June 13 Virtual Worship – Flourishing

Are you flourishing? And are you helping others do the same? This week’s readings invite us to explore how Jesus describes the Kingdom of God as a seed, inviting us all to take part in helping it take root.

Here’s this week’s order for worship:

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Anna DiVesta

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Pastor Dan

We marvel at God’s miracles!

The Realm of God is like a mustard seed – at once, great and small.

Each enormous mustard shrub grows from a small mustard seed.

Faith is similar. Even a tiny amount of faith in God can do big things.

May we worship God with all the faith we have.

Then God will grow us – helping us to extend our branches,
so that the world may be shaded with God’s love.

*HYMN – For the Fruit of All Creation – #591

1. For the fruit of all creation, Thanks be to God.
   For his Gifts to every nation, Thanks be to God.
   For the plowing, sowing, reaping, Silent growth while we are sleeping,
   Future needs in earth’s safekeeping, Thanks be to God.
2. n the just reward of labor, god’s will is done.
   In the help we give our neighbor, God’s will is done.
   In our worldwide task of caring For the hungry and despairing,
   In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.
3. For the harvests of the Spirit, Thanks be to God.
   For the good we all inherit, Thanks be to God.
   For the wonders that astound us, For the truths that still confound us,
   Most of all, that love has found us, Thanks be to God.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Pastor Dan
Nourishing God, we do not know how faith grows any more than we know how seeds grow. We live in hopes that you, O God, will grow faith within us – first little blades of awakening, then ears of obedience, and finally the full grain of maturity into the likeness of Christ. As we prepare to worship you, till us as you would tend the soil. This is holy ground. Cultivate us in your fertile soil. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE Where the Spirit of the Lord Is – #142

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is peace;
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is love.
There is comfort in life’s darkest hour,
there is light and life, there is help and power
in the Spirit, in the Spirit of the Lord.

GOD’S WORD 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-7 – Pastor Dan

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Jo Ann Moody

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 84:1-3 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – Bow the Knee (Sterling) – Anna DiVesta

GOD’S WORD – Mark 4:26-34 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Pastor Dan
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)

*HYMN – We Are a New Creation – worship booklet, p. 91

1. We are a new creator Of Christ, the living Word.
   Our songs of jubilation Shall everywhere be heard.
   New life blooms fresh and glorious For those who heed the call
   Of Christ, ho reign victorious O’er sin and death and all.
2. We are a new creation Of God for this new day.
   As partners let us follow The life, the truth, the way.
   Christ bids us work together As colleagues, old and young,
   As women, men, and nations, God’s folk of every tongue.
3. We are a new creation For service here on earth.
   We live our faith in action nTo tell our Savior’s worth.
   Let love and justice blending Now show for all to see
   God’s grace is never ending. It reaches you and me.
4. We are a new creator By God’s own gracious hand,
   Old burdens cast behind us, A daring future planned.
   In ministry and mission, United let us live,
   In Christ a shining vision To God’s wide world to give.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Anna DiVesta