First UCC Richmond

On-Line Worship 8/2/26

Order of Worship
Tenth Sunday of Pentecost
August 2, 2026

Prelude:  Bob Gorniac (By the way he plays at Louis’ Chop House at 23 Mile and Gratiot on Friday’s and Saturdays.)

Thank you, Bob, and thank you to those who come and pray in person and those who tune in later in the day or week.

Offertory

First United Church of Christ
68651 S. Forest
Richmond MI 48062
Rev. Katie Dailey, Pastor

If you prefer to send a check or are uncomfortable using Internet:  Please include an email.

Thank you for claiming First UCC as your non-profit at Gordon Foods/Kroger

Thanksgiving for the offering
No matter how small the gift, how meager our offering feels in the face of such large needs, Jesus receives it with gladness, blesses it, multiplies it and asks us to help distribute it to those who are hungry, weary and hurting. This is the time when we are given the unspeakable joy of participating in God’s miraculous, abundant grace. Let us worship God with our morning’s offering.

Prayer of dedication
Lord, we look in awe at the extent of your compassion, the unbounded care you give to all the earth. 

We rejoice that when we give you whatever we have, you accept it, give God thanks for it, expand its power to provide and allow us to witness the miracles of mercy that ensue as a result. 

We pray that you would take these very offerings and do with them what you did in that desolate place so long ago, feed people, nurture people, grant relief and give those who are hurting hope and assurance that they are seen and beloved. Amen.

Ringing of the Bell

Lighting of the candle

Welcome
Thank you for joining worship with us here at First United Church of Christ Richmond. We are ‘Intersection’ at S. Forest & Main. We are glad to have you if you are in-person or online.  And thank you also for going onto our chat and leaving remarks:  we welcome any comments and encouragement.

Welcome to our community where differences are celebrated, kindness is valued, and friendships flourish. All are welcome because we are a ‘Come As You Are’ church.

Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself
on the journey of faith,
there is a place for you here.

Call to worship  (Psalm 17:1-7)
Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right.
If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, 
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.
As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words.
Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. 

#507 Gather - I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

Words & Music: Kathleen Thomerson
@1970, 1975 Celebration, Aliquippa, PA
GIA@1987

I want to walk as a child of the light I want to follow Jesus
God sent the stars to give light to the world The star of my life is Jesus

IN HIM, THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL 
THE NIGHT AND THE DAY ARE BOTH ALIKE
THE LAMB IS THE LIGHT OF THE CITY OF GOD
SHINE IN MY HEART, LORD JESUS 

I want to see the brightness of God I want to look at Jesus
Clear sun of righteousness, shine on my path 
And show me the way to the Father

IN HIM, THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL 
THE NIGHT AND THE DAY ARE BOTH ALIKE
THE LAMB IS THE LIGHT OF THE CITY OF GOD
SHINE IN MY HEART, LORD JESUS 

I'm looking for the coming of Christ I want to be with Jesus
When we have run with patience the race We shall know the joy of Jesus

IN HIM, THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL 
THE NIGHT AND THE DAY ARE BOTH ALIKE
THE LAMB IS THE LIGHT OF THE CITY OF GOD
SHINE IN MY HEART, LORD JESUS 

Call to confession (Psalm 145:8-9)
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and the Lord’s compassion is over all creation. Confident of this promise, we come before God and one another to confess our sins, repent and seek God’s forgiveness.

Prayer of confession
Lord of abundance and compassion, we confess that when we see the overwhelming needs of your beloved world, we want to turn away, seek our own security and retreat from the chaos all around us. Forgive us for failing to heed Jesus’ command to provide for the crowds. 

Forgive us for hoarding what we have instead of willingly offering it to you that it might be blessed, multiplied and used to sustain everyone. 

We know that you are present in seemingly desolate places, meeting us in our doubts, using even our failings and mistakes for your purposes.

In your abounding, steadfast love, grant us mercy and make of us a merciful, gracious and faithful people. Amen.

Assurance of pardon (Psalm 145:17-18)
The Lord is just in all ways, and kind in all that God does. God is near to all who call on the Lord, to all who call on the Lord in truth. Friends, having called on the Lord in truth, we can trust that God is near, just and kind.

