# St. John's United Church of Christ — July 12, 2026 ## Liturgical Context ### Christian Liturgical Calendar - **Season:** Season after Pentecost / Ordinary Time - **Week:** Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10) - **Lectionary Year:** A (Matthew-focused, Revised Common Lectionary) - **Liturgical Color:** Green > [!note] Narrative Lectionary note > St. John's Narrative Lectionary cycle (Year 4 – John) concluded at Pentecost, May 24, 2026 (NL446). This Sunday falls in the summer stretch that typically follows the Revised Common Lectionary's semi-continuous/complementary tracks rather than the Narrative Lectionary. Today's assigned Gospel (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23) is the RCL Year A Proper 10 Gospel — confirming the congregation has shifted to RCL for the summer. ### Jewish Calendar - **Hebrew date:** 27 Tammuz, 5786 - **Season note:** Falls within *The Three Weeks* (Bein HaMetzarim), the period from 17 Tammuz to 9 Av commemorating the siege and destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. A period of communal mourning in Jewish practice — weddings and celebrations are traditionally avoided. ### Ecumenical & Global Observances - UN International Day of Hope - UN International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms - International Malala Day (Malala Yousafzai) ### Lectionary Readings (Revised Common Lectionary, Proper 10A) - **Track 1 (semi-continuous):** Genesis 25:19-34 — Esau sells his birthright to Jacob; Psalm 119:105-112 - **Track 2 (complementary):** Isaiah 55:10-13 — the word that "shall not return... empty"; Psalm 65:1-8, 9-13 - **Epistle:** Romans 8:1-11 — life in the Spirit vs. life in the flesh - **Gospel (used today):** Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 — the Parable of the Sower ### Connection to Today's Message No sermon was preached today — this was a congregation-requested **Hymn Sing** service held while Pastor Caroline is on vacation (July 6–18). Rather than a preached exposition of the Sower, the service embodied the Parable's theme experientially: the "seed" of the Word taking root through congregational song, memory, and testimony (note how many Hymn Sing selections — "Blessed Assurance," "Victory in Jesus," "It Is Well with My Soul" — are personal testimony hymns rather than doctrinal or narrative ones). #### Personal notes on the connection --- ## Order of Worship ### Gathering - Gathering Song: "This Is the Day" - Unison Welcome - Announcements - Passing of the Peace - Chiming of the Trinity & Prelude - Call to Worship (adapted from *Touch Holiness: Resources for Worship*) - Hymn #561 — "Shall We Gather at the River" - Prayer of Invocation (Rev. Leah Lyman Waldron) - Call to Confession - Prayer of Confession - Kyrie (Hymnal Companion C-4) - Assurance of Pardon (UCC Book of Worship) - Glory Be to the Father #704 ### Word - Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 - Responsive Reading: "Your Works All Praise You" (a remix of Psalm 76) - Special Music: "If We Only Have Love" — Judy Hodges, soloist - Children's Message — Roxanne Davenport (Children's Corner followed) - Congregational Hymn Sing (requested hymns, two verses each) - Apostles' Creed: An Affirmation of Faith (Hymnal Companion C-10) ### Response - Sharing of Joys and Concerns - Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer (debts) - Invitation to Giving - Offertory - Offertory Response #706 — "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" - Prayer of Dedication (Rev. Leah Lyman Waldron) - Hymn #573 — "It Is Well with My Soul" ### Sending - Commission & Benediction - Postlude (seated) --- ## Scripture and Sermon ### Scripture Reading Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 — the Parable of the Sower ![[Matthew 13#1]] ![[Matthew 13#2]] ![[Matthew 13#3]] ![[Matthew 13#4]] ![[Matthew 13#5]] ![[Matthew 13#6]] ![[Matthew 13#7]] ![[Matthew 13#8]] ![[Matthew 13#9]] ![[Matthew 13#18]] ![[Matthew 13#19]] ![[Matthew 13#20]] ![[Matthew 13#21]] ![[Matthew 13#22]] ![[Matthew 13#23]] ### Responsive Reading **"Your Works All Praise You"** — a poetic remix of Psalm 76 by Julia Seymour, included in *The Words of Her Mouth: Psalms for the Struggled*, edited by Martha Spong. This is a rhymed, versified paraphrase (not the biblical text itself), so the full printed text isn't reproduced here — it's preserved in