Bethlehem Lutheran Church

06/20/2026

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
1375 Grand Avenue
Baldwin, NY 11510
516-223-3400 [email protected] www.blcbaldwin.com
Rev. James D. Smith-Pastor
Baptized People of God, Ministers
Stuart Waters - Keyboardist
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Time after Pentecost

Copyright: #654 – The Church’s One Foundation: Text – Samuel J Stone, Music – Samuel S Wesley; #807 – Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing: Text – Robert Robinson, Music – J Wyeth; #810 – O Jesus, I Have Promised: Text – John E Bode, Music – Neuvermehrtes Gesangbuch. ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, our creator, our protector, our wellspring of life. Amen.

P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another. (pause for silence and self reflection).

Most Merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

Prayer of the Day: Teach us, good Lord God, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, except that of knowing that we do your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Opening Hymn: #654 – The Church’s One Foundation

WORD

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-13
O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. For whenever I speak, I must cry out, I must shout, "Violence and destruction!" For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name," then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. For I hear many whispering: "Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" All my close friends are watching for me to stumble. "Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take our revenge on him." But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind; let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers.

Psalm 69:7-18 (congregation please respond in the bold text)
It is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that shame has covered my face.

I have become a stranger to my kindred, an alien to my mother's children.

It is zeal for your house that has consumed me; the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.

When I humbled my soul with fasting, they insulted me for doing so.

When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.

I am the subject of gossip for those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me.

With your faithful help rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.

Do not let the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the Pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

Do not hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress—make haste to answer me.

Draw near to me, redeem me, set me free because of my enemies.

Second Reading: Romans 6:1b-11
Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

*Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Jesus says, The Spirit of the Lord will testify on my behalf, and you also are to testify. Alleluia. (John 15:26, 27)

Response after announcement: Glory to you, O Lord.

GOSPEL: Matthew 10:24-39
"A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's foes will be members of one's own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Response after the conclusion: Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON: Pastor James D. Smith

Hymn of the Day: #807 – Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

*Apostles Creed, p. 105

*Prayers of Intercession
Gathered together by the Holy Spirit, let us pray for the church and the needs of the world.

A brief silence.

Life-giving God, you have called your people to lose their lives for Jesus’ sake. Strengthen your church to follow you in the face of difficulty. God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Creator God, you know every sparrow that falls to the ground. Protect migrating birds, endangered species, and their natural habitats. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Sovereign God, you call us to act justly and love mercy. Protect those with marginalized identities to whom we have not shown the abounding love of Jesus. Bring an end to oppression and bigotry in all forms. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Sustaining God, you promise to provide for us. Help those living with disability. Comfort those experiencing any sort of illness or suffering. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Empowering God, strengthen us to live out our diverse callings. We pray especially for fathers and father figures, that they show your compassion and care. We pray for all for whom this day is difficult or painful. God of grace, hear our prayer.

We especially pray today for: Our military and their families, Peace Corps workers, our First Responders (Fire, Police, EMS), Healthcare Workers, Transit Workers, teachers, Sophia, Symons Family, McPherson Family, Derkatch family, Peragine family, Michelle, Frank, Gloria Holke, Pat Tucker, the Offley family, Shirley Byer and family, James and Prentella McSwain, the Broadhead Family, the Zamparelli family, the Nicholas family, the Simpson family, the Roulston family, Charles Hale, Roberta Neidballa, Kim McManus, the Lebby family, the Robinson family, Yanni and Sydell Saddler and family, Orvia Williams, Winston Flowers, Olga Young, Joyce Scott, The Cotton and Victor family, the Norcia family, the Kogan family, Rosalie Connor, the Petito family, Stephanie Scott, Linda Odom, the Washington and Flowers family, Mack Smith, John and Jean Anne Miller and family, Michael Branker, Broderick family, the Ayling family, Mack Baker, Matthew and Diana Pietrzak, Shaan Shivdasani, the Wynn family, the Dunbar, Humphrey & Jackson families, the Tesoriero family, the Stepteau family, Caolan Michael Joy, Ishmael and Yvonne Barthley, Phyllis Taylor, the Staton family, the Applewhite family, Bev Mitchell and family, Ortman family, Juanita Cunningham, Melhado family, Charlene Coyne, Lawrence Jordan, Leonard and Alma Cunningham, Cheryl Myles & family, Althea Robinson & family, Vonda Campbell & family, Carmen Alvarez Holmes & family, Cumberland family, Val Thomas & family, Eliano and Evans family, Bill Stoll, Tim Hayes, Ted & Laura Fackelman, Antoinette Allen, the Conforti family, John Kelly, George & Fran Doerrbecker, Ysabel Frias, The Albanese family, the family of Mortimer Wortman, Janet Gabler, Colleen, Antoinette Sherrington & family,
God of grace, hear our prayer.

