06/07/2026
Jerusalem United Church of Christ
June 7, 2026 ~ 10:00 a.m.
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Communion
WELCOME to the Jerusalem United Church of Christ!
We are honored and strengthened by your presence.
No matter who you are or where you are
on life's journey, you are welcome here!
Jerusalem UCC Worship Service
June 7, 2026 ~ 10:00 a.m.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPENING PRAYER
CrissaRobin: Loving God, we come into this hour of worship together to find a renewal of spirit, but also to offer our praise and love to You. You who has so fearfully and wonderfully made each one of us. We are so thankful for this time together as the people of God united in this Holy space for You and for one another. We ask that you would bless us with your Holy and radiant love and guidance as we pray together today and every day. Amen.
* OPENING SONG – “Immortal, Invisible”
By Laura Story and Ed Cash © 2008 New Spring/Gleaning Publishing/Alletrop Music CCLI #5114962
Verse 1
Immortal, You are not like a man
That You change Your mind
Or change Your plan
Invisible, our human eyes can't see
The depths of Your majesty
Chorus
You’re the God of forever and ever amen
The Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End
We sing Hallelujah, we worship in awe
Immortal, invisible God
Verse 2
Immortal, You are not bound by death
You’re the living God my very breath
Invisible, You are not bound by space
But Your glory is filling this place
Yes, Your glory is filling this place
Repeat Chorus
Verse 3
Immortal, yet You once died for me
To pay my debt, to set me free
Invisible, You will not always be
‘Cause You're coming to reign as our King
And the saints will fall down at Your feet
Repeat Chorus
Ending
We sing Hallelujah
We worship in awe
Immortal, invisible God
Immortal, invisible God
Immortal, invisible God
* CALL TO WORSHIP – Lay Leader: Ed Brader
Ed: Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!
All: Praise the Lord with the lyre; sing to him a new song!
Ed: The works of the Lord are done in faithfulness and He loves righteousness and justice.
All: The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
Ed: Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
All: Because He spoke, all came to be. He commanded, and it stood firm.
Ed: The counsel of the Lord stands forever, His heart with all generations.
All: Happy are we whose God is the Lord. The people of God for God. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND TRANSFORMATION
All: Heavenly Creator, we come to you now with the stumbling we have made on our journeys towards the righteousness of You. We seek to know You and live in a way that expresses your desire for justice and truth. Despite the occasion where we make a wrong turn, we know that You will always be there to guide us back to the path that You desire for us. We offer our steadfast love to You now and always. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS AND ABUNDANT GRACE
CrissaRobin: Our loving God hears our plea for forgiveness in our lives, not only here, today, in church but in our hearts at all times. We are washed clean and renewed by the living water of Jesus Christ, forgiven and made whole. The Lord knows our souls, every one, and takes care to bestow Grace upon each of our hearts today and every day. Be assured that whatever has burdened us over the past week has been lifted and let go of by God. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS – Lay Leader: Ed Brader
First Reading - Psalm 50:7-15
Gospel Reading - Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Psalm 50:7-15 The salvation of God
"Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. 8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. 9 I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. 10 For every wild animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine. 12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all that is in it is mine. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. 15 Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 Christ heals a woman and raises a girl
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax-collection station, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with Jesus and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners." 18 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21 for she was saying to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." and the woman was made well from that moment. 23 When Jesus came to the leader's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, "Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this spread through all of that district
Leader: Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
All: Thanks be to God!
* HYMN – #508 (Red) “Lead On, O King Eternal”
Verse 1
Lead on, O King Eternal, the day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest your tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation your grace has made us strong,
And now, O King Eternal, we lift our battle song.
Verse 2
Lead on, O King Eternal, till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace;
For not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums,
With deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.
Instrumental
Verse 3
Lead on, O King Eternal, we follow, not with fears,
For gladness breaks like morning where’er your face appears;
Your cross is lifted o’er us; we journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest: lead on, O God of might.
MESSAGE: ““Faithful Worship and Compassionate Trust” - CrissaRobin Carroll Sterner, Member in Discernment
* APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD'S PRAYER
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 sins as we forgive those who sin 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.
PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
* SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
THE INVITATION
Pastor: May all the children of God come and share at the table of the Lord. God invites you to share in the presence of His Son Jesus Christ through this bread and wine.
