Worship – The United Church of Clinton

WELCOME TO WORSHIP

Third Sunday of Easter

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

RINGING of the BELL/TIME of CENTERING

*CALL to WORSHIP

One: Let us fill our hearts and minds with hope as we hear the Words of Jesus Christ.

All: “Peace be with you.”

One: When peace and justice seem uncertain, let us hear anew the Words of Jesus Christ.

All: “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?”

One: Let us be comforted by the presence of Christ, whose love, and light dwells within us.

All: Let our lives be witnesses of these things.

One: Help us be instruments of Christ’s peace to all in need of God’s healing love.

*SONG of PRAISE and SUPPORTING HUMAN JUSTICE

“Thine is the Glory” #218

*PRAYER of the DAY

Christ, create in us a clean heart so that we can meditate in your peace; abide in your mercy; be filled with your justice; and be made new by your love. In your name we pray. Amen.

*AFFIRMING and CONNECTING (Passing of the Peace) We sing: “Peace be with You” Twice.

* GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be; world without end. Amen. Amen. (Be seated)

SCRIPTURE Luke 24: 36b-48 (New Revised International Version of the Bible)

Jesus Appears to His Disciples. While they were talking about this, Jesus[a] himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”[b] 37 They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.[c] 41 Yet for all their joy they were still disbelieving and wondering, and he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,[d] 43 and he took it and ate in their presence. 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you–that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to the, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah[e] is[f] to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day 47 and the repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses[g] of these things.

Lord’s Prayer 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER of TRANSFORMATION and RESTORATION

Loving God, in your infinite wisdom, we are glad that you make all things new. where there is hate, show your love. Where there is war, bring your peace. Where there is despair, bring your hope. Where there is fear, bring your understanding. Where there is scarcity, bring your abundance. Where there is systemic oppression, bring equal justice for all. By your perfect grace and mercy, make us new. May it be so. Amen.

WORDS OF GRACE

Loving God, thank you for the assurance of your grace. You grant us all your peace. Help us to trust in your peace, especially in times of conflict. Believing you will bring peace in our hearts, and to all the earth. Guiding us, so that all may come to know Jesus Christ, who is our Price of Peace. In his name, we pray. Amen.

Moment for All God’s Children

*SONG “Healer of Our Ev’ry Ill” #506

Prayer Concerns and Joys Lifted Up

PASTORAL PRAYER

SCRIPTURE 1 John 3: 1-7 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he[a] is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3 And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 4 Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children,[b] let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is righteous, just as he is righteous.

MEDITATION – Rev. Marilyn Wilcox

MUSICAL MEDITATION

INVITATION to GENEROSITY

One: All are invited to give joyously to the church that bears witness to Christ’s love.

All: Let us give with a joyful heart.

One: God’s loving generous love has given us every good and gracious gift.

All: We offer our gratitude for God’s abundant blessings in our lives.

One: Now, let us be a blessing to others in the ways that God has faithfully and generously blessed us.

Passing of the Plate

DOXOLOGY (Use whatever words are comfortable for you)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God all creatures here below; praise God above ye heavenly host. Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). Amen

PRAYER of DEDICATION and THANKSGIVING

Let us remember that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes early in the morning. May these gifts of blessing be a sign of the love, light, and the glory of our redeeming God who has created a world of abundance with all that we need. May we remain thankful witnesses to your generosity, O God, as we dedicate these offerings to you and your beloved creation.

*SONG “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” #86

BENEDICTION

Living God, we are witnesses to your love and light. Your peace is seen in the dawning of each day. Your equal justice bears witness in the interconnected universe that you have created. Faithful God, help us to feel the warmth of your loving light in the cooler moments of life. As we leave this worship service, let us go back into the world renewed as instruments of your loving peace and justice for all. May it be so. Amen.

SUNG “Amen”

Postlude

* Please stand if you are able.

Bold– Words in bold are said in unison.

Our worship has ended ~ Let our service begin!

Worship Ways: Witnesses of These Things: Service Prayers for the Third Sunday of Easter was written by The Rev. Dr. Sheila Harvey, Pastor of Union Congregational United Church of Christ.

Warm Birthday wishes go out to:

Phillip Arpano Sr. April 4th Robert Ganusko April 5th

April Kristoff April 5th Ella Cummins April 11th

Erica Hoag April 11th Michelle Garry April 15th

Kim Kane April 15th Bob Lidstone April 15th

Dawn Sivert April 15th Jeanne Dietel April 29th

Phillip Arpano Jr. April 30th

Happy Anniversary goes out to:

Aubrey & David Haigwood April 2nd

Fred & Teressa Sontag April 9th

A close up of a flower

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CenterPiece Flowers for Altar will be ordered by Teressa Sontag. Please email her at blgst2@comcast.net with any questions or text her at 508-847-2688, or use the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the upstairs foyer. Checks should be made out to: Dimeco’s and mailed to Teressa Sontag at 6 Bourne Street, Clinton, MA 01510 by the 1st of each month. Large centerpiece is $50.

