WELCOME PRELUDE 11:00 "Pastoral Prayer" Richard Wappel The Richard Wappel Trio OPENING WORDS based on Psalm 63 1-8 source: re:Worship One: O God, You are our God, the One in whom we trust. Many: We’ve gathered together today to worship You— to open our hearts and minds to Your presence. We long to meet You here, and to hear Your voice. One: We come with confidence, because we’ve met You here before; we’ve been awed and inspired by Your glory and Your power. Many: We come with gratitude, because we’ve known Your steadfast love— a love which is better than life itself. One: And so we praise You— Many: lifting our voices, lifting our hands in joy and expectation. One: Come among us in Your power. Many: Pour out Your spirit on our thirsty souls, that we may be filled with Your goodness and love. Amen.
*HYMN "God of the Sparrow”
*LITANY One: Creator God, you have given us five senses which make us sacredly
human.
Many: May we use all of them to encounter you in the world, in our worship, and in our lives together.
One: Creator God, you have given us sight.
Many: May we use our vision to encounter you in our reading of scriptures from our own tradition and those of others.
One: Creator God, you have given us the task of seeing you in all of our fellow human beings.
Many: May we sharpen our vision to see where we are blind to the needs of others and to don the glasses of your love and compassion.
*RESPONSE "Be Still and Know" Iona Community
A READING FROM THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION 2 Timothy 3:16 (NRSV) All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
A READING FROM THE REFORMATION Martin Luther “God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.” READINGS FROM THIS TIME AND PLACE David E. Pratte, Gospelway.com “If one claims that the Bible errs, then either he must completely reject the Bible as God's will, or else he is saying that God is not infallible. For the Bible says it is all from God” Marcus Borg, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time “Postcritical naivete is the ability to hear the biblical stories once again as true stories, even as one knows that they may not be factually true and that their truth does not depend upon their factuality.” One: For the marvelous blend of fact, myth, poetry, and story that is in
scripture, we give thanks.
Many: May the Spirit open us to the wisdom we most need to hear.
CHILDREN’S STORY
Following the story, young children are encouraged to remain in worship or they may choose to go to the nursery (birth-3) or to Shepherds
(11a.m.: ages 4-6), in Room 21 on the upper level.
SPECIAL MUSIC 8:30 "Only Me" Kazumi Tataka arr. J. McSwain Zach Tesch, Piano
11:00 "Those Who See Light" Nancy Elze &Donald Osuna Folk Choir
Learning Hour at Peace
Today:
Multigenerational Learning Hour: All ages are welcome to feed your hunger for knowledge and curiosity as we explore ancient stories about famine. There are many stories about food scarcity in the Bible. There’s the Genesis story of Joseph who rose to power in Egypt after interpreting a dream and preparing for a seven year drought. The Gospels tell of a time when Jesus was able to feed the multitude with just a few fishes and loaves. Our famine stories are less about food, and more about faith and nourishment from God. Our stories also share many similarities with ancient stories from other traditions. Do you the tale of a plowman named Erisichthon from ancient Greece? What about the narrative of Mother Corn that the Lenape Nation holds dear. Join us as we learn some new stories, explore our familiar stories, and learn why ancient stories are still relevant today for people of faith who hunger for nourishment. 9:45am. Fellowship Hall
Peace Youth Gathering- All youth in 6th-12th grade are welcome to gather with Carla and Christopher Grundy in Room 20 at 9:45am. Friends welcome.
Next Sunday: Good Questions—DON'T MISS THIS EVENT! We are excited and eager to welcome the Rev. Dr. Damayanthi Niles, Eden Professor of Constructive Theology, for conversation at 9:45a.m. on Sunday, Feb 21 in room 20 . Please join us to hear Dr. Niles talk about Liberation and Feminist theologies that have developed and are continuing to emerge in Africa, Asia, and Latin American. All during Lent we will be considering the impact of these theologies as they shape us, the UCC and the global community. See the sidebar on page 5 for more information.
