Salem United Church of Christ MoorestownChurch Office (610) 759-1652 – www.salemuccbathpa.org

Pastor Kaye Lentz, (610)217-0041, email:SalemPastor2218@yahoo.com

Lisa Abruzzese, Organist/Choir Director, (610) 217-4234Ministers of the Church – Every Member of Salem UCC

Pentecost/Confirmation SundayMay 23, 2021

Please note that in order to protect ourselves and each other:- Masks, covering our nose and mouth, will be worn during the entire

service.- If worship is held inside, there will be no congregational singing during

hymns or responses. - During the passing of the peace, we will remain seated and share the

peace of Christ by waving or sharing the peace sign.

PRELUDE

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP One: Come, Holy Spirit, Come!All: Live and move among us like a dove of peace! ChimesOne: Come, Holy Spirit, Come!All: Swoop down. Surprise and delight us like a red kite. ChimesOne: Come, Holy Spirit, Come!All: Flash and flicker as our light of inspiration. ChimesOne: Come, Holy Spirit, Come!All: Warm our hearts so we may be fire-filled followers. ChimesOne: Come, Holy Spirit, Come!All: Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

OPENING PRAYERAll: Almighty God, your Holy Spirit came to Jesus’ disciples, hidden in an upper room in Jerusalem. A violent wind and tongues of fire were the symbols of a new thing happening in their lives. May your Holy Spirit burst into our lives today, encouraging and inspiring us to proclaim boldly the good news of Jesus Christ who offers healing and hope to all people. Amen.

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HYMN #134 “ Sweet, Sweet Spirit”

CALL TO CONFESSION One: When we come together to confess our sin, we find that the closed room of our minds and the locked door of our spirits burst open, making room for the Spirit of God to run wild. When we think we can contain God, we deceive only ourselves—the Spirit is here, and calls us to join the dance. Before God, with the people of God, let us lay down our burdens of brokenness and join what God is doing. Let us pray.

CONFESSIONOne: Holy One, The wind blows and we hear the sound of it, but we do not know where it comes from.All: We try to explain it away, but even our own breath speaks of new things we cannot understand.One: We may be together in one place, but we do not speak with one voice, we do not listen with one heart.All: We hear, and dismiss, your deeds of power, your call to love those who are different, your insistence that the whole world be included. You pour out your Spirit, and we squash the vision—it is too big, too unrealistic, too uncertain, too unruly. You send visions of a future with hope, and we look back instead. You light the way, and we look for a fire extinguisher, trying to keep ourselves, (and you!) safe. Forgive us, O God. We long for your new life, but we do not know how to live it. Listen now to our silent confessions~silence is kept ~One: Rush into this place again, and fill every nook and cranny with dreams and visions of possibility.All: Turn our hushed whispers into proclamations of your grace, in every language of the world. Lead us out into your future. Amen. 

ASSURANCEOne: This is the promise: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh—young and old, men and women, rich and poor—and all people will see.” This promise is for you, and for us. No matter who we are or where we have been, the Spirit of the Living God falls fresh, with mercies new every morning. Know that you are forgiven, and let the Spirit speak through you!All: Thanks be to God. Amen.

PASSING OF THE PEACE! Leader: Peace be with you.People: And also with you!

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Leader: Share the peace of Christ with one another (stay in place, wave or make the peace sign)

*2019/2020 CONFIRMATION CLASS - STATEMENT OF FAITH We believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, as they exist together. We believe that God created all of us, has a plan for our lives, is always there, and is in everything no matter where we are. We believe that Jesus is God’s son. He came to earth in human form to live the human experience and understand us better. Jesus was crucified for our sins, died, was resurrected and ascended into heaven. He came to earth to teach us, lead us and increase our faith. He always welcomes us, even if we are lost. We believe that the Holy Spirit is the link between God and Jesus, and the link between God and us. The Holy Spirit acts as our conscience, and prompts our movements in life. We believe that the church is wherever the people of God gather. In that community we become closer to God, hear each other’s confessions and listen to and pray for each other.

CONFIRMATION LEADER’S MESSAGE

RITE OF CONFIRMATIONINVITATIONLeader: We invite those who wish to affirm their baptism by being confirmed to come forward. Jada Dawn Kunkel Danika Lynn Pysher Leader: Friends in Christ, we all are received into the church through the sacrament of baptism. These young people have found nurture and support in the midst of the family of Christ. Through prayer and study they have been led by the Holy Spirit to affirm their baptism and to claim in our presence their covenantal relationship with Christ and the members of the church. They are here for service to Jesus Christ, using the gifts which the Holy Spirit bestows. Hear the words of Jesus: I am the vine, you are the branches. Anyone who abides in me, and I in that person, is the one who bears much fruit. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES

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Pastor: Danika and Jada, do you desire to affirm your baptism into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?Candidates: I do.

