June 23, 2024 - Audio

JUNE 23, 2024 - FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
REV. KENDRA BALLIET
JAMES ROSS, ORGANIST

Prelude - Deep River-Anthony Giamanco

Welcome

*Call to Worship

LEADER: Beloved, when sorrow and hardship abound and events across an ocean and down the block shake our resolve and make us question what good the good news is even doing, God calls to us…
ALL: Open your heart.
LEADER: When fear and misinformation infiltrate our relationships, and we don’t know who to trust or how to do the next right thing, God calls to us…
ALL: Open your heart.
LEADER: When joy overflows, and we witness the fruit of grace all around us, transforming our lives and our communities into places of connection and flourishing, God calls to us…
ALL: Open your heart.
LEADER: May this time of worship be for each of us a time to listen to God’s call to open our hearts and accept the divine invitation to say yes to the work of grace in us, among us, and all around us.
ALL: God, we open our hearts to receive your gift of grace, knowing you hold us securely in the palm of your hands that we might have the courage to live in vulnerable community with you and one another. Amen.

*Opening Hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing” #519

*Opening Prayer
Holy God, we extol and honor you for who you are.
We praise you for your faithfulness and for your tender mercies that are renewed every morning.
We exalt you, Sovereign One, for every blessing of yesterday, the gift of this day, and the promises of our tomorrows.
Grant us an enduring faith as we strive against oppression and despair.
Endow us with contagious joy that uplifts the downtrodden and inspires hope in you.
Increase in us the faith and courage of the prophets, the love of Jesus, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
In your majestic name we pray, Amen.

Confession of Faith: Apostles’ Creed #881

Gloria Patri

Children's Chat

Music Ministry and Offertory - St. Agnes-Peter Crisafulli

Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Sermon Series: “Open Your Heart”
Sermon: “In Sorrow and in Rejoicing”

Joys/Concerns

Hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” #377

Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer

Closing Hymn "Sanctuary" #2164

Action Steps & Benediction

Postlude - Deo Gracias - Daniel Burton

The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in honor of Jim & Darlene Ross' 18th wedding anniversary.

Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or [email protected]