st. paul's united church of christ sunday, june 6, 2021
TRANSCRIPT
ST. PAUL'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Sunday, June 6, 2021
1235 Summer Hill Road, Auburn, PA 17922
Church Office: 570-754-7225
Rev. Ken McDowell, Pastor: 610-207-4783
Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday; 9am–12pm
email: [email protected]
website: www.summerhillucc.com
www.facebook.com/summerhillucc
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1782 239 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE 2021
Sunday, June 6, 2021 10:30am
Second Sunday after Pentecost
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Scout Sunday
Rev. Ken McDowell, Pastor Pianist- Rae Ann Borger
While indoors, masks are optional for those vaccinated and encouraged for those non-vaccinated.
CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
The Concerns of the Ministry / Announcements of the Church
This morning we remember in prayer PSEC Conference Ministers from our Schuylkill Association Prayer Calendar.
Please read the announcements that are in this downloadable bulletin, as well as those we post on our Facebook site,
our emails, and our phone calls, and then help spread the word to those who do not have access to any of those
messages.
(Communion note: This morning, as some of us are gathered together here at church while many
are gathering with us virtually from their homes, we all are invited to the same table. Those present
this morning are invited to bring their own bread and drink to use during Communion, or pick up
a bag of individually prepared elements from the table, as we will not be distributing the elements
during the service. For those at home who feel moved to participate as an act of remembrance,
you may gather bread and drink and partake as we do when we are gathered together.)
Pastor: Welcome and Recognition of Scouts and Leaders of Troop 651
Jason Wood – Boy Scout Scoutmaster
Doug Klepsch – Cub Scout Cubmaster
PRESENTATION OF COLORS & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE….
Color guard led by Senior Patrol Leader, Chase Jones of Troop 651
INVOCATION
GATHERING FOR THE WORD
PRELUDE
The congregation may stand.
SOLEMN DECLARATION.........................................................................................................................Sung “Amen”
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: Let us lift up the name of our God!
People: Let us praise the faithfulness of the Lord!
Pastor: For just as the Lord's greatness fills the heavens,
People: The Lord's love embraces the earth,
Pastor: Preserving our life in the midst of trouble.
ALL: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God! Amen!
OPENING HYMN NO. 56………………………………………………….“Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”
Sing praise to God who reigns above, the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation.
My soul with comfort rich he fills, and every grief he gently stills: to God all praise and glory!
What God’s almighty power has made, in mercy he is keeping;
by morning glow or evening shade his eye is never sleeping.
And where he rules in kingly might, there all is just and all is right: to God all praise and glory!
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We sought the Lord in our distress; O God, in mercy hear us.
Our Savior saw our helplessness and came with peace to cheer us.
For this we thank and praise the Lord, who is by one and all adored: to God all praise and glory!
Let all who name Christ’s holy name give God the praise and glory.
Let all who know his power proclaim aloud the wondrous story.
Cast every idol from its throne; the Lord is God, and he alone: to God all praise and glory!
CALL TO CONFESSION
CONFESSION OF SIN (Unison)
Gracious God, we often forget that you are the ruler of our lives. Instead, we turn our attention elsewhere.
We want what others have. We allow the concerns of the world to weigh us down. We become distracted
by the activities around us. We forget to keep our focus on you. Forgive us. Strengthen our faith, that we
may see your presence in our lives. Remind us again that you are the Lord of our lives—the one who loves
us completely, the one who offers us abundant forgiveness, the one who never leaves our side. In your holy
name we pray. Amen.
MOMENT OF PERSONAL CONFESSION
KYRIE
Pastor: Lord, have mercy upon us.
People: Lord, have mercy upon us.
Pastor: Christ, have mercy upon us.
People: Christ, have mercy upon us.
Pastor: Lord, have mercy upon us.
People: Lord, have mercy upon us.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Pastor: Brothers and sisters, the hand of God stretches far and wide to forgive us, bringing us newness of life.
