Welcome!

Everyone’s health and safety is our top concern and we ask that you worship virtually and stay home if you are:

Experiencing any cold/flu/Covid symptoms, or

Uncomfortable returning to church at this time.

If you receive a diagnosis of COVID-19, please inform the church office (anonymity will be maintained) for contact tracing purposes & to keep the remainder of the congregation safe and healthy. Thank you!

In-Person Worship Expectations

On Monday, May 10, 2021, a motion was passed by council to “reopen” First Church on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, with an end to required social distancing and to begin allowing singing of hymns behind masks and allowing responsive prayers behind masks, following CDC and Pennsylvania Board of Health guidelines.

On Monday, May 17, 2021, at a special meeting of council, a motion was passed by council to hold off making a change to our masking policy. This matter will continue to be reviewed at the next council meeting, June 14, 2021.

GATHERING PRELUDE “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”

John B. Dykes, arr. Karrin Ford © 1989 Harold Flammer, Inc. Performed by Edward Swartz

HYMN “Nearer My God To Thee” Those who are able are invited to sing! All sing!

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALLING BELL

CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 29:7-11 (NLT) Please join us responsively.

Pastor: 7 The voice of the LORD strikes with bolts of lightning. People: 8 The voice of the LORD makes the barren

wilderness quake; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

Pastor: 9 The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare.

People: In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” Pastor: 10 The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD

reigns as king forever. People: 11 The LORD gives his people strength. The

LORD blesses them with peace.

CALL TO CONFESSION (Pastor) When we don’t know how or what to pray, the Spirit knows. When all we can muster are sighs and groans, the Spirit knows those also. When we feel that we aren’t even worthy to approach God, the Spirit goes before us and with us and God welcomes us with open arms. Let us confess our sins together.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (Please join us in unison.) God of all worlds, we confess that we are too much people of the flesh, living in bondage to our possessions and our fears. We are so focused on our own little corner of the world that we find it difficult to recognize the experiences of others that are far different from our own. We find it difficult to feel the despair of the hopeless, the homeless, or the oppressed. We shy away from the suffering of Jesus, and instead we desire to pursue temporary gains. We do not want to act like just another human organization; we want to be the body of Christ making a

difference in the world. O God, please forgive us and help us to renew our commitment to be Your servants. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON God always claims us and loves us. When we confess our how lost we feel and then seek new birth in the Spirit, we put to death our selfishness. Then we can receive what God always offers, participation in God’s kingdom. We are born anew in life which already shares eternity. Our confessions are accepted by our loving and compassionate God. Our guilt is taken away and our sins are blotted out. Receive this gift from God because you are truly forgiven.

GLORIA PATRI HYMNAL #493 Those who are able are invited to stand. All sing.

THE FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON Romans 8:1-17 (NLT) Pastor: 8 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong

to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. 5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what

your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Pastor: This ends the first reading. SECOND SCRIPTURE LESSON Romans 8:18-30 (NLT) Pastor: 18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory

he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to

hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) 26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

Pastor: The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SERMON “Holy Spirit, Our Defender” Pastor Douglas W. Donigian

HYMN “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” Those who are able are invited to sing! All sing!

THE APOSTLES CREED (Please join us in unison.) I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into

heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come 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 everlasting. Amen. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Pastor) OUR LORD’S PRAYER (Please join us in unison.) 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. OFFERING REMARKS AND OFFERTORY PRAYER (Pastor) INVITATION (Please join us responsively.) Pastor: Jesus invites us to believe in Him and act on our

belief. People: He says, “Here I am. I stand at the door and

knock; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in.”

Pastor: When you open your door, we rejoice, as you experience Him in your heart and look forward to eternal life.

People: He says, “If anyone loves me, he will keep My word and My Father and I will make our abode with him.

Pastor: Merciful God, we rejoice with You for all who are saved by belief and grace and all who keep Your word to love others as themselves. Amen.

If you have professed faith in Jesus for the first time or have committed

yourself anew to grow as a disciple, please inform the pastors.

CHARGE (Pastor) BENEDICTION (Pastor) THREE-FOLD AMEN (All sing) HYMNAL #558

POSTLUDE “America the Beautiful”

S.A. Ward, arr. Eleanor Whitsett © 2008 Hope Publishing Co. Performed by Edward Swartz

All music shared with permission under our licensing:

CCLI License #19-14211664 and OneLicense.net #A-701135. All rights reserved.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH OFFERING COLLECTED this month - “Strengthen The Church” (STC) offering is Pentecost Sunday, May 23. This is our second “Five for Five” UCC offering of the year. STC reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to build up our “United and Uniting” church. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts

given by members and friends through their local congregations. Your offering will support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. More information about this offering may be found here: Strengthen the Church - United Church of Christ. Thank you for your commitment to Strengthen the Church!

