UnitedMethodistChurch
Weareadiversefaithcommunity, engagedinenliveningspirituallythirstypeople tojoyfullyrespondtoGod’slove andgrowasdisciplesofChrist, sothattogetherwemayexperiencethefullnessoflife.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Spirit
SIGNUPFORINTERGENERATIONALVBS JUNE26-29|5:30-8:00PM
Our community-wide VBS participants will explore what all living things need to live shelter, food, water, air, and community and how we can havecompassionforthelivingearth,especiallyinourlocalecosystems.
Through awareness, gratitude, wonderment, reciprocity, and kinship, participants will consider how to become co-sustainers and participants in the work of God’s creation. Free dinner will be provided each evening and programs will be offered for Pre-Schoolers through Adults.Signupformsareavailableforallagesatprincetonumc.org/kids.
HI-TOPSFAITHINITIATIVESERIES JULY11&18|6:30-8:30PM
Participateinanonline(Zoom),two-partseriesthatfocusesongender and sexuality and addresses theological concepts and scriptural references often used against members of the LGBTQ+ community. Collectedstorieswillbesharedofpeople’slivedexperienceswithinfaith communities This will be a non-judgmental space with opportunities for questions, concrete examples of welcoming congregations, and enhancesourjourneyofbecominganaffirmingcommunity.
PICK-UPCHOIR SELECTSUNDAYSTHISSUMMER
If you are interested in singing this summer, come join the summer pick-up choir The dates are 7/2, 7/23, 8/6, 8/20, and 9/3 The pick-up choirwillmeetonthosefiveSundaysat9:00aminthemusicroom.
BY IVAN STOYANOV
THECHURCHGATHERS
CalltoWorship
adaptedfromJoannaHaraderAsearlyfollowersofJesusgatheredforfellowshipandworship, prayingandsingingandreadingthescriptures, sowegatherthismorning.
WereadinActsthattherewerethosewhosharedeverything. everythingtheyowned,everythingtheyhad. God’sgracewasatworkinthem, powerfullyatwork,withinthemall. Therewasnotaneedypersonamongthem. Mayitbesoforusaswell.Amen.
PrayerofConfession fromWalterBrueggemann,MinistryMatters
Freeus,Lord,fromourobsessionwithourselves longenoughtocareforothers; tobesoconcerned aboutthewell-beingofthehumancommunity thatwedon’thavetoworryaboutourplace,our church,ourclass,ourvalues,ourvestedinterests. Helpustoknowthejoyandfreedomofputtingall Ourtrustinyou.Amen. silenceforprayer
WordsofAssurance
WhenwewalkinthelightofChrist, wehavefellowshipwithoneanother. Whenweconfessoursins, theOnewhoisfaithfulandjustforgivesoursins andcleansesusfromallunrighteousness. ForinthedeathandresurrectionofJesusChrist, Godhasshoweredmercyupontheentireworld. InthenameofJesusChrist,weareforgiven. ThanksbetoGod,Alleluia,Amen.
SHARINGINWORSHIPTODAY
Acolytes-AndrewAryeetey, LouisaDreibelbis
Liturgists-IanGriffiths,RickEngel
Reader-AdeolaAmpong
Musicians-JuliaHanna, LoriPantaleo,HyosangPark
Ushers-RichHadley,RalphNewhall, SteveWong,James&UlandaFrisbee
ourchildrenandsixgrandchildren
byVivienandJeffSayre
PrayersofthePeople
TheLord'sPrayer adaptedbyIzzyDiStase seeinsert
Offertory
HowBeautiful arr.LloydLarson
HolyCommunion UMH#13,sungresponseTFWS#2257b-d
TheLord'sPrayer seemusicinsert
PrayerAfterReceiving
EternalGod,wegiveyouthanksforthisholymysteryinwhichyou havegivenyourselftous.Grantthatwemaygointotheworldin thestrengthofyourSpirit,togiveourselvesforothers,inthename ofJesusChristourLord.Amen.
Honoring2023Graduates
Prayersforthosehavingsurgerythisweekandallsufferingfrom Covidandotherchallengingillnesses.Specialprayersforthose workingforsafergunlaws,fortheeliminationofprejudiceandwar; andforthosesufferingfromhungerandnaturaldisasters. CongratulationsandBlessingsforthefuturetoallrecentgraduates.
Izzy'sLord'sPrayer
OurHeavenlyFather, May your name be honored and praised. PleaseletyourKingdomcome andyourwillbedone, hereonEarth,justasitisinHeaven. Giveusthisdayourdailybread, andforgiveusoursins, justasweforgivethosewhosinagainstus. Leadusnotintoincitement, butcarryusfromdarkness, Foryoursisthedomain,thepotency, andthebrilliance, foreternity.Amen.
Confirmation2023: Izzy'sFaithStory
GrowingupasaChristian,Iwasalwayssurroundedbya strong community of faith. My family attended church regularly and I participated in Sunday school and youth groupactivities.AsIgotolder,Ibegantoexploremyfaith moredeeplyandfoundgreatcomfortintheteachingsof the Bible. I also discovered the joy of serving others and became involved in various volunteer opportunities through the church. My faith has been a source of strengthandguidancethroughoutmylife,andIcontinue to find inspiration in the message of love and compassionthatJesustaught.AsIgrewolder,Ibeganto realize how strict and rigid Catholic churches can be in itspracticesandbeliefs.Ilearnedthatmyfathergrewup in a time when the Church had a lot of power and influence over people’s lives and that many of the rules and traditions were strictly enforced. This made me appreciate even more the freedom and flexibility of Christianity.IamgratefulthatIhavetheabilitytoexplore myfaithinawaythatfeelsauthenticandmeaningfulto me, without feeling constrained by a set of rigid rules and expectations. I realized that my father’s upbringing had shaped him into being a believing Christian father, but I am also grateful for the ways in which my own experiences had allowed me to teach me my ownpath andconnectwithGodinmyownuniqueway.