Faithful God, we give thanks for saints who have claimed their baptismal promises. May we follow their example of faith and service. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Trusting you trusting you receive all our prayers, we commend our spoken and unspoken prayers to you, O God, through Jesus our Savior. Amen.

*Lord’s Prayer

*Sharing of the Peace

Offering

*Offering Prayer
Blessed are you, Holy One, for all good things come from you. In bread and cup you open heaven to us. Meet us at this table, that we receive what we seek and follow your Son, Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.

*Eucharistic Prayer
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, you have brought us this far along the way. In times of bitterness you did not abandon us, but guided us into a path of love and light. In every age you sent prophets to make known your loving will for all humanity. The cry of the poor has become your own cry; our hunger and thirst for justice is your own desire. In the fullness of time, you sent your chosen servant to preach good news to the afflicted, to break bread with the outcast and despised, and to ransom those in bo***ge to prejudice and sin.

* Thanksgiving

* Holy Communion For remote listeners-please bring your own elements.
(In this time we gather around the eternal table wherever that may be in this time we are apart. We bring our own gifts so they can be lifted up and bring honor and glory to God. We lift up our prayers so that the Spirit is sent to us and the meal that we share, so that it and all of God’s acts and promises may come to fulfillment for us and the world. The prayer is that the life giving Spirit will make the meal effective in us. We join our prayers with those servants of every time and every place and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great High Priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all.)

SENDING
*Blessing
God who names you, Christ who claims you, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, + bless you and remain with you always. Amen.

Closing Hymn: #810 – O Jesus, I Have Promised

*Dismissal: Go in peace, you are God’s beloved. Thanks be to God.

Please remain at your seat as Pastor distributes communion.

*Offering- Please remember your church home during this time. Your donations are important in helping the church to fulfill its missions as well as pay bills. Please return your donation at the back of the sanctuary as you leave or go on our website and use the blue Donate button at the top of the page.

The Eternal Light is lit today in memory of loved ones.
The Flowers on the altar are in the memory of loved ones.

If you know of anyone who is ill, in the hospital, or in need of a home visit, please contact Pastor Smith or a Council member. Pastor can be reached by text or phone: 718-619-1333.


Calendar-Announcements
- We will be having a monthly Worship Service of Peace every second Sunday of the month. Our nest Service for Peace will be held today, July 12, 2026 at 5 pm. This is open to the entire community! Please invite your friends and family to join us!

- If you are interested in being a Lector, please see Dan D‘Antonio to sign up.

- There is a sign up sheet in the back of the church for Greeters! Isn’t it nice to have a greeter at the door each week to welcome visitors and members?
We only ask that you arrive 15 minutes early (10:15).

- We are collecting food for the pantry in the back of the church. Your donations greatly help people in our community. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

2026 BLC COUNCIL
Officers ____________ Members_______
President - Allison Nuñez Judith Borga
Vice President – Linda Pietrzak Barbara Dempster
Treasurer - Dan D’Antonio Patty Derkatch
Financial Secretary - Sita Ramsundar Kelli Dunbar
Recording Secretary - Aiisha Nembhard John Maraz
Carolyn Olson

Mission of the Month: Koinonia

As a community of faith and a whole life ministry focused on Living God’s Word, we embrace and learn from the diversity in our midst. We seek to meet all people with God’s grace and eternal love shown to all God’s people through the life, death and resurrection of God’s only Son regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, culture, marital status, addictions, sexual orientation, economic status, ability or label.
You are welcome here!

We serve in response to God’s love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, standing with the poor and powerless, and committing ourselves to their needs. Thank you to all who have ...