Pastor: Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?Candidates: I do.Pastor: Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?Candidates: I do.Pastor: Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?Candidates: I promise, with the help of God.Pastor: Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in the Christian faith and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, celebrating Christ’s presence and furthering Christ’s mission in all the world?Candidates: I promise, with the help of God.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (All who are able please rise)Leader: Let us unite with the church in all times and places in confessing our faith in the triune God. Do you believe in God? People: I believe in God.Leader: Do you believe in Jesus Christ?People: I believe in Jesus Christ.Leader: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?People: I believe in the Holy Spirit. (The congregation may be seated.)

PRAYER OF THE CANDIDATESPastor and Candidates: O God, my God, known to me in Jesus Christ, I give myself to you as your own, to love and serve you faithfully all the days of my life. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CONGREGATIONPeople: God, who in baptism received Jada and Danika into the church, forgave their sins, and promised them eternal life, increase in them the gifts of your Holy Spirit. Grant love for others, joy in serving you, peace in disagreement, patience in suffering, kindness toward all people, goodness in evil times, faithfulness in temptation, gentleness in the face of opposition, self-control in all things. Thereby strengthen them for their ministry in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

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ACT OF CONFIRMATION (candidates and their parents will be invited to come forward one at a time for the laying on of hands. Pastor and Parents will lay hands on their child as the pastor offers the following blessing.)

Pastor: Strengthen, O God, your servant, (confirmand’s name). May your Holy Spirit help her to grow in faith, hope, and love, so she may know peace, truth, and goodness. May her ears hear your voice. May her eyes see your presence in all things. May her lips proclaim your word. May her heart be your dwelling place. May her hands do your work. May her feet walk in the way of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord.All: Amen.

PRAYER:Leader: Let us pray. We rejoice, O merciful God, with these confirmands, in the gift of the Holy Spirit, and in the Spirit’s power to awaken us to new truth and to inspire us to venture into fullness of life. We give you thanks that they have been moved to affirm their baptism. Help them to live not for themselves but for Christ and those whom Christ loves. Keep them steady and abounding in hope, never giving up, pressing toward the goal of life with you in Jesus Christ.All: Amen.QUESTION ABOUT PARTICIPATIONLeader: (to candidates) By your baptism you were made one with us in the body of Christ, the church. Today we rejoice in your pilgrimage of faith which has brought you to this time and place. We celebrate your presence in this household of faith. Do each of you promise to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing regularly in the worship of God and enlisting in the work of this local church as it serves this community and the world?Candidates: I promise, with the help of God.

WELCOME (Members of Salem UCC who are able please rise)Pastor: Let us, the members of Salem UCC, express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ.People: We promise you our continuing friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit may we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love and be witnesses of our risen Savior.(the congregation may be seated)

GREETING OF CHRISTIAN LOVE

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Pastor: In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of Salem UCC, we extend to you a heartfelt greeting, expressing our Christian love for you as you begin a new phase in your journey of faith. Congratulations!

PRAYER Pastor: O God, we praise you for calling us to faith and for gathering us into the church, the body of Christ. We thank you for your people gathered in this local church and rejoice that you have increased our community of faith. We thank you for Jada and Danika, and look forward to working together in serving the needs of others. Together may we live in the Spirit, building one another up in love, sharing in the life and worship of the church, and serving the world for the sake of Jesus Christ.All: Amen.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE LESSONS Acts 2:1-21 John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

CONFIRMATION MESSAGE

PLAYING OF HYMN #580 “We Are Called to Be God’s People”

OFFERING (Virtual only)– I invite you at this time to consider ways to express your thankfulness for all that God provides by giving of your time and talents in new ways in this time. I also ask you to consider how you will offer your tithes and offerings to support the ministry of our church at this time as well – some options are: on-line giving available through our website or your smartphone, mail check in weekly or set aside your offering each week and mail it in monthly. Thank you.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION. All: Bless, O God, the gifts that we bring this day, that they may be a sign of our commitment to your kingdom and a pledge of our love for you and your world. Multiply the work done by our time, treasures and talents that your presence and compassion may be known in all the earth. Amen.