the original bulletin. In brief, it moves through praise of God's works, trembling before divine power, confession of sin and need for God's intervention, and a closing prayer for the Spirit to guide "better living, as wheat among the weeds" — a line that deliberately echoes the day's parable of sower and soils. Underlying scripture (Psalm 76), for reference: ![[Psalm 76#1]] ![[Psalm 76#2]] ![[Psalm 76#3]] ![[Psalm 76#4]] ![[Psalm 76#5]] ![[Psalm 76#6]] ![[Psalm 76#7]] ![[Psalm 76#8]] ![[Psalm 76#9]] ![[Psalm 76#10]] ![[Psalm 76#11]] ![[Psalm 76#12]] ### Sermon No sermon today — Hymn Sing Sunday, lay-led while Pastor Caroline is on vacation. #### Personal Reflections ##### What spoke to me: ##### Questions raised: ##### Challenges/Convictions: ##### Liturgical Context Reflections: #### Applications ##### This week I will: ##### People to pray for: ##### Follow-up study: #### Connections --- ## Hymns ### Hymn: This Is the Day (Gathering Song) Contemporary, copyrighted — lyrics not reproduced here. Note title/author for reference if you'd like to add attribution details later. ### Hymn: Shall We Gather at the River (No. 561) Words and Music: Robert Lowry, 1864 (public domain). Based on Revelation 22:1. Tune: HANSON PLACE (8.7.8.7 with refrain). 1. Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God? 2. On the margin of the river, washing up its silver spray, we will walk and worship ever, all the happy golden day. 3. Ere we reach the shining river, lay we every burden down; grace our spirits will deliver, and provide a robe and crown. 4. Soon we'll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease; soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace. **Refrain:** Yes, we'll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God. ### Kyrie (Hymnal Companion C-4) Traditional liturgical text (6th century, public domain), set here to two musical settings: - John Ylvisaker, 1971/© 1985 — "Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us." - CCLI Song #7065, © 1985 Birdwing Music (a division of EMI Christian Music Publishing) — "Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy." Musical settings are copyrighted; the underlying Kyrie eleison text is ancient and traditional. ### Glory Be to the Father (No. 704) — Gloria Patri Ancient doxology, public domain. > 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. *(Verify exact wording against the pew hymnal — some editions vary slightly.)* ### Offertory Response (No. 706) — "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" The traditional Doxology, words by Thomas Ken, 1674 (public domain). Exact text not shown in this bulletin — verify wording against hymnal #706 if you'd like it recorded verbatim. ### Hymn: It Is Well with My Soul (No. 573) Words: Horatio G. Spafford, 1876 (public domain). Music: Philip P. Bliss, 1876 (public domain). Tune: VILLE DU HAVRE (11.8.11.9 with refrain). 1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, "It is well, it is well with my soul." 2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and has shed His own blood for my soul. 3. My sin — oh, the bliss of this glorious thought: my sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 4. And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, "Even so" — it is well with my soul. **Refrain (Testimony):** It is well [with my soul], it is well, it is well with my soul. ### Special Music: "If We Only Have Love" Judy Hodges, soloist. English adaptation of Jacques Brel's "Quand on n'a que l'amour" — contemporary/copyrighted; lyrics not reproduced here. ### Hymn Sing Selections (two verses each, per insert) | No. | Title | Verses Sung | Author/Era | Copyright Status | |---|---|---|---|---| | 51 | On Eagle's Wings | 1 & 2 | Michael Joncas, 1979 | Copyrighted | | 57 | Be Still, My Soul | 1 & 2 | Katharina von Schlegel, 1752 (tr. Jane Borthwick, 1855); tune FINLANDIA (Sibelius, 1899) | Text public domain | | 102 | Joy to the World | 1 & 2 | Isaac Watts, 1719 | Public domain | | 148 | What Child Is This | 1 & 3 | William Chatterton Dix, 1865; tune GREENSLEEVES (traditional) | Public domain | | 186 | When I Survey the Wondrous Cross | 1 & 4 | Isaac Watts, 1707 | Public domain | | 595 | At the Cross | 1 & 2 | Isaac Watts/Ralph E. Hudson, 1885 | Public domain | | 618 | Love Lifted Me | 1 & 2 | James Rowe/Howard E. Smith, 1912 | Public domain | | 619 | Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine | 1 & 3 | Fanny Crosby/Phoebe Knapp, 1873 | Public domain | | 627 | Victory in Jesus | 1 & 2 | Eugene M. Bartlett, 1939 | Copyrighted | | 194 | Christ the Lord Is Risen Today | 1 & 2 | Charles Wesley, 1739 | Public domain | | 196 | Alleluia No. 1 | 1 & 2 | Donald Fishel, 1973 | Copyrighted | | 349 | To God Be the Glory | 1 & 3 | Fanny Crosby/William H. Doane, 1875 | Public domain | Full lyrics for the public-domain titles above weren't shown in this bulletin (no sheet music was scanned for them), so they're not transcribed here to avoid misquoting the specific hymnal edition/wording St. John's uses. Add full text below if you'd like it captured: #### On Eagle's Wings (copyrighted — no lyrics reproduced) #### Be Still, My Soul #### Joy to the World #### What Child Is This #### When I Survey the Wondrous Cross #### At the Cross #### Love Lifted Me #### Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine #### Victory in Jesus (copyrighted — no lyrics reproduced) #### Christ the Lord Is Risen Today #### Alleluia No. 1 (copyrighted — no lyrics reproduced) #### To God Be the Glory --- ## Liturgical Texts ### Call to Worship *Adapted from Touch Holiness: Resources for Worship, ed. Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi* **Leader:** Praise be to God who reigns above the heavens. **People:** Praise be to God who dwells within our hearts. **Leader:** Let the majesty of creation worship in reverence. **People:** Let each person pray in faith. **Leader:** May we testify to God's goodness and grace. **People:** Let us be filled with the Spirit's power! ### Prayer of Invocation *Written by Rev. Leah Lyman Waldron* Through scripture and through song, O God, we come into a deeper awareness of your presence with us. Meet us here in beloved melodies and lyrics, that through time spent with your Spirit, our spirits might be restored and our hearts sustained. In Jesus' name. Amen. ### Call to Confession Let us confess our sins before God and one another. ### Prayer of Confession Gracious God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you have promised to receive us when we come to you. We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed. We have disobeyed your law. We have not loved you or our neighbors as we should. Forgive us, O God, and grant that we may live and serve you in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ### Assurance of Pardon *From the UCC Book of Worship* God hears the confession of our hearts and lips. Through Jesus Christ we are forgiven all our sins, and by the Holy Spirit we are empowered for new life. **We believe the good news of Jesus Christ. Amen.** ### Prayer of Dedication *Written by Rev. Leah Lyman Waldron* Bless these offerings, Lord, that in giving generously and joyously we might draw closer to you. Amen. ### Apostles' Creed: An Affirmation of Faith *Hymnal Companion C-10* I believe in God, the Father, the Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate; He was crucified, died and was buried. He went to the dead. On the third day He rose again, entered into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life eternal. Amen. ### Lord's Prayer Used the "debts" wording today (rather than "trespasses" or "sins"). --- ## Worship Leadership | Role | Name | |---|---| | Pastor | Rev. Caroline E. Saxton *(on vacation; not present)* | | Lay Leaders | Harold Collier and Jerry Thomason | | Organist | Barbara Motichka | | Choir Director | Gary Crum | | Deacon in Charge | Diana Kongkeattikul | | Lector | Clyde Shiraki | | Children's Corner | Rebecca Pound | | Media Coordinators | Calvin Frantz and Neath Ham | | Bulletin Cover | Edd Scheer | ### Pastoral Coverage Pastor Caroline is on vacation July 6–18, 2026. Rev. Danielle Neff of Trinity UCC in Waynesboro is "on call" for pastoral emergencies (contact via the church office, who will relay to Pastor Dani). Pastor Caroline returns to lead worship Sunday, July 19. ### Flowers at the Foot of the Cross Given in memory of the Horn family — Norman, Helen, Mary, Evelyn, and Margaretta — by Kenneth and Doreen Horn. --- ## Vision & Mission **St. John's Vision:** We are called to love, to learn, to worship and to witness in Christ as a congregation that welcomes everyone, and seeks service that will advance God's realm on earth. **St. John's Mission:** To grow in love of God and neighbor --- ## Church News & Announcements ### Birthdays This Week - 07/13 — Annabella Burns, Elizabeth Nutter, William Slothower - 07/15 — Alexis Reichelderfer - 07/16 — Charles Reichelderfer *(For personal prayer/well-wishing use.)