Welcome to Worship at Federated! If you are new to Federated, please tell us on a “Visitors Card” & in a red Friendship Folder.

Children are welcome in worship at Federated. Children’s Activity Bags are at the Sanctuary entrance. The Library/“Cry Room” is child friendly. Child care is available Sundays in the Nursery.

Ushers are here to help you: Rick Porter (Thurs.), Anita Kaspar, Randy Kaspar, Cliff Jensen, John Petersen, Marilyn Petersen and Clark Smith.

Hearing assistance devices and large print hymnals are also available. We are called Federated because on July 2, 1914, Columbus’ Congregational (now the United Church of Christ) and Presbyterian churches joined in an effort to serve as one congregation.

For Prayer Chain requests, call the Church Office (402) 564-2812 to call the Order of St. Andrew to start the prayer chain. The Prayer Chain is strictly confidential.

If you missed worship last week, visit www.federatedcolumbus.org to see videos of worship and bulletins or Channel 99 (HD) Mondays and Saturdays at Noon and Sunday evenings at 8pm.

In case of an emergency, the pastors’ cell phone numbers are: Annika: (402) 942-1636 / Edward: (402) 302-2812

Clergy and Staff

Rev. Dr. Annika Lister Stroope Senior Pastor

annika@federatedcolumbus.org

Jim Rains Office Manager

jrains@federatedcolumbus.org

Rev. Dr. S. Edward Yang Associate Pastor

for Children, Youth, and Families edward@federatedcolumbus.org

Chrissy Ford Bookkeeper & Publications Coord.

cford@federatedcolumbus.org

Lee Augustin, Organist Zach Nickolite, Custodian

Bob Arp, Chancel Choir Director Ashli Porter, Nursery Attendant

Stuart Gausman Bell Choir Director

Lay Pastor Antonio Garcia El Buen Pastor Fellowship

Governing Council 2017

Rick Porter, President • Dave Melick, Vice President Louise Moran, Secretary • Terry Norris, Treasurer

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

Chris Dixon Jeannie Kiser-Jensen Gene Depue

Heidi Klevemann Sharon Kuncl Kathy Leischner

Nila Novotny Bill Royer Gail Wurdeman

Paul Sanderson

Thursday, March 23 and Sunday, March 26, 2017

*Please rise in body or in spirit. ‡ tune #2138 in blue Sing the Faith songbook CCLI License #1160936

We Prepare to Worship God The Prelude invites us to begin our time of worship.

Prelude Prelude in E Minor Chopin Spirit of God Unleashed on Earth Southern hymn tune

Lee Augustin, Organ & Piano

Welcome & Announcements (Please sign and pass Friendship Folders to your neighbors.)

* Call to Worship adapted from a prayer from Vanuatu, in the South Pacific One: O Jesus, be the canoe that holds me in the sea of life; All: may your spirit be the sail that carries me through each day; One: be the strength that we can paddle steadfastly on, All: in the long voyage of life. One: Let us turn our hearts to God with the sung prayer of confession.

*Sung Prayer of Lenten Confession and Reconciliation ‡ Beach Spring We have failed to love our neighbors, their offences to forgive;

Have not listened to their troubles, nor have cared just how they live, We are jealous, proud, impatient, loving over much our things;

May the yielding of our failings be our Lenten offerings.

Silent Prayers of Confession

Declaration of God’s Forgiveness Psalm 27 One: Amen. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage! All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Alleluia! Amen. * Opening Hymn No. 298 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Edward Yang, Associate Pastor 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.

Choral Anthem (Sun.) Give Me Oil in My Lamp arr. Martin Bob Arp, Director

Children’s Sermon (Sun.) All children are invited forward for a special message.

* Responsive Hymn No. 315 Every Time I Feel the Spirit

We Listen for God in Holy Scripture Reading of Scripture Judy Trautwein, Liturgist (Sun.) The Gospel according to John 6: 60 - 71 Pew Bible New Testament page 99 Sermon “Does this shock you?” (John 6: 61) Sixth in an Eight-Week Series: Questions of Jesus Annika Lister Stroope, Senior Pastor Moment for Silent Reflection * Responsive Hymn No. 363 I Want Jesus to Walk with Me

Our Worship Responds to God * Affirmation of Faith from the Federated Church Covenant of Membership One: Friends in Christ, what do we covenant? All: We covenant with Jesus Christ, and with one another, and do bind ourselves in the presence of God to walk together in Christian love. One: Friends in Christ, what do we seek? All: We seek to worship God in spirit and in truth, to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. One: Friends in Christ, what will we do? All: With God’s help, we will honor the Federated Church in our conduct, supporting its life and ministry by our attendance, prayers, talents, and treasure so as to extend the influence of Christ in our midst and throughout the world.

Invitation to the Offering Offertory Spirit of the Living Lord Thygerson * Doxology ‡‡

Praise God throughout these forty days. Praise Christ, our Lord, whom God did raise And praise the Spirit who imparts, God’s love in Christ into our hearts. Amen.

* Prayer of Dedication One: In the book of the prophet Micah, scripture asks us this question: All: What does the Lord require of us? The prophet responds: to love justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God. O Lord, accept these offerings as one step, on this Sabbath, of our humble walk with you. May our offerings extend justice and kindness in your world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. * Closing Hymn No. 398 There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit

* Blessing and Sending Forth

* The Passing of the Peace One: In the peace of Christ, we are called as disciples and friends. The peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. One: Please greet one another with a sign of peace.

