June 16, 2024

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

10:00am

 

WELCOME

 

OPENING PRAYER

God of days,
we praise your name, for your grace sustains us.
We wait for you, Lord, for your word strengthens us.
Our outer nature is wasting away day by day,
but our inner nature is being renewed

by your daily bread.
Grant us the eyes to see what cannot be seen

and to gaze on what is eternal.
May we revel in your work
and be a visible witness of your invisible kingdom.
In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

 

PRELUDE                   “Holy, Holy, Holy”               Lani Smith

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

God takes a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar, and plants it on a high mountain

in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit and become a noble cedar.

Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind.

God welcomes. God loves. God provides.

 

*HYMN No. 1             “Holy, Holy, Holy”

1 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2 Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

3 Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinfulness thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love and purity.

4 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

 

*CALL TO CONFESSION

God gathers and prepares us for worship. Let us confess the sins that detract and distract us from God’s path.

 

*PRAYER FOR CONFESSION

Holy God, you are a blessing to all people, yet we choose sides and pit “us” against “them.” Forgive our divisiveness. Forgive our exclusion. Forgive the ways we fail to seek and share your abundance. Help us build the Beloved Community you desire for us, where all your children may live in peace. Amen.

 

*SILENT PRAYER FOR CONFESSION

 

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Christ has set us free. Claim your forgiveness. Rejoice in God’s grace. Respond with love. Amen.

 

*RESPONSE No. 15               “All Creatures of our God and King”          v. 6

6 O sisters, brothers, take your part,
and worship God with humble heart.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
All creatures, bless the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, Three in One!
Sing praises! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

*PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.

To this peace we were called as members of a single body.

 

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

 

ANTHEM                   “Holy, Holy, Holy, We Worship You”                    Benjamin Harlan

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

 

UNISON PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

Please join me in the unison prayer…

Prepare our hearts and minds for the hearing of your Word, Holy God. Open us to your truth. Humble us to your way. Amen.

 

SCRIPTURE   Mark 4:26-34

²⁶ He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground ²⁷ and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. ²⁸ The earth produces of itself first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. ²⁹ But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle because the harvest has come.”

³⁰ He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, ³² yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

³³ With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it; ³⁴ he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

 

Pause…

 

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!!

 

SERMON                   “The Kingdom of God”

One of the outcomes of the pandemic is that many more folks were digging in the dirt and growing things than they have probably ever done before in their lives. Many started with houseplants and then graduated to the outdoors where they were growing all sorts of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. This newfound interest in gardening seems to be happening whether people had a half-acre, a small corner of the yard, or a few clay pots on their windowsills.

The Burpee Seed Company sold more seeds in March of 2021 than it had sold in any time during its 144-year history. Monty Don’s gardening show has been on British television for 54 years. Once considered “comfort TV,” it was called “indispensable viewing” during the pandemic season.

If you do an internet search of “pandemic gardening” you will find page after page describing this resurgence of interest in gardening, in working with the land. You will find seed sources, plant sources, gardening tips, and articles extolling the physical and psychological benefits during those years of COVID. Personally, as you can see by my peace lily – I do not have a green thumb.  Thankfully, there are several gardeners that have helped me keep this beautiful plant alive. Talking to me about the size container, the proper soil, fertilizer, water and sunlight.  The correct amount of each of these important items that help plants grow.

 

This newfound interest in gardening provides an interesting backdrop for today’s Gospel. Somehow the seed parables Jesus uses to describe the kingdom of God seem more real after our own hands have spent time planting seeds in the ground and we’ve observed and experienced first-hand how nature operates.

The gardener in the first parable who doesn’t seem to know how plants grow becomes more sympathetic if we’ve ever moved the same plant around the yard three times hoping it will bloom. The wild growth from the mustard seed in the second parable elicits a knowing nod from anyone whose garden has ever been taken over by a mint plant.

