Join us for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost at 915am (in-person and live stream via Facebook)
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“Unseen Power”
Thank you for worshiping with us. We are so glad that you are spending part of your day with us!
Order of Service
Worship Service Participants
- Rev. Scott Siefert
- Organist: Penny Rolf
- Choir: YOU!
Ringing of the Church Bell
Announcements
Greeting
Rev Scott: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
Call to Worship
(Adapted from Psalm 123)
One: Our mouths are filled with laughter
All: Our tongues with songs of joy
One: The Lord has done great things for us
All: And we are filled with joy
One: Those who sow with tears
All: Will reap with songs of joy
One: Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow
All: Will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them
*Opening Hymn: “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” (The Hymnal #7)
Prayer of Invocation
One: We thank You, living God, that in Jesus Christ You have built a house not made with hands, but with the people among whom You live. We thank You that You have called us and that we belong to You. We come now, longing to know the touch of Your Spirit that we may be encouraged to serve You in the world.
All: Come to us that we may recognize You and sing Your praise; through the grace of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Prayer of Confession
Rev Scott: We gather together anticipating hope, praying for peace, attempting to cultivate joy and share love amidst commotion, grief, despair, and uncertainty. Let us confess, trusting in God’s grace. We have promised to live as Your people, God. Yet we confess that we fail You and one another. We do not honor one another as we should. As the body of Christ, we are often disjointed and clumsy. We do not work together as one to Your glory. We refuse Your cry for help in the voices of the poor and hungry. We have not been faithful to the trust You have placed in us.
All: Encourage us with Your love that we may commit ourselves anew to live as those who belong to You; through the grace of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
–Time of Silent Confession-
Assurance of Grace
Rev Scott: Hear the good news. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we learn that God’s love has no bounds. In Christ we are forgiven and are empowered to begin anew.
All: Thanks be to God!
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 55:6-13 and John 16:12-24
Pastoral Meditation: “Joy and What Comes Before”
Hymn of Response: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” (The Hymnal #21)
Prayers and Concerns
Joys – Concerns – Blessings
Please share any special concerns, joys, and blessings.
Silent Prayer – Pastoral Prayer – 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. AMEN.
Collection and Presentation of the Offering
Invitation to the Offering
Rev Scott: As recipients of the generosity of God, let us share our generosity with each other and the community.
*Hymn: “Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow” (The Hymnal #551)
*Prayer of Dedication
All: O God, we dedicate these gifts for the wondrous ways this offering will bless this community and help us to live out God’s mission. Let these gifts strengthen our call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. AMEN.
Closing and Blessing
*Closing Hymn: “Joy to the World” (The Hymnal #120)
Benediction and Blessing
Ringing of the Church Bell
Upcoming Events & Announcements
- Wednesdays – Bongards Farmers Market – 3pm to 6pm
- Jul 20th – SJUCC Night Out – Corn Feed and NYA Music in the Park “Jolly Ramblers” – 5pm – NYA Legion Park
- Jul 23 – Worship and Gather Team Meeting – following worship
- Jul 30th – UCC Community Worship in the ‘Son’shine outdoor service and potluck picnic – 1030am – Baylor Park
- Aug 6th – St. John’s Got Talent – 915am followed by Ice Cream Social
- Aug 6th – Consistory Team Meeting following worship
- Aug 13th – Worship Leader: Michelle Bachmann – 915am
- Aug 16th – Shoe Bus at the Market – 3pm to 6pm (donations of new and like-new shoes collected up until the day of the sale)
- Aug 27th – Worship at Stiftungsfest – 9am – Under the Big Tent
Fruit of the Spirit. July focuses on local community needs. This month, 2B Continued Suicide Prevention will benefit from the donations. A special collection vessel is at the entrance to the sanctuary.
God uses everyone’s talents. Check out this month’s Team Up flier for ways to share your time and talents to inspire and uplift our community.
St. John’s Got Talent. Singers, dancers, orators, and musicians wanted for our 3rd Annual St. John’s Got Talent on August 6th. Contact Pastor Scott.
Live Streaming. We want to train others on live-streaming and recording services. If you can make a post on Facebook from your computer, you can do this. Contact Michelle Bachmann if you’re interested.
Looking for a church community? If you have been led to St. John’s looking to be more than a visitor, we welcome you openly and would love an opportunity to chat. Contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or email pastorsjuccbongards@gmail.com.
The Word To Go: Find Sunday morning worship services on our Facebook Page, St. John’s UCC of Bongards. Worship will also be live-streamed on Facebook, when available.
Bongards Buzz: Submit items for the newsletter by the 1st of each month to Michelle Bachmann or sjuccbongards@gmail.com. Catch up online with the Buzz here.
For Pastoral Care. Please contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or email pastorsjuccbongards@gmail.com.
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St. John's United Church of Christ 
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