Peace Youth Gathering- All youth in 6th-12th grade are welcome to gather with Carla and Christopher Grundy in Room 20 at 9:45am. Friends welcome.
Church School- Church School classes for PreK-K Sarah Gottemoeller, Grace Morris and Liz White, 1st-2nd grade in room 11 with Amy Hilmer and Anna Dodson, 3rd-5th grade in room 12 with Loretta Haggard and Marie Bardelmeier.
Hand Chimes- Come and learn some beginning hand chime techniques and note-reading skills.
SERMON Rev. Al Schon
*HYMN NCH#408 "God is Still Speaking" Text: Deborah Patterson
Tune: Morecambe
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Believing that each joy and/or concern expressed is indeed a prayer, after each expression, the worship leader will say: Loving God. And the people may respond: Hear our prayer.
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER adapted, Bret Helsa
Gracious Spirit, who loves us like a mother. Whose realm is blooming among us now. And within. We pray that your compassion guide us in every action. Give us what we need for each day, and help us to be satisfied with the miracle of that alone. Forgiver, whose embrace brings us to wholeness without our asking, may we reconcile ourselves to one another in humility. And may we cancel the crushing debts that imprison our neighbors so that communities of joy and health may flourish. May we neither profit from nor ignore evil. But ever work to thwart it with nonviolence as we co-create the realm of peace in this world. Now and each day. Amen.
The Season of Lent at Peace UCC A time of prayer and contemplation
Throughout the season of Lent Peace UCC will partner with our neighbors, First Congregational Church of Webster Groves UCC and our shared sanctuary congregation, Sts. Clare and Francis, for learning, worship, and fellowship.
Wednesday Evenings- Beginning on Wednesday Feb 17 and ending on March 16, Peace and First Congregational will offer a Wednesday evening series on prayer practices. Each week we will come together at 6:30p.m. to share a meal of soup and bread in the Fellowship Hall of Peace UCC. At 7p.m., a prayerful worship service will begin in the Peace sanctuary with shared leadership from both congregations. The service will end at 7:30p.m. A concurrent children’s program, also exploring prayer, will be offered at Peace UCC from 7-7:30p.m.
Maundy Thursday, March 24 Service at 7p.m. at First Congregational Church of Webster Groves UCC with participation from Peace UCC .
Good Friday, March 25 Service at 7p.m. at Peace United Church of Christ with participation from Sts. Clare and Francis
Vigil– Our vigil begins at 8p.m. on Good Friday. More details coining soon.
Easter, March 27 at Peace UCC Worship at 8:30a.m. and 11a.m., Pancakes at 9:45a.m.
(Heart-)Warm(ing) Valentine's Day News!
The blanket valentine project had one of its most successful years ever! We raised $725, which will enable Church World Service (CWS) to buy 145 blankets to distribute to refugees and survivors of natural disasters. CWS is a cooperative ministry of 36 Christian denominations (including our United Church of Christ), providing sustainable self-help and development aid, disaster relief, and refugee assistance in more than eighty countries (including our own). The blankets we funded may end up close to home after a flood or tornado, or across the globe in places most of us will never visit. Thanks to everyone who made a valentine, staffed the table, and/or contributed to the project.
In Our Prayers…
Welcome Guest Musician Richard Wappel
Richard Wappel, a native of Chicago, completed his graduate studies at Washington University, and now resides in St. Louis where he is active as a composer, conductor, performer, and teacher.
As composer-in-residence at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Mr. Wappel has set numerous scared texts to music, including a new version of “Panis Angelicus”, commissioned by the archdiocese of St. Louis for the 1999 visit of St. Pope John Paul II – Oxford University press has published this composition. Mr. Wappel’s choral works have been performed in cathedrals throughout Europe, including St. Peter’s in Rome, St. Mark’s in Venice, St. Stephen’s in Vienna, and Canterbury Cathedral in Great Britain.
