CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
July 5, 2026 – 11:00 a.m.
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Preparation for worship
“If you assume that there’s no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there is an instinct for freedom, there are opportunities to change things, there’s a chance for you to contribute to making a better world. That’s your choice.” – Noam Chomsky
🌻Today’s flowers are for 250th Birthday of our country!
From Karen & Dan Kett
The Rev. Candace Thomas, Pastor
Jay Harragin, Director of Music
Graham Bryan, Church Moderator/ Musician
Joan Campagna, Liturgist
Jack Smith, 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) (Inspired by Psalm 45)
One: In joy and gladness, enter the presence of the Sovereign One who rules and reigns over all creation. Worship the Holy One!
Many: The voice of the Holy One is powerful and gracious, loving and challenging, compassionate and convicting.
One: In joy and gladness, receive the fresh wind of the Spirit who ignites our hearts and connects us to one another. Worship the Holy Spirit!
Many: The voice of the Holy Spirit gives wisdom, discernment, comfort, and confirmation.
One: In joy and gladness, follow the path of the Embodied One. Worship God with Us!
Many: The voice of God with Us models for us what to say and how to live. Praise God!
*HYMN “How Beautiful, Our Spacious Skies” (No. 594, NCH)
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION (Unison)
God of all nations and all peoples, bless us as we gather in your name. Open us to be vessels in building your kingdom and spreading the good news of life and liberty. May we drink from the well of your abundance. May our cups overflow with your love. May our hearts burn in your presence. Be with us in this time and place. 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: Galatians 5:1, 13-14 NRSVUE
For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
SPECIAL MUSIC “Let Us Break Bread Together”
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION AND NEW LIFE (Unison)
Holy One, we come before you from different perspectives. Some come in a spirit of celebration. Others bring lament and despair. All of us benefit from the power of transformed lives, individually, relationally, and communally. We pray in the assurance that new life is available. We ask for the strength, courage, and persistence to seek your kingdom, peace,
justice and righteousness in any and all circumstances and for all people and creation. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE-Pastor Candy
The God of the covenant is still with us. By the power of the Spirit, we receive the fruit necessary to fuel our shared commitment and commission to building the world as God would have it over the world we inherit. God has given us everything we need to contribute, including the community of faith so that we do not labor alone.
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
The Holy One gives gifts beyond measure or comparison. The Holy One gives with abundance and generosity. The Holy has provided for every need and invites us to ensure equitable, faithful, and mutual sharing so that no one needs to experience a lack of resources. Let us give from the well of abundance to honor God’s faithfulness and to demonstrate trust in God’s provision.
MUSICAL OFFERING “Un Mandamiento Nuevo”
PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND THANKSGIVING (Unison)
Giving God, make us a people who not only receive your gifts, but empower us to give in mutual measure so that all needs are met. Bless these gifts and amplify their impact as a witness to your goodness and so all may flourish in your name. Amen.
MESSAGE “True Freedom”
*COMMUNION HYMN “As We Gather at Your Table” (No. 332, NCH)
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION: This is Christ’s table. At Christ’s table, the rejected are welcomed home. At Christ’s table, the hungry are fed. At Christ’s table, the fearful are strengthened. At Christ’s table, chosen family is holy. At Christ’s table, there is room for all!
COMMUNION PRAYER
WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE
BREAKING BREAD AND POURING WINE
SHARING THE ELEMENTS
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Unison)
God of the table, You have fed us with grace. Now make us hopeful in the midst of despair. Make us tender with one another. Make us fierce for justice. Make us faithful in the streets, in the sanctuary, at the ballot box, in the classroom, at the bedside, around the family table, and wherever your people are under threat. We have tasted belonging. Now send us to build it. We have received love. Now send us to embody it. Amen.
*HYMN “This is My Song” (No. 591 , NCH )
COMMISSION- Pastor Candy
As you go,
Celebrate liberty and pursue justice
Pray for the land on which you are planted
And open space for neighbors seeking a home
Remember the challenges and blessings of the past
Work for the promise and hope of the future
Knowing that the God of the Covenant
Lives, reigns, and abides with us
As the journey continues
Go in peace and go for peace
To love and to serve.
*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
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
July 5 to July 12, 2026
| Today | 11:00 am | Worship in the Sanctuary with Holy Communion, also on Facebook Live & YouTube. |
| Today | 12:30 pm | Sharing Circle with a post- Independence Day treat in Kelsey Hall |
| Mon.
Jul. 6 |
Office Closed
In Observance of July 4th. |
|
| Wed.
Jul. 8 |
6:00 pm | Chair Yoga in Kelsey Hall |
| Sun.
Jul. 12 |
11:00 am | Worship in the Sanctuary, also on Facebook Live & YouTube. |