Believe the good news, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

Prayer for illumination

What we are not, make us.
What we have not, give us.
What we know not, teach us.
Redeemer and Sustainer. Amen.

Scripture Readings

First reading

• Genesis 32:22-31 

Second reading

• Romans 9:1-5

#506 NCH What a Friend We Have in Jesus v. 1

Charles C. Converse, 1868
Joseph Scriven, 1855

What a friend we have in Je-sus, all our sins an griefs to bear!
What a priv-i-lege to car-ry ev-ery thing to God in prayer! 

Oh, what peace we of-ten forfeit, oh, what need-less pain we bear,
All be-cause we do not car-ry ev-ery-thing to God in prayer.

Gospel

• Matthew 14:13-21

Sermon

Affirmation of faith (silently)
We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God:
preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel.

Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world.

God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. 

Prayers of the people and the Lord’s Prayer
God of abundant compassion and extravagant love, we join our hearts and voices in prayer to you, trusting your promise to hear and respond, not as we deserve, but as your mercy dictates. 

When we look within ourselves, we are chastened by the many ways we fall short of delighting in your law. We heed the advice of the wicked without even recognizing we are neglecting your commandments. 

We hurt those closest to us, injure those whom you call us to be compassionate toward and dread the consequences of our own behavior. And yet, it is in those dark, lonely places that you appear and bless us, make of us new creations and reshape us for your divine purposes.

We praise you for your unwillingness to let us go and we cling to you now as we wrestle with the chaos within and around us. We rejoice that you are present right here in this place.

God of bread and fish, hillsides and healing, we come to you like the crowds, in need of relief, fearful we do not have enough, eager to see Jesus face to face.

We heed his instruction to sit and we cannot believe that the Savior of the world serves us and refuses to send us away. Having been satisfied with the bread of heaven, we ask to be a part of distributing the mercy, grace and justice of our Lord. 

We know we have been blessed in order to be a blessing to others. In that recognition we remember those in our midst who are hungry. As unemployment or underemployment or dangerous employment continues, grant security in all its forms to those most anxious about their well-being and that of those they love. 

We know that all around us your beloved children long for healing in body, mind or spirit. We know you see them with compassion and want for them abundant life. May we be conduits for Christ’s power, embodying your love to all. 

God of blessing and sending, we cannot count all the ways you come to us and give us that which we need. We revel in the beauty of creation. We relish the care of friends and family. We enjoy the taste of food, the voice of a loved one, the familiar melodies of hymns and the everyday mercies that are new every morning. 

As we sing our praise and express our thanks, we ask you to empower us to participate in your compassionate care for all the earth and every creature upon it. We pray in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, who taught us to say when we pray, Our Father…

Communion Rite

What Is This Place OCC #303

Dutch Hymn 1626
Huub Oosterhuis, tr, by David Smith
text and music@1967
Gooi en Sticht, by Baarn

What is this place, where we are meeting? On-ly a house, the earth its floor. 
Walls and a roof, shel-ter-ing people, Windows for light, an o-pen door. 
Yet it be-comes a bod-y that lives When we are gathered here, 
And know our God is near. 
words from a-far, stars that are fall-ing. Sparks that are sown in us like see:

Names for our God, dreams, signs, and wonders 
Sent from the past are all we need.
We in his place re-mem-ber and speak. 
A-gain what we have heard: God’s free re-deem-ing word. 

And we ac-cept bread at His ta-ble, Bro-ken and shared, a liv-ing sign.
Here in this world, dy-ing and liv-ing, We are each other’s bread and wine.

This is the place where we can re-ceive What we need to in-crease:
Our jus-time and God’s peace.

Take - Break - Bless - Share 

Thanksgiving After All Have Received 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Thank you for those who participate in our Euchre Tournament on the 2nd Saturday’s of the month.
• Euchre this Saturday-August 8
• Clean Church - Wednesday August 12
• All Church Meeting - August 16
• Guest Preacher - August 16 - Rev. Andrew Warner

Sending and Blessing (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold fast to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord your God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 

#525 NCH This Little Light of Mine

African American Spiritual
Adapt. William Farley Smith, 1987

This little light of mine, I’m gon-na let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gon-na let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gon-na let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Ev-ery where I go, I’m gon-na let it shine . . .

