June 16, 2024
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Father’s Day)
Mark 4:26-34 | “Seed”

Welcome and Call to Worship (adapted from Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15)
Leader: It is good to give thanks to the Holy One, to sing praises to your name, O Most High,
People: To declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night,
L: To the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.
P: For you, O God, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
L: The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
P: They are planted in the house of the Holy One; they flourish in the courts of our God.
L: In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of nectar,
All:  Showing that the Divine One is upright; God is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in the Holy One.

Gathering/Opening Hymn

Invocation
Oh God, creator of heaven and earth, who grants us life, may the seeds of wisdom from the ancient sacred texts grow within us so that we may bear good fruit that nourishes a hungry world. May the Holy Spirit of Pentecost descend upon us this day as we give thanks to you Holy One, in Jesus’s most precious name we pray.  Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life:
Pastoral Leader: As we gather in worship, let us take this moment to consider our needs for transformation and forgiveness. I invite you to quietly reflect on our need for grace. (Allow a short moment of silence.)
People: Dear God, the creator of all things based on love. You created us in your image of love and there have been times we have fallen short of that love, not only to you but to each other and all of creation. I ask for your forgiveness and from you, present today, my siblings, sisters and brothers in Christ. I thank you for the comforting strength and compassion of the Holy Spirit to do better in bringing love and grace and all I do. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Words of Grace 
Pastoral Leader: Scripture tells us that we have been shown the way to reconciliation by the Christ which is within us whenever we turn to God for guidance and strength to transform our lives for a better kn-dom here on earth.  Know the peace of the Divine grace that is always there for you in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Hymn of Grace

Children’s Time (optional) A suggested short story on the power of the mustard seed.

Scripture Reading: Mark 4:26-34S

Sermon/Scripture Reflection: Suggested theme “Seed”

Hymn of Reflection

Invitation to Generosity
Pastoral Leader: We are grateful for the gifts that we receive in our lives. We invite you to participate in this opportunity of generosity to continue the mission of God’s Love to the world. We are grateful and thankful. (Ask the ushers/volunteers to come forward with collection of plates if that is the tradition of the beloved community.)

Doxology: (as collection plates come forward).
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done;
Creator, Christ, and Spirit One. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication:
Pastoral Leader: O Holy One, with gratefulness we offer and dedicate these gifts for the continuation of our work in Christ’s Name. Amen.

Prayers of the People/Pastoral Prayer
Pastoral Leader: We believe that our God sees us, feels us, and listens to us.  Let us lift the celebrations and concerns of our beloved community. (If it is the church’s tradition, members are invited to lift their prayer requests; followed by a moment of silence.)
Pastoral Leader: Dear God, we know that you have heard our prayers and we ask that the comfort of the Holy Spirit be with us today and every day. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray: (Whatever version of the “Lord’s Prayer” the congregation is accustomed to…below is an example).

All: Our Creator/Mother/Father/Spirit, who is in Heaven, hallow be your name. Your Kin-dom come, your will be done, on earth as it is heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our faults, as we forgive the faults of others. Prevent us and deliver us from evil. For yours is the realm, power, and glory, forever. Amen.

Closing hymn

Benediction
Pastoral Leader: Dear friends, we have been nourished and renewed this day, go out and spread the seed of God’s kin—dom and love to all you encounter in the Divine name who created us, who redeems us, and who sustains us. Go in peace in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Seed: Service Prayers for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost was written by Rev. Roberto Ochoa, the Minister for Ethnic Inclusion, & Congregational Support for Rural and Small Churches for the National Setting of the United Church of Christ. He is a member of Mt. Zion Congregational UCC in Cleveland, OH.