ORDER OF WORSHIP
JUNE 30, 2024 10:30 AM
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE “Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Psalm 130)
Leader: Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
PEOPLE: Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
Leader: If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
PEOPLE: But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
Leader: I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
PEOPLE: My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning.
Leader: O Israel, have hope in the LORD!
PEOPLE: For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great power
to redeem.
INVOCATION
God of all creation, the earth is yours in all its fullness. You touch the leaves with dew in the morning and the cooling breeze of night. Trees are laden with fruit and fields produce crops through your blessings. As you watch over your children and fill our needs, so now send forth your spirit to be present among us as we lift out heads and give you praise in Christ’s name. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “America the Beautiful” Red #418
CALL TO CONFESSION
God calls us to excellence, yet we fall short of his confidence. We are granted grace yet we abuse and ignore it. Let us pray together for a greater understanding of these wonderful gifts.
PRAYER OF UNDERSTANDING
God of forgiveness, grant us your favor once again. Help our desires rise to approach yours, our love to be genuine and deep in following your will. Let us rely on your goodness and look to our neighbor’s need in equal measure to our own comforts. This we pray in Christ’s mercy and your forgiveness. Amen
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Fellow travelers in faith, know that our God hears us, understands us, and unconditionally forgives us even as we struggle to follow the way of love and grace. Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI Red #805
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - APOSTLES CREED (This is re-adapted for Pride month from the Choctaw Nation’s adaptation of the Apostles Creed)
I believe in God, Creator of our unique spirits and outlooks, Who gifted us the identity as a distinct people through our Pride, our differences and yet the similarities that all God’s children share, so that through our own lives we can relay God’s love to our people who could not be understood by others.
I believe in Jesus Christ, our relative, who talked of us when he said, “I have other sheep out there, besides those I have here.” I believe in Jesus Christ who knew the pain of all people who were forced into discomfort and had no place to lay their head. I believe in Jesus Christ who does not say “goodbye” in any language but says “I am with you to the end.”
I believe in the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire lighting upon our people to witness to their own people and to the world. I believe in the Holy Spirit as our guide and the driving force for our unique people to do a new thing as we walk a new journey, toward better lives for all humankind.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Song” Red #502
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Draw us close, Holy Spirit, as the Scriptures are read and the Word is proclaimed. Let the word of faith be on our lips and in our hearts, and let all other words slip away. May there be one voice we hear today — the voice of truth and grace. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Lamentations 3: 22-33 Debby and Paul Hill
NEW TESTAMENT READING 2 Corinthians 8: 7-15
GOSPEL READING Mark 5: 21-43
SERMON: She’s Only Sleeping John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Gracious God, keep in our hearts all those whose names you already know and who ask for healing in their own quiet ways, let us pray together as our redeemer taught us, saying:
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
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
It is right to share our abundance with those who have less or need more. May what we offer here help to be the answer of the prayers of others in the name of Jesus, Amen.
OFFERTORY “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” Victoria Cottone,
Soprano
**DOXOLOGY Traditional Red #809
**PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
**HYMN OF PARTING “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” Red #638
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “There’s a Quiet Understanding” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
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