COMMUNION PRAYER
Pastor: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to God.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to God Most High.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Pastor: Holy God, our loving Creator, you are as close to us as breathing and distant as the farthest star. We thank You for your constant love for all that You have made. We thank You for the people of faith in every generation who have given themselves to your will. We praise You for the birth and life of our Savior Jesus Christ. Gifted by the presence of your Holy Spirit, we offer ourselves to You as we unite our voices with the entire family of your faithful people everywhere saying:
People: Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty, the whole universe speaks of Your glory, O God Most High.
WORDS OF CONSECRATION & INSTITUTION
SHARING COMMUNION
Pastor: The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, our communion is prepared.
The ushers will serve the congregation. Apple juice and purple wine are in the cups. We will all partake of the bread and wine together.
Pastor: This is the body of Christ given for you. Take and eat.
People: Amen. We are given eternal life through Jesus.
Pastor: This is the blood of Christ given for you. Take and drink.
People: Amen. We are given eternal life through Jesus.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
All: God, we gather at this table representing all people in all places in our world. We bless and pass the bread and cup as Christ passed it to his friends. May we leave this table revived and refreshed to bring Jesus’ love to all! Amen.
OFFERTORY INVITATION
CrissaRobin: Heavenly Father, just as your son passed the bread and cup to his disciples on the night before he offered us the greatest gift ever given, we offer to you now what we are able. We do this knowing that our gifts of time, talent, and treasure are given with the hope of continuing Your works of goodness, charity, and justice.
GIVING TITHES & OFFERINGS – “Beautiful Offering”
By Michael Weaver and Jason Ingram © Curb Songs/Weaver Country/Open Hands Music/So Essential Tunes CCLI # 7035854
Through the fire and through the rain
Through the heartache and deepest pain
All my laughter and all my tears
I give it all to You
Take this broken life I bring
Make it a beautiful offering
A beautiful offering
All I am laid at Your feet
Make me a beautiful offering
A beautiful offering to You, to You
You have ransomed all I am
Now all I am is yours
You have ransomed all I am
Now all I am is yours
Take this broken life I bring
Make it a beautiful offering
A beautiful offering
You’re love changes ev’rything
I am a beautiful offering
A beautiful offering
A beautiful offering to (You)
A beautiful offering (4X)
* PRAYER OF COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION
All: O Lord, we thank you for Your ever faithful presence in our life. We place our trust in Your sovereign hands, knowing that just as Jesus told the ailing woman from the gospel of Matthew, “Take heart, daughter”, you say the same to each of your sons and daughters here today. We do indeed take heart and place our faith in you. We dedicate each action to Your work and Glory, our loving Creator. Amen.
* CLOSING SONG – “Who You Say I Am”
Words and Music by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan CCLI Song # 7102401 © 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 2745745
Verse 1
Who am I that the highest King would welcome me.
I was lost, but He brought me in.
Oh, His love for me. Oh, His love for me.
Chorus 1
Who the Son sets free, oh is free indeed.
I’m I child of God, yes I am.
Verse 2
Free at last, He has ransomed me, His grace runs deep
While I was a slave to sin, Jesus died for me.
Yes, He died for me.
Chorus 2
Who the Son sets free, oh is free indeed.
I’m I child of God, yes I am.
In my Father’s house, there’s a place for me.
I’m I child of God, yes I am.
Bridge
I am chosen, not forsaken.
I am who You say I am.
You are for me, not against me.
I am who You say I am.
(Repeat)
Tag
I am who You say I am.
Repeat Chorus 2
Instrumental
Bridge
I am chosen, not forsaken.
I am who You say I am.
You are for me, not against me.
I am who You say I am.
Tag
I am who You say I am.
(Repeat)
Repeat Chorus 2
Tag
I’m a child of God, yes I am.
* BENEDICTION
CrissaRobin: My friends, these last four weeks have gone by far quicker than I could have imagined. I want to extend my love and gratitude to each of you for having me lead us in worship these past Sunday mornings. The support and love that I have felt from every single one of you is more meaningful to me than I could ever express. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for extending your Christ like love and grace to me during this time and always. Next week you will be treated to the company of our beloved Rev. Don and I know that he loves you just as much we love him. On June 21st, Pastor Frey will share his first Sunday with us. He is very excited to come to our church and I know that we will offer him the most beautiful welcome.
And together we say:
All: The light of God surrounds us
The love of God enfolds us
The power of God protects us
The presence of God watches over us
Wherever we are, God is.
And where God is, all is well.
Amen.
Jerusalem UCC CCLI license number 2745745
Jerusalem United Church of Christ
545 Church Drive, Palmerton, Pennsylvania 18071
Church office: (610) 681-4412
www.jerusalemucc.org
Facebook: Jerusalem Trachsville UCC
