Jesus Proclaims Black Lives Matter

Do you know how so much of Christianity is based on excluding others who “don’t belong”? That’s not really Christian. Welcome to worship, everyone. You are loved. You belong.
 
Prelude
 
Adam: God be with you.
 All: And also with you.
 
Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen
 
Lighting of the Peace Candle – Amira Stanley and Adam
 Adam: Our tradition at CUCC is to light a peace candle at the beginning of each worship service to center ourselves around the Peace of God. Amira will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle…
 
Amira: I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle…
All: We pray for peace
in our hearts,
in our homes,
in our communities,
in our nations,
and in our worlds.
 
Scripture Readings
Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52
 
*Call to Worship – Amira
 Amira: Please join us in the call to worship…
 
Amira: The world contains great mysteries!
 
All: We stand in awe of the wonders of nature.
 
Amira: Look at the tiniest of seeds and be amazed at how they grow.
 
All: From even small and insignificant seeds grow large shrubs and giant trees.
 
Amira: Sometimes we consider ourselves to be small and insignificant.
 
All: Even our small gifts are used in miraculous ways. Amen.
 
Children’s Moment
 
*Passing of the Peace – Amira
 Amira: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another.
 
Amira: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.
 
All: And also with you.
 
Song: Be a Light – Annalise Tana
 
Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen
 
Prayers of the People – Adam
 (After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)
 
Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer - Amira
 Our God,
Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by 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,
forever and ever. Amen.
 
Sermon – Exclusionary Christianity Is Not Christian
 
*Unison Benediction – Amira Stanley
 May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.
This day and forever more. Amen
-Numbers 6:24-26