06/10/2026
cid:[email protected]. Mark UCC 1861 Missouri State Road, Arnold, MO 63010 # 636-296-6636; [email protected]; www.stmarkucc.org
Please silence your cell phone.
+Rise physically or in spirit.
St. Mark UCC Welcoming Covenant
God is still speaking through our diverse faith family as we welcome all – regardless of race, economic background, marital status, gender identity or sexual orientation, age, physical or mental ability, nationality or faith history. We embrace change and growth as we respond to the needs of the environment, our community and neighbors throughout the world. We are an open and affirming congregation that encourages and incorporates the gifts of all members. We invite everyone to join us on the journey as we faithfully celebrate and serve Jesus Christ.
A Miracle Called Laughter
Forming a Family/Preparing a People Series
Welcome to Worship/Yah Time! /Prayer Requests Prelude/Ringing of the Bell
+Gathering
God meets us in surprising yet ordinary places - under a tree, in the smile of a stranger, in a refreshing breeze that comes at just the right time.
God, open our hearts to notice your presence all around us.
God speaks to us in surprising yet ordinary ways - in a well-placed word from a friend, in a prayer that comes at just the right time, in a song that resonates through our entire being.
God, open our minds to recognize your voice all around us.
God fulfills God’s promises in surprising yet ordinary ways - in an unexpected act of kindness, in providing just what we need at just the right time, in sending someone to listen when we feel alone.
God, open our hands to receive your blessings all around us.
Beloved, in the surprising and ordinary ways that God shows up among us, may we meet God and our neighbors with open hearts, minds, and hands, ready to encounter God’s miraculous work.
God, open our lives to receive your blessings, that we may share together in the joy, wonder, and laughter of God’s miraculous works all around us.
+Hymn “All My Hope on God Is Founded” ……............. #408
Opening to God in Prayer
God who calls us, we are here, here to serve, and here to worship. We are here to sing and to pray, to let the word resound in us and the community to envelop us. We are here, O God, to know you and be known by you. We enter with thanksgiving and praise. We enter in safety of love and hope of peace. Holy One, we respond to your call. We are here and we come to you in prayer, saying…
God of Grace, we give you thanks for love that transcends our shortcomings, that greets us with mercy, and that offers the possibility of transformed life. Plant seeds in us that will stretch our faith in you and in us. Nurture us to live miraculous lives. Let our faith and our work join with your power to make us fruitful despite our limitations, doubts, and fears. May the fruit we produce add sustenance and hope in your kindom. Amen.
Gracious ones, you may receive the nourishment and encouragement of God to be fruitful even when the Holy One amazes us beyond expectation and dream. God is with us in season and out of season. Expect an abundant and bountiful harvest to witness to God’s grace at work in and through us.
We Hear the Story
Jesus, Word who became flesh, be present with us today as we encounter the written word. Open our ears to hear the message. Open our eyes to see your love in every story, especially the tough ones. Keep us open to the guidance of your Spirit and help us be transformed by your love. Amen.
Genesis 18: 1-15, 21:1-7.………………………………Page #12
God appears to Abraham in the form of three visitors whom Abraham welcomes and serves. And they promise that in a year’s time, Sarah will have a son. But, when Sarah laughs in disbelief, the strangers reaffirm the promise. And then their promise is fulfilled, and Sarah gives birth to a son.
Let us join together saying: The grass withers and the flowers fade; but the word of our God will stand forever! Thanks be to God, Amen.
The Word in Music
Sermon
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors)
Invitation to Generosity
What shall we return to the Holy One for God’s bounty to us? God calls us to live fruitful and faithful lives that witness to and spread the good news of the kindom in the world. God provides for our needs abundantly so that all may flourish. May we use the bounty that we receive as gifts to share rather than as resources to hoard. Let generosity, trust, and hope guide us to support the ministry of this faith community and the wider church.
+Offertory Response ………………………………….. #376
“Take whatever I can offer – gifts that I have yet to find, skills that I am slow to sharpen, talents of the hand and mind, things made beautiful for others in the place where I must be: take my gifts and let me love you, God who first of all loved me.”
+Offertory Prayer - Faithful God, thank you for the gifts we receive and that we give. Bless them so that needs will be met, your beloved will experience communal embrace, and you will be honored and glorified. Amen.
Sending Song: “I Will Trust in the Lord” …………..…... #416
Announcements
+Benediction – Go now, in the blessing of God who meets us where we are and surprises us with new life where none seemed possible. May we be a people who embody God’s miracle called laughter as we work for the flourishing of all creation as the family of God. Until we meet again let all of God’s beloved say…Amen.
+Sung Benediction - “Lord, Dismiss… Blessing” ….… #77
“We give thanks and adoration for your gospel’s joyful sound; May the fruits of your salvation in our hearts and lives abound: Ever faithful, ever faithful to the truth may we be found.”
Worship Resources: From the Discipleship Ministry of the United Methodist Church; Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay, UCC Ministries. Offertory Response: Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.
Please join us in the fellowship hall after worship today for a brunch celebrating the men in our church and in our lives.
If you can't join us in person, please join us virtually! Our worship services are streamed live at 10:00 a.m. Sunday Morning!
