Join us this Sunday as the Rev. Jeff Kellam steps into our pulpit as guest preacher. Rev. Kellam will also preside over the Lord’s Supper. The Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the day are:
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10
Psalm 48
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13
Join us in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service.
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homecoming... and Going
2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13
Union Presbyterian Church
July 7, 2024
Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Liturgist: Barbara Ann Dailey Minister: Rev. Jeff Kellam
Welcome
Announcements Barbara Ann Dailey
Prelude Colin DeLap
“God of Our Fathers,” Phillip Keveren.
© 2002, Hal Leonard Corporation.
Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847
* Call to Worship
The love of God is more splendid than purple mountain majesties.
God’s word of grace fills the spacious skies.
Amber waves of grain remind us of God’s abundant care and the earth’s provision of daily bread.
Above the fruited plain is God’s eternal joy when we turn from shadows and walk toward God’s light.
In every nation, in every heart, God can make all things new!
Let our songs rise, and let God’s praise be heard from sea to shining sea.
* Hymn #577 W & R
“Sing a New Church,” Delores Duffner
©1993, OCP Publications, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Summoned by the God who made us rich in our diversity,
Gathered in the name of Jesus, richer still in unity:
Let us bring the gifts that differ and, in splendid, varied ways,
Sing a new church into being, one in faith and love and praise.
Radiant risen from the water; robed in holiness and light,
Male and female in God’s image, male and female, God’s delight:
Let us bring the gifts that differ and, in splendid, varied ways,
Sing a new church into being, one in faith and love and praise.
Trust the goodness of creation; trust the Spirit strong within.
Dare to dream the vision promised sprung from seed of what has been.
Let us bring the gifts that differ and, in splendid, varied ways,
Sing a new church into being, one in faith and love and praise.
Bring the hopes of every nation; bring the art of every race.
Weave a song of peace and justice; let it sound through time and space.
Let us bring the gifts that differ and, in splendid, varied ways,
Sing a new church into being, one in faith and love and praise.
Draw together at one table all the human family;
Shape a circle ever wider and a people ever free.
Let us bring the gifts that differ and, in splendid, varied ways,
Sing a new church into being, one in faith and love and praise.
* Call to New Life
When we gather to worship God, we must first be honest with ourselves. We are not who God has called us to be as a people. We have not cared for others in every instance. We have made many mistakes. Let us unburden ourselves and confess our sins, knowing that God awaits to forgive and renew.
* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace
Gracious God, we live in the tension of what we are called to be and our lived reality. We often fall short of the good we intend and our growing in the likeness of Christ is painfully slow at best. Forgive us we pray. Offer us the peace that passes all understanding that we might be forgiven and begin anew. In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.
* Words of Assurance
Hear the Good News! The old life is gone, a new life has begun. You are not who you were; may you live into who you can be. Know you are forgiven and be at peace.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
* Sharing of the Peace
May the peace of God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us share God’s peace with one another offering words as well as gestures of grace.
Scripture 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Time for Young Disciples Rev. Jeff Kellam
Music: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
Anthem Mary
“Father, We Place Into Your Hands,” Jenny Hewer
©1975, ThankYou Music
Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847
Scripture Mark 6:1-13
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:
Thanks be to God!
Sermon “Homecoming... and Going”
Hymn #581 W & R
“Called as Partners in Christ’s Service,” Jane Parker Huber
©1981, Westminster John Knox Press, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Called as partners in Christ’s service,
Called to ministries of grace,
We respond with deep commitment
Fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing,
Side by side and friend with friend,
Equal partners in our caring
To fulfill God’s chosen end.
Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring,
Christ’s clear call to work and worth,
Let us follow, never faltering,
Reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer, poorer,
All God’s people, young and old,
Blending human skills together
Gracious gifts from God unfold.
Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission,
In a small or global sense,
Help us bear each other’s burdens,
Breaking down each wall or fence.
Words of comfort, words of vision,
Words of challenge, said with care,
Bring new power and strength for action,
Make us colleagues, free and fair.
So God grant us for tomorrow
Ways to order human life
That surround each person’s sorrow
With a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living,
Our compassion to increase,
Messengers of faith, thus giving
Hope and confidence and peace.
* Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Prayers of the People
Prayer Response
“Glory Be to God, Creator,” Richard K. Carlson
©1996, Hark! Publications, Used with permission
Glory be to God, Creator,
Glory be to God the Son,
Glory be to God the Spirit,
Known as Three, yet God the One.
Call for Offering
* Doxology
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” Brian Wren
©1989, Hope Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
* Prayer of Dedication
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
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.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
You are invited to come and gather in small groups around the table as invited by the elders. You will pass the bread from person to person; and then the grape juice. After a moment of silent prayer, you may return to your seat.
Prayer After Communion
* Hymn #592 W & R
“Lord, You Give the Great Commission,” Jeffery Rowthorn, Cyril V. Taylor
©1970, 1978, Hope Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Lord, you give the great commission:
"Heal the sick and preach the word."
Lest the church neglect its mission
And the gospel go unheard,
Help us witness to your purpose
With renewed integrity:
With the Spirit's gifts empower
Us for the work of ministry.
Lord, you call us to your service:
"In my name baptize and teach."
That the world may trust your promise,
Life abundant meant for each,
Give us all new fervor, draw us
Closer in community:
With the Spirit's gifts empower
Us for the work of ministry.
Lord, you make the common holy:
"This my body, this my blood."
Let us all, for earth's true glory,
Daily lift life heavenward,
Asking that the world around us
Share your children's liberty:
With the Spirit's gifts empower
Us for the work of ministry.
Lord, you show us love's true measure:
"Father, what they do, forgive."
Yet we hoard as private treasure
All that you so freely give.
May your care and mercy lead us
To a just society:
With the Spirit's gifts empower
Us for the work of ministry.
Lord, you bless with words assuring:
"I am with you to the end."
Faith and hope and love restoring,
May we serve as you intend,
And, amid the cares that claim us,
Hold in mind eternity:
With the Spirit's gifts empower
Us for the work of ministry.
* Benediction
Postlude Colin DeLap
“Battle Hymn of the Republic,” Phillip Keveren.
© 2002, Hal Leonard Corporation.
Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847