Juneteenth and Freedom from Slavery

Juneteenth Sunday and Father’s Day Sunday Westport Presbyterian Church June 18, 2023, 11:00 am (Video will be posted LIVE on the church’s FB page at 11am and then cross-posted here. If the video doesn’t load properly here, you should be able to click on the Watch on Facebook link and watch as a guest, even if you don’t have Facebook) Juneteenth is the oldest known African American celebration. On June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas received word of their emancipation two months after the Civil War had ended and 2 ½ years after the Emancipation proclamation had gone into effect on Jan. 1, 1863. PRELUDE: Scriptural Reflection: Matthew 11:28 – Fendton Groden “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, an I will give you rest.” CALL TO WORSHIP & RETURN TO OUR SOULS Pastor: Almighty God, we come to worship You today with open hearts and open minds. People: We want to hear and receive what You have to say to us in this service. Pastor: Speak to us today as You spoke to those who went before us. People: Tell us the stories of Your wonders and greatness. Pastor: We are ready to hear the stories. People: Remind us once again of Your grace and love. Pastor: Help us teach Your goodness to our children and the next generation. People: Let us praise God with singing, prayers, our offerings & our open hearts.Hallelujah! HYMN: This is My Father’s World GTG#370 RESPONSIVE CALL TO CONFESSION AND COMMITMENT Pastor: Today, we commemorate the end of slavery in America. People: This day partially reminds us of the progress made. Pastor: This day also partially reminds us of the progress we have not made. People: We celebrate the freedom of Black lives in our nation. Pastor: We grieve that we have not correctly reconciled racism in our nation. People: If we do not love each other, then ultimately, we have not experienced Your love. Pastor: As much as we commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth, we grieve this day. People: We mourn that our Black brothers sisters have not been loved as our neighbors. Pastor: We mourn that our Black brothers & sisters have been treated less than created inYour image Your image. People: So, Lord, we confess our sins and repent. Pastor: The healing and reconciliation we desire grows from our love of the Christ of all peoples. Peoples and all Peoples’ right to be free. Amen. AFFIRMING OF HEALING, SAVING POWER OF GOD: Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine GTG#839 PASSING OF PEACE Pastor: The peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Let us share the peace of Christ with each other. ANTHEM: Comfort, Comfort – arr. John Ferguson SCRIPTURE: Exodus 3:1-14 Ephesians 6:1-3 SUNG RESPONSE TO SCRIPTURE: Go Down, Moses (When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land) GTG#52 PRAYER BEFORE SERMON: Pastor: May the words of my mouth People: And the meditations of our hearts Pastor: Be acceptable to you, People: O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer . Amen. SERMON: “Juneteenth Is About Freedom from Slavery and It’s Legacies” – Rev. Scott Myers CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Lift Every Voice and Sing GTG #339 WELCOMING FATHER’S DAY PRAYER, Lord’s Prayer, Congregational Sung Response: Come, Bring Your Burdens to God GTG#851 OFFERTORY: Bless the Lord, O My Soul – Cesar Franck Sarah Baxter, alto Offering link UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION: God of all peoples, of all nations, on this day of freedom, we celebrate triumphantly with all people of goodwill that we might walk arm in arm towards justice for all. Breathe into us Your eternal breath, that we may never tire of ensuring a flourishing life for all people, but most especially, those brothers and sisters whose growth has been stifled by the trauma of being enslaved. O God, we know and have seen Your goodness, and because of it, we cling to the hope that unity and liberation for all are within our grasp. Continue to show us Your goodness, that we may have the strength to advance your kingdom with humility and grace and the liberating love of Jesus in our hearts. Amen. CLOSING HYMN: Down in the River to Pray BENEDICTION SUNG BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Lead me, Guide Me (sing twice) GTG#740 POSTLUDE: Blessed assurance – Phoebe Palmer Knapp, arr. YoungMin You