06/14/2026

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
1375 Grand Avenue
Baldwin, NY 11510
516-223-3400 [email protected] www.blcbaldwin.com
Rev. James D. Smith-Pastor
Baptized People of God, Ministers
Stuart Waters - Keyboardist
Sunday, June 14, 2026
Worship Service for Peace

Copyright: #720 – We Are Called: Text & Music – David Haas; #721 – Goodness is Stronger Than Evil: Text – Desmond Tutu, Music – John L Bell; #677 – This Little Light of Mine: Text & Music – African American spiritual.
ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION

Prelude
Call to worship (Pastor)

“Seek peace and pursue it.” Because shalom is so essential to the life in community that God intends, it cannot be left to chance or circumstance. It cannot be taken for granted. It cannot be simply wished for or even earnestly petitioned in prayer. It must be pursued; it must be sought; it must be built.
- Dwight Lundgren
AMEN

Opening Hymn: #720 - We Are Called

Opening Prayer

God of justice, peace, and reconciliation. After a year of escalated conflict in
the Middle East, we stand before you, lamenting immense suffering, loss of
life, and injustice. We are a part of one human family, but daily we experience brokenness.
Gracious God, change hearts and minds, replace suspicion with respect for human dignity, replace fear with love for the neighbor. Bring an end to violence
and the war in the Holy Land and the Middle East. Restore hope, O God.
We pray that hostages are released, that civilians are protected, that human
rights are respected, that humanitarian workers are granted safe access to offer
aid.
We pray that leaders have the wisdom and courage to choose peace rather
than war. May justice again flourish for the Palestinian people. Open paths to
a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live together in safety and peace.
Gracious God, bring peace to our conflicted world, in other countries experienc-
ing tension and war, in Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and in so many other places.
Merciful God, may transformative peace prevail, that peoples and nations are
reconciled, that communities live together in the abundance of life you wish
for all. (Lutheran World Federation)
AMEN

Reading from Isaiah 2:4
He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Psalm 34:1-14
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.

O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.

The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?

Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Litany: “Show Us How to Make Peace”
By Katie Cook

LEADER: Jesus, when you were born the angels sang of peace on earth.
PEOPLE: But all around us are wars and rumors of wars.
LEADER: We wish for the nations to join hands in peace.
PEOPLE: But instead we see the countries of the world ravaged by bombs and paralyzed by terrorists; we watch in shock as ethnic purging stalks the globe; we watch in dismay as whole nations fall before the violence of hunger.
LEADER: We long for peace in the land where we live.
PEOPLE: But we see fear throughout our cities, do***ng our steps through the streets; we see unchecked greed in the marketplaces; we watch ethnic groups, political parties, and religious communities fling poisoned barbs of prejudice toward one another; we see the slow slaughter of the poor through the violence of greed and denial.
LEADER: We ache for peace among friends.
PEOPLE: But something within us builds walls to keep the love out; something within us holds us back from the embrace that might heal our brokenness.
LEADER: Most of all, we want peace within our hearts.
PEOPLE: But we rush about in our busyness and never give the peace a chance to plant itself and grow; or we have our hearts so heavily guarded that peace cannot pe*****te the fortress.
LEADER: We are told that the Messiah was described as the Prince of Peace.
PEOPLE: But we are not sure what that means, and we are confused by the lack of peace around us.
ALL: O Prince of Peace, still our minds and hearts and plant hope where we feel despair. Show us what you meant when you spoke of peace. Show us how to have peace in ourselves, and how to make peace in the world around us. Amen.

Reading from the Gospels
Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Luke 10:25-37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Sermon

Hymn of the Day: #721 - Goodness is Stronger Than Evil

Words for Meditation
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
—from the Talmud
AMEN

Reading from the Epistles

Romans 12: 9-21
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Closing Hymn: #677 – This Little Light of Mine

Benediction:
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord shine the divine countenance upon you. May the Lord give you peace, but may that peace be a disturbing peace, a peace that calls you to long for the peace of all humankind. May you find in the blessing of God, the blessing of sharing in the service of God and bearing the cross of Christ. As you go forth from this place, go forth in the power of the spirit of God to make a difference in the world. —Raymond Bailey

Thanks Be To God

Postlude

Calendar-Announcements
- We will be having a monthly Worship Service for Peace every second Sunday of the month. Our next Service for Peace will be held today, July 12, 2026 at 5 pm. This is open to the entire community! Please invite your friends and family to join us!

- We are collecting food for the pantry in the back of the church. Your donations greatly help people in our community. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

- If you know of anyone who is ill, in the hospital, or in need of a home visit, please contact Pastor Smith or a Council member. Pastor can be reached by text or phone: 718-619-1333.