Mr. Wappel also enjoys writing music for his piano trio, which bears the eponymous title “The Richard Wappel Trio”. Today he is joined by violinist Amy Greenhalgh, a former member of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Chile, and cellist Monica Godbee, a former member of the St. Louis Youth Orchestra, in presenting some of his instrumental music at Peace United Church of Christ.
Scan and Give Supporting the work of this church has never been easier. Just scan the QR code with your smartphone and you can make a donation to Peace UCC.
INVITATION AND REMEMBRANCE based on our Theological Assumptions
Minister: Come, Holy Spirit, and move among these elements assembled at this Table.
Many: Through this sacrament, transform our hurt into healing, our fear into faith, and death into life.
Minister: As this bread, sown in hills and valleys, is harvested, and now becomes one in the loaf,
Many: so we, scattered, diverse, separated and isolated from one another, hear your invitation to become one body around this Table, the center of our life together.
Liturgist: As this juice, grown in vineyards under the sun, fills the cup, may we be filled and refreshed by this meal,
Many: and strengthened to respond to your call to reach out in compassion to all living things. Minister: In sharing this meal we remember.
Many: We remember meals Jesus shared with friends and enemies, outcasts and
marginalized, fearful and earnest. Minister: He took the bread and, giving thanks, blessed it and broke it
and shared it with his guests, saying, “This is the bread of life, symbol of my sacrifice.”
Many: As we share the bread today, we eat it as those who seek to follow Jesus.
Liturgist: After the meal, Jesus took the cup. Giving thanks, he shared it with his guests, saying, “This cup symbolizes a new relationship with God, a relationship of partnership founded on grace.”
Many: As we share the cup, we seek to experience that grace in which Jesus lived fully.
All: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Bless this bread and bless this fruit of the vine. Bless all of us in our eating and drinking that our eyes might be opened,
that we might recognize the risen Christ in our midst, indeed, in one another. Come, Holy Spirit, come.
The Congregation is invited to come forward by the center aisle, partake of the bread and juice, (gluten free bread and chalice available) and light a candle in prayer, and place an offering in the plates beside the table. You may also give
electronically from the pews by scanning the QR code on the left. Catch the eye of a table host if you would prefer to be served at your seat.
Offertory “Serenade in D” Richard Wappel The Richard Wappel Trio
CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION 8:30AM
CELEBRATION OF GIVING 11:00AM
RESPONSE "Here Are Our Hearts" Please remain seated Susan Drake and Julie Jennings
PRAYER OF DEDICATION One: When we use our eyes to see the needs of so many in this world,
we understand you command to love our neighbors.
Many: Take these gifts and use them to promote a world of love and peace for all. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome
Rev. Dr. Damayanthi Niles
On Sunday, February 21st, the Good Questions class welcomes guest presenter Rev. Dr. Damayanthi Niles, Professor of Constructive Theology at Eden, as the study of "Liberation Theologies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America" continues. All are welcome; 9:45a.m. in room 24.
Damayanthi Niles’ writing and research
have been focused on constructive and
contextual theology. She has taught
courses on foundational theology,
missiology and post-colonial thought.
She has also served as the research
associate of the Christianity in Asia
Project at the Centre for Advanced
Religious and Theological Studies at
Cambridge University, United Kingdom.
Her publications include Worshipping At
the Feet of Our Ancestors: Hendrik Kraemer
and the Making of Contextual Theology in
South Asia, Wein: Lit; UK: Distribution,
Global Book Marketing, 2012 and “It’s
Time to Dance With Dragons” Interna-
tional Review of Mission, Vol 100.2, No.
393, November 2011.
Her areas of interest and teaching
include constructive theology, inter-faith,
comparative theology, theology and
power, contextual theology with a
particular interest in Asia, language of
theology in a landscape of conflict and
violence, using aesthetics in the teaching
of theology. In her spare time she enjoys
cooking, particularly Asian curries. She
also enjoys music, reading, and theater.