All-through the night, I’m gon-na let it shine . . . 

Postlude:  Bob Gorinac

Thank you for praying with us - have a wonderful week!

OUR SERVICE HAS ENDED
LET OUR SERVICE BEGIN

Pay Pal OR Snail Mail Support for our Ministry to:
First United Church of Christ
68651 S. Forest
Richmond, Michigan 48062

Bulletin Back Page August 2, 2026

On-Line Worship 07/26/2026

Order of Worship
Ninth Sunday of Pentecost
July 26, 2026

Prelude:  by Bob Gorniac

Offertory

First United Church of Christ
68651 S. Forest
Richmond MI 48062
Rev. Katie Dailey, Pastor
If you prefer to send a check or are uncomfortable using Internet:  Please include an email. 

Gordon Foods/Kroger thank you for claiming First UCC as your non-profit

Thanksgiving for the Offering 

#780 NCH Doxology (for melody) 

Praise life that makes us change and grow.
Praise love that makes compassion flow.
Praise peace that ends all strife and fear.
Praise hands that work for justice here. 

Text:  Thomas Ken, 1674
Book of Worship, UCC, Music: Louis Bourgeois, 1551

Prayer of dedication

Ringing of the Bell

Lighting of the candle

Welcome
Welcome to our community where differences are celebrated, kindness is valued, and friendships flourish. Everyone is welcome and that is true.  No matter where you came from, your religious training OR no religiosity, all are welcome because we are a ‘Come As You Are’ Community, a come as you are gathering of believers.  You are welcome here. There is no impression management needed with us.  Just be real. 

Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith,
there is a place for you here.

Call to worship 

Pay Pal OR Snail Mail Support for our Ministry to:
First United Church of Christ
68651 S. Forest
Richmond, Michigan 48062

Bulletin Back Page July 26, 2026

On-Line Worship 07/19/26

Order of Worship
Eight Sunday of Pentecost
July 19, 2026

Prelude:  by Bob Gorniac

Offertory

First United Church of Christ
68651 S. Forest
Richmond MI 48062
Rev. Katie Dailey, Pastor
If you prefer to send a check or are uncomfortable using Internet:  Please include an email.

Thank you for claiming First UCC as your non-profit at Gordon Foods/Kroger

Thanksgiving for the offering
The creation groans with labor pains, waiting and longing for the children of God to be revealed. As God’s people, called to be those children, we have given back a portion of what has been given to us as we have received the morning offering.

#780 NCH Doxology for melody (All) 

PRAISE LIFE THAT MAKES US CHANGE AND GROW.
PRAISE LOVE THAT MAKES COMPASSION FLOW.
PRAISE PEACE THAT ENDS ALL STRIFE AND FEAR.
PRAISE HANDS THAT WORK FOR JUSTICE HERE.  AMEN.

Prayer of dedication
Gracious God, you have sown good seed among us. Receive now the harvest of what you have planted, the good gifts of our lives, time and resources, to further your kingdom of heaven in whatever way we can.  Amen.

Ringing of the Bell

Lighting of the candle

Welcome
Welcome to our community where differences are celebrated, kindness is valued, and friendships flourish. Everyone is welcome and that is true.  No matter where you came from, your religious training OR no religiosity, all are welcome because we are a ‘Come As You Are’ Community, a come as you are gathering of believers.  You are welcome here. There is no impression management needed with us.  Just be real. 

Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith,
there is a place for you here.

*Call to worship 
Surely the Lord is in this place, and we did not know it.
We do not know when and where God’s glorious presence will show up.  Surely, we are the Body of Christ.
We cannot say to one another, “I have no need of you.”
Surely our God is a mystery that cannot be contained.
Let us worship our unpredictable and uncontrollable God!

We Are Called

Words and music by
David Haas, GIA Publishing@1988

Come!  Live in the light! Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord!
We are called to be light for the king-dom, 
to live in the freedom of the cit-y of God.

We are called to act with jus-tice; we are called to live ten-der-ly.
We are called to serve one an-oth-er, to walk hum-by with God.

Come!  O-pen your heart! Show your mer-cy to all those who hear!
We are called to be hope for the hope-less, 
so, hat-red, and violence will be no more.

