(Image: “Sarah Laughing” Tiepolo, Giovanni Battista, 1726-1728 Fresco, Udine Italy)
©Order of Worship for Sunday June 07, 2026
Third Sunday after Pentecost
Pride Month
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Prelude:………“I’m Always Chasing Rainbows”………Greg D.
Words: Joseph McCarthy Music: Harold Arlen
Coming of the Light:
Greetings:……………………………………….……Pastor Liz
Announcements:………………………………………….Lorri B.
Call to Worship:…………………………………………..Chad V.
As Abraham welcomed the strangers
So God welcomes us.
God greets us with joy
and says, “rest here for awhile.”
God brings out water to wash our dusty feet.
God prepares a meal to nourish our weary spirits.
So let us receive the gracious hospitality of our God.
Let us rest in this holy place
where there is shade and water, food and laughter.
~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.
Opening Prayer: ………………………………..…Chad V.
With open arms You welcome all who call on Your name—
who acknowledge You as Lord, and look to You in faith.
No one stands outside the circle of Your mercy and love.
And so we come to offer You our worship—
to declare that You are our God,
and that we are Your people,
called and chosen by You from the very beginning.
Through the presence of Your Holy Spirit
open our eyes to see You here;
open our minds to receive Your truth,
and our mouths to speak and sing Your praise.
For You alone are God—
worthy of all praise and worship,
now and to the end of time.
Amen.
Opening Hymn: “In the Midst of New Dimensions” #2238 TFWS
© 1994 Julian B. Rush
1. In the midst of new dimensions,
in the face of changing ways,
who will lead the pilgrim peoples
wandering in their separate ways?
God of rainbow, fiery pillar,
leading where the eagles soar,
we your people, ours the journey
now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore.
2. Through the flood of starving people,
warring factions and despair,
who will lift the olive branches?
Who will light the flame of care?
God of rainbow, fiery pillar,
leading where the eagles soar,
we your people, ours the journey
now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore.
3. As we stand a world divided
by our own self-seeking schemes,
grant that we, your global village,
might envision wider dreams.
God of rainbow, fiery pillar,
leading where the eagles soar,
we your people, ours the journey
now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore.
4. We are man and we are woman,
all persuasions, old and young,
each a gift in your creation,
each a love song to be sung.
God of rainbow, fiery pillar,
leading where the eagles soar,
we your people, ours the journey
now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore.
5. Should the threats of dire predictions
cause us to withdraw in pain,
may your blazing phoenix spirit
resurrect the church again.
God of rainbow, fiery pillar,
leading where the eagles soar,
we your people, ours the journey
now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore.”
“Creation Sings” #3018 W&S
Words: Shirley Erena Murray Music: Trad Irish melody
Words © 2000 Hope Publishing Company
1. Creation signs! And we are in the
music, the movement of God’s energy and
art, a liturgy that links our life to
angels, a litany that rises from the
heart. The Spirit sings! Through love and
lamentation, from Pentecost to joy of Easter
Day the universe is resonant with
music, the smallest creature dances to its play.
2. Creation groans at our discordance
clashing: the Spirit comes with music as our
friend to bring the harmony of peace and
beauty, to teach the textures of the way to
blend. O God, you draw the melody from
silence, you make of us the instruments of
song! We offer thanks in worship and in
wonder that such a gift to human souls belong.
Passing of the Peace:………………………………..Pastor Liz
Let us offer signs of reconciliation and peace to one another.
Gloria Patri:………“Glory Be to the Father” #71 UMH
Words: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th century
Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851
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.
Giving of our tithes and offerings:…………….Pastor Liz
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Remarks on Pride:……………………………………….Chad V.
Offertory:…………….“Over the Rainbow” ……………..Greg D.
Words: E.Y. “Yip” Harburg. Music: Harold Arien
© 1938 (Renewed) Metro-Goldwin-Mayer, Inc.
Offertory Response:………… “The Doxology”………..#94 UMH
Words: Thomas Ken, 1674 Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, 1623; Adapt. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God,
all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God the
source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power up-lifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer After Receiving:…………………………….Pastor Liz
Prayers of the People:……………………………..Pastor Liz
The Lord’s Prayer:
Old Testament Lesson:………Genesis 18:1-15 …..……Joe B.
The call of Abraham and Sarah
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them and bowed down to the ground. He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on–since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.”
And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it.
Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared and set it before them, and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him.
Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I be fruitful?” The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
Hymn of Preparation:“Let Our Earth Be Peaceful” W&S # 3159
Words: Shirley Erena Murray Music: Carlton R. Young
© 2004 Hope Publishing Company (words)
© 2005 Abingdon Press (music)
1. Let our earth be peaceful, let our hearts be
hopeful, let our hands be gentle
for the love of God.
2. Let our ways be mindful, mending what is
hurtful, doing what is needful
for the love of God.
3. Let our lives be fruitful, beautiful and
playful, every day be thankful
for the love of God.
Sermon:………………………………………………….Pastor Liz
Closing Hymn: “Draw the Circle Wide” #3154 W&S
Words: Gordon Light Music: Mark A. Miller Words: © 1994 Common Cup Co.; Music © 2008 Abingdon Press
Draw the circle, draw the circle wide. Draw the
circle, draw the circle wide. No one stands alone, we’ll stand side by
side. Draw the circle, draw the circle wide.
Draw the circle, draw the circle wide. Draw the
circle, draw the circle wide. No one stands alone, we’ll stand side by
side. Draw the circle, draw the circle wide.
Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still. Let this
be our song: no one stands alone. Standing side by side,
draw the circle, draw the circle wide.
Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still. Let this
be our song: no one stands alone. Standing side by side,
draw the circle, draw the circle wide.
Draw the circle, draw the circle wide. Draw the
circle, draw the circle wide. No one stands alone, we’ll stand side by
side. Draw the circle, draw the circle wide.
Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still. Let this
be our song; no one stands alone. Standing side by side,
draw the circle, draw the circle wide.
draw the circle, draw the circle wide.
Dismissal with Blessing:…………………………Pastor Liz
Postlude:……………………………………………………..Greg D.
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Sunday June 14th Worship Service