Sunday, July 2nd 2023

July 2, 2023 Worship Bulletin

THE GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE The Time of Greeting “Adagio” by John Bennett The Morning Prelude GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP The Call to Worship— L: Welcome to you in the name of Jesus, the Christ! P: We come before the Lord with awe and wonder! L: We are blessed to live in this land of freedom that lets us worship our God and live out our faith. P: Come Lord, and reclaim this land. Free us from all bitterness and nastiness that this country will be truly of thee. +The Hymn #696 “America, the Beautiful” +The Opening Prayer— Lord God, you have created all that is. You have ordered your creation that we might live freely and abundantly. In this hour of worship, speak to us again that we might learn what it means to be a disciple of Je- sus and work to bring in your Kingdom in its fullest way. Open us to your Word, and your way, and help us to clearly hear what you have to say to us today! Amen.

WE CONFESS OUR SINS The Call to Confession The Prayer of General Confession— Most gracious and forgiving God, you have asked us to trust you and your ways and to live according to your grace. At times we have been tested and tempted and have let our judgement of others take over our lives. Forgive us for the things we have done that have alienated us from your great love. By your grace, welcome us back into an ever closer rela- tionship with you in and through Jesus. You sacrificed your greatest love that we might understand the depth of your love and grace for every child of yours. In Jesus name we come seeking you again. Amen. Moments For Personal Confession Words of Assurance and Pardon The First Lesson WE SHARE THE WORD Genesis 22:1-14 After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt of- fering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. 9 When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from

heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering in- stead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” 15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their ene- mies, 18 and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.” Response: L: The Word of God for the people of God. All: Thanks be to God! +The Act of Praise #746 (Response #1) Psalm 13 +The Affirmation of Faith #886 The World Methodist Social Affirmation +The Gloria Patri #70 The Morning Prayer Matthew 10:40-42 +The Gospel Lesson “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me wel- comes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the right- eous; 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” Response M: This is the Word of the Lord. P: Thanks be to God. (#901–Alleluia, Amen) The Time of Sharing With Our Young People #2233 Rev. Mike The Word Proclaimed “Nothing Like a Cold Cup of Water!”

WE RESPOND TO THE WORD The Offering and Prayer of Thanksgiving The Offertory Solo “Running” by Andrew Wilson soprano, Janet Muse=Burke + The Doxology #94 + The Hymn #2265 “Time Now to Gather” + The Sacrament of Holy Communion #17 (Everyone is welcome at the Lord’s Table in the United Methodist Church! Please come forward as directed by the ushers.) +The Hymn #2241 “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve” +The Benediction “Spirit Song” (Vs 1 only) +The Response #347 +The Postlude “Let Freedom Ring” arr. James Mansfield + Please stand in stature or in heart as you are able! Next Week’s Scripture Texts Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 24:34-38, 42-29, 58-67, Psalm 45, Ro- mans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

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/Hostess………………………………………………...PabstFamily In the Chapel Chapel Reader………………………………………………………………Pete Noto Chapel Greeter/Ushers…………………………………………….Sue & Bob Crane In the Sanctuary Reader………………………………………………………………. Dr. William Miller 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