In the name of God, whose love endures forever, you are forgiven.
People: Thanks be to God!
THE GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, it is now and ever shall
be, world without end. Amen.
The congregation may be seated.
ENGAGING THE WORD
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION……………………………………………………………………………...Colby Ulsh
READING OF THE WORD:
Old Testament: 1 Samuel 8:4–11, 16–20 Colby Ulsh
Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Alex Krawchuk
Gospel Lesson: Mark 3:20-35 Brody Vaughn
Lector: This is the Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
SCRIPTURE RESPONSE........................................................................................“Let Thy word abide in us, O Lord.”
SERMON.......................................................................................................................“Be Careful What You Ask For!”
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RESPONDING TO THE WORD
The congregation may remain seated.
HYMN OF REFLECTION NO. 419……………………………………………………..“My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away;
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire;
as Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
pure, warm, and changeless be, a living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread,
and griefs around me spread, be Thou my guide;
bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream,
when death’s cold, sullen stream o’er me roll;
blest Savior, then, in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!
The congregation may stand.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) ....................................................................………………..The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
The congregation may be seated.
PASTORAL PRAYER……………………………………………………………………………“A Scout is Reverent”
Pastor: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: O God, because we have failed in the trust others placed in us, we pray for forgiveness and renewal to be
trustworthy. For strength to be loyal to our calling in baptism as disciples in the world. God in your
mercy...
People: Hear our prayer.
Pastor: For the spirit to be friendly to all people and even those who are unfriendly to us. For the gift of courtesy
to all people, but especially to the elderly, the disabled and little children. God in your mercy...
People: Hear our prayer.
Pastor: For a heart that rejoices in being kind to people, to animals and to the earth. For the will to discipline
ourselves, to answer God’s call rather than our selfish desires. God in your mercy...
People: Hear our prayer.
Pastor: For a cheerful spirit to see us through disappointing events and for a faith that believes God will good,
even when events cause us pain and sadness. For an appreciation that all that we have is a gift, for a mind
and a heart that will be thrifty in managing the resources that God has entrusted to our care. God in your
mercy...
People: Hear our prayer.
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Pastor: For the courage not to be afraid of doing what is right and to be brave in working for justice. For the will
to work to keep clean our minds, our hearts, and for the gift of reverence for God, who values all of
creation. God in your mercy...
People: Hear our prayer.
SILENT PRAYER
PRAYER RESPONSE
Hear our prayer, O Lord; Hear our prayer, O Lord; Hear our prayer, O Lord, And grant us Thy peace. Amen.
CALL TO OFFERING
The congregation may stand.
OFFERING RESPONSE & DEDICATION................................................................................................DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly
host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
OFFERING PRAYER
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation:
Pastor: Jesus said: “I am the bread of life. You who come to me shall not hunger; you who believe in me shall
never thirst.”
People: In company with all who hunger for spiritual food, we come to this table to know the risen Christ in
the sharing of this life-giving bread.
Communion Prayer:
Pastor: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to God.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to God Most High.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Pastor: Holy God, we praise and bless you…………………………………….we praise with joy your holy name:
The Seraphic Hymn:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full, are full of the majesty of Thy glory, Hosanna,
Hosanna, hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna
in the highest!
The congregation may be seated.
Words of Institution:
Prayer of Consecration:
Pastor: Consecrate therefore, by your Holy Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine, and bless us, that as we receive
them at this table, we may offer you our faith and praise, we may be united with Christ and with one
another, and we may continue faithful in all things.
People: In the strength Christ gives us, we offer ourselves to you, eternal God, and give thanks that you
have called us to serve you.
Pastor: We ask these things in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray saying...
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.
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Breaking of the Bread:
Lifting of the Cup:
Call to the Supper:
The Sharing of the Elements:
Blessing of the Children:
The congregation may stand.
