Rev. SaraJane Munshower is a retired UCC minister.
Scripture: Mark 4:26-34
Jesus also said, “This is what the realm of God is like. A person scatters seed on the land. Night and day, during sleep and during wakefulness, the seed is sprouting and growing, how, we do not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, at once, the farmer starts to reap because the harvest has come.
Jesus also said, “What can we say that the realm is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which, at the time of its sowing, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth. Yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.”
Reflection:
Realm of God likened
to seed scattered upon ground-
Can you imagine?
Realm of God likened
to smallest seed upon earth-
Can you imagine?
Teacher of God’s realm
spoke in parables to all-
explaining to some
Those with ears to hear
followed him along the Way-
Can you imagine?
to seed scattered upon ground-
Can you imagine?
Realm of God likened
to smallest seed upon earth-
Can you imagine?
Teacher of God’s realm
spoke in parables to all-
explaining to some
Those with ears to hear
followed him along the Way-
Can you imagine?
Prayer
Holy One, help us to hear your Word, and in hearing, help us to imagine your world; and in imagining, help us to act with courage and compassion.~ In the Spirit of Christ, Amen.
New Prayer Requests:
We ask churches and church leaders to join us in the following prayers either by sharing them during worship, printing them in bulletins, or sharing them in some other way. To make a prayer request, please contact Drew Page at drewp@ctucc.org.Prayers of Intercession:
- for those affected by wildfires in California and Colorado.
- for safe celebrations of graduations around the state.
- for the family and friends of Kenneth Page Cowing, father of the Rev. Craig Cowing, pastor of Rocky Hill Congregational Church. Kenneth died on June 2.
Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving:
- for government of Spain after agreeing to allow a rescue ship carrying over 600 migrants to dock in Spanish ports.
- for the hundreds of delegates from CT Churches who will join MA and RI delegates for worship, fellowship, and thoughtful decision making this weekend at the Trip-Conference Annual Meeting in Springfield.
Please Remember These Connecticut Conference Churches
In Your Prayers:
North GreenwichNorth Greenwich Congregational Church UCC
North Guilford
North Guilford Congregational Church UCC
North Haven
North Haven Congregational UCC
North Madison
North Madison Congregational Church, UCC
North Stonington
North Stonington Congregational Church
This Week in History:June 11, 1963 (55 years ago): Alabama Governor George Wallace ended his segregationist blockade of the University of Alabama after President John F. Kennedy federalized National Guard troop to enforce the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that segregation was unconstitutional desegregation. Vivian Malone and James A. Hood successfully enrolled in the University the same day.
the Rev. SaraJane Munshower Munshower
an interim minister who most recently served in Windsor
June 11, 2018