June 20 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

 
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Since we work together with Him, we are also begging you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”  —2 Corinthians 6:1 (CEB)

Welcome — Pastor Charles

Prelude: “Morning Has Broken” arranged by Lloyd Larsen — Suzanne Polacek

Call to Worship (UMC Book of Worship #402)—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Amy Abshire (People)

Leader: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

People: Behold our God is a Creator.

Leader: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

People: Behold our God is a Redeemer.

Leader: The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.

People: Behold our God is a Holy Spirit. Let us worship the God who is one in three, three in one, who heals our brokenness and gathers up all our meanings.

—Reprinted by permission of the publisher from Touch Holiness, ed. Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi. © 1990 The Pilgrim Press.

Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Verses 1 & 2

 

Litany of Peace for Father’s Day—Pastor Charles and Amy Abshire

Loving God, we lift this day our gratitude for the loving men who have brought us the precious heart of your Father Love. We give thanks to You this day: For those who have shown us kindness, For those who have shown us courage, For those who have shown us generosity, For those who have shown us truth, For those who have shown us compassion, For those who have shown us faith, For those who have shown us love.

Blessed be the name of all sons and brothers and fathers who reveal a glimpse of Your loving presence on earth. O God, You inspire Your people in the ways of kindness that lift our world from its disgrace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. For every son, brother, father, grandfather, who has suffered and endured.

We lift a stone from the streambed of Living Waters to the forehead of the men and boys in our lives, touching each forehead with the sign of Your healing for every broken heart hidden from view, for every secret shame buried in darkness, for every untold story of regret and alienation.

We touch with this stone the brow of every man who has suffered for those he loved; we touch with this stone the forehead of our ancestral fathers who sacrificed their very lives,

inviting You to heal the wars and woes and wickedness within, inviting Your everlasting peace, that the world might know Your peace.

Hear our prayer, O God, for this broken world. We pray for peace this Father’s Day.

For wisdom and equity in the hearts and minds of those who lead us.

For justice with mercy that seeks equitable access to the earth’s resources.

For passion and power in our churches to influence public policy for good.

For a new day when justice will roll down like waters across this land.

For the revelation of Father Love that never leaves nor forsakes.

And we lift Your hope of healing for all sons, brothers, fathers, grandfathers who live in mystery as Your creation, who are entrusted with the life and struggles of manhood.

May they grow in Father Love to Your glory.

Hear our prayer, O God, for this broken world. We pray for peace this Father’s Day.  

—Discipleship Ministries of The UMC, ©2009 Jane Sommers. Used with permission.

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations—Pastor Charles

Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer—Pastor Charles

First Lesson: Psalm 9:9-20—Amy Abshire

Musical Offering: “Faith of Our Fathers” arranged by Lorie Line — Suzanne Polacek

                   

Gospel Lesson:  Mark 4:35-41—Pastor Charles

Sermon: “One night on the lake”—Pastor Charles

Hymn: “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds” Verses 1 & 2

Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles

Postlude: “May the Lord Watch Over You” — Alpha & Omega