++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ HEIDELBERG UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 251 PERKIOMEN AVENUE, SCHWENKSVILLE, PA 19473 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE CONDUCTED ON FACEBOOK LIVE & IN-PERSON WORSHIP JULY 4, 2021 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Today’s Thought: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." ~ The Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Centering Words: With each breath we take, our spirits breathe in God's spirit. Our souls rejoice in the one who fully knows our hearts. God's grace sustains us, even in the midst of our weakness. As we exhale, let us reflect upon our relationships with our neighbors. The same Spirit that energizes us nourishes our neighbors. Pondering God's steadfast love, may we see the ways that God is calling us in this space and time. * = Stand in Body or Spirit

GATHERING TOGETHER Ringing the Bell 9:30am Welcome Pastor Adrian Call to Worship Pastor Adrian L: We gather this morning appreciating our freedom to worship God. P: May God continue to bless the Church of Christ in this land. L: We draw near to the God who rules over all nations. P: May God continue to bless our country and all the countries in the world. L: We seek to live in harmony and peace together with all peoples on the earth. P: May God continue to establish peace on earth and help us understand that it begins in our hearts. L: Come, let us worship the Lord! Prayer of Invocation * Prelude "The Star Spangled Banner" Soloist: Tara Todd (Our National Anthem) * Pledges - American and Christian Flags I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty to all who believe. * Opening Hymn "O Beautiful for Spacious Skies" #532 O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for pilgrim feet, whose stern, impassioned stress a thoroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, confirm thy soul in self- control, thy liberty in law. 1

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine, till all success be nobleness, and every gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

* Call to Confession Pastor Adrian Let us now dare to confess the ways we fall short of God's expectations. God already knows them, but we need to face them. Confident in God's grace, let us confess our sin before God and one another ... * Prayer of Confession – Silent Prayer Good and gracious God, you have given us the privilege and the responsibility of living in this United States of America. From sea to shining sea most of us enjoy unparalleled freedom, comfortable homes, nutritious meals, and unique religious liberty. Even as we count the many wonderful blessings we share by living in this great land, we are also ever mindful of our need to confess our sins, and to embrace your plan for living life with purpose and integrity. We confess that we have too often taken our freedoms for granted. We confess that at times we are too quick to criticize naively and too slow to intercede prayerfully. We confess that our self-interests have too often taken priority over the best interest you have in mind for our nation, world, and people living therein. On this Independence Day, we ask you to forgive our sin and heal our land. On this day, we pray for all our leaders that they will lead with wisdom and discernment. We pray for the men and women who serve in our armed forces. We pray for our churches, cathedrals, and temples of our nation and our community that we will be lighthouses of grace and mercy, ever pressing toward the mark of our high calling. Grace-giving God, lead us to exercise our freedom responsibly and to pursue "liberty and justice for all" of your children around the globe. We pray in the strong name of the One who came to set us free, Jesus Christ. Amen. * Words of Assurance Friends, hear this Good News: the love of God is beyond measure, and you are included in that love. Know that you are forgiven and thus freed to love and serve. Alleluia! Amen. * Hymn of Praise "My Tribute" To God be the glory, to God be the glory, to God be the glory for the things he has done. With his blood he has saved me; with his power he has raised me; to God be the glory for the things he has done. Children's Chat "Freedom" Pastor Adrian Special Music "Ancient Words" Soloists: Isabella Yackanicz Christie Lohr HEARING THE WORD Prayer of Illumination Liturgist Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord, Amen. Scripture Lessons (NRSV) Liturgist Psalm 48 Pew Bible pg#450 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Pew Bible pg#943 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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* Gospel Lesson (NRSV) Pastor Adrian Mark 6:1-13 Pew Bible pg#817 The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. * Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. Sermon "Let Freedom Ring" Rev. Adrian Tierson Hymn "For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free" (Sung to hymn tune "Ellacombe") "For freedom, Christ has set us free!" What joy is ours to claim! No more enslaved, humanity finds life in Jesus' name. We try, Lord, to be justified through all the works we do. Yet you adopt us, saying, "Child, it's Christ who makes you new."

We're clothed in Christ and we belong; Now no one waits outside. In him we find our common song; Old ways no more divide. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." He died for us, new life to give — and new identity.

Now, Spirit-filled, may we be led from ways that would destroy. May we your people turn instead to lives of love and joy. May we find peace that makes us whole and patience everywhere. God, give us kindness, self-control, and hearts and hands that share. SHARING FAITH & LIFE Joys, Concerns & Announcements Pastor Adrian Pastoral Prayer Pastor Adrian Call to Offering Pastor Adrian God calls us to serve and invites us to give. Knowing that God will be guiding us, and that God will be leading us, let us claim the generosity of God. In our celebration of this bounty, we share our treasures, talents, and time with the church and community. * Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.