JOYS AND CONCERNSPASTORAL PRAYER

RESPONSIVE LORD’S PRAYER Traditional Prayer in a Different Voice Lyn Seils Robertson)

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One: Our Father who art in heaven, All: Our Creator, you are all around us and within us. One: Hallowed be thy name. All: We praise you with many different names. One: Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, All: Help us live as we understand we should by your example; in harmony and connectedness with each other,

One: On earth as it is in heaven. All: With all creatures of the earth, and with the earth and the universe itself. One: Give us this day our daily bread, All: Help us to use your resources wisely so that we might be sustained. One: And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors’ All: Help us take responsibility when we fail to live in harmony, and help us to understand and forgive when others let us down. One: And lead us not into temptation, All: Let us know you well enough that we are not tempted to live outside of your love, One: But deliver us from evil, All: And empower us to work together to overcome evil. One: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.All: We believe that you created the world and that you will be all around us and within us forever. One: Amen. All: We are open to you.

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

THE INVITATION One: At the Last Supper, Jesus, sharing bread and wine, invited the disciples

to share his journey. Here, today, through bread and wine, we renew our journey with Jesus and his disciples. Here, today, through bread and wine, we renew our unity with one another, and with all those who have gone before us. Here, today, through bread and wine, we are the invited guests, and Jesus is our host. So come to this table, you who have much faith and you who would like to have more; you who are here for the first time, you who have been here often and you who have not been here for

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a while; you who have tried to follow Jesus, and you who have failed; Come. Christ invites each one of us to meet him here.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVINGOne: God is with you.All: And also with you.One: Lift up your hearts.All: We lift them up to God.One: Let us give God thanks and praise.All: Let us give God thanks and praise!One: Holy God, we give thanks for Jesus of Nazareth, gatherer of folk, teller of stories, breaker of bread, pourer of wine, weaver of lives. In his life, wisdom, stories and social vision we recall the words he spoke to call forth in us love, care and respect for one another:All: And we believe the same Spirit of God that came to visibility in Jesus yearns for visible expression in us.

One: With hearts lifted high, with the whole realm of nature around us, with earth, sea, and sky, we praise you. With the angels of light who envelop us, with all the saints before and beside us, with brothers and sisters, east and west, we thank you. And with our loved ones, separate from us now, who yet in this mystery are close to us, we join together in praise of your unending greatness:

All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

WORDS OF INSTITUTIONOne: We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion, while among friends, as they shared a meal, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks, he broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples, saying: "This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, Jesus also took the cup, after supper, saying; "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me". One: Therefore let us proclaim the mystery of our faith. All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!

THE BLESSING One: Holy God, bless now, by your Word and Spirit, both us and these gifts of bread and wine, that in receiving them at this time, and offering here our faith and praise, we may be united with Christ and one another, and remain faithful to the tasks he sets before us.All: In the strength Christ gives us, we offer ourselves to you, Eternal God and give thanks that you have called us to serve you. Amen.

BREAKING BREAD AND POURING THE CUP He whose table was open to all is now present in this bread.

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He whose word welcomed friend and stranger offers friendship through this cup. These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are now ready.

SHARING THE ELEMENTSThe Bread of Life, given for you.The Cup of Blessing poured out for you.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING One: Let us prayAll: Thank you, Jesus, for this feast of life. We are fed by your love; we are strengthened by your life. We are sent forth into this world to live into the visions God has laid on our hearts. We are now commissioned to: feed as we have been fed, forgive as we have been forgiven, love as we have been loved. Thanks be to God. Amen.

HYMN #559 “Here I Am, Lord”

BENEDICTIONVoice 1: The Spirit of God inspires…Voice 2: Listen!Voice 1: The Spirit of God transforms…Voice 2: Grow!Voice 1: The Spirit of God empowers…Voice 2: Go…and be…and do!Voice 1: And may you…those you encounter… and those who are touched beyond that encounter… discover and know the grace, love, and peace of God each and every day. All: Amen.

THREE FOLD AMEN

POSTLUDE * Portions of this worship service were adapted from “Ministry Matters/Worship Connection, “Seasons of the Spirit”, “liturgy link – Call to Worship, Susannah DeBenedetto – Confession, Assurance, Dedication,Terry Peterson – Benediction, Scott Cervas”

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PRESENTED TO THE GLORY OF GOD: The FLOWERS in honor of the wedding of Kim Bush and Matthew Knerr that was in the church yesterday.

LADIES GUILD PIE SALE, pick up Friday, May 28th from 4 to 6 PM. $10.00 each. Questions: Call Kathryn at 610-837-1182 or Vicki at 610-360-1401. Deadline for orders was Friday, May 14TH.