June 1 - WOMEN'S GUILD MEETING - The final Women’s Guild meeting for this year will be on Tuesday June 1st at 7 p.m. This meeting will be held in Fellowship Hall and we will follow4 current COVID guidelines. After our business and worship service, Kelly and Marc J. will provide a program featuring a variety of musical selections. So that we have adequate chairs set up, please let Barbara S. know if you plan to attend. We have people coming from all directions so if you need a ride, contact Barbara and she will find a ride for you!

HANDS AND HEARTS (local missions) - We are starting to get more requests for help from our neighbors. Sometimes it’s as simple as yard work, sometimes it’s more involved repairs to homes. It you are looking for a way to act on Jesus’ call to love our neighbors as ourselves – please consider volunteering to help us help our neighbors. Call the church office for more information.

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” — Matthew 22:35-40

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is

one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” — Mark 12:28-31

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live. — Luke 10:25-28

NEED VACCINE ASSISTANCE? - If you are having trouble receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, please call the church office, if you need an appointment or transportation to a vaccine center. Many locations are now accepting walk-ins and appointments are not required.

OFFERING ENVELOPES REMAIN – We have a number of leftover offering envelopes in the Narthex. Please take a look and consider delivering to family or friends or neighbors who have continued worshipping virtually at this time. Thank you!

SMALL GROUP – We are finishing up our latest small group session this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Join us for light study, lively discussion, and fellowship. Join us via Zoom (same Zoom information as Sunday Worship Zoom). https://zoom.us/j/9659059323 or call: 13017158592 (meeting ID: #965 905 9323)

June 4 - 2021 ONE DREAM MISSION TEAM GOLF OUTING is planning the golf outing! Mark your calendars for Friday, June 4. 12:00 Registration/1:00 pm Shot Gun Start at Butter Valley Golf Port, Barto, PA, $90 per Golfer/$40 Dinner Only - It is that time of year to mark your calendars for the One Dream Mission Team Golf Outing! We are looking to fill the course again this year! Please

take a pamphlet from the hallway and join us and share with your friends. If you are looking to support the Mission Team we are also collecting sponsorship. The mission team heads to Camden, New York on July 24 through July 31.

JUNE 12 – 70TH STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL - Join us on Saturday, June 12 from 4:30 to 8:30 pm. We will be following CDC protocols. We will be serving hamburger BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, baked beans, strawberries, ice cream, and homemade cakes and pies at a reasonable price. We will have a silent auction and games and this year, Suite Brass, will entertain us outside under a tent, while the Quakertown Band rehearsals remain on pause. Please join us for the fun and fellowship that this evening brings. The evening’s proceeds support our Church School and Christian Education program. VOLUNTEERS are needed on Saturday to help set up, clean strawberries, serve at the food stands, help in the kitchen, waitress, cut cakes, wash dishes and trays, help with the games, clean up, and many other duties. If you can help as a volunteer, please sign up at the S.I.G.N. board or call the Church Office. We will have an early and late shift. The strawberry festival is only possible because of the many caring people who pitch in to help and also because of those who attend and support our church.

CAKES AND PIES ARE NEEDED for the Strawberry Festival which can be brought to the church on Friday morning, June 11, or Saturday morning, June 12.

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED – The committee is busy soliciting donations for gift cards, etc. But we also need the participation of the congregation! Please consider donations for the Silent Auction. This can include gently used items, new items, gift certificates, or gift baskets. Please bring your donations to the Church by June 7. You may place your items in the first Sunday school classroom on the left, down the Sunday school hall. Thank you for your support!

BAND PATRONS NEEDED Each year, we enjoy music and this year, while the Quakertown Band is on hiatus, we are pleased to include Suite Brass during our annual Strawberry Festival Lawn Fete. Our goal is to cover the entire cost with contributions. To be a patron, please bring or mail your check (made payable to First UCC Church School Association, marked Band Patron) to the Church Office.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _____Yes, I want to help with the cost of Suite Brass at our Strawberry Festival and Lawn Fete. NAME:_______________________ PHONE:___________ AMOUNT: $________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - July 12 – VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - On the week of July 12-16, we will have Vacation Bible School. There’s plenty of volunteering opportunities, please consider it. For more information, please see Carolina Simon or contact her at sundayschool@firstucc.net.