We are called to act with jus-tice; we are called to live ten-der-ly.
We are called to serve one an-oth-er, to walk hum-by with God.

Sing!  Sing a new song! Sing of that great day when all will be one!
God will reign, and we’ll walk with each other
as sis-ters and brothers u-nit-ed in love.

We are called to act with jus-tice; we are called to live ten-der-ly.
We are called to serve one an-oth-er, to walk hum-by with God.

We’ll walk hum-bly with God We’ll walk hum-bly with God 

Call to confession 
Before a word is on our tongue, God knows it completely. Before we ask for forgiveness, God is at work to set things right. Let us therefore confess our sin and the sin of the world together:

Prayer of confession
Lord, you have searched us and found us wanting. You have known our inmost thoughts and called us to better things. You have set us in this world to love and serve you by loving and serving one another, to worship you by tending to those most vulnerable among us.  When we fail, do not abandon us. When we go astray, call us back home.  Search us O God, and know our hearts. Test us and know our thoughts. Root out the wicked ways in us, and lead us in the way everlasting. Amen. 

Assurance of pardon 
Where can we go from God’s spirit, or where can we flee from God’s presence? Even if we take the wings of the morning or settle at the farthest limits of the sea, God’s hand will find us and hold us fast. Proclaim the good news with me:
Our God does not abandon us to sin or brokenness.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and called back home. Thanks be to God.

Prayer for illumination
What we are not, make us.
What we know not, teach us.
What we have not, give us in the most precious name of God.

Scripture readings:  Kim McCardell

First reading

• Genesis 28:10-19a

Second reading

• Romans 8:12-25

Lead Me, Guide Me vs. 1 & 3

Doris Akers, @1953, Gather

Lead me, guide me, a-long the way, For if you lead me, I can-not stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, oh Lord, lead me.

I am weak and I need thy strength and power 
to help me o-ver my weak-est hour.
Help me through the dark-ness thy face to see, Lead me, oh Lord, lead me. 

Lead me, guide me, a-long the way, For if you lead me, I can-not stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, oh Lord, lead me.

I am lost if you take your hand from me, I am blind with-out thy Light to see,
Lord, just al-ways let me thy servant be. Lead me, oh Lord, lead me.

Lead me, guide me, a-long the way, For if you lead me, I can-not stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, oh Lord, lead me.

Gospel

• Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Sermon

Affirmation of faith (in the silence of your heart) 
The Church is an assembly of the faithful, Called or gathered out of the world.
They are all citizens of the one city, Living under the same Lord, Under the same laws,
And in the same fellowship with all good things.
Those who are in the Church have one faith and one spirit; They worship but one God,
And in God alone they worship in spirit and truth.
Hence, we must be very careful not to judge before the time,
Nor undertake to exclude, reject, or cut off
Those whom the Lord does not want to have excluded or rejected,
And those whom we cannot eliminate without loss to the Church. 

Prayers of the people and the Lord’s Prayer
Gracious and Glorious God, we give you thanks for the goodness of the world in which we live. We praise you for the lush beauty of summer and the joy of time spent with friends and family. 

We rejoice in those places where justice and kindness flourish — churches being faithful to your mission, and the places in public life where people are embracing the better angels of our nature. 

Even so, O Lord, hear the cries of your people. Soothe and provoke us as we tend an earth straining under the weight of a changing climate.  Send your Spirit into those places where fear, hatred and violence reign. 

Call your church to greater faithfulness and perseverance when we are discouraged. Be near to the downtrodden and lift up the lowly. 

We pray for safe travel as people go on vacation.
We pray for our homebound and those in Senior Living Facilities.
We Pray for the family of Brian Essenberg who was buried on Tuesday.
We Pray for the family of Larry Mahaffy buried on Monday.
Wed pray for churches in transition. 

Teach us to reach out to the strangers among us, and to people whom we might otherwise write off. Help us to see the face of Christ in every person we meet. Encourage us and support us as we await your coming, praying the prayer that Jesus taught us:
“Our Father…”.

Announcements

• Cleaning: August 12, at 10:00
• All Church Meeting August 16,  after Worship

Sending and Blessing
As we go from this place, let us look for God in unexpected places and unexpected people. Let us love and serve our Lord by loving and serving those around us. Let us honor the most vulnerable and lift up the weak, rejoicing in God’s presence among us.

