Worship Celebration
Worship Celebration
United Church of Hyde Park
June 17, 2018
Guiding Vision
“We are a diverse, Christ-centered people, learning together and reaching out to serve the community in faith, hope, and love.”
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United Church of Hyde Park
** Let’s gather together towards the front during Communion Sunday. **
We Open Ourselves to God and Each Other
Prelude “Here I Am, Lord” Edith Yokley, Violin
Welcome
*Call to Worship
One: All around us, God is looking for folks who will join is serving others.
All: It is as if God is planting seeds of compassion in us, watching for them to bloom in our lives.
One: In our midst, Jesus is walking among us, tending our hearts, watering us with grace.
All: It is as if Jesus is trusting that our souls will grow big enough to welcome everyone.
One: From morning to evening, the Spirit is at work, gently tending this garden called life.
All: It is as if the Spirit has found the perfect spots to bring forth crops of justice and peace.
*Opening Hymn “He Has Made Me Glad” (Insert)
Call to Reconciliation
One: We long to live as God’s people, yet in the very depths of our lives, we know how we have hurt those around us, through words and actions, as well as from indifference. But God hears us when we call, and answers with the grace we need. Let us pray together, as we confess our lives to our God.
Unison Prayer of Forgiveness
How you must grieve over us, God of all. You give us blessings to share with others, but we hoard everything for ourselves. You look for us to join you in serving the most vulnerable, but find us worshiping the wealthy and powerful. You offer us joy and wonder to embrace, but we continue to cling to weapons and things.
Have mercy on us, Anointing God, as you pour your forgiveness into our foolish lives. Plant the seeds of grace, hope, love, and peace in us, so we may blossom and share all these gifts with everyone we meet. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon read responsively
One: God’s love is not logical and understandable. For God forgives those we never would, and welcomes those we would continue to ignore.
All: This is the One who has mercy on everyone, pouring grace and joy into everyone, including us! Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
Passing the Peace
We invite the congregation to openly greet one another. Show a smile, shake a hand, and give a hug. Let’s share God’s love with one another. During the singing of “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” please find your way back to your seat as we continue fellowship.
*Song of Response sung while on the way back to our seats
“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” #557 (1st verse)
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Moment as Children
We Listen Together for the Divine Word
Anthem “Learning to Live Like a Child of the King” Jade Maze, Soloist
Prayer of Illumination
One: Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord,
All: Amen.
1st Scripture Reading, Psalm 20
One: Here ends the reading, pew Bible pp. 503, 504
All: Thanks be to God.
2nd Scripture Reading, Mark 4: 26-34
One: Here ends the reading, pew Bible pp. 815, 816
All: Thanks be to God.
Sermon “This is America” Rev. Charlene Hill
We Respond to God’s Call
*Hymn of Response “Come and Find the Quiet Center” (insert)
Invitation to the Offering
You can now give to UCHP electronically 2 ways!
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Offertory “Great is Thy Faithfulness” Edith Yokley, Violin
*Doxology “Give Thanks”
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ his son.
(repeat)
And now let the weak say, “I am strong”;
let the poor say, “I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us.”
(repeat)
Give thanks! Give Thanks!
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Congregants are invited to share requests for prayer.
After each the pastor will offer:
Pastor: Come Holy Spirit—
And the people respond:
People: Hear our prayer!
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (read together)
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 sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.
Closing Hymn “Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing” #671
Postlude
In Worship Today
Pastor: Rev. Charlene Hill
Director of Music – Organist: Joe Wilkinson
Liturgist: Stephanie Uhl
Please join us
next door for fellowship
with snacks and beverages!
1st Scripture Reading, Psalm 20
Prayer for Victory, To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary,
and give you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your offerings,
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices.Selah
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire,
and fulfill all your plans.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory,
and in the name of our God set up our banners.
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with mighty victories by his right hand.
7 Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They will collapse and fall,
but we shall rise and stand upright.
9 Give victory to the king, O LORD;
answer us when we call.[a]
2nd Scripture Readings, Mark 4: 26-34
The Parable of the Growing Seed
26 He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
The Use of Parables
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34 he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.