She is an ordained Minister of the Word
and Sacrament, Presbyterian Church
(USA).
source: www.eden.edu
Peace UCC’s Western Wall
"As a society, we are experiencing all sorts of pain, suffering and fear. Peace United Church of Christ wants to provide the community with a unique way of offering up their prayers requesting healing, solace, and strength. Receiving prayer requests in our ‘Wall of Prayer’ will give us the opportunity as a religious community to support those who leave them, and further, to exercise our belief that God listens to the concerns of all of God’s children. So it doesn’t matter to God or to us whether they belong to our church or another, or if they are of a faith tradition other than Christian; their prayers matter. And so we will join our prayers to theirs." - Rev. Al Schon
Installation
The St. Louis Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ and Peace UCC invite you to a worship service to install the Rev. Wendy Bruner on Sunday, February 28 at 3:00 pm at Peace UCC, clergy are invited to gather at 2:30 to process and are asked to wear red stoles. The Rev. Starsky Wilson, pastor of St. John's United Church of Christ will be preaching and will be joined by the St. John's UCC choir, as well as the choir from Peace UCC. A reception will follow the service. If you would like to help with the reception, please see the volunteer link in News and Notes (our electronic weekly newsletter) or contact the church office.
Movie Night Peace UCC is hosting a movie night in the sanctuary on Saturday, March 5th, at 7p.m. All are welcome to join us for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” staring Donny Osmond. This film version of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's blockbuster musical runs for 78 minutes and is not rated. This is a free event sponsored by the Learning Team. Light refreshments served.
Upcoming Learning Hour:
Healing Touch with Children February 28, 9:45a.m. Room 12
We all know and appreciate the healing
power of hugs, prayers, holding hands
and a loving arm around our shoulders.
Debbie Kelly is becoming a Healing
Touch Practitioner and will explore a
short version of Healing Touch's
program for children, My Helpful Healing
Touch. The children and adults present
will learn or simply name many of the
healing ways we touch by sending loving
energy to people we care about both near
and far.
New Art Installation Displayed this month in the Fireside Art Gallery is a quilt made by the Middle School Handwork class at the Waldorf School of St. Louis. The quilt is a collaborative effort of the class and will be given to someone in need of a warm blanket. Brenda Detrick coordinates the Art Gallery and is looking for artists, hobbyists, and collectors who would like to show their works. Please contact Brenda for more information: [email protected]
*HYMN "We Are Called" David Haas
*BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE 11:00 "Shepherd's Song" Richard Wappel The Richard Wappel Trio
Notes: Sources for words, images, and music are noted where available. Permission to reprint music and words from sources other than The New Century Hymnal is granted under OneLicense.net, license no. A-704973, and/or LicenSing.org.
THIS WEEK AT PEACE UCC
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14TODAY 8:30a.m. Worship Service 9:45a.m. Coffee Fellowship 9:45a.m. Learning Hour 11:00a.m. Worship Service 12:00p.m. Worship Team Meeting 12:30p.m. Healing Touch (by appt)
with Debbie Kelly 2:00p.m. Korean Drumming Group 3:00p.m. Girl Scouts—Oberkrom 7:00p.m. Narcotics Anonymous MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Kelly Archer is out of the office today.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 8:30a.m. Walking Group 2:15p.m. Sts C&F Lent Study
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 1:30p..m. Staff Meeting 2:00p.m. Noteworthy Music School
for Strings– Paul Huppert 5:30p.m. Children’s Choir 6:30p.m. Soup Supper 7:00p.m. Lent Series (all ages) 7:00p.m. Le Leche League 7:00p.m. Sts. C&F Parish Council
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18 8:30a.m. Walking Group 9:00a.m. AARP Tax Prep 7:00p.m. Chancel Choir
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19 7:00a.m. Contemplative Prayer– Sts C&F 1:00p.m. WSSL Grades Assembly
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 8:30a.m. Metro South Art’s Council’s Scott Joplin Piano Contest 10:30a.m. Narcotics Anonymous 12:00p.m. Youth Choir 3:00p.m. Sts C&F—Fireside Room 5:00p.m. Sts. Clare and Francis Mass 6:00p.m. Sts. C&F Potluck
For a complete calendar visit: www.peaceuccstl.org
The Worship Team will meet today in the sanctuary immediately following the 11a.m. worship service. Come join us if you have ever wanted to contribute ideas and talent to our worship services, the look and feel of the sanctuary, or the musical sounds of worship together. Come find out how various circles work, to volunteer or to learn. All are welcome.
