CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
July 19, 2026 – 11:00 a.m.
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Preparation for worship
“We have to learn, even now, to accept and forgive this mixed bag of reality in ourselves and in everybody else. After all, I’m also a field of weeds and wheat…Everything is a combination of good and bad.” – Richard Rohr
🌻Today’s beautiful flowers were given by Abigail & Barbie Pavon-factor.
The Rev. Candace Thomas, Pastor
Jay Harragin, Director of Music
Graham Bryan, Church Moderator/ Musician
Anita Smith, Liturgist
Joan Campagna, Usher
Kevin Salas, Audio/ Visual Technical director
14920 Southwest 67th Avenue, Palmetto Bay, Florida 33158
www.christcongregationalucc.org
office@christcongregationalucc.org | 305.235.9381
*Indicates please stand if comfortably able
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
*LIGHTING OF THE PEACE CANDLE
Leader: The Light shines in the Darkness
All: And the darkness cannot put out the light!
*WORLD PEACE PRAYER (Unison)
Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,
Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe. Amen.
* CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
One: As we harvest our growing abundance in this time of mid-summer, may we relish in the fruit of our labor,
Many: As we harvest the fruitful seeds of nature and God’s Garden, let us share in the bounty with our neighbors.
One: While we channel resources – water, light, fertile ground to the produce we desire in our gardens,
Many: May we also recognize that the weed, the rabbit, the caterpillar also have needs for sustenance.
One: We have enough, and an attitude of plentifulness increases through sharing.
Many: For what our land grows with our tending, is only ours for a moment in time, filling a short term and immediate need.
All: May we share the harvest by tithing back to nature, feeding the hungry among us, storing for the future without hoarding, and setting enough seed aside for the next season of planting. Amen.
*HYMN “In the Bulb There Is a Flower” (No. 433, NCH)
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION (Unison)
God of many names, mother of all creation, father of all that is, womb of life, and wellspring of all that we can ever know, we invite your presence here as we seek to embody your loving spirit and create your presence among us. We are in need and we turn to you to be with us as we practice creating the kingdom of heaven here on earth. Amen.
THE COMMANDMENT OF JESUS (John 15:5, 12)
I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43 NRSV
The Parable of Weeds among the Wheat
“Jesus put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’
Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weed
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’ He answered, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!
SPECIAL MUSIC “Morning Has Broken” Lani Smith
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION AND NEW LIFE (Unison)
God of creation and plenty, it can be easy for us to forget the abundant nature of your love. We forget that there are ample riches from this earth. If we manage your resources you, and we, share generously among all your beloved children. We forget that we are all created in your divine beauty, perfect specimens of your holy vision for a people who can love without bounds, share without tallying, and celebrate among the great diversity you created to thrive together. Guide us to give of that abundance, to receive with grace and gratitude, and to turn our hearts away from the perception of scarcity. We confess that we fall short; and we ask that you show us the path again to your fruitful garden where all things grow and flourish. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE- Pastor Candy
Let us know that God has always provided us with growth and abundance and will continue to guide us in the care of bounteous fields that spring forth with plant and animal, both weed and seed. We are all worthy of this enduring joy and sustenance as beloved children of God. Amen.
SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYER SONG “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1 (No. 283, NCH)
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
TIME OF SILENT MEDITATION
(You are invited to open your heart to the movement of the Holy Spirit.)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE PRAYER OF JESUS (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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO GENEROSITY – Pastor Candy
God’s gifts are generous and abundant. Give in the spirit of sufficiency and trust that God has provided for all of our needs. Our gifts enable us to share abundance so that all may feast and rejoice in God’s creation.
MUSICAL OFFERING “Because He Lives”
PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND THANKSGIVING (Unison)
Holy One, may these gifts reflect our trust in you and your provision. Magnify them for your purpose and grant us discernment to be caretakers of the resources entrusted to us. Amen.
*HYMN “Touch the Earth Lightly” (No. 569, NCH)
MESSAGE: “A World Full of Weeds”
*HYMN “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” (No. 454, NCH)
COMMISSION- Pastor Candy (Inspired by Matthew 13)
In God, promises are not contained. They overflow.
Therefore, as you go from this time of communal worship
Return as participants in the communal witness
To spread the overwhelming love of God
To spread the overarching peace of God
And to spread the overcoming hope of God
Like good seeds, sowing and planting a future
That will shine like the sun in the kingdom of God
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE
Welcome to Everyone!