2026 BLC COUNCIL
Officers ____________ Members_______
President - Allison Nuñez Judith Borga
Vice President – Linda Pietrzak Barbara Dempster
Treasurer - Dan D’Antonio Patty Derkatch
Financial Secretary - Sita Ramsundar Kelli Dunbar
Recording Secretary - Aiisha Nembhard John Maraz
Carolyn Olson

Mission of the Month: Koinonia

As a community of faith and a whole life ministry focused on Living God’s Word, we embrace and learn from the diversity in our midst. We seek to meet all people with God’s grace and eternal love shown to all God’s people through the life, death and resurrection of God’s only Son regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, culture, marital status, addictions, sexual orientation, economic status, ability or label.
You are welcome here!

06/11/2026

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
1375 Grand Avenue
Baldwin, NY 11510
516-223-3400 [email protected] www.blcbaldwin.com
Rev. James D. Smith-Pastor
Baptized People of God, Ministers
Stuart Waters - Keyboardist
Sunday, June 14, 2026
Time after Pentecost

Copyright: #574 – Here I Am, Lord: Text & Music – Daniel L Schutte; #721 – Goodness Is Stronger than Evil: Text – Desmund Tutu, Music – John L Bell; #729 – We Are Called: Text & Music – David Haas. ONE LICENSE LICENSING PERMISSION

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, our creator, our protector, our wellspring of life. Amen.

P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another. (pause for silence and self reflection).

Most Merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

Prayer of the Day: God of compassion, you have opened the way for us and brought us to yourself. Pour you love into our hearts, that, overflowing with joy, we may freely share the blessings of your realm and faithfully proclaim the good news of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Opening Hymn: # 574 – Here I Am Lord

WORD

First Reading: Exodus 19:2-8a
They had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites." So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. The people all answered as one: "Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do."

Psalm 100 (congregation please respond in the bold text)
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Second Reading: Romans 5:1-8
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

*Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. The kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news. Alleluia. (Mark 1:15)

Response after announcement: Glory to you, O Lord.

GOSPEL: Matthew 9:35-10:8
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, "The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

Response after the conclusion: Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON: Pastor James D. Smith

Hymn of the Day: # 721 – Goodness Is Stronger than Evil

*Apostles Creed, p. 105

*Prayers of Intercession
Gathered together by the Holy Spirit, let us pray for the church and the needs of the world.

A brief silence.

God of freedom, you ransomed Israel from slavery to be a holy people. As we observe Juneteenth this coming week, free us also to be a people who proclaim your liberating love. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of creation, you call all the earth to make a joyful noise to you. Let us join the chorus of the natural world in proclaiming your glory. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of the nations, you sent Jesus as peace for all of humankind. Bring an end to war and conflict, bring hope to places devastated by destruction, and sustain those who advocate for peace. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of grace, you pour hope and love into our hearts in times of shame and doubt. Protect those experiencing housing insecurity. Uplift anyone struggling with hopelessness, illness, or other worries. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of all, you call your children to serve in a plentiful harvest. Give us the wisdom to know how best to serve our local community and our neighbors. God of grace,
hear our prayer.

We especially pray today for: Our military and their families, Peace Corps workers, our First Responders (Fire, Police, EMS), Healthcare Workers, Transit Workers, teachers, Sophia, Symons Family, McPherson Family, Derkatch family, Peragine family, Michelle, Frank, Gloria Holke, Pat Tucker, the Offley family, Shirley Byer and family, James and Prentella McSwain, the Broadhead Family, the Zamparelli family, the Nicholas family, the Simpson family, the Roulston family, Charles Hale, Roberta Neidballa, Kim McManus, the Lebby family, the Robinson family, Yanni and Sydell Saddler and family, Orvia Williams, Winston Flowers, Olga Young, Joyce Scott, The Cotton and Victor family, the Norcia family, the Kogan family, Rosalie Connor, the Petito family, Stephanie Scott, Linda Odom, the Washington and Flowers family, Mack Smith, John and Jean Anne Miller and family, Michael Branker, Broderick family, the Ayling family, Mack Baker, Matthew and Diana Pietrzak, Shaan Shivdasani, the Wynn family, the Dunbar, Humphrey & Jackson families, the Tesoriero family, the Stepteau family, Caolan Michael Joy, Ishmael and Yvonne Barthley, Phyllis Taylor, the Staton family, the Applewhite family, Bev Mitchell and family, Ortman family, Juanita Cunningham, Melhado family, Charlene Coyne, Lawrence Jordan, Leonard and Alma Cunningham, Cheryl Myles & family, Althea Robinson & family, Vonda Campbell & family, Carmen Alvarez Holmes & family, Cumberland family, Val Thomas & family, Eliano and Evans family, Bill Stoll, Tim Hayes, Ted & Laura Fackelman, Antoinette Allen, the Conforti family, John Kelly, George & Fran Doerrbecker, Ysabel Frias, The Albanese family, the family of Mortimer Wortman, Janet Gabler, Colleen, Antoinette Sherrington & family,
God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of faith, we give thanks for the saints who earnestly seek you. Guide us as we seek to follow those who have led your church. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Trusting you trusting you receive all our prayers, we commend our spoken and unspoken prayers to you, O God, through Jesus our Savior. Amen.