* Prayer of Dedication As we offer our treasure and hearts to you, O God, may they be used to pass on the promise of hope, of peace, of life, of community to all in need of your gifts and presence in their lives. Amen. THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION Communion Hymn "Come to the Table" Come to the table of mercy, prepared with the wine and the bread. All who are hungry and thirsty, come, and your souls will be fed. Come at the Lord's invitation; receive from his nail-scarred hand. Eat of the bread of salvation; drink of the blood of the Lamb. Preparing the Table Pastor Adrian Note to Guests: Through the waters of baptism; we are born into Christ’s family. That family is nourished and sustained at this table. Though we are baptized but once, in the Lord’s Supper we reaffirm our commitment to Christ, and God renews us with grace. This is the joyful feast of the people of God! Our Savior invites everyone to share the feast, which he has prepared.

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INVITATION L: This is the Lord’s table. He is the host. We are his guests. He welcomes everyone to come and eat and be nourished, fed and forgiven. Come and eat and live!

PRAYER L: The Lord be with you. P: And also with you. L: Lift up your hearts. P: We lift them to the Lord. L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. P: It is right to give our thanks and praise. L: Almighty God, Creator of the universe, Ruler of all nations, Judge of all flesh, you have placed us, your people, in this land made rich with rivers, forests, mountains, and creatures great and small. Here, you set before the founders and pioneers of this nation an opportunity beyond measure to build a realm of justice, peace, and freedom. Here you continue to call your people, freed from the law and baptized into Christ Jesus, to be a sign of your reign in all the world. For such a place, such a vision, and such a calling we give you thanks, praying we may ever join afresh the dreams you set before us. L: And so, with your people in every land on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join in their unending hymn: P: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. L: Above all we give you thanks for the gift of your Son Jesus Christ, who sends us into the world to declare the good news of your kingdom to every creature: Justice to all peoples, good news to the poor, release for prisoners, sight for the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. REMEMBERING L: On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." When the supper was over he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." L:And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith: P: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. L: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and juice. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet. L: Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and for ever. P: Amen. L: With Christ's words on our lips and in our hearts, we pray:

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Lord's Prayer 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, forever. Amen. BREAKING BREAD AND POURING THE CUP (The pastor lifts and breaks the bread and pours and lifts the cup) (Virtual instruction: We will serve the elements to those physically present. While this is taking place have your elements prepared at home. Once all are served we will lift the elements together and say, "These are the gifts of God for the people of God." The pastor will continue, "come, for all things are ready!" We will then share in this sacred meal together, at the pastor's prompting.)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION IS SERVED Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, you have fed us with a heavenly food that strengthens beyond all understanding, filling us with the vitality to be Christ to this world. May we take the bounty we have received and share it with our families, our friends, our coworkers, our neighbors; everyone you send to us for nourishment—wherever you send us. GOING INTO THE WORLD

* Closing Hymn "For This Land in All Its Wonder" (Sung to "God of Grace and God of Glory") For this land in all its wonder, for each city, farm and town, for each mountain filled with splendor, for each place where love is found, for the freedoms we enjoy here, God, may thanks to you abound! God, may thanks to you abound!

For your peace and love unending, breaking barriers that divide; For the joy of cultures blending as we live here side by side; God, we thank you and we pray now: May we all be unified! May we all be unified!

For your hand to lead and guide us, for your work in history, for your vision born inside us of a just society, God, we thank you and we pray now: May this vision come to be! May this vision come to be!

May we be a nation seeking ways that are both wise and fair, may our living and our speaking serve your purpose everywhere. May we follow where you lead us; God, this is our hope and prayer! God, this is our hope and prayer!

* Benediction Pastor Adrian * Final Response "First Song of Isaiah" Surely, it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense and he will be my Savior. ++++++++++++

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Copyright Info: New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Halle-Halle-Halleluja – Public Domain Glory Be to the Father – Public Domain Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow – Words: Thomas Ken, adapt. William B. Abernathy © 1995 The Pilgrim Press. All rights reserved. First Song of Isaiah – Jack Noble White, Text © 1976 Belwin-Mills Publishing Corp. All rights reserved. Star Spangled Banner - Words: Francis Scott Key, Music: John Stafford Smith. Public Domain. O Beautiful for Spacious Skies – Words: Katharine Lee Bates, Music: Samuel Augustus Ward. Public Domain. Ancient Words - Words & Music: Lynn Deshazo, arr. Mark Hayes (ASCAP) © 2001, 2013 Integrity's Hosanna! Music, admin Capaitol CMG Publishing. All rights reserved. My Tribute - Words and Music: Andrae' Crouch © 1971 Bud John Songs, Inc. All rights reserved. For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free - Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, © 2000. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Come to the Table - Clarie Cloninger, Martin J. Nystrom, Text and Music © 1991 Integrity's Hosanna Music; Juniper Landing Music, admin. For this Land in All Its Wonder - Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, © 1999. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #734582-A & CCLI #20049341.

