. John 3:3 The Greek for again also means from above; also in verse 7. b. John 3:6 Or but spirit c. John 3:7 The Greek is plural. d. John 3:8 The Greek for Spirit is the same as that for wind. e. John 3:13 Some manuscripts Man, who is in heaven f. John 3:14 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted. g. John 3:15 Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 21.
Sunday readings are chosen from an ecumenical cycle of readings from the Bible. If you would like to read ahead from the Scriptures
Pastor Neil is studying this week, they can be found at http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu
