ORDER OF WORSHIP
June 18, 2023 10:30 AM
THIRD 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 “All Glory Be to God on High” Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 116)
Leader: I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.
PEOPLE: Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
Leader: What shall I return to the LORD for all his bounty to me?
PEOPLE: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,
Leader: I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
PEOPLE: I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the LORD
Leader: I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
PEOPLE: in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!
INVOCATION
We are in awe of your magnificent power displayed through the entire universe, for through you all things were made, and all things have their being. Lord, may we know the presence of the Holy Spirit here with us today. May we be open to your speaking and alert to your calling. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN: “Here I am Lord” Blue #525
CALL TO CONFESSION
Even in the sunlight of summer, we continue to stumble through the darkness of our transgressions. Let us come together as we seek a greater understanding of our Lord and
Creation.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious Creator, your light is always there before us, even as we look up to its inspiring flame, just as we look each day to a new sun. Grant us the peace to know our shortcomings even as you forgive them. And may we continue to look to the light of your perfect love, even as we know you will deliver us brighter days to come, just as the summer sun lights our joy in your love and grace.
(A moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Sisters and Brothers, the Lord of Heaven knows all our actions and all our prayers. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
**HYMN OF PRAISE: “Come Holy Spirit” Red #298
**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 18: 11-15, 21:1-7
Paul and Debby Hill
GOSPEL READING Matthew 9: 35, 10: 1-23
SERMON MESSAGE Predictions and Probabilities 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: “Faith of Our Fathers”
**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 “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken” 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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