Pastor Rev. Adrian Tierson 1-585-455-6364 Pastor's email [email protected] Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. All other times by appointment Church office – 610-287-9736 Church Email – [email protected]

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS TODAY NEXT SUNDAY Arrangements Carla Godshall Matt McDowell Head Usher Skip & Lynda Ayres Skip & Lynda Ayres Acolyte Lily Waldron Alexis Ramirez Liturgist Jim Beideman Ron Sivick Song Leader Tara Todd Dylan Shelly Greeters Tony & Pam Alvarez Carol Slater-Kline & Bob Butz Technology Doug MacWade & Brian Pippert Doug MacWade & Brian Pippert Nursery Care None Peg Wright

Welcome to Heidelberg! Whatever your past, whatever your religious background, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome. Join us for a spiritual journey where God is still speaking. Enter as a guest, depart as a friend. Today - Happy Fourth of July! Today we will celebrate the Lord's Table. Virtual Worshippers are invited to have elements of bread and juice prepared in order to participate with us. Nursery Care - The Nursery will be staffed on the 2nd and 4th Sundays during the months June-August.

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Online Donations - If you would like to make a one-time or recurring donation to the ministry of Heidelberg UCC, we have a new and simple way to do that by credit/debit card or by connecting your paypal account right through Facebook. Just click the "Donate" button at the top right of our Facebook Page and follow the very easy steps. Thank you for your support and generosity. AmazonSmile - AmazonSmile is very simple to use—all you need is an Amazon account. On your first visit to the site, you will be asked to log in to your Amazon account with an existing username and password (you do not need a separate account for AmazonSmile). You will then be prompted to choose a charity to support. During future visits to the site, AmazonSmile will remember your charity and apply eligible purchases towards your total contribution—it is that easy. You can find an easy link on our website (www.hucc.net) homepage (lower right column). Click, shop and support! New Members - If you would be interested in making Heidelberg UCC your church home, please reach out to Pastor Adrian. We would love to welcome you into this Body of Christ. Ladies Luncheon - We have changed our lunch dates to the second Monday of the month. If you are interested in joining our gatherings, please give Diane McFarland a call 610-287-8079. Supporting Noel and Eric Lauman – A “Match” made in Heaven (Joan Slater’s son & Barb Slater’s grandson) The Story On November 3rd, 2020, just one day after his birthday, Eric Lauman found out some very difficult news that would change his life forever. Due to an allergic reaction to prescribed medication that had occurred in 2014, his kidneys, which were once just “damaged,” had gone into renal failure. He had to begin peritoneal dialysis and the search for a donor began. During this process, he and his wife learned so much and pulled closer to God through it all. After a lack of direct donors being found Eric’s wife, Noel, decided to secretly go through the donor testing process last month… and… SURPRISE!! She got the call that brought her heart the ultimate good news on June 18th. SHE IS A MATCH FOR ERIC NOT ONLY IN MARRIAGE AND LIFE, BUT ALSO AS A DIRECT KIDNEY DONOR! How amazing that all along, the person whose heart God was preparing, the person who could provide Eric with a “gift-ney” and continued life was right by his side. Praise God! Our Response Heidelberg UCC can help! First, pray for Noel, Eric, and their family. Second, help meet their temporal and practical needs. Heidelberg will collect Monetary Donations and Gift Cards to Amazon, Applebee’s, Target, and Walmart. Monetary donations will go toward the purchase of gift cards. Please have donations to the church by Thursday, July 15th. Donation baskets will be available on Sunday mornings. Thank you!! COVID-19 Updates - Following the announcement of the new mandates and guidance issued most recently, the Consistory has updated our practices here at HUCC.  If you are vaccinated for Covid-19, you are no longer required to wear a mask. However, if you have not been vaccinated, we recommend you continue wearing a mask.  Sanctuary pews previously roped off will be open for seating.  Pew Bibles and Hymnals will return to the pew racks.  We recommend that children under 12 wear a mask when moving around the church. Youth over 12 who have been vaccinated, no longer need to wear a mask. If they are not vaccinated, we recommend they continue wearing a mask.

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What hasn't changed?  Heidelberg continues to encourage you to make the best choices for you and your family. You may choose to wear a mask or not. You may choose to sit in a pew where spacing is most comfortable, etc.  The roving microphone during joys/concerns, and announcements as well as how Holy Communion is celebrated will be reviewed in the fall.  Sunday Offering will continue to be collected by way of offering plates in the Narthex.  We will continue to have a Song Leader until the fall and will hopefully bring our musical groups back then.  Hand Sanitizer will continue to be offered at entrances and exits.  Fogging and Sanitization of used spaces will continue.

Prayer Requests - please e-mail the church office with any prayer concerns and we will keep our prayer list updated.

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