June 7, 2026
Second Sunday after Pentecost
June 7, 2026 Livestream Worship & Holy Communion: Online Bulletin
Bringing in the Light of Christ
Chiming of the Trinity
Prelude
There Is a Balm in Gilead arr. James Koerts
Welcome
Call to Worship
We come carrying stories.
Stories of healing and stories of hurt.
Some of us learned scripture as comfort.
Some of us learned scripture as fear.
Yet still, God calls us toward wisdom and love.
Still, Christ invites us into liberation and grace.
We gather not to weaponize faith—
—but to seek the Spirit of truth.
May love guide our understanding.
And may mercy shape our lives.
Hymn
O Word of God Incarnate UMH#598
Please sing stanzas 1, 2, 4
A Reading from the Old Testament
Isaiah 56:6–12
Psalm of Response
Psalm 19:7-14 UMH pp. 750&751
Anthem
Break the Bread Natalie Sleeth
A Reading Inspired by Rachel Held Evans’ Book
Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again
Diana Simmons
Readings from the Gospels and New Testament
Luke 4:16–21 2 Corinthians 3:6 Matthew 7:16–20
Sermon
What Do We Do With a Bible That Has Been Used to Hurt People?
The Celebration of Holy Communion
The Great Thanksgiving and Communion
Invitation to the Table
Prayer of Reflection and Healing
Before we come to Christ's table, let us pause and reflect on the ways we have fallen short of God's dream for humanity and the ways we long for healing, both personally and collectively.
Loving God,
We come before you as imperfect people seeking your wisdom and grace.
We acknowledge that religion has not always reflected your love.
Too often fear has spoken louder than compassion.
Too often certainty has overshadowed humility.
Too often people have been excluded where they should have been welcomed.
We grieve the ways your sacred words have sometimes been used to wound rather than heal, to divide rather than unite,
to burden rather than liberate.
We acknowledge the times we have contributed to harm,
the times we remained silent,
and the times we failed to see your image in one another.
Yet we also give thanks that your Spirit continues to guide us toward deeper understanding, greater compassion,
and wider love.
Heal what has been broken.
Restore what has been wounded.
Open our hearts to your transforming presence.
And teach us to follow the way of Jesus,
who embodied mercy, welcomed the marginalized,
and revealed your love for all people.
dWords of Grace Thanks Be to God, Amen
*Great Thanksgiving
*Lord’s Prayer
Our Creator, who dwells among us and beyond us,
holy is your name.
May your way of justice, mercy, and peace
take root in our hearts and in this world.
Give us today the courage and nourishment we need for this journey.
When we struggle with doubt, hold us gently.
When we carry grief, stay near to us.
When fear closes our hearts, lead us back toward love.
Forgive us for the ways we have wounded one another,
and free us to offer grace where harm has been done.
Help us resist the temptation
to cling to certainty more than compassion,
to choose fear over understanding,
or exclusion over belonging.
Guide us through the hard questions of life and faith,
and remind us that nothing can separate us from your love.
For the hope we seek, the courage we need,
and the love that sustains us are found in you. Amen.
Sharing of Bread and Cup
Thanksgiving after the Meal
Joy & Concerns and Prayers of the People
Blessing of the Tithes and Offerings
Doxology UMH#94
Hymn
We Walk By Faith TFWS#2196
Please sing stanzas 1, 2, 3
Blessing and Sharing of Christ’s Light
Postlude
Blest Be the Tie That Binds arr. Jeff Underwood
Today’s worship participants
Our Pastor: Rev. Kelly Dotson
Music Director: Dr. Joel Reed
Worship Arts Associate: Patty Higgins
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