June 9, 2024
Third Sunday after Pentecost
Focus Scripture: Mark 3:20–35
 Theme:  Kin-dom
Welcome and Call to Worship (adapted from Psalm 138: 1-3, 7-8)
Leader: We give you thanks, O God, with our whole hearts; before all creation we sing your praises
People: We bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
L: For you have exalted your name and your word above everything.
P: On the day we called, you answered us; you increased our strength of soul.
L: Though we walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve us against our adversaries.
ALL: Your steadfast love, O Holy One, endures forever.

Gathering/Opening Hymn

Invocation
Oh, Holy One your love indeed endures forever.  We pray for the presence of the Holy Spirit this day as we worship together in beloved community, the realm of your Love.  Be with us in our singing and praising as we share the Word together in Jesus’ Name.  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 (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Pastoral Leader: “Just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture— “I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and therefore we also speak” 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 “Kin-dom”

Scripture Reading:  Mark 3:20–35

Sermon/Scripture Reflection: Suggested theme “Kin-dom”

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: As we prepare to come to the table of Christ, 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.

Communion* (Optional)
Pastoral Leader: In the United Church of Christ, we practice an open communion, which means all are welcomed to this table…God’s table.  You don’t have to be a member of this church or any church to partake in the sharing of the bread and drink of the vine.
We remember, the night before Jesus would be betrayed and crucified, that he sat among his friends and took bread, blessed, and broke it, and said “Take and eat for this is my body given for you. As often as you do it do it in remembrance of me”.
After the supper had ended, Jesus took the cup, blessed it and said, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
My friends, whenever we share this bread and cup, we remember the compassion and love Jesus taught and the call to follow Christ in all we do.
(Communion is distributed, either by inviting the congregation forward to receive the bread and cup, or by ushers passing the bread, followed by wine/juice in cup trays).
After distribution:
Pastoral Leader: Let us pray. Holy Creator, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus, and all who follow to bring love and justice to the world. May this bread and drink nourish us as they are the symbol of Christ’s essence in all of us.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.
A Note on Communion:  Traditionally, the retelling of the “Last Supper” as written for this liturgy however another form of communion remembrance can be the retelling of the feeding of the thousands found in Mark 8:1-8, Matthew 14: 13-21, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-13 with loaves and fishes. In either case, a blessing over the elements (bread and juice) before sharing is said by the Pastoral Leader (usually an authorized minister).

Closing hymn

Benediction
Pastoral Leader: Dear friends, we have been nourished and renewed this day, go out and share the kin-dom of God to all you encounter in the love of God who created us, God who redeemed us, and God who sustains us. Go in peace, sharing the Good News. Amen.  

Kindom: Service Prayers for the Third 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.