Mayfield Congregational Church UCC
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Third Sunday after Pentecost
Success is the sum of small efforts – repeated day in and day out. -Robert Collier

PRELUDE
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPENING HYMN   #476  My Life Flows on in Endless Song
My life flows on in endless song; above earth’s lamentation,
I hear the sweet, though far off hymn, that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul – how can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die? My Savior still is living.
What though the shadows gather ‘round? A new song Christ is giving.
No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that Rock I’m clinging;
Since Love commands both heaven and earth – how can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear, and hear their death knells ringing;
When friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile, our thoughts to them are wining;
When friends by shame are undefiled – how can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin; I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths, since first I learned to love it.
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing;
All things are mine since I am Christ’s – how can I keep from singing?

CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader:  We think we must do great things to change the world around us.  Know that great changes come about because of our smallest efforts.
People:  An appropriate word,
Leader:   A few minutes of shared time,
People:  A promise honored,
Leader:  A moment of confident enthusiasm can spawn a fresh start.
People:  Holy Spirit, inspire us today!

PRAYER OF INVOCATION (unison)
God, we look on the outward appearance while you look on the heart.  You see beneath the façade to the beauty of the human soul.  Come and join us as we worship.  Let us discover ourselves and others anew.    Amen.

SCRIPTURE:     Mark 4:26-34

MESSAGE:       Small Things, Rev. Lauri Allen

PASTORAL PRAYER

HYMN  #540 We Plant a Grain of Mustard Seed
We plant a grain of mustard seed, and in our faith we find
The proof of God is love, indeed, which blossoms from its kind;
The proof of God is love, indeed, which blossoms form its kind

Our actions, more than words, define how love’s example feeds
A greater love, for love divine bursts forth from smallest seeds;
A greater love, for love divine bursts forth from smallest seeds.

When stooped to lend a helping hand, we find a touch that heals,
For love invested will expand to bear the fruit love yields;
For love invested will expand to bear the fruit love yields.

Make love our purpose, love our aim, for love endures all things,
And choosing love our lives will claim the peace forgiveness brings;
And choosing love our lives will claim the peace forgiveness brings.

OFFERING

DOXOLOGY

PRAYER OF DEDICATION:

Take the gifts we offer, God.  May they be like the tiny mustard seed and grow to provide what others need.  Amen.

CLOSING HYMN #23 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty.
There’s no place where earthly sorrows are more felt than in God’s heaven;
There’s no place where earthly failings have such kindly judgement given.

For the love of God is broader than the measures of our minds;
And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God’s word;
And our lives would show thanksgiving for the goodness of our God.

BENEDICTION

CHORAL BENEDICTION    God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Our Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 27 following our Sunday Service.  The Church Council is looking for volunteers for the Nomination Committee to help fill the vacancy on the council for the Stewardship Coordinator.  If you are interested in being on the Nomination Committee, or would like to volunteer to be the Stewardship Coordinator, please contact Dawn Carlson.

Mayfield Church Father’s Day Offering will be donated this year to DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau, Inc.  Please email mayfielduccyt@gmail.com with the list of people you would like to honor or memorialize with your generous gift. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to the church.  There will be a list of honored people in the bulletin and the email that is sent to the congregation the week of Father’s Day.