The Light of God surrounds you,
The love of God enfolds you,
The power of God protects you,
The presence of God watches over you;
Wherever you are, God is. 

And may the grace of Christ Jesus, the love of the Creator God, and the connecting power of the Holy Spirit accompany us all on our journeys. Amen.

Let There Be Peace On Earth

Text and Music: Sy Miller and Jill Jackson
#703 in Journey Song@2012 OCP

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me;
let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. 

With God as our Father, children all are we.
Let us walk with each oth-er in perfect har-mo-ny.
Let peace be-gin with me; let this be the mo-ment now.
With ev-ery step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
to take each mo-ment and live each mo-ment in peace e-ter-nal-ly.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it be-gin with me.

Postlude:  Bob Gorinac

Thank you for praying with us - have a wonderful week!

OUR SERVICE HAS ENDED
LET OUR SERVICE BEGIN

Pay Pal OR Snail Mail Support for our Ministry to:
First United Church of Christ
68651 S. Forest
Richmond, Michigan 48062

Bulletin Back Page July 19

On-Line Worship 7/12/25

Order of Worship
Seventh Sunday of Pentecost
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 10
July 12, 2026

Prelude:  Performed by Bob Gorinac 

Offertory

First United Church of Christ
68651 S. Forest
Richmond MI 48062
Rev. Katie Dailey, Pastor
If you prefer to send a check or are uncomfortable using Internet:  Please include an email.

Thank you for claiming First UCC as your non-profit at Gordon Foods/Kroger

Thanksgiving for the offering 
The God who is God demands nothing of us, but instead invites us to inhabit the infinite ocean of grace poured out through our savior, Jesus Christ. It is this generosity that gives us life, and it is in our own acts of generosity that we join in this larger life. So let us give joyfully, thanking God for the wonders of Christ’s love.

Prayer of dedication
Holy God, you have called us together as your people, gathered in your church, to struggle on behalf of your promises of grace and life for all the world. So, we pledge this portion of what is precious to us gratefully and hopefully. Bless and multiply these gifts. May their fruit demonstrate the unfathomable, inestimable glory that is yours in Christ Jesus. And if that’s asking too little, do more! In Jesus’ name we pray: Amen.

Ringing of the Bell

Lighting of the candle

Welcome
Thank you for joining worship with us here at First United Church of Christ Richmond. We are ‘Intersection’ at S. Forest & Main. We are glad to have you if you are in-person or online.  And thank you also for going onto our chat and leaving remarks:  we welcome any comments and encouragement.

Welcome to our community where differences are celebrated, kindness is valued, and friendships flourish. All are welcome because we are a ‘Come As You Are’ church.

Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself
on the journey of faith,
there is a place for you here.

Call to worship (from Psalm 119:105-11)
All who walk in shadow, come into the light!
God’s Word lights the way for us.
God has promised to abide with us.
So let us commit to walk in God’s ways.
All who are afflicted, ensnared by the world, come give praise to God.
God is the joy of our heart, our sure and certain comfort, come what may!

Cry of My Heart

Terry Butler:  Words and Music
@1991 Mercy Vineyard Publishing
One License A 721 722

IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO FOLLOW YOU.
IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO BE CLOSE TO YOU.
IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO FOLLOW ALL OF THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.

Teach me Your ho-ly ways, O Lord, so I can walk in Your truth
Teach me Your ho-ly ways O Lord and make me whol-ly de-vot-ed to You

IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO FOLLOW YOU.
IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO BE CLOSE TO YOU.
IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO FOLLOW ALL OF THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.

O-pen my eyes so I can see the won-der-ful things that You do.
O-pen my heart up more and more, and make it whol-ly de-vot-ed to You

IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO FOLLOW YOU.
IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO BE CLOSE TO YOU.
IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO FOLLOW ALL OF THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.

IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO FOLLOW YO 
IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO BE CLOSE TO YOU.
IT IS THE CRY OF MY HEART TO FOLLOW ALL OF THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.

ALL OF THE DAYS OF MY LIFE ALL OF THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.

Call to confession
God does not promise us a life without struggle or hardship; yet how often do we make what is already difficult even more so? Yet the grace of God is that the sorrows we inflict upon ourselves cannot last forever; so, let us unburden ourselves, confessing the ways in which we struggle against God that we may receive that grace anew.

