ORDER OF WORSHIP
June 11, 2023 10:30 AM
SECOND 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 “Organ Prelude” Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 33)
Leader: Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright.
PEOPLE: Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
Leader: Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
PEOPLE: For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
Leader: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth.
PEOPLE: He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses.
Leader: Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
PEOPLE: For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
Leader: The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
PEOPLE: 33:12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
INVOCATION
Gracious God, we rejoice in our company here today, to offer our worship and devotion
to you and to the teachings of Scripture. Guide us in our pathways of faith, step by step
in your name and that of our Savior, Jesus Christ,
**OPENING HYMN: “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” Red #52
CALL TO CONFESSION
I crawled out of bed this morning and had done no wrong. I had nothing to confess.
But Lord, that was at least two hours ago, and I have already sinned against God and
neighbor. We are a sinful people and come to God humbly seeking God’s forgiveness.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God, we have an unhealthy need to be better than someone else. Our egos
constantly need to be fed; we need to feel better about ourselves. Often we recognize
and control these urges, but too often, we act on them and in the process hurt our
neighbors. We step on others in order to get ahead. We ridicule others because in
some perverse way it makes us feel better about ourselves.
Help us recognize others as equals, not as enemies nor as beings superior to ourselves,
but as individuals in Christ waiting to be experienced. A person we are free to know and
love without fear of ourselves being diminished or intimidated. As we are forgiven by our neighbors, we seek the forgiveness of our Savior and Lord. Amen.
(A moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the good news. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen
HYMN OF PRAISE: “Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart” Red #34
PASSING OF THE PEACE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
APOSTLES CREED (adapted for Pride month from the Choctaw 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.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which you have given us in our Savior
Jesus Christ. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Genesis 12: 1-9 Libby Szymanowicz
EPISTLE READING Romans 4: 13-25
GOSPEL READING Matthew 9: 9-13, 18-26
SERMON MESSAGE Untitled #4 John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We give freely from the bounty we have been given by our Gracious God. May what we offer in these moments help to become the very blessing and hope that others need. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY: “As the Deer”
**DOXOLOGY (Traditional)
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we follow in faith, may we find ways to honor you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit” Red #291
BENEDICTION
May the sun warm your face each morning and the afternoon rains touch your gardens with growth. And as you stand in the light of the setting sun, may the rainbow stretch out over the heavens above us all. Amen.
POSTLUDE “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” By J.S.Bach Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
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