June 13, 2021
3rd Sunday after Pentecost — Ordinary Time 11
1 Samuel 15.34 — 16.13 The prophet Samuel anoints David as king of Israel. Samuel passes over the brothers who are bigger and stronger in favor of the one God has chosen.
Psalm 20 is a prayer that God will help you, protect you and fulfill your desires. Your well-being comes not from strength or power, but from God.
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Psalm 72 asks God’s blessing on the king: that he defend the poor and weak, and work for justice, that he prevail among his rivals, and that his kingdom be blessed.
In 2 Corinthians 5. 16-17 Paul says if anyone lives in union with Christ, it changes the whole world: Creation starts all over again.
In Mark 4.26-34 Jesus tells two parables: the Realm of God is like seed growing without our knowing how; and it is like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a large blessing.
Call to Worship
1.
Leader: Eternal Mystery, Sun of Life , you create all things.
All: Your glory shines in every living being.
Living Christ, Divine Presence, you plant the seed of your love in us.
Your beauty, your grace are hidden in our hearts.
Spirit of Love, you call forth our compassion.
By your growth in us, we flower with the fruit of your grace.
We thank you. We worship you. We give ourselves to you. Alleluia!
2.
Leader: Creator God, you scatter the seed of your grace in this world.
All: It produces blessing, though we know not how.
You scatter the seed of your love in us.
It sprouts and grows, though we do not know how.
When the time is ripe you gather your harvest.
We offer our love to you, for the harvest is yours.
3.
Leader: Creator God, Source of Life, we praise you!
All: You plant the seed of your grace in us,
and Creation begins anew.
The mystery of your presence grows within us; we know not how.
The tree of Christ flourishes among us, bearing fruit.
The vine of your Spirit connects us all, and we thank you.
We are seeds of your promise, saplings of your Realm.
Alleluia! Spirit of Life, grow within us,
and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!
Collect / Prayer of the Day
1.
God of grace, you plant the mustard seed of your love in us. May it flourish and grow by your grace. May the sun of your Word shine upon us; the water of your grace nourish us; the warm earth of Christ hold us and bless us to bring forth life in your name. Amen.
2.
Gracious God, as plants in a garden root themselves in rich soil, and open themselves to the rain and sun, so we root ourselves in your Presence. We open ourselves to your Word. And we await the working of your Spirit within us, so that what you have planted in us may bear fruit. We pray in the name of Christ. Amen.
Readings
1. from Psalm 20, a paraphrase
May the Holy One be with you in all your struggles.
May God treasure your gifts with delight.
May God grant your deepest desires
and bring to fruition the seeds of grace in you.
We rejoice at one another’s giftedness;
we celebrate what God is doing in you.
God will always be present with God’s Beloved.
God responds with love and blessing.
Some trust in power and accomplishments,
but our trust is in God,
in God’s amazing glory unfolding in each of us.
Help us to trust this vision, O God.
Be our hope and our trust.
Response / Creed / Affirmation
Listening Prayer (suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to intercessions)
God of life, our hearts are the soil into which you scatter the seed of your Word. May it take root in us, grow mightily, and bear good fruit. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication / Sending
Gracious God, we give you our gifts as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. May your grace grow and bear fruit in our lives by the power of your Spirit in us, for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. As the seed sprouts and grows, we know not how, so in the mystery of this meal your grace grows in us without our understanding. May it bear fruit in us, for the sake of the mending of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.
Suggested Songs
Tree of Life – See music store.