UNION CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

We welcome all people to experience God’s love, grow spiritually and engage in meaningful service.

SERVICE OF THE WORD COMMUNION SUNDAY GRADUATION SUNDAY

JUNE 6, 2021

*Those who wish may stand.

ENTER TO WORSHIP

GATHERING BELLS Chimes When you hear the bells, please gather. Be seated and prepare for worship.

Lighting the Candle we remember God’s presence with us.

PRELUDE “Sweet, Sweet, Spirit”

THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH Words of Welcome & Announcements INTROIT "You Are Welcome Here"

Refrain: You are welcome here, no matter who you are, no matter where you are on life's journey You are welcome here, no matter who you are, come and join with us, we're united in the church of Christ.

Come now all people join in the song, come be a part of the family of God. We are God's people and you belong, share in the joy of Christ. Refrain

We pray for justice; we pray for peace; we hear the word of the Savior of all. We find God's mercy; we find release, sharing the joy of Christ. Refrain

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

*Chorus: We are one in the bond of love; we are one in the bond of love, we have joined our spirits with the Spirit of God, we are one in the bond of love.

*CALL TO WORSHIP

One: O God, our vision,

All: light our paths.

One: O God, our wisdom,

All: guide our plans.

One: O God, our victory,

All: be our peace.

INVOCATION Christ is with us! Christ is in our midst!

Ever-present God, as we enter this place in body, mind, and spirit, move us to settle into the notion that we are never separated from your presence. Your all-encompassing love binds us to your unending grace, and we seek to recognize your presence and your grace. Reveal it to us now. Amen.

*HYMN OF PRAISE “Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling” GRADUATION MOMENT Donna Minott, Christian Education Chair

"We Are Marching in the Light of God" We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God. We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God.

We are marching, we are marching, oh, we are marching in the light of God. We are marching, we are marching, oh, we are marching in the light of God.

PASTORAL PRAYER

Sharing Joys and Concerns

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. PRAYER RESPONSE "Spirit of the Living God"

Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

GRADUATION SUNDAY

Today, June 6, 2021

we celebrate our graduates:

Pre-K: Royce Ellison

Elementary School Graduates: • Brandon Guillaume • Isaac Felix Nunez

Middle School Graduate: Joseph Saintiris

High School Graduate: Jeremiah Thomas

South Carolina Academy: Armani Ellison College Graduate: Leslie Haywood

OFFERTORY "I Thank You, Jesus" Verse 1: (I thank You, Jesus) I thank You, Jesus. (I thank You, Jesus) I thank You, Jesus. I thank You, Jesus, I thank You Lord, You've brought me from a mighty, a mighty long way, a mighty long way.

(I thank You, Jesus) I thank You, Jesus, (I thank You, Jesus) I thank You, Jesus, I thank You, Jesus, I thank You Lord; oh, You've brought me from a mighty, a mighty long way, a mighty long way.

Verse 2: (You've been my mother) You've been my mother, (You've been my father) You've been my father, You've been my sister, my brother too; You've brought me from a mighty, a mighty long way, a mighty long way.

(You've been my doctor) You've been my doctor, (You've been my lawyer) You've been my lawyer, You've been my teacher, my friend indeed; You've brought me from a mighty, a mighty long way, a mighty long way.

*DOXOLOGY Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God for all that Love has done: Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT

READING OF SCRIPTURES

1 Samuel 8:4-12, 16-20

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” Samuel prayed to the LORD, and the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. Just as they have done to me, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they are doing to you. Now then, listen to their voice; only—you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”

So Samuel reported all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots; and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.

He will take your male and female slaves, and the best of your cattle and donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take one-tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; but the LORD will not answer you in that day.” But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, “No! but we are determined to have a king over us, so that we also may

be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

Psalm 138 I give you thanks, O God, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.