YOU CAN PICK UP YOUR 2021 OFFERING ENVELOPES ON WEDNESDAYS BETWEEM 9 AM AND 3 PM. Bev Repsher and the Ladies Aid will be there to assist you. Call Peggy Troxell at 610-759-2501 if you need to make other arrangements.

ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH, PLEASE SEND YOUR CHECK TO THE CHURCH AND MARK THE ENVELOPE STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH OR DROP THE ENVELOPE GIVEN TO YOU BY THE USHER IN THE OFFERING BOX.

We will be gathering for Worship outside in the grove at 10:15 AM. If the weather does not cooperate, we will gather in the sanctuary. Please bring your own lawn chairs for the grove, if you are able. There are a few benches for those who do not have chairs. Masks and social distancing will be required. Virtual Worship will be available, also.

Pastor Kaye will be on vacation from June 6th after worship through June 14th. If you have an urgent pastoral care need in that time, please call Peggy Troxell at 610-759-2501. She will take your information and have the pastor who is covering for Pastor Kaye, Rev. James Gottwald, call you asap. Rev. Richard Guhl will lead worship and preach on June 13th.

We would like to print the names of Salem’s High School and College Graduates (including December 2020 graduates) in the July/August Newsletter. Please submit the names by Sunday, June 20, 2021. We are interested in their plans for college or employment, degree, etc. if you want us to include this information.

The Bath Area Food Bank is in need of Ramen Noodles. If you would like to donate Ramen noodles, please bring them to worship or drop them off at the church. The Ladies Aid is there every Wednesday from 9 AM until 3 PM.

BOY SCOUT TROOP #50 RUMMAGE SALE, June 17, 18 & 19, 8 AM, rain or shine, all outdoors. Something for everyone, clothing, household items, tools, toys and much more. They will also be collecting for a local dog rescue. Bring a donation of food, treats or toys and receive a Crayola product (while supplies last.) Masks are required, social distancing guidelines will be followed. Questions- call or text Megan at 484-239-5763.

Starting June 6, our Sunday Worship Service will begin at 9:30 AM. We will worship in the grove each Sunday this summer. In case of inclement weather, we will gather in the church. For now, masks will be required for worship that will need to be moved inside.

August Flea Market, Saturday, August 21. Call Mitch Thomas at 610-759-5780. $12 to rent a space with a table and $9 for just a space. The refreshment stand will be open.

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Summer Festivals – this year we will only have one -the Peach Festival. Saturday, August 14, 3 to 9 PM.

Speak to Vicki Troxell or Kathryn VanBlargan if you can help that day and the days before. Speak to Vicki if you would like to donate a prize for the raffle ticket.

Vacation Bible School will be July 26th through the 30th from 5:45 PM to 8:00 PM. We cannot wait to make you all Knights of the North Castle. Registration form is in the June Newsletter.

We are looking for people who would like to help with recording the service or virtual worship. Please speak to Ed Taylor or Vicki Troxell, if you are interested.

SEARCHING FOR A TREASURER: We are looking for someone to be treasurer of Salem. Please speak to Vicki or any Consistory member, if you are interested in the position or if you have questions about the position.

THE ALTAR GUILD HAS THE YELLOW GARBAGE BAGS TO SELL, THE COST IS $10.00/ROLL. If you are interested, please call Donna Schlegel at 610-704-9185. THE ALTAR GUILD IS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS. Please call Donna Schlegel, if you are interested in serving on the Altar Guild.

The Online Mega Prize Raffle. You can participate in the online raffle by visiting www.salemmoorestown.basketraffle.org to purchase Mega Prize tickets and enter them into the prizes you are interested in winning. Each Mega Prize ticket is $2 each. The online raffle will remain open for anyone to enter until June 5 at 5 PM. Anyone participating online must be able to pick up any winnings or have someone pick it up, at 2218 Community Dr., Bath, PA 18014. If you have any difficulties using the online raffle, please contact Ed at 610-657-4247 or Kim at 610-597-6321 to ask any questions Please share this information with your family, friends, neighbors & coworkers as well!

The Basket Raffle is scheduled for June 4 from 5 – 8 pm and June 5 from 9 am – 4 pm. We have over 200 baskets, prizes, gift cards and more. Ticket sheets can be purchased at the door for $5.00 per sheet (25 tickets /sheet). *The Presale Ticket Special ends this Wednesday, May 26th. So if you wish to pre-purchase your raffle tickets early, and get 5 sheets of tickets for $20 (a $5.00 savings) you will need to contact the church by Wednesday.

Donations of canned Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and bottled water are needed for the Basket Raffle. Please speak to Vicki or Kerry, if you are willing to donate.

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