Now before expecting an airtight explanation of the parables, remember that parables aren’t intended to work that way. To paraphrase C.H. Dodd, parables are similes or metaphors from nature that grab our attention because of their vividness or strangeness. We are not quite sure what to make of them, but they tease our mind, and they make us think.

Today’s parables come from Mark, chapter 4. Jesus tells us that both of these parables about seeds tell us something about the Kingdom of God. In both, we are given imagery of the Kingdom of God. In both, we are given imagery of the Kingdom of God starting as something tiny and almost imperceptible and growing in mysterious and magnificent ways. At its most obvious level, we see that the Kingdom of God is not intended to remain small or isolated but instead is intended to grow and spread beyond our comprehension. The Word of God, the Good News of Jesus Christ, Jesus’ life-giving and all-encompassing love for us cannot be contained and must and will be spread.

Our first parable, known as the “secret seed parable” is only found in the Gospel of Mark, and it is an odd little gem. We might be tempted to skip right over it and head to the more well-known mustard seed parable, but we would be missing out on some life-giving insights.

Here is the parable: Someone scatters seed on the ground and then goes about his way day in, day out, day in, day out, seemingly with no further efforts to nurture the seeds. In due course, the seeds sprout and grow, but we are told this man doesn’t know how this growth occurs. The crop, which we see as some type of grain, continues to grow and ripen; the man returns with his sickle because the harvest has come.

This is a parable of orientation, or perhaps reorientation, from our normal ways of moving through the world and possibly even through our lives of faith. We see in the parable that God’s in charge and we are not, and God’s ways are not our ways, and we don’t know what God has planned. That crop growth in the parable is God’s doing, not ours. While I don’t think the poor sower was as clueless as he seems, the point seems to be that there are some things that are under God’s purview instead of ours.

For someone who thinks he or she always has to be in charge of the planning, the execution and the outcomes, this parable can take some getting used to. It is humbling because many of us like the knowledge we have accumulated through the years and the control we think it gives us over our lives and everything else. Yet, this parable reminds us that we don’t know everything, and not everything operates like we want it to. If we have gardened of late, humility is a lesson we’ve probably learned there, too. I’m still waiting for that fig tree I’ve moved three times to produce.

Once we readjust and, for some of us, dial down our thinking, this can become a freeing and liberating parable in our lives of faith. We are not in charge of the success of the Kingdom of God. Take that off of the to do list. We don’t have to do it all! Instead, we show up, be faithful, do the work of the kingdom that we are given to do at any moment, do it well, and then move on trusting that God’s going to do God’s work.

Here’s another thing: Someday, we may see a positive outcome from our efforts, or we may never see an outcome at all. Get used to it. Moses didn’t make it to the promised land. Remember, that’s God’s part of it and not ours.

Now we are reoriented to what our job is and what it isn’t, let’s play this parable out a bit further and go on that adventure of planting new seeds, planting new crops for the Kingdom. What does that look like? How do we proceed?

Well, first we have to have something to plant. Now that is an absolutely obvious statement, but shouldn’t we think about what we are planting? What do we say about our faith to others? Is it made in our image to appeal to people just like us or does it speak to all people about the all-encompassing love of God through Jesus Christ? We want to be careful about the seeds we are planting for the kingdom.

Next, we have to get those seeds out of the packet. Again, this is obvious, but how many gardens never grow because well-intentioned people never got their seeds out of the packet? Our intentions to plant may be good, we may have this brilliant design in mind, we may have the best seeds on the market, yet nothing will grow if those seeds remain in their packets in the kitchen drawer.

We also have to know where we are planting the seeds. Are we planting in the same old plot year after year not really expecting a different outcome? Or are we taking our seeds on the road to try new and unexplored plots of land that we’ve never tried before? Many of us have new technologies in our churches because of the pandemic that allow us to plant new gardens all the time. Are we ready to keep moving beyond our comfort zones, and where will we plant next?

We also have to scatter the seeds in an extravagant fashion. We don’t hoard seeds; we don’t make one tiny hill of seeds and save the rest for next time. But we scatter, we spread, we broadcast the seeds far and wide. Will we be generous with those seeds to do our part in expanding the kingdom?