All the rulers of the earth shall praise you, O God; for they have heard the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the ways of God, for great is the glory of God. For though God is high, God regards the lowly; but the haughty, God perceives from far away. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. God will fulfill God's purpose for me; your steadfast love, O God, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Mark 3:20-35 Jesus came home and, as usual, a crowd gathered—so many making demands on him that there wasn’t even time to eat. His friends heard what was going on and went to rescue him, by force if necessary. They suspected he was getting carried away with himself. The religion scholars from Jerusalem came down spreading rumors that he was working black magic, using devil tricks to impress them with spiritual power. Jesus confronted their slander with a story: “Does it make sense to send a devil to catch a devil, to use Satan to get rid of Satan? A constantly squabbling family disintegrates. If Satan were fighting Satan, there soon wouldn’t be any Satan left. Do you think it’s possible in broad daylight to enter the house of an awake, able-bodied man, and walk off with his possessions unless you tie him up first? Tie him up, though, and you can clean him out. Listen to this carefully. I’m warning you. There’s nothing done or said that can’t be forgiven. But if you persist in your slanders against God’s Holy Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives, sawing off the branch on which you’re sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives.” He gave this warning because they were accusing him of being in league with Evil. Just then his mother and brothers showed up. Standing outside, they relayed a message that they wanted a word with him. He was surrounded by the crowd when he was given the message, “Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside looking for you.” Jesus responded, “Who do you think are my mother and brothers?” Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him,

he said, “Right here, right in front of you—my mother and my brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

SONG OF PREPARATION “Here, I Am, Lord” Craig Courtney Vocalist, Catherine Briggs

SERMON "God’s Will" Rev. Dr. Sheila Harvey Guillaume THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you, And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

The gifts of creation are on the table. The dreams of God are set before us.

Let us give thanks for God’s gifts. At all times, great God, may our grateful hearts give you praise. Pastor: We remember Jesus – born of Mary, Joseph and God – who was born in Bethlehem and who grew up in Nazareth. All: We remember that he was a son and a brother, a worker and a friend.

Pastor: We remember Jesus gathered disciples and taught them about a way of peace and justice, of love and blessing.

All: He called it the Kingdom of God.

Pastor: We remember Jesus gathered his friends in an upper room and asked them to love one another as he had loved them. We remember that Jesus said, “Every time you take the bread and break it and every time you bless the cup and drink from it, you are to remember me.”

All: Every time we eat and drink in Jesus’ name, He is present with us and we are indeed one body! As many as we are, we are one in Christ.

Pastor: Now remembering the events of the last week of Jesus’ life – how he entered into Jerusalem in great joy and how he left carrying a cross– we take our place at the table of the Lord’s Supper to bear his sorrows and pledge ourselves to love and serve him. Pour out your Spirit, God, on these gifts of bread and wine that they may signify for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ – our teacher, our friend, and our Savior. May Christ’s loving spirit work through us to serve and renew the world God loves. All: All glory and honor is yours, God most holy, now and forever. Amen.

THE SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS

COMMUNION HYMN "Let Us Break Bread Together"

Let us break bread together on our knees; let us break bread together on our knees.

Refrain: When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, My God, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees; let us drink wine together on our knees. R

Let us praise God together on our knees; let us praise God together on our knees. R (Please wait until everyone has received the elements before partaking.)

ALLELUIA

*CLOSING HYMN “Standing on the Promises”

*COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION

THE POSTLUDE “Ode to Joy” Ruth Artman

DEPART TO SERVE

We WELCOME each of you to this celebration of worship. If you are visiting, we invite you to sign our Guest register in the Narthex. Offering

envelopes are found in the pocket on the back of the chairs in the sanctuary for your convenience.

Participating in Today’s Service: Readers George Gerson, Sabita Shah

Joys: Trinity Sunday! Memorial Day Sunday! Our Church Family! Live Streaming!