Whoever or whatever brought you to our Sanctuary or our Facebook or YouTube on-line worship service this morning, we believe that the Spirit of God had a hand in you joining us. We hope that you feel the Holy Spirit in our service of prayer and praise.
At Christ Congregational Church we strive to love one another as God has loved us and welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us. Therefore, we are an Open and Affirming church, loving, and welcoming all people in all of God’s variety, including racial, ethnic, and economic diversity, gender diversity and expression, sexual orientation, and physical and mental abilities.
JOYS AND CONCERNS Do you have joys or concerns you would like lifted in worship? Please call or text Pastor Candy at 925.640.9289 or email her at cccpastor@att.net by 10 am Sunday morning.
For Pastoral Care Needs, please call Pastor Candy at 925-640-9289 or you may call and leave a message with the Church Office, 305-235-9381.
ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT CCC? About the United Church of Christ? Pastor Candy would be happy to meet with you to talk about our Christian faith, your spiritual journey, and to discuss what church membership means. Please let her know if you’re interested!
REMEMBERED IN OUR CONTINUING PRAYERS
C.M. Chandler, Ariel Ward, the Ground Family, the family of John Burger, Everlyn Baker, Janet Smith, the Joseph Family, the Brown Family, and Sheryl Chambers and Family.
To keep our prayer list current please let Tracy Williams, Administrative Assistant at <office @christcongregationalucc.org> or Pastor Candy at <cccpastor@att.net> know if you’d like a name included on our Prayer List. It is a blessing to remember that others are praying for us and a blessing to pray for others.
ONLINE GIVING: We invite you to use our online giving option as a quick, simple, and secure method to make your pledges and any ancillary contributions. Clicking on the “Give Online Today” button at the bottom of our weekly newsletter or by going to our website at https://christcongregationalucc.org and clicking “Online giving.” You will be redirected to the secured Moon Clerk site which will allow you to enter your credit card information.
***Elections are fast approaching, if you would like to check your voter registration, please see Bianca on Sundays after worship. If you would like to check on your own please visit www.RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov
You may donate to Venezuela earthquakes relief by sending a check to:
UCC
P.O. Box 71957
Cleveland, OH 44194
*Please note “Venezuela Earthquakes Relief 2026” in the memo line of your check.
We will be collecting items for backpacks from July 5th to August 2nd!
We will fill the backpacks together after church on August 2nd.
Join Tracy and Bianca after worship on Sunday, August 9, for our first Tech Talk! We’ll cover a few technology basics, share tips for staying safe online, and answer your questions about phones, computers, apps, and more.
Bring your smartphone, tablet, or laptop for hands-on help and troubleshooting. We’ll also be available to help anyone who would like assistance getting connected with our church’s online tools and resources, like ChurchTrac. (You’ll be able to pull your own giving report whenever you want!)
No tech experience is necessary
INVITATION TO JOIN IS IN FAITH 250
Faith250 is a national initiative that invites faith leaders and communities to come together for meaningful conversations about our shared values, hopes, and responsibilities as neighbors and citizens. Through gatherings across the country, congregations are creating sacred spaces for listening, learning, and building deeper understanding across differences.
Here in South Florida, this interfaith effort is being led by our friend and colleague, Iqbal, who has invited communities from across our region to participate. Pastor Candy and Bianca are grateful to be part of this work and are excited to help bring these conversations to Christ Congregational Church. We hope many in our congregation will join us in creating spaces where people of all faith traditions and backgrounds can share their stories, strengthen connections, and imagine the future we hope to build together.
If you are interested in participating or learning more, please speak with Pastor Candy or Bianca, and fill out this form: Faith250 Form
To learn more about Faith250 visit: https://faith250.org/
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
July 19 to July 26, 2026
| Today | 11:00 am | Worship in the Sanctuary, also on Facebook Live & YouTube. |
| Today | 3:00 pm | World Cup Final Match! Watch Live together! In Kelsey Hall. |
| Wed.
Jul. 22 |
6:00 pm | Chair Yoga in Kelsey Hall |
| Sun.
Jul. 26 |
11:00 am | Worship in the Sanctuary, also on Facebook Live & YouTube. |
| Sun.
Jul. 26 |
12:30 pm | Food & Faith BBQ
in Kelsey Hall |