A More Light Presbyterian Congregation

joyfully welcoming people from all walks

of life, celebrating the difference of race,

ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender

identity, and ability of all people

as children of God.

June 20, 2021

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gathering for Worship

reminds us of God’s Holy

Breath that breathed us to life

and is an occasion for us to

share the love of God.

Artwork: "photo taken at

Beesleys Point, New Jersey

Call to Worship: Worship taken from Courage to Love: Liturgies for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community, compiled by Geoffrey Duncan, p 97.

Hymn 315: In this simultane-ously created text and tune, the author/composer was seeking to incorporate image-ry from both Native American and Hebrew spiritual tradi-tions. Also included is the mythological phoenix, which had received a Christian inter-pretation as early as the first century.

God Calls Us to Gather

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Call to Worship

Liturgist: Let us remember that we meet in the presence of God who loves us: All: who knows us better than we know ourselves, better than we want to know ourselves sometimes.

Liturgist: Let us remember that we meet in the presence of God who loves us: All: who loves us with a love that is rich and warm, intimate, and detailed, and yet more vast than we can begin to imagine.

Liturgist: God who knows us, loves us: and so here in God’s presence we do not need to pretend to be other than who we are, or how we are; All: we do not need to be anxious, whether for ourselves, or for others;

Liturgist: here, we do not need to be afraid.

Hymn 315 In the Midst of New Dimensions

(Stanzas 1,3, and 4 only)

Journey of Reconciliation and Healing

Call to Reconciliation

Prayer for Reconciliation

When one part of the body hurts, we all hurt. Sunday is the most segregated hour on the face of the earth. When shall God’s people truly worship together in spirit and truth? Let the fire of justice burn within us.

Moment of Silence.

When one part of the body hurts, we all hurt. Despite the “war to end all wars” our world continues to be war-torn. Not only countries, but also neighborhoods are shattered by guns. For many, killing is a way of life. When will our world discover peace that passes understanding?

Let the fire of justice burn within us.

Moment of Silence.

When one part of the body hurts, we all hurt. God’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and gender non-binary chil-dren around the world continue to be denied basic human rights, em-ployment, protection under the law, respect and dignity. When will ALL people enjoy human rights and be treated with equality and equity?

Let the fire of justice burn within us.

Moment of Silence.

Sung Response Calm to the Waves Hymn184 (Sing Twice)

Calm to the waves. Calm to the wind. Jesus whispers, “Peace, be still.” Balm to our hearts. Fears at an end. In stillness, hear his voice.

Words of Reconciliation

Sharing the Peace of Christ (May the Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.)

God’s Grace Written and Spoken

Prayer of Illumination

First Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures Job 38: 1-11

Then God answered Job out of the whirlwind:

Who is this obscuring my plans with such ignorant words?

Tighten up your belt now, I will ask the questions and you will answer me!

Where were you when I created the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Who stretched the measuring line across it? Into what foundation were its pillars sunk? Who laid the cornerstone while all the choruses of morning stars sang and the heavenly court shouted for joy?

And who held back the sea behind partitions when it burst forth from my womb?—

Prayer for Reconciliation:

taken from Courage to Love:

Liturgies for the Lesbian, Gay,

Bisexual and Transgender

Community, compiled by Geof-

frey Duncan, p 148

Scripture Reading: taken from

the Inclusive Bible.

when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band,

and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors, and said,

‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped’?

Small Talk

Second Reading from the New Testament Mark 4: 35-41

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”

And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them

in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm

arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already be-ing swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are per-ishing?”

He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace!

Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to

them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled

with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Sermon Proud Waves Rev. Dr. Wm. Blake Spencer

Responding to God’s Word

Pastoral Prayer

Corporate Benediction

Pastor: Let us speak today’s benediction together!

Liturgist: Do you know how much your love means Do you know how many hearts you've lifted? Did you know your love was healing? Such a beautiful feeling All: Did you know your love was precious it warms me like the shining sun. Keep shining through the darkest season. Your life has such a perfect reason.

Liturgist: In a world of sadness and strife you could help change somebody's life. If love has made a difference to you help somebody else believe that it's true All: Love is the key Take it from me Show your love

Liturgist: Keep shining like the sun. Keep shining like a rainbow. All: Love keeps shining all around me Oh love keeps shining all around me Like moonbeams in a starry night

Liturgist: Keep shining like the sun. Keep shining like a rainbow.

Small Talk—For all those

young at heart we provide a

small talk, a brief, informal re-

telling of scripture, or expla-

nation of worship or aspect of

the faith journey.

Corporate Benediction:

lyrics by Tuck & Patti, an

American jazz duo consisting

of guitarist William Charles

"Tuck" Andress and singer

Patricia "Patti" ...