The Prayer of Thanksgiving: (Unison)
All: We thank you God, for inviting us to this table where we have known the presence of Christ and have
received all Christ’s gifts. Strengthen our faith and increase our love for one another, and let us show
forth your praise in our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
GOING WITH THE WORD
COMMISSION
Pastor: Do not lose heart, for there is the abode of God.
People: If our hearts are troubled, God will share our agony; if our hearts are triumphant, God will share
our gladness.
Pastor: Do not lose heart, for there is the shelter for your neighbors.
People: May we share their agony and gladness, as we trek, arm-in-arm, to the mountaintop.
BENEDICTION
THE THREEFOLD AMEN............................................................................................................Amen. Amen. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN NO. 603……………..…………………………………...........“In Christ There Is No East or West”
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,
but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.
In him shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord close binding humankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith, whate'er your race may be!
Who serves my Father as his child is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west; in him meet south and north;
all Christly souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.
SILENT MEDITATION
POSTLUDE
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Portions of today’s worship resources were reproduced or adapted from the UCC’s Book
of Worship, Worship Elements from MinistryMatters.com, and by Karin Ellis from the
2021 Abingdon Worship Annuals edited by Mary J. Scifres and B. J. Beu.
CCLI Copyright License Number 3253621 and CCLI Streaming License Number 20179084.
-The altar flower and bulletins are in memory of Fern Krause by Ron and Debbie Koch.
-Offering on Sunday, May 30, 2021: $1,707.00
-Weekly envelope & plate budget for 2021: $2,533.94
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-Covid Protocol Update:
Our church consistory met on May 18, 2021 to discuss the new guidelines issued from the CDC. We continue to be
dedicated to providing a place for spiritual nurture while following the best guidance that we have for maintaining
safety.
Effective immediately, masking will be optional for vaccinated individuals. Those who have not completed the
vaccination process (including the appropriate waiting period) are encouraged to continue to wear a mask indoors for
your own safety and the safety of others.
We will continue to have conversations based on current guidelines and will adjust appropriately as we move forward
together.
Please help to spread the word to anyone who might not have received this message.
The Consistory of St. Paul’s
-When the weather permits, we will worship outdoors. We will announce via Facebook by 9:00am on Sunday
mornings if we intend to worship outdoors, using the general guidelines of near 60 degrees, dry, and low winds. Please
dress appropriately and bring your favorite lawn chair or blanket.
-Our summer worship schedule has begun. During the months of June, July and August, worship will be held at
9:30am on Sunday mornings. There will be no Sunday school during this time.
-Financially Supporting the Ministries of St. Paul's -We want to say a huge thank you to all who have been able to
send donations. Every last one helps to make an impact on keeping our ministries strong in a time that they are so
greatly needed. You can mail your tithes and offerings to the church, use your online banking tools or visit our website
to donate with Tithe.ly. Please contact the church if you have any questions.
-The June Communion Offering is designated to the Schuylkill Haven Council of Churches general fund.
-The June Schuylkill Haven Food Pantry designated items are canned fruits. We will be helping at the Schuylkill
Haven Food Pantry on Monday, June 14 at 8:30am, and again on Friday, June 18 at 1pm. Please speak to Verna
Ebling or contact the church office if you would like to help or donate items.
-Volunteers are needed to mow the church lawn. Please contact the church office if you would like to help.
-We will be holding a meeting to organize and plan VBS 2021 this Tuesday, June 8 at 7:00pm at the church. Hope
to see you then! Please speak to Bill Reber for more information.
-There will be a Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by the Wayne Township Lions this Thursday, June 10 from
12-5 pm at the Friedensburg Fire company. You can speak to Paul Moyer for more information.
-St. Paul’s Summer Hill is sponsoring a Miller Keystone Blood Drive here at the church on Saturday, June 19.
You can donate between 8am and 3pm that day. Additional blood drives will be held here on August 21 and October
16. Please speak to Dave Heim (570-754-7725) for more information.
-On Sunday, June 20 (Father’s Day), we will be collecting a special offering designated to missions.
