SUNDAY JUNE 13, 2021 - THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - First Congregational Church of St. Louis ...
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SUNDAY • JUNE 13, 2021 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
First Congregational Church of St. Louis
United Church of Christ
An Open & Affirming Congregation
Welcome!
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life's journey,
you are welcome here.
Restrooms are located down the hall on the main floor.
All Gender Restrooms are located at the back of the sanctuary
and downstairs in the Fellowship Hall (which is accessible).
Changing tables are located in the Nursery on the main floor
and at the back of the sanctuary.
*An asterisk is an invitation to rise, in body or spirit.
Bolded text is an invitation for the congregation to read or sing
in unison. Masks must be worn while speaking or singing.
For everyone's health and safety:
Masks should be worn by persons >5 years of age.
Please practice physical distancing.
Ushers will not collect offerings. Instead, you may place your
offerings in the baskets located in the Tower Room and Narthex.
Children should sit with their parents in the pews. Children may get
activities from the Prayground and then return to the pews.
At the conclusion of worship, attendees should exit the sanctuary
promptly to avoid prolonged, close contact.
Social hour following worship will be held without coffee or food on
the Garth, weather permitting. Masks should be worn.
Worship June 13, 2021
Bells Calling to Worship
Welcome & Announcements Bert Merrell
Prelude "Psalm 1" Music & text by Jesse Robert
and Leah Roberts
Oh the joy of those who delight in the law of the Lord,
who meditate day and night in the law of the Lord.
Let all my delight be only in your sweet and right instruction.
Like trees along the river with leaves that never wither,
everything they do will prosper in you.
*Call to Worship
Leader: Small as a mustard seed and lofty as a cedar:
People: The kingdom of God is growing.
Leader: While we sleep and rise night and day:
People: The kingdom of God is growing.
Leader: The low are brought high; the high are brought low:
People: The kingdom of God is growing,
its large branches are home to all kinds of people!
*Opening Hymn "In the Bulb There is a Flower" #433
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in ev’ry silence, seeking word and melody.
There’s a dawn in ev’ry darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.Anthem "This is My Word" Pepper Choplin
Text from Isaiah 55:10-12
As the snow falls from heaven, as it comes in swirling showers from the sky,
So is my Word.
As the rains bring the water to the earth that is thirsty and dry,
So is my Word.
And the Word of my mouth, it shall not return empty:
It will bless the earth wherever it is heard.
This is my Word.
As the rain brings renewal and the tender buds begin to come alive,
So is my Word.
Giving seed to the sower, and the bread to the hungry ’til they thrive,
So is my Word.
And the Word of my mouth, it shall not return empty;
It will bless the earth wherever it is heard.
This is my Word.
O Lord, when I am weary, when I fell the days I’m living are in vain,
My God, help me be faithful to the Word You have given to proclaim.
Proclaim the Word, and you will go out in joy,
And be led forth in peace,
And the hills will break before you into song.
So be faithful, brave and true, for I will go before you,
And when your earthly journey here is done.
I’ll say well done, well done!
As the snow falls from heaven, and the rain comes in showers from the sky,
This is my Word.
Scripture Mark 4:26-34 (New Living Translation)
Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer
who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day,
while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows,
but he does not understand how it happens.
The earth produces the crops on its own.
First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat
are formed, and finally the grain ripens.
And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes
and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God?
What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed
planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds,
but it becomes the largest of all garden plants;
it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”
Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations
to teach the people as much as they could understand.
In fact, in his public ministry he never taught
without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone
with his disciples, he explained everything to them.
*Passing of the Peace
Spiritual Reflection Rev. Mia White
Anthem "How Beautiful on the Mountain"
Music by Felix Mendelssohn, text adapted from Isaiah 52
Put on thy strength, awake and praise God;
God hath redeemed God’s people.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those that publisheth peace.
That bringest good tidings to Zion: Thy God doth reign!
That saith to Zion: Thy God is with thee, O be not afraid.
Thy God doth reign! And hath redeemed thee, O sing and be glad!
Put on thy strength, awake and praise God; God hath redeemed God’s people.
Prayers of the People
The Prayer of Our Savior
Our Mother, 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 "Now the Green Blade Rises" #238
Now the green blade rises, from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth for many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat that rises green.
In the grave they laid their Love whom hate had slain,
Thinking that their Love would never wake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again like wheat that rises green.
Christ came forth at Easter, like the risen grain,
Jesus who for three days in the grave had lain;
Quick from the dead the risen One is seen:
Love is come again like wheat that rises green.
When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Christ’s warm touch can call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again like wheat that rises green.
Blessing
Postlude "Carillon" Louis Vierne
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from
One License with license # A-720972
Call to worship from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B,
Volume 2 © 2015 Westminster John Knox PressThis morning's ushers:
Ken Blumer, Mike McKee, Karen Smethers
Music Ministry:
Mary Brown, Cheri Long, Hannah Rice, Emily Stokes
Liturgist:
Bert Merrell
Our Ministry Team:
Dr. Sarah Bereza, Minister of Music
(sbereza@firstcongregational.org)
Anne Chao, Preschool Director
(anne@firstcongregationalpreschool.org)
Mehran Moslehikhah, Maintenance
Hannah Rice, Minister of Administration and Membership
(hrice@firstcongregational.org)
Emily Stokes, Minister of Children & Families
(estokes@firstcongregational.org)
Rev. Mia White, Senior Minister
(revmia@firstcongregational.org)314.721.5060 | 6501 Wydown Blvd. St. Louis MO 63105
office@firstcongregational.org | www.firstcongregational.org
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