Prayer of confession
Gracious Creator, you created this world and called it good, and out of it called a pilgrim people, chosen to abide with you and to bear witness to your reality.

Yet we, who have been called “Beloved” by you, often find ourselves making peace with what does not give peace. Meet us in our weakness; turn our unwilling eyes upon our unruly hearts.

Draw us away from our love of power, our tolerance of injustice, our ignorance of suffering. Drive us towards what is fearfully and wonderfully made, so that we may inspire hope, offer forgiveness, and love our neighbors through faithful living, according to the way of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Assurance of pardon (from Romans 8:1-3)
For those who are in Christ, there is no condemnation; for by Christ’s death and resurrection, God has done what the law and works of human righteousness alone could not: breathed new life through the Holy Spirit into the world, turning it upside down. Believe this scandalous, joyous good news: through Jesus Christ, you are forgiven and restored to new life. Alleluia! Amen! 

Prayer for illumination
What we are not, make us
What we know not, teach us
What we have not, give us in the most precious name of God.

Scripture readings - Michael Grzanka

First reading

• Genesis 25:19-34

Second reading

• Romans 8:1-11

#506 NCH What a Friend We Have in Jesus v. 1

Charles C. Converse, 1868
Joseph Scriven, 1855

What a friend we have in Je-sus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a priv-i-lege to car-ry ev-ery thing to God in prayer! 

Oh, what peace we of-ten forfeit, oh, what need-less pain we bear,
All be-cause we do not car-ry ev-ery-thing to God in prayer.

Gospel

• Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Sermon

Affirmation of faith (in the silence of your heart)
The Christian Church is the congregation of the brethren in which Jesus Christ acts presently as the Lord in Word and Sacrament through the Holy Spirit. As the Church of pardoned sinners, it has to testify in the midst of a sinful world. 

So, we reject the false doctrine, as though the church in human arrogance could place the Word and work of the Lord in the service of any arbitrarily chosen desires, purposes, and plans. Amen. 

Prayers of the people and the Lord’s Prayer
Holy God, you are a mystery hidden beyond all sense and understanding, yet you are as near to us as our very breath. As we breathe this word of prayer together, allow your Holy Spirit to enter into the deepest ground of our being, and bind us as one body with you and all the communion of the faithful in every time and place. 

Lord, we live in a time of great struggle: of nation against nation, of faction against faction, party against party, neighbor against neighbor. So many struggle to put food on the table, or keep a roof over their head, or to provide care to those they love. Meet us in the struggle, and comfort us with your quiet courage to struggle on. 

Holy Jesus, you know us by name; hear us now as we name those who need your tender care.  Jim Weeks, Lucia Marshall, Chris Hensch, Sharon Frantz, Mary Jane W, Joey, Darlene, 

God, your thoughts are not our thoughts, and your ways are not our ways, yet we abide in your peace for you have given it freely to us. 

Loosen our anxiously tightened hearts; open our fearfully clenched hands; shake us out of our screen-induced reveries. Let us see the world with a new vision: through the eyes of faith, let us perceive your way of justice in places of injustice. 

Let us recognize the humanity in those who are treated inhumanely. Let us know that you are God alone, and that in serving you, we are made stronger. 

Bless these prayers, and those offered in the silence of our hearts, and receive them with grace, as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us to pray, saying “Our Father…” 

Communion Rite

What Is This Place OCC #303

Dutch Hymn 1626
Huub Oosterhuis, tr, by David Smith
text and music@1967
Gooi en Sticht, by Baarn

What is this place, where we are meeting? On-ly a house, the earth its floor.

Walls and a roof, shel-ter-ing people, Windows for light, an o-pen door.

Yet it be-comes a bod-y that lives When we are gathered here, 
And know our God is near. 

Words from a-far, stars that are fall-ing. Sparks that are sown in us like seed:

Names for our God, dreams, signs, and wonders 
Sent from the past are all we need.
We in his place re-mem-ber and speak.
A-gain what we have heard: God’s free re-deem-ing word. 

And we ac-cept bread at His ta-ble, Bro-ken and shared, a liv-ing sign.
Here in this world, dy-ing and liv-ing, We are each other’s bread and wine.