Men's Breakfast— We meet at 8:00 a.m. on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Steak and Shake at Elm and Watson Road.
Job Jar—We meet at the church on the first and third Mondays of the month. Join us at 9:15 a.m. for coffee, fellowship, and a few chores around the church. Please note that we will not be meeting on February 15th in observance of Presidents Day.
Moms' Group— The book, 29 Gifts, by Cami Walker will be our topic on Friday March 4 at 9:30. It is the memoir of a young woman's terrifying downward spiral into a debilitating illness; who takes a challenge to give 29 gifts in 29 days. Come and discuss her journey along with our own journeys. Please call Dee Ban ahead of time if you need child care.
Peace Groups—opportunities for Fellowship, Learning and Service
Living Out Our Faith We invite you to check out the bulletin board at the top of the ramp to see the many communities opportunities for living out our faith. Among them: Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount, Garrett- Evangelical Seminary, presents “Sabbath
Schools 2 Freedom Schools: Christian Education and the Power of the Vote” on February 20 at 9:30a.m. at St. John’s UCC
Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause and Rev. Dr. Leah Gunning-Francis will speak on the Black Lives Matter movement at Bethany Way Christian Church on February 20 at 5p.m.
Child Advocacy Day, April 6th, in Jefferson City, The Deaconess Foundation welcomes all to join them on the bus to the state capital. Contact the church office to reserve your seat.
Please see the bulletin board or weekly e-newsletter, News and Notes. For additional details. Many of these opportunities have also recently been shared on our Peace UCC Facebook page. There you may find opportunities to share rides and attend together.
Gateway Open & Affirming Convocation: Creating an Inclusive Church—Saturday, Feb 27 9a.m.-3p.m.
Gateway ONA is a coalition of LGBTQ Open & Affirming congregations of the United Church of Christ (UCC) in the St. Louis area. To say that a UCC church is “Open and Affirming” means that it has publicly and specifically declared that those of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions (LGBTQ) are welcome in its full life and ministry. Gateway ONA will offers its 2016 Convocation featuring workshops, fellowship, panel discussion and keynote speaker Andy Lang, on February 27 at Parkway UCC (2841 North Ballas Road, 63131). Registration is $15 per person and includes lunch, groups of 7 or more receive a discount, so please see Marilyn Stavenger for a registration form. For more information please see the bulletin board in the narthex.
Yellow Bag Donations: (grocery cart in the narthex)
This month the donations of food were delivered to Joint Neighborhood Ministries by Gretchen Loudermilk. The pantry is very low and they were grateful for our donations. Please continue to show love and be generous on behalf of those in need of food.
Christopher turns 50 years old THIS month. Wow! FIVE decades of Christopher Grundy...
You are invited to Christopher's Big Birthday Benefit Bash - a concert for Lydia's House and The Asian Rural Institute. On February 20, 2016 at 7:00 pm come join us in the Wehrli Chapel at Eden Seminary. The concert will feature the talents of Wendy Bruner, Sherdonna Denholm, the HixSons, The Whiskey Club with Rick Herrick, Tachelle Rhiney, and Christopher Grundy! Then, stay for cake and beverages. There is no cost to attend the concert, but we're hoping you'll make a contribution to these two great organizations to honor Christopher on the anniversary of his natal day (February 23rd is his actual birthday). No gifts please. IF you can't come but still want to donate...Send cards ( ) with a donation or go directly to Lydia's House or Asian Rural Institute to contribute. RSVP http://evite.me/8cKgCJ2QNp