Once we shift into our planting mode, we see the task ahead as a real adventure. We also know from the familiar mustard seed parable that from small things, small seeds, God makes mighty things grow.

In her commentary on the parables, Alyce McKenzie sums it up this way: “The good news is that when we relinquish preoccupation with control in order to participate in the kingdom of God, our participation yields a harvest that is all out of proportion to the scope of our efforts.”

It’s time to go to the garden.

 

Let us pray.

Ever living God who’s will it is that all should come to you through your son Jesus Christ, inspire our witness to him that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

 

 

Commentary and Liturgy from the Book of Common Worship (PCUSA), “Call to Worship” Website, PCUSA Book of Confession, The New Interpreter’s Commentary, Teri McDowell Ott, Gyaviira Luwaga, CH Dodd, Alyce M. McKenzie, James Laurence and Jane Mitchell Weston.

 

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                        Colossians 1:15–20

Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation;
in him all things in heaven and on earth were created,

 things visible and invisible.

All things have been created through him and for him.

 He himself is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.

He is head of the body, the church;
he is the beginning,
the firstborn of the dead,
so that he might come to have first place in everything.

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

and through him God was pleased to reconcile all things,

whether on earth or in heaven,
by making peace through the blood of his cross. Amen.

 

*HYMN No. 377                    “I Want to Walk as a Child of Light”

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

Refrain:
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. (Refrain)

2 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. (Refrain)

3 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. (Refrain)

 

THE PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER

Eternal God, we are lost without you. Protect us from ourselves, our idolatrous ways, the violence we perpetrate, the destruction we fail to prevent. Our power is nothing compared to yours. Therefore, we seek your guidance through Word and worship. We pray for the Spirit to lead us in the path of righteousness. We seek our freedom in Jesus Christ.

 

God of our ancestors, who worshipped golden idols when distraught, help us to heed the warnings of our biblical narrative. We place idols above you and prioritize self-centered concerns over sacred. We mythologize our nation as a land of the free, refusing to hear your condemnation and critique. Our sorrows multiply when we fail to heed your truth.

 

Good God of grace, we choose you and return to you today. You have set a table before us, and we gladly accept your welcome. Your portion and your cup fill us as nothing else in this world can. As your guests, we give thanks for your acceptance, your inclusion and your overwhelming love. At your table, may we be freed to love others as you have loved us.

 

Prince of Peace, our world is broken by violence, our relationships sev- ered by grief. We lament the ways of our world that lead to death. We revel in your path of life. In your presence we know the fullness of joy.

 

On this Father’s Day, we give thanks for men who embody love; the encouragers, coaches, mentors and bleacher-sitting cheerleaders. We honor those who support and provide. We give thanks for the blessing of fathers, fatherhood, and those whose generative lives includes fathering others. We also remember those for whom such holidays are painful, reminding them of loss or suffering endured.

 

Renew us, Great God, in this moment of worship so we can tread your path, and labor in your field. Grow your kingdom here on earth. Start with us, we pray.

 

Hear these prayers of your people, Holy God, and as the Body of Christ, hear us as we pray our Savior’s prayer, “Our Father …”.

 

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

OFFERING OF TITHES & OFFERINGS

Paul reminds us that generosity is a fruit of the Spirit. Let us generously share of the gifts we have been given. Let us present our offerings to God.

 

OFFERTORY

 

*RESPONSE N0. 609                        “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Most generous God, you have blessed us with gifts to serve and share. May the offerings we present today be used to further your Kingdom and build your beloved community. Amen.

 

*HYMN No. 69                      “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky”

1 I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Refrain:
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

2 I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?
(Refrain)

3 I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
(Refrain)

 

*BENEDICTION

God, bless us.
Jesus, walk with us.
Holy Spirit, guide us as we enter this new week.

May the grace, hope, peace and love of God our Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

be with us all, now and always. Amen.