Sunday, June 18th 2023

June 18, 2023 Worship Bulletin

THE GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE The Time of Greeting The Morning Prelude “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” arr. Mark Hayes GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP The Call to Worship— L: So here we are. We have gathered again from our many places to be in the presence of our One Lord. P: We are many voices, from many places, yet one body in Christ! L: Today it will be good to rest and listen to what God may say to us. P: We bring fears, cares, hopes, concerns and joys. L: Our God is a God of great hospitality. All are welcome here as God’s children. P: Together, let us praise the God of Abraham. + The Hymn #116 “The God of Abraham Praise” + The Opening Prayer— Lord, as Abraham welcomed and cared for his guests, we come seeking comfort and shelter from the situations of our lives. We celebrate the gift of hospitality which you offer and await the day when all find hope and comfort in you. Feed us today, O Lord, with the power of Your spirit and grant us a sense of relief amidst these unsettling times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

WE CONFESS OUR SINS The Call to Confession The Prayer of General Confession— When we are honest Lord, we will admit to following the ways of the world. How easily we get caught up in the foolish endeavor to find mean- ing through power and status, possessions and stature. How quickly we surrender to the forces of darkness that would have us believe that the problems of our lives, as well as the problems of the world, are just too big for us to make a difference. Lord, open our eyes and our ears, and mostly our hearts to the possibilities you have placed in the hands and hearts of those who believe in your promises! In Jesus name, and for his sake! Amen! Moments For Personal Confession (Roman’s 5:8) Words of Assurance and Pardon The First Lesson WE SHARE THE WORD Genesis 18:1-15 The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oak of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 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. 3 He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 Let me bring a little bread, that you may re- fresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” 7 Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8 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. 9 They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” 10 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. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, say- ing, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleas- ure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I in-

deed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 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.” 15 But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.” Response: L: The Word of God for the people of God. All: Thanks be to God! + The Act of Praise # 837 (Response #1) Psalm 116 + The Affirmation of Faith #885 The Modern Affirmation + The Gloria Patri #70 The Morning Prayer……………………………………………..The Lord’s Prayer (using trespasses) + The Gospel Lesson Matthew 9:35-10:8 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their syna- gogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every dis- ease and every sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shep- herd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” 10 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sick- ness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following in- structions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samari- tans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, pro- claim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near. 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay- ment; give without payment. Response M: This is the Word of the Lord. P: Thanks be to God. (#910 –Alleluia)

+The Hymn #2222 “The Servant Song” The Time of Sharing With Our Young People #2233 The Word Proclaimed “What Are We To Do?” Rev. Mike WE RESPOND TO THE WORD The Offertory Solo “Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother” by Joseph M. Martin soprano, Janet Muse-Burke + The Hymn #2241 “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve” + The Benediction + The Response #347 “Spirit Song” (Vs 1 only) + The Postlude “Voluntary in G” by Henry Heron + Please stand in stature or in heart as you are able! Next Week’s Scripture Texts Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 21:8– 21, Psalm 86, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39

WELCOME TO THIS MORNING’S WORSHIP! We hope the music, scriptures, prayers and fellowship of this service strengthen your faith and encourage your discipleship. If you are our guest today, please know you are WELCOME! We’re glad you are here and hope you might come again. If you are looking for a church home, or wanting to grow in your faith, we would be glad to tell you more about our church’s ministry and would hope you might consider being part of our community of faith. Please sign the pew pad located at the end of your pew. Tear out the sheet and place it in the offer- ing plate when passed during the service. Please visit our Welcome Table in the rear of the sanctuary for more infor- mation about our church. Our Nursery is available for your young children should you want to leave them in a safe place during worship. Also, a changing table is available in the rest room next to the nursery. It is located through the left rear door and then down the hallway. Ask an usher to direct you… Restrooms are located in the main hallway. Use the left door as you face the back of the sanctuary and follow the hallway towards the main entrance. Re- strooms will be on your left. We are a “Safe Sanctuary” church. Parents, please accompany all young chil- dren to the rest rooms during the worship service. Our Mission – “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ For the Transformation of the World!”

Assisting in Today’s Worship In The Chapel and Sanctuary Senior Pastor………………………………………………………...Rev. Mike Bealla Associate Pastor…………………………………..……………..Rev. Andy Weidner African Language Service Pastor…………………………...Rev. Jean Takasongo Lay Leader………………………………………………………………...Diana Howe Director of Music / Organist ……………………………………...George Simmons Hospitality Host/Hostes……………………………………………..Karen Sadowski In the Chapel Chapel Reader…………………………………………………………...Joe Saowski Chapel Greeter/Ushers…………………………………………...Ed & Paula Bugno In the Sanctuary Reader……………………………………………………………………...Joan Pilosi Sanctuary Greeters………………………………………………....……Mike Shibak Acolytes……………………………………………………………….Elm Park Youth Media Team……………….Wesley Bealla, Bill & Betsy Miller, Dylan Smith, Ben, Ethan, Luke and Lily Warring Head Ushers……………………………………....John Luczak and Leigh Redmon

Elm Park United Methodist Church Elm Park is a 712 Linden Street United Methodist Congregation Scranton, PA 18510. and is proud to be Our Telephone number is a church of the (570) 342-8263 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District We can be reached by email at of the [email protected] Susquehanna Conference Our website address is of www.elmparkumchurch.org Our Conference website address is The United Methodist Church. Our Resident Bishops are www.susumc.org Bishop Cynthia Moore-KoiKoi Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball Our District Superintendent is Rev. Judy Walker Our Senior Pastor is Reverend Mike Bealla Our Associate Pastor is Reverend Andy Weidner Our Lay Leader is Diana Howe African Language Service Pastor Rev. Takasongo Jean Join us for Vacation Bible School June 19-23,2023 Hero Hotline! Dinner at 5:15 pm