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

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST September 27, 2020, 10:00 a.m.

PRELUDE “St. Columba” Matt Riley 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: We gather today around computer screens and

televisions… People: And we are one people; we are together in You. Leader: We show up, because we know we are connected… People: Though separated by physical walls and geographic

distance, we are connected to You and to one another through the faith we share. Amen.

* HYMN “God Is Here! As We Your People Meet” ABBOT’S LEIGH

TIME WITH CHILDREN The Rev. Carla Cain

SCRIPTURE Matthew 21.28--32 The Rev. Hal Chorpenning Response: Thanks be to God.

SERMON “Show Up” The Rev. Hal Chorpenning

MUSICAL OFFERING “Impromptu on St. Columba” Mark Heiskanen

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.

UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION Source of all that is and ever will be, we thank you for the gifts you have entrusted to us. Help us to use them wisely, and may you bless what we offer. Help us to show up, to be do-ers of the word, and to trust fully in you. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The Rev. Jane Anne Ferguson

Please send prayer requests to Carla@plymouthucc.org

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 “Guide My Feet” GUIDE MY FEET * BENEDICTION The Rev. Hal Chorpenning POSTLUDE “A Sketch…on St. Columba” Mark Heiskanen

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

Musicians this morning Mark Heiskanen, piano • Kristen Smith, cantor

Harmony Tucker, violin

God Is Here! As We Your People Meet

Text: Fred Pratt Green, alt..; Music: ABBOT’S LEIGH © 1995 The Pilgrim Press. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-709014.

Guide My Feet

Text: African-American traditional, alt..; Music: African-American traditional © 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, barbara@plymouthucc.org. 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 hal@plymouthucc.org The Rev. Jane Anne Ferguson, associate minister janeanne@plymouthucc.org The Rev. Carla Cain, associate minister carla@plymouthucc.org Mark Heiskanen, director of music/organist music@plymouthucc.org Alli Stubbs, interim director of Christian formation for youth alli@plymouthucc.org Tricia Medlock, interim director of Chrstian formation for children tricia@plymouthucc.org Anna Broskie, it/communications coordinator anna@plymouthucc.org Yendra Ruiz Tencza, business manager yendra@plymouthucc.org Barb Gregory, office manager barbara@plymouthucc.org Johnny & Jenn Wieda, sextons sexton@plymouthucc.org

970-482-9212 www.plymouthucc.org

10/4/20 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!

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!

All-church Budget and Finance "Congregational Conversation," TODAY, 11:15 a.m. All members are invited to attend a review of 2020 income and expenses and hear a preview of budget requests for 2021. This "Conversation" is sponsored by the Budget and Finance Committee and Stewardship Board. In 1965, between my junior and senior years of college, I was able to attend a UCC work/study camp in Germany. It cost $750, which was $250 more than a year of college (I lived at home.) I could afford to pay only $250. But I was able to go because my Plymouth church and the state conference each gave me $250. The camp was life changing. And here I am, a UCC member for 70 years. Thank you! (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!).

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

Livestream) 10 a.m.; All Church Budget & Finance Mtg. (Zoom-Email Invite) 11:15 a.m.; Middle School Youth Group (Lawn/FH) 4:30 p.m.

Monday: Jane Anne away; New Gifts of the Dark Wood Class (Zoom-Email Invite) 9 a.m.; Wholeness Prayer Group (Park or Zoom-Email Invite) 10 a.m.; Trustees Board (Zoom-Email Invite) 7 p.m.

Tuesday: Pastoral Mtg. (Zoom-Email Invite) 9 a.m.; Celtic Spirituality II (Zoom-Email Invite) 11 a.m.; Staff Mtg. (Zoom-Email Invite) 10:30 a.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.; Blessing of the Animals (Parking Lot) 11:30 a.m.; Middle School Youth Group (Lawn/FH) 4:30 p.m.

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You can still view Facebook Live, and if you are having trouble with Facebook, you can also watch our Vimeo Livestream 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

Pledge Income – Thank you!

Actual August Pledge Contributions $ 61,424

August Budgeted Pledge Contributions $ 67,454

Year-to-Date Actual Pledge Contributions $ 572,549

Year-to-Date Budgeted Pledge Contributions $ 539,635

NO Zoom coffee hour TODAY.

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

Today the Neighbors In Need Offering will be received. Your generous donation will fund UCC justice & compassion efforts in the U.S. Include NIN on the memo line of checks mailed to the office, please, or you may donate online or via text. Thank you for furthering the UCC efforts to help those in need.

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 sparmenter77@yahoo.com. Can’t make this class? Look below! New Gifts of the Dark Wood Class Starting!!

Candidate Forums: Sundays, Sept. 27 - Oct. 25 at 9 a.m. Join us for Zoom forums with candidates for the upcoming Larimer County and Colorado elections and a discussion of the ballot issues on November's ballot. More details to come. Look for the Zoom link in the Saturday email and on our website.

Mondays, Sept. 28-Oct. 26, 10-11 a.m.! Limited to 8 participants on Zoom. Email leaders, Marty Marsh (martymmarsh13@gmail.com) or Anna Olsen (alowaterboy@bajabb.com), for registration and the Zoom link! Anna Olsen (alowaterboy@bajabb.com) and Marty Marsh (martymmarsh13@gmail.com)

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 tricia@plymouthucc.org

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 alli@plymouthucc.org.

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 janeanne@plymouthuc.org 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 Carla@plymouthucc.org. If you are interested, please attend one of the two informational sessions, Sept. 23 at noon and Sept 23 at 6:00 p.m. The Zoom links are in the email from Carla dated Thurs., Sept. 10.

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. Rossglane61@gmail.com

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 Carla@plymouthucc.org.

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.