Concerns: Kathy Church & Lori Schenone; Carolyn & Kent McElory; Rose Lightfoot’s daughter, Sarrina and mother, Priscilla; Pastor Sheila’s mom, Linda; Jim Gaidry; George Gerson's family friend, Michael Mounin; Norma Grassman; Betty Gaidry, family & friends; Lynne Baldwin, family & friends;

Deedee Sweeting; LeeAnne Gesche’s family & friends; Nuñez family; Pastor Sheila's cousin, Gregory Lee and family; Ada Harvey's niece, Danielle; Jody Kistenmacher's family & friends; Betty Gaidry's brothers: Tim Robinson and Joel Robinson; Charlotte Snowden's family & friends; Pastor Sheila's Aunt Debbie & Uncle Arthur who recently died from COVID-19; Rosemarie Lightfoot's sister, Cheryl's family & friends; Rod Jennings, Sylvian Notman's family & friends;Dottie Boswell; Jane Grandusky's niece Emily's family; Gaidry Family; Carol Whitlock, Sam & Cynthia Clark's family; Marjorie Hanson; Keith & Barbara Bullock; Ruth Cassidy's husband, Bill; Sis Murphy's family & friends; George Gerson's brother, Jerome; Shirley Thomas; Estelle Fanucci, family & friends; Nancy Reser's sister;

Gail Fei's friend, Helga's daughter, Katia; Rev. Misti Johnson Arce; Ray Lyons, Fran Whitney; Melanie's friend, Grace; Debbie Bott's friend, Barbara; Schall Family & Friends; Dottie and Norma's friend, Sharon's family & Friends; Debbie Chea's brother, Joseph Peter Chea; Linda Chapman; Jan Mark's daughter, Laura; Bob Modini's son, David; Linda's sister, Yvette, and friend Deborah; Billie Wilson and daughter Tonja; Ruth Dietel, John Webster's daughter, Sheila; Joanna Hollis' friend, Drew; Amy McMath's father, Tom McDeavit; Richard Lightfoot's brother, Joseph; Susan DiAmicis' niece, Stephanie; Isabelle Chapman, Holly Dozier; Immigration concerns; Justice & Peace efforts; COVID -19 victims & families; depression and anxiety

FLOWERS

Flowers are presented by Judith Mooers in loving memory of her husband, the Rev. Malcolm Mooers.

CHURCH REOPENING Phase II - The Church reopens on the first Sundays of the month. June 6th we will open with a limited capacity of 25 congregants.

Please contact the church office by phone or email to let us know if your able to join us!!

The Facebook Livestreaming and conference call-in will continue to be an option for you to participate in worship.

Email: office@unionucc.net Phone: 561-686-0330 (leave a message)

There is a sign-up Sheet on the soundboard.

REGISTRATION BEGINS ON MAY 1, 2021

UNION CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 5088 SUMMIT BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33415

Ministers of the Church All of Us Pastor Rev. Dr. Sheila Guillaume Musician Robiyakhon Akromova Email Address: Pastor Sheila sheila@unionucc.net Office - Irma Carreras irma@unionucc.net / office@unionucc.net Union Congregational Church, UCC: unionucc.net Florida Conference, UCC www.uccfla.org National UCC: www.ucc.org

Office Hours: Monday through Friday by appointment due to COVID-19. Please call to confirm someone will be in the office.

Office Phone: 561-686-0330 - please leave a message. Go to www.unionucc.net to see more of our news.

THIS WEEK AT UNION UCC

Next Sunday, June 6, 2021

10:00 AM Worship – Communion Sunday, Graduation Sunday - Facebook Live Streaming

For those that do not have internet, we will have a Conference Call. This will allow you to all call in before 10 AM and join us so you may listen to Sunday Worship Service. The number is 712-775-7031. It will ask you for a code: 885-893. You will then be able to join us and listen to service at 10AM.

11:15 AM Children's Moment - Kids Zoom Sunday School Join Zoom Meeting ID: 682 587 5950 Password: 5YS1sc Wednesday - 7 PM Bible Study - Please join us for our next Bible Study Series. We will

explore how the message of God speaks to the ways we are called to love each other as the beloved community.

Join Zoom Meeting ID: 682 587 5950 Passcode: 5YS1sc

Next Sunday, June 13, 2021

10:00 AM Worship –Facebook Live Streaming For those that do not have internet, we will have a Conference Call. This will allow you to all call in before 10 AM and join us so you may listen to Sunday Worship Service. The number is 712-775-7031. It will ask you for a code: 885-893. You will then be able to join us and listen to service at 10AM.

11:15 AM Children's Moment - Kids Zoom Sunday School Join Zoom Meeting ID: 682 587 5950 Password: 5YS1sc 4:00 PM Trustees Meeting