June 30, 2024
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (UCC Open and Affirming Sunday)
Mark 5:21-43 | “Healing”

Welcome and Call to Worship (adapted from Psalm 130)
Leader: Out of the depths we cry to you, O Holy One.  God, hear our voices! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of our supplications!
People: If you, O God, should mark iniquities, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
L: We wait for the Divine One; our soul waits, and in the Word we hope; our soul waits for the Holy One more than those who watch for the morning.
P:  O creation, hope in the Creator! For with the Holy One there is steadfast love, and with God there is great power to redeem.
ALL:  It is the Creator who will redeem creation from all its imperfections.

Gathering/Opening Hymn

Invocation
Dear precious God, be upon us this day in our worship and praise.  Strengthen our faith in the inclusive and loving teachings of Christ and may the Holy Spirit be our guide as we pray and discern our gathering as your church to be the disciples of God’s realm in the world today.  We pray this in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life:
Pastoral Leader: As we gather in worship, let us take this moment to consider our needs for healing, 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’ me I pray. Amen.

Words of Grace 
Pastoral Leader: As Jesus taught those were healed from their brokenness through their faith—we also believe, and therefore we also declare in the affirming knowledge that when we turn to God with our shortcomings, we are renewed in God’s Love by the grace of Christ. Amen.

Hymn of Grace

Children’s Time (optional) A short story on “Healing”

Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21-43

Sermon/Scripture Reflection: Suggested theme “Healing”

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:  In our lives, we lean into our prayers to speak with the Holy One. Let us lift the celebrations and concerns of our beloved community so we can pray together to our God. (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, you call us to embrace the peace and healing within all our being and circumstances.  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 as we go out into the world seeking healing of all kinds, let us share the faith and hope that we carry in Christ.  Be the light of peace and healing to a world which seeks it in the Name of God who created, redeems, and sustains us.  Amen.

Healing: Service Prayers for the Sixth 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.