-Motorcycle Ministry: June 20, July 18 and August 15 will be “ride your motorcycle to church Sunday”! Anyone
interested in going for a group ride after church on these days can contact Pastor Ken. If you would like to be notified
of other rides throughout the summer, please call the church office to have your name added to the “Biker” email list!
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-Calling All Graduates- During our 9:30am worship service on Sun., June 27, we will be recognizing and
congratulating the graduates from our congregation. If you or someone you know is graduating from High School,
College, a Technical School or some other institution of higher learning, please contact the church office by June 13,
so that we may recognize them for their fantastic achievement.
-Recognition of 50th Wedding Anniversaries in 2021: This year we will be recognizing
50th Wedding Anniversaries on Sunday, July 11 at the 9:30am service. If you have not already notified the church
office, please let us know by Sunday, June 27.
-Vacation Bible School will be held at St. Paul's July 19-23 from 6-8:30pm each day. All children ages 3-12 (grade
6) are welcome and invited to attend. Please save the date and share with all your relatives, friends and neighbors. More
information will follow via the church newsletter, bulletins and email. ALL ABOARD!! ALL WELCOME!!
-When you or a loved one is sick or in the hospital: When you or a loved one is sick or in the hospital for an extended
stay, please notify the church office. Please do not assume that the pastor will know you are there. We are served by
many different area hospitals and do not know which one you may utilize. So please do not hesitate to let us know your
condition so that Pastor Ken can provide you with spiritual care!
-Prayer Shawl Ministry – Are you sitting around bored with nothing to do?? Now is a great time to join our Prayer
Shawl Ministry. If you are interested in crocheting, we can hook you up! Call the church office for details. If you know
of someone who could use a prayer shawl, please contact the church office.
-Do You Know a Church Member Who Is Not Online??? The church is reaching out in new and amazing ways. Our
Live Steaming services on Facebook have been reaching hundreds of people who normally would not worship with
us. One week alone over 1,000 people viewed our worship service! God’s message of hope and love is reaching more
people in more ways than ever. But there are those we are not reaching. Do you know any members who have not been
able to watch our worship services online? Call the church office at 570-754-7225 so we can help them either see or
listen in on our services. We are always trying new things to reach everyone, and we don’t want anyone to miss a thing!
-Call the Church Office if you need anything! Our church voicemail system is there to answer your calls 24 hours a
day and 7 days a week. Please leave a message with your name, number, and what you are calling about. The staff will
be notified remotely of your call and will get back to you as soon as possible. The church office number is 570-754-
7225. You can also email us at [email protected].
-Prayer is Powerful! Please continue to call the church office or email us your prayer concerns to be included on our
prayer list. We believe in the power of prayer and want to pray for you. We have a prayer concerns email group for
anyone who would like to join. Contact the church office and we will be happy to add you to the email distribution
list. The Agape Committee continues to send cards to members on the prayer concerns list, so please continue sharing
your concerns with us. Thank you!!
PRAYER CONCERNS: All those earnestly seeking God’s help in difficult times, Military personnel & National
Leaders, family and friends of Janice Triviets, family and friends of Louise M. Hutchinson, family and friends of
Glenn Sattizahn, family and friends of Marie Reed, Ann Marie Urbanavage, Allie Freyer, Gaige Guers, Dan Elo,
Sue Koperna, Elaine Reichert, Tina Heim, Jim Moore, Sheryl Fuller
CANCER PATIENTS: Robert Reed
FOR THE WEEK OF SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021
Sunday, June 6 *Scout Sunday
Tuesday, June 8
7:00 PM -Vacation Bible School Planning Meeting
Sunday, June 13
9:30 AM -Worship with the Celebration of Baptismal Anniversaries
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*Lectionary Readings for next week:
1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:3 Ezekial 17:22-24 Psalm 20
Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17 Mark 4:26-34
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* * * *
The Scout Oath
On my honor, I will do my best.
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the scout law.
To help other people at all times.
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake and morally straight.