* ### Contact Information - Rev. Caroline E. Saxton, Pastor — [email protected], (641) 260-1868 (cell) - Tonya Schwartz, Office Administrator — [email protected], (717) 263-8593 (office) - Gary Crum, Music Director | Barbara Motichka, Organist - Roxanne Davenport, Director of Children & Youth - Rev. Stephen W. Hoffman, Pastor Emeritus ### Notable Announcements - **NO Bible Study on Ecclesiastes today** — will begin Sunday, July 26 - **VBS Work Day** today after worship — Fellowship Hall (lunch provided) - **Summer Special Music** sign-up posted on choir room door — contact Gary Crum - **Summer Church School Classes** (Wired Word, Upper Room, K-12 Faith and Fellowship) continue all summer - **Gratitude Sunday**, August 30 — "This Is Us" celebration; pancake breakfast 8:45 am, worship 10 am; share photos in advance or bring them - **Summer Prayer Gatherings** — final one at St. John's Camp, Saturday, August 22, 9:30 am (sign-up at welcome center) - **Monday Afternoon Book Study** — resumes Monday, July 20, 1:30 pm, Conference Room 111; reading Chapter 5 of Adam Hamilton's *The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life* - **Summer Snacks for NETwork Ministry** — collection boxes in front lobby; suggested items listed in the July/August *Spirit* - **Vacation Bible School** ("Snowball Mountain" theme) wish list: snow sports equipment; white poly-fill stuffing/batting; 3"+ Styrofoam balls; white sheets; Styrofoam medication coolers; snowflake projector — grocery cart in lobby; contact Roxanne - **Summer Singers in Concert** — Sunday, July 27, 3:00 pm, St. John's UCC - **Sweet Treats: Ice Cream Social** — Sunday, August 16, after worship; sign up at Welcome Center to bring homemade ice cream or baked goods - **Summer Quarter First Fruits** (May–July) support Race Against Poverty (RAP), Maranatha Ministry, and United Way's Stuff the Bus - **Stuff the Bus** school supply drive — July 6–31, boxes in vestibules - **Blessing of the Animals** — Sunday, August 9, outdoors; pets welcome in person or via photo - **Sunday Night Bible Study** on Ecclesiastes with Pastor Caroline — resumes Sunday, July 26, 8 pm via Zoom (Meeting ID: 836 0593 5961, Passcode: 277938; link in weekly e-blast) - **July/August Upper Room devotionals** available at Welcome Center ($1 small print/$2 large print suggested donation; contact office to have a copy mailed) - **Stay in touch:** contact the church office to join the email list, receive Diana's Devotionals, and/or join the Prayer Chain ### Nursery & Accessibility Note The "Nursery Nook in the Narthex" quiet area and infant/toddler space in the Parlor are available during worship. Age-appropriate activity bags are also available. --- ## Calendar & Upcoming Events | Date | Time | Event | Location | |---|---|---|---| | Sun, Jul 12 | — | NO Bible Study (Ecclesiastes) | — | | Sun, Jul 12 | after worship | VBS Work Day (lunch provided) | Fellowship Hall | | Mon, Jul 13 | 1:30 pm | NO Afternoon Book Study (resumes Jul 20) | — | | Tue, Jul 14 | 10:00 am | Summer Singers Practice | Fellowship Hall | | Tue, Jul 14 | 5:30 pm | Yoga | Room 202 | | Thu, Jul 16 | 11:00 am | Piano Tuning | Sanctuary | | Sun, Jul 19 | 8:45 am | K-12 Faith and Fellowship | Youth Room 206 | | Sun, Jul 19 | 8:45 am | Wired Word Church School Class | Room 116 | | Sun, Jul 19 | 8:45 am | Upper Room Church School Class | Conference Room 111 | | Sun, Jul 19 | 10:00 am | Sunday Worship (Pastor Caroline returns) | Sanctuary | | Mon, Jul 20 | 1:30 pm | Afternoon Book Study, Ch. 5, *The Walk* | Conference Room 111 | | Sun, Jul 26 | — | Bible Study on Ecclesiastes begins | Sunday School / Zoom | | Sun, Jul 26 | 8:00 pm | Sunday Night Bible Study (Ecclesiastes) resumes | Zoom | | Sun, Jul 27 | 3:00 pm | Summer Singers in Concert | St. John's UCC | | Sat, Aug 9 | — | Blessing of the Animals | Outdoors | | Sun, Aug 16 | after worship | Sweet Treats: Ice Cream Social | Fellowship Hall | | Sat, Aug 22 | 9:30 am | Final Summer Prayer Gathering | St. John's Camp | | Sat, Aug 30 | 8:45 am / 10:00 am | Gratitude Sunday — pancake breakfast / worship | Fellowship Hall / Sanctuary |