ST. LUKE'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

JUNE 13, 2021
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SILENT MEDITATION:  

“Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”    --John Newton

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE ~ “I Stand Amazed in the Presence”                                    

Mark Jordan

*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. No. 612 “In This Very Room”                                           

IN THIS VERY ROOM

In this very room there's quite enough love for one like me,
And in this very room there's quite enough joy for one like me,
And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.

And in this very room there's quite enough love for all of us,
And in this very room there's quite enough joy for all of us,
And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.

In this very room there's quite enough love for all the world,
And in this very room there's quite enough joy for all the world,
And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.

*CALL TO WORSHIP (From Psalm 118)

One: Give thanks to God, whose love lasts forever.

All:   God is my strength, my song and my salvation.

One: Let the sounds of joyful songs and deliverance be heard.

All:   The hand of God has turned the tide. The hand of God is raised in victory.

One: This is the day the LORD has acted.

All:   We will rejoice and celebrate in it!

One: Give thanks to God.

All:   God’s faithful love lasts forever.

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

God of All, this is a day to rejoice and give thanks for your great mercy and faithfulness to us. Let this also be a time for confession and repentance. Forgive us for the apathy that harms our faith and hinders the work of Christ’s Church. Forgive us for boasting of your favor and for not attempting greater things for you. Forgive us for indiffe­rence toward the work you have called us to do. Overcome every thought and word which harms the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. Amen

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.

CHILDREN’S MOMENT

GRADUATE RECOGNITION

PRAYER and 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 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, for ever.  Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC ~ “Amazing Grace”                                          

American Melody

SCRIPTURE: Joshua 4:1-9

                                                                                                
SERMON: “Within Sight of the Stones”

       
*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 217 (vs 1,2,1) “Holy Ground”                                                          

BEATTY

This is Holy ground; We’re standing on holy ground,

For the Lord is present and where He is is holy.

This is holy ground; We’re standing on holy ground,

For the Lord is present and where He is is holy.

These are holy hands; He’s given us holy hands.

He works through these hands and so these hands are holy.

These are holy hands; He’s given us holy hands.

He works through these hands and so these hands are holy.

This is Holy ground; We’re standing on holy ground,

For the Lord is present and where He is is holy.

This is holy ground; We’re standing on holy ground,

For the Lord is present and where He is is holy.

OFFERING OUR TIME, TALENTS AND TITHES

CALL TO OFFERING   

OFFERTORY ~“Wade in the Water”                                     

Arr. Max V. Exner

*DOXOLOGY                

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host:

Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)       

Pastor Paull will be reading today’s Prayer of Dedication. It was written by Rev. Kenneth L. Samuel and appeared in EMERGE, Blessings and Rituals for Unsheltering. 2020 United Church of Christ.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

The Invitation
Affirmation of Faith In Unison (United Church of Canada Statement of Faith)            
We believe in God:
Who has created and is creating,
Who has come in Jesus,
The Word made flesh,
To reconcile and make new,
Who works in us and others by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be the Church:
To celebrate God’s presence,
To love and serve others,
To seek justice and resist evil,
To proclaim Jesus,
Crucified and risen,
Our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.

We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

Words of Institution
Sharing the Sacrament
*Prayer of Thanksgiving

Great and Loving God, at this table we have been blessed and strengthened by the gifts of your great mercy and grace. By the power and presence of your Spirit, may we continually grow in our faith and in the ministry that you give us as your people, so that we may make your comfort and hope known. We give thanks for the body of Christ that we are today and for what your Spirit will inspire us to become tomorrow. Amen

*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 734  “Be Strong in the Lord”                                                      

STRENGTH

Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage;

your mighty Defender is always the same.

Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending;

victory is sure when you call on his name.

Refrain:

Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord,

and be of good courage for he is your guide.

Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord,

and rejoice for the victory is yours.

So  put on the armor the Lord has provided,

and place your defense in his unfailing care.

Trust him for he will be with you in battle,

lighting your path to avoid every snare.

Refrain

Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage;

your mighty Commander will vanquish the foe.

Fear not the battle for the victory is always his;

he will protect you wherever you go.

Refrain

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE ~ “Lead On, O King Eternal”                                       

Arr. Lani Smith                          

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PHOTO/VIDEO POLICY

May it be understood that any pictures/videos taken during any church event may be used for promotion. Church events, including but not limited to, worship services may be broadcast live on Facebook.
If you are not in agreement with this notify the church office.

ANNUAL MEETING

June 27th, following worship. Watch for more details.

GRADUATE RECOGNITION SUNDAY

Today, we will recognize our high school graduates during worship.
Our high school graduates are Meghan Brown and Austyn Finch.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarship forms are now available online (in the menu under Forms/Scholarship Forms) or in the church office. Scholarship applicants must meet the following qualifications:
1. Be an active member of St. Luke’s.
2. Be a high school graduate with at least a 2.0 GPA.
3. If a new applicant, provide evidence of acceptance to an accredited college, university, business school, and vocational or technical school. Repeat applicants should provide proof of enrollment (i.e. course schedule, etc) for the upcoming academic year.
4. Maintain a GPA to remain in good academic standing.

The deadline to apply is June 15th. If you have any questions please contact Larry Franciskato.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Sunday
10:45 AM Online Worship
Monday—Friday, 10:45 AM Live with Pastor Paul in Windows Facebook Group

Wednesday, 9:30—1:00 ABC Quilting
For more information about any of these, please email the church office at stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org

GIVING OPTIONS

If you wish to make a donation to St. Luke’s,
there are several options available:

1. Check mailed to church office at 727 N. Main, Independence, MO 64050

2. Internet donation – you may now donate from a secure site by clicking on the Give Now button below. 

3. Electronic funds transfer – your offering can be automatically deducted
from your checking or savings account.

To sign up, click here.  After completing the form, contact the church office
stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org for instructions.

4. GivePlus mobile giving app - download the free app on Google Play or the App Store. Enter St. Luke's United Church of Christ as the church name or tap "Find Churches Near Me". Select St. Luke's United Church of Christ and tap Give Now.

5.  Text the word GIVE to 816-312-5053 and you will be directed to a secure site for giving.

CONNECT
If you are visiting today we would love to connect with you. Text CONNECT to 816-312-5053 .