All are invited to rise as you are able in body or in spirit to greet those around you.

Postlude Voluntary Purcell/Smith

All are welcome to Sunday fellowship after worship, hosted by El Buen Pastor Hispanic Fellowship.

Wednesday Lenten Worship Services and Lunches at First United Methodist begin on March 8th

WEDNESDAYS at 12:05pm

March 29 - Edward Yang of Federated Church preaching April 5 - Seong Lee of First Methodist Church preaching

*As you are able in body or in spirit, please rise. ‡ tune on page 592 of hymnal, © United Methodist Church

Lenten “Greening of the Church” Members and friends of the congregation are invited to “green the church,” a liturgical visual reminder of the Lenten season, and God’s gift of spring, if you have a houseplant you are willing to loan to the Sanctuary chancel March 15 - April 16 (Easter), please bring the plant to the church office. The sanctuary will be gradually “greened” through Lent. After Easter, you are welcome to take your houseplant home or to donate it to the church.

JOYS & CONCERNS Please hold Marilyn Vrana in your prayers as she recovers from surgery. Please hold Irene (O’Brien) Dare in your prayers as she recovers from pneumonia at Columbus Hospital. Please pray for George Greenawalt as he has transitioned to residing at Morys Haven. Please pray for Cynthia Irby, daughter of Bill & Carolyn, as she faces a cancer diagnosis. Please pray for Clare, daughter-in-law of Rev. Don and Joy Wilson, receiving treatment for breast cancer.

THIS WEEK AT FEDERATED CHURCH Sunday, March 26 9:30am Worship Service, Sanctuary 10:30am Sunday School, Ed Center, Upper Room 10:45am Adult Bible Education, Sanctuary 3:00pm El Buen Pastor Worship Service, Sanctuary

Monday, March 27 2:00pm Staff Meeting, EC 7 4:00pm Emerson Tutoring, Emerson School 5:30pm Special Olympics, Gym 7:00pm Boy Scouts Troop 212, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, March 28 7:00am Christian Book Discussion, Fellowship Hall 5:30pm Special Olympics, Gym 6:00pm Consonaires Rehearsal, Choir Room 7:00pm Governing Council Meeting, EC 8

Wednesday, March 29 12:05pm Lenten Luncheon Series, @ FUMC 3:00pm Wed. Youth After School, FH, Gym 5:30pm Bell Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary 6:30pm Puppet Ministry, EC 3/8 7:30pm Youth Club, Upper Room, B23, Gym 7:30pm Chancel Choir Practice, Choir Room

Thursday, March 30 6:30pm Worship Service, Sanctuary

Friday, March 31 9:00am MOPS Playgroup, Gym 6:00pm Latino Prayer Service, EC 6

Saturday, April 1 No events scheduled

Sunday, April 2 9:30am Worship Service, Sanctuary 10:30am Sunday School, Ed Center, Upper Room 10:45am Adult Bible Education, Sanctuary

UPCOMING AT FEDERATED CHURCH For more details, visit www.federatedcolumbus.org, or

contact the church office (402)564-2812.

Mission and Outreach

Caring and Fellowship

Bible Studies & Christian Education

Tuesday Christian Book Discussion Group has begun a new book — a great time to come give this lively discussion group a try! The book is Jesus: The Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary by Marcus Borg. Breakfast is served along with great conversation at 7a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. New attendees are welcome at any time!

Adult Education Series: We are continuing to do a more in-depth study of the Bible verses that are the focus of the Lenten sermon and study series Questions of Jesus. The Nursery is now back to its regular spot, so we will resume meeting in Education Center Room 4/5 at 10:45a.m.

Thank You!

The Needlecraft Ministry is again asking for men’s or women’s t-shirts, sizes large or larger and for colorful, good, used sheets to make hospital gowns. They may be left in the church office. Any questions, ask Louise Moran 402-564-5745.

Saturday, March 25 at 10 a.m. - Julie Shrader, President of Rejuvenating Women, will speak at Federated Church. The goal of Rejuvenating Women is to increase awareness of sex trafficking in Nebraska, its impact on women and the community, the importance of identification of human trafficking in Nebraska, and what is currently being done to assist victims to help them heal. Sponsored by Federated’s Social Concerns & Missions Committee. Colfax County Attorney Denise Kracl will hold a follow-up conversation on Sunday, April 2 at 10:45a.m. in the Federated sanctuary (Adult Ed. Hour).

A BIG THANK YOU to the February Meals-on-Wheels volunteers! Federated will be delivering April 17-21 - a week early due to a trade with St. Luke’s Church. Coordinator will be Jean Royer (402-564-8012).

The Women's Fellowship annual Birthday Offering will be received in the "Birthday Jar" in the Narthex on Thursdays, April 20th and 27th and Sundays, April 23rd and 30th. Thank you for supporting this church wide mission Project sponsored by the Social Concerns and Missions Committee.

There are new prayer request cards in the pews. We welcome requests for praise and thanksgiving as well as for prayerful support during challenging times. Please let us know how we can pray for you. ~Federated Church Prayer Chain

The Monday morning Bible study will be meeting in Jean Royer’s home on April 3 at 9:30 a.m. You are invited to join us in viewing and discussing “The Gospel of Judas”.

Thank you to everyone for the prayers, cards, and well wishes during my surgery. ~Marilyn Vrana

Worship flowers this morning are from Bobbie

Uhlmann in loving memory of Jim Uhlmann.