This is the place where we can re-ceive What we need to in-crease:
Our jus-tice and God’s peace. 

Words and Receiving 

Take-Break-Bless-Share

Prayer after Communion
Creator God, we have taken the elements not our bodies.  Let Jesus be a part of us as you are a part of him.  Buide our hearts and thoughts and allow us to be one in the body of Christ.  May Christ be part of all we think about and do.  May this Communion nourish and make us whole.  Amen.

Sending and Blessing (Numbers 6:24-26)
Go forth from this place to struggle for God’s glory, to be a “happy warrior” for peace, knowing that Christ goes before you, to make a way out of no way. 

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you; may God make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up the light of their countenance upon those whom you love, both this day and forevermore. Alleluia! Amen. 

#525 NCH This Little Light of Mine

African American Spiritual
Adapt. William Farley Smith, 1987

This little light of mine, I’m gon-na let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gon-na let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gon-na let it shine, 
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. 

Ev-ery where I go, I’m gon-na let it shine . . . 

All-through the night, I’m gon-na let it shine . . . 

Postlude:  Bob Gorinac

Thank you for praying with us - have a wonderful week!

OUR SERVICE HAS ENDED
LET OUR SERVICE BEGIN

Pay Pal OR Snail Mail Support for our Ministry to:
First United Church of Christ
68651 S. Forest
Richmond, Michigan 48062

Bulletin Back Page July 12

On-Line Worship 7/05/26

No in-person worship for July 4th weekend 

Order of Worship
Sixth Sunday of Pentecost
July 5, 2026

Call to Worship
On this weekend of celebration, we remember those who dreamed of freedom.
We give thanks for these gifts, entrusted to us.
We remember the courage of those who sought liberty and justice.
We acknowledge that we have not always lived those ideals.
Like Paul, we know the struggle within: the good we wish to do, we do not always do.
We know the weariness of divided hearts.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Come, not because we have perfected freedom, but because God is still creating it within us.
Come, let us worship the One whose ‘yoke' is easy, whose burden is light, and whose love set all people free. 

Prayer of Confession
Holy and Loving God.  On this weekend when we celebrate our nation’s birth, we give thanks for dreams of liberty, for courageous sacrifices, for democratic ideals, and for the many blessings we have received.  Yesterday we confessed that our history, like our own hearts, contains both beauty and brokenness.  Like Paul, we find ourselves divided.  We speak of freedom, yet find one another with fear.  We seek peace, yet nurture resentment.  We long for unity, yet cling to our separations.  We confess the wounds carried by this nation, the divisions that still fracture communities, and the ways power has often overshadowed compassion.  We confess our personal participation as well—the ways we contribute to conflict, avoid difficult truths, or lose hope that change is possible.  Forgive us, O God.  When we grow weary, remind us that transformation begins with surrendering ourselves to Your love.  Renew our minds.  Restore our joy.  Teach us again the freedom for which You created us.  In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen. 

Assurance
Sisters and Brothers, hear the Good News:  Paul cries, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?”  And immediately answers:  “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  The struggle within us is real, but it is not the final word.  Christ does not wait for us to become perfect.  He meets us in our weariness.  He welcomes us in our uncertainty.  He lifts burdens we were never meat to carry.  In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and continually being made new.  Thanks be to God.  Amen 

Scripture readings: 

First reading

• Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67

Alternate First reading

• Zechariah 9:9-12

Second reading

• Romans 7:15-25a

Gospel

• Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Statement of Faith (yours)

Your Prayers

          Please include Don/Donna on their 68th Anniversary on July 5

          Those homebound and/or in Senior Facilities

          All the VBS sessions locally

          Tim/Hope Anniversary on July 11

          Tom Hebel birthday on July 10

          Joselyn Manska birthday on July 7

          For safety everywhere where fireworks are taking place

Blessing

          Make today an opportunity to be a blessing to all those around you.

Thank you for praying with us - have a wonderful week!

OUR SERVICE HAS ENDED
LET OUR SERVICE BEGIN

Bulletin Back Page July 05, 2026

Pay Pal OR Snail Mail Support for our Ministry to:
First United Church of Christ
68651 S. Forest
Richmond, Michigan 48062