*Lord’s Prayer

*Sharing of the Peace

Offering

*Offering Prayer
Blessed are you, Holy One, for all good things come from you. In bread and cup you open heaven to us. Meet us at this table, that we receive what we seek and follow your Son, Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.

*Eucharistic Prayer
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, you have brought us this far along the way. In times of bitterness you did not abandon us, but guided us into a path of love and light. In every age you sent prophets to make known your loving will for all humanity. The cry of the poor has become your own cry; our hunger and thirst for justice is your own desire. In the fullness of time, you sent your chosen servant to preach good news to the afflicted, to break bread with the outcast and despised, and to ransom those in bo***ge to prejudice and sin.

* Thanksgiving

* Holy Communion For remote listeners-please bring your own elements.
(In this time we gather around the eternal table wherever that may be in this time we are apart. We bring our own gifts so they can be lifted up and bring honor and glory to God. We lift up our prayers so that the Spirit is sent to us and the meal that we share, so that it and all of God’s acts and promises may come to fulfillment for us and the world. The prayer is that the life giving Spirit will make the meal effective in us. We join our prayers with those servants of every time and every place and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great High Priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all.)

SENDING
*Blessing
God who names you, Christ who claims you, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, + bless you and remain with you always. Amen.

Closing Hymn: #720 – We Are Called

*Dismissal: Go in peace, you are God’s beloved. Thanks be to God.

Please remain at your seat as Pastor distributes communion.

*Offering- Please remember your church home during this time. Your donations are important in helping the church to fulfill its missions as well as pay bills. Please return your donation at the back of the sanctuary as you leave or go on our website and use the blue Donate button at the top of the page.

The Eternal Light is lit today in memory of loved ones.
The Flowers on the altar are in the memory of loved ones.

If you know of anyone who is ill, in the hospital, or in need of a home visit, please contact Pastor Smith or a Council member. Pastor can be reached by text or phone: 718-619-1333.


Calendar-Announcements
- We will be having a monthly Worship Service of Peace every second Sunday of the month. Our first Service for Peace will be held today, June 14, 2026 at 5 pm. This is open to the entire community! Please invite your friends and family to join us!

- The Council meetings will not be held on the third Tuesday of the month for June and July. Instead, the meetings will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 and Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Both meetings will begin at 7:30 pm.

- If you are interested in being a Lector, please see Dan D‘Antonio to sign up.

- There is a sign up sheet in the back of the church for Greeters! Isn’t it nice to have a greeter at the door each week to welcome visitors and members?
We only ask that you arrive 15 minutes early (10:15).

- We are collecting food for the pantry in the back of the church. Your donations greatly help people in our community. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

2026 BLC COUNCIL
Officers ____________ Members_______
President - Allison Nuñez Judith Borga
Vice President – Linda Pietrzak Barbara Dempster
Treasurer - Dan D’Antonio Patty Derkatch
Financial Secretary - Sita Ramsundar Kelli Dunbar
Recording Secretary - Aiisha Nembhard John Maraz
Carolyn Olson

Mission of the Month: Koinonia

As a community of faith and a whole life ministry focused on Living God’s Word, we embrace and learn from the diversity in our midst. We seek to meet all people with God’s grace and eternal love shown to all God’s people through the life, death and resurrection of God’s only Son regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, culture, marital status, addictions, sexual orientation, economic status, ability or label.
You are welcome here!

We serve in response to God’s love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, standing with the poor and powerless, and committing ourselves to their needs. Thank you to all who have ...