06/03/2026
St. John’s United Church of Christ
June 7, 2026 10:00 AM
Gathering Music I Am Welcome Bryan Sirchio
I am welcome, I am welcome
I am loved just as I am
I am welcome, you are welcome
We are loved just as we are
O Spirit burn that truth into our hearts
Repeat
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude
Passing of the Peace
L: The Peace of God be with you
P: and also with you.
L: I invite you to share your sign of God’s peace.
*All who are able, please rise.
*Praise Song I Saw the Light Williams, Sr.
CCLI Song #48064 CCLI License #2647221
I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin,
I wouldn’t let my dear Savior in;
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord! I saw the light.
Chorus:
I saw the light, I saw the light,
No more in darkness, no more in night;
(And) now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord! I saw the light.
Just like a blind man I wandered along,
Worries and fears I claimed for my own;
Then, like the blind man that God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord! I saw the light.
Chorus
I was a fool to wander and stray,
Straight is the gate and narrow the way;
Now I have traded the wrong for the right
Praise the Lord! I saw the light.
Chorus
*Call to Worship
Leader: We praise God who sees the human worth in everyone,
People: those we see who are incredible, those we fail to see, those we seem to be invisible.
Pastor: We celebrate those who have taught us in educational settings as well as those who have taught us about our faith.
People: For our graduates, this is a day of new beginnings, a time to remember and move on, and a time to believe what love is bringing.
Leader: We celebrate milestones in our lives.
People: We worship our God who continually fills us with the Spirit.
Time for Young Christians Rev. Lisa Griffin
Celebration of our Graduates
*Prayer of Confession
Jesus, you created us all in your image of love. There have been times we have not encouraged one another. We often look down on others. We ask your forgiveness. Help us to renew and refresh others as you refresh us and fill us with your spirit, Amen.
*Assurance of Grace
Pastor: God meets us even when we question where God is. God is near, with us, behind us, and before us. Receive the gift of God’s forgiveness
People: We are encouraged by Jesus and his mercy, Amen.
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People / The Lord’s Prayer (using sins)
Hymn I Woke Up This Morning #85
I woke up this morning with my mind
stayed on Jesus,
Woke up this morning with my mind
stayed on Jesus,
Woke up this morning with my mind
stayed on Jesus,
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.
Singing and praying with my mind
Stayed on Jesus,
Singing and praying with my mind
stayed on Jesus,
Singing and praying with my mind
stayed on Jesus,
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.
Sermon Filled with the Spirit
Incredibles and Invisibles
Anthem Order My Steps Burleigh
*Prayer of Dedication
Jesus, with gratefulness we offer and dedicate these gifts for the continuation of our work in your name, Amen.
Invitation to Communion
Pastor: This is the table where God intends us to be nourished. So come, you who hunger and thirst for a deeper faith, for a better life, for a fairer world. Jesus Christ, who has sat at our tables, now invites us to be guest at his.
Communion Prayer
Pastor: Eternal God—God of our Savior Jesus Christ, and our God— we witness to your mighty acts and saving love. You called the worlds into being. You breathed the breath of life into your creation. You raised humankind from the dust and fashioned us in your own image, incredible even when we feel invisible. You claimed us as beloved and have never been less than that in your sight. Even in the times when we turned from you and chased after gods of our own making, you sought us out and called us back into right relationship with you. We witness to your creative power and your steadfast faithfulness as we sing our thanks and praise:
All Singing: Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Amen.
Pastor: In Jesus of Nazareth, God came to us and shared our common lot.
People: Through Christ’s teachings and example, through his death and resurrection, he conquered sin and death and reconciled creation to himself.
Pastor: We are witnesses of the Holy Spirit.
People: Jesus sends us into the world to give voice to his love and power.
Pastor: We are gifted with the Spirit’s presence that empowers us to be the Church:
People: sharing the hope of Jesus’ life-giving life,
Pastor: meeting the challenges of our world with justice and courage,
People: serving others with the strength of Christ’s compassion,
Pastor: witnessing to God’s word and work in our midst.
People: Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto our gracious God, now and always. Amen
Pastor: On the night on which he was betrayed, and as they were sitting at a meal, Jesus took a piece of bread and broke it. He gave it to the disciples saying, ‘This is my body. It is broken for you. Do this to remember me.’ Later, after they had eaten, he took a cup and said, ‘This cup is the new relationship with God made possible because of my death. Drink this all of you, to remember me.’
All: Holy God, we pray for the fullness of your Spirit to bless this moment where we come together at this table graced with bread and cup. Transform these ordinary provisions into extraordinary gifts of your sustaining grace. Through sharing in this meal, may we be drawn more deeply into relationship with you and may we receive the vision to glimpse how we are to be your body today, Amen.
Sharing Holy Communion
Prayer Of Thanksgiving
Jesus, we thank you for your presence in the simplicity and splendor of this holy meal. Unite us with all who are fed by your body and blood that we may faithfully proclaim the good news of your love and that your universal church may be a rainbow of hope in an uncertain world, Amen.
*Hymn I’m So Glad, Jesus Lifted Me #474 vs. 1 & 3
I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
singing glory, hallelujah
Jesus lifted me.
When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
singing glory, hallelujah,
Jesus lifted me.
*Benediction Rev. Lisa Griffin
