Bulletin

Welcome to United Christian Parish! Use the bulletin as guidance as you worship.
(download the bulletin as a PDF)

JUNE 14 ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP
One: God created humanity in holy diversity.
All: In every color, every identity, every story.
One: Calling us to live with honesty, justice, and compassion,
All: Christ calls us into beloved community,
One: Where all are welcomed and none are forgotten.
All: The Spirit moves among us with freedom and joy. We come to worship the God who is love.

OPENING SONG *
“In Christ There Is No East or West” (#394)
In Christ there is no East or West,
in Christ no South or North;
But one community of love
throughout the whole wide earth.

In Christ shall true hearts everywhere
their high communion find;
God's service is the golden cord
close-binding humankind.

In Christ is neither Jew nor Greek,
and neither slave nor free;
For men and women live in God,
and all are kin to me.

In Christ now meet both East and West,
in Christ meet South and North;
One joyous, true community
throughout the whole wide earth.

CALL TO CONFESSION *
One: The commandments teach us how to live in relationship with God and with one another: to honor, to tell the truth, to resist harm, and to reject the desires that diminish our neighbors.
All: Yet too often we have failed to love as God loves.
One: On this Pride Sunday, we remember that every person is created in the image of God and worthy of dignity, love, and belonging.
All: So let us come before God with honesty and humility, trusting not in our own righteousness, but in God’s abundant grace.
One: Let us confess our sin first together and then in a moment of silence. Let us pray…

PRAYER OF CONFESSION *
One: Loving and merciful God, you call us to honor one another and to build communities of justice and compassion.
All: Yet we confess that we sometimes judge before we listen, exclude rather than welcome, and allow jealousy, fear, or prejudice to shape our hearts.
One: Forgive us when we fail to honor the dignity of others.
All: Transform our hearts so that we may live in truth, celebrate the diversity of your creation, and embody your love for all people.
One: Through Christ we pray.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON *
One: Hear the good news. Nothing can separate us from the love of God revealed in Christ.
All: In God’s grace we are forgiven and made new.
One: Thanks be to God. Amen.

GLORIA *
“Glory to God
Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE

OFFERING
One: God calls us to build communities of justice, compassion, and hope.
All: With grateful hearts we offer our gifts.

DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore;
praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME & GRADUATE RECOGNITION

SONG
“Love Has Broken Down the Wall”
by Mark Miller
Love has broken down the wall.
Love has broken down the wall.
Let us join our hearts as one.
Love has broken down the wall.

We're accepted as we are.
We're accepted as we are.
Through God's love all is reconciled.
We're accepted as we are.

Cast aside your doubts and fears.
Cast aside your doubts and fears.
Peace and love, freely offered here;
Cast aside your doubts and fears.

We will tear down the walls!
We will tear down every wall!
God has called us, one and all.
Love has broken down the wall.

Love has broken down the wall.

SCRIPTURE (Exodus 20:12–17)

SERMON

A LITANY OF BELONGING
One: For those told they were “too much”—
All: God says, “You are beloved.”
One: For those who hid themselves in fear—
All: God says, “You are wonderfully made.”
One: For those rejected by family or church—
All: God says, “You belong at my table.”

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
One: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
All: And God saw that it was good.
One: God created humanity in the divine image.
All: In many colors, cultures, and stories.
One: God created a world filled with diversity and wonder.
All: Each life reflecting a glimpse of God’s beauty.
One: Christ calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves.
All: To honor one another with dignity and compassion.
One: The Spirit gathers people from every nation and community.
All: Forming one body in Christ.
One: We worship the God whose love is wider than our fears.
All: Whose grace welcomes all.
One: And so we give thanks for every person gathered here today—for LGBTQ persons, for families, for friends, and for allies.
All: Bless each one with courage, joy, and peace. Heal wounds caused by rejection or fear.
One: Strengthen us to live truthfully, love generously, and welcome one another as Christ welcomes us.
All: May this community be a place of safety, hope, and belonging, where all people are reminded that they are your beloved children.
One: We pray this in the beloved name of Jesus who taught us to pray saying…

LORD’S PRAYER
All: 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; 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 SONG *
“O for a World” (#575)
O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways,
Where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.

O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved,
Where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.

We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice
That opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.

The poor are rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise,
Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.

O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,
Where time and tears will be no more and all but love will cease.

CLOSING MESSAGE *

POSTLUDE

*Rise in body or spirit