Prayers of Intercession:

For the people of Ukraine and the Middle East whose lives continue to be shattered by war, as well as the many landscapes that are currently embroiled in conflicts. (Read A Call for Peace)
For those grieving or suffering due to the 4,100 gun violence deaths that happened in the US since the start of the year.
For the friends and family of The Rev. Carol A. Granger who passed away on March 12, 2024. Rev. Granger held Exempt Ordained Ministerial Standing in the Central MA Association and served churches in Pittsfield, ME and Clinton, MA.

Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving:

Forthose giving away free bibles.
For those who offer a voice when they see injustice.
For opportunities to meet and discuss how to help grow the church.
For the opportunities to regroup,including the ability to pray together. (You are invited to participate in Pause for Prayers, Wednesdays @ 12:30, Live on Facebook. Add your prayers through the chat feature, and recordings can be found on the SNEUCC Facebook page or our webpage.)

For all joys and concerns mentioned in the Pastor’s Tuesday Email

This week we lift up in prayer: Ruth, Jackie, friends and family of Pastor Carol, the Tahanto community, the Lipka family, Sandra, friend and family of Riley, Dennis, Cathy, Art, Everett, Edie K., June, Mary Ellen P., Francene, Gloria Popp, the people of the Middle East and Ukraine, cousin Jackie, Crosby, Beth, Naomi, Thurley, Michelle, MS, Donna’s Dad, Bob A., Al G., those affected by gun violence and extreme weather events, Mae and her family, Sarah, Sandi, Lydia, Jessica, Casey, Amira, Doug’s brother who had a seizure, Christian, Meagen on the loss of her Dad Thomas, Sydney, and all others who have gone unnamed.

Happenings at United Church:

Tuesday, Church Council 7pm (Zoom)
Thursday, New Member Meeting 7pm
Next Sunday we worship at 10am both in person and virtual/Earth Day – Spring Clean Up/Picnic lunch

The Next Book Study will be for “Witness at the Cross” by Amy-Jill Levine. We will meet May 5th at 6:30 via Zoom.

New Members Class: Thursday, April 18th at 7 pm. If you are not already, please consider becoming an official member of The United Church of Clinton. You would meet in a group with the pastor, receive a little instruction, etc. On the New Member Sunday, you would come forth to profess your faith and your commitment to our special church. That’s all there is. Please officially consider joining our soul band, our prayer warriors, and faith members. Speak to Pastor Marilyn or a member of the Diaconate if you are interested. Thanks!

Please keep our special members and friends in your prayers: Ruth, Art, June, Edie K., Mary Ellen P., and Everett.

Happenings at United Church

(Please notify the church office with any events or meetings.)

Important Deadlines!

Bulletin Announcements are due to the office by the end of day each Wednesday.

Any items submitted after the deadline may not be included in the publication.

Community Cafe Ongoing Support of our Churches Monthly Pizza Meal: Our church’s monthly meal at the WHEAT Community Cafe needs your continued support! Each month our church delivers a pizza, salad and dessert meal to the WHEAT Community Cafe. The cost of the meal is around $175.00. We fund the meal through generous donations! Look for updates on how to support this meal coming in 2024!

Online Giving Did you know that you can process your weekly contribution

or any other donation supporting The United Church of Clinton right on our website? Go to www.ClintonUnitedChurch.org and click the blue button on the right that says “online giving.”

We, The United Church of Clinton, have always lived our vision statement, “God’s People Loving and Serving God.” We believe that each of us have been created in God’s image, an image that is diverse, compassionate, and welcoming. We look to live our mission statement as we continue to love God and our neighbors passionately. We encourage and create a sense of love and belonging to God’s family including but not limited to people of all ages, cultures, races, economic backgrounds, sexual orientation, gender identities, physical or mental abilities, family structures, or spiritual traditions. All are welcome to join fully in the life of the church including participating in leadership roles, encouraging and creating a sense of love and belonging to God’s family. We live and bear testimony to our faith by being an example of Christian living, welcoming all no matter where an individual may be on life’s journey. Reaching out to our local, national and global communities of neighbors using our spiritual gifts in faithful service to those in need. We commit ourselves to becoming an Open and Affirming Congregation and Reconciling Church Member.

through the chat feature, and recordings can be found on the SNEUCC Facebook page or our webpage.)

(Please notify the church office with any events or meetings.)

Important Deadlines!

Bulletin Announcements are due to the office by the end of day each Wednesday.

Any items submitted after the deadline may not be included in the publication.

Online Giving Did you know that you can process your weekly contribution

or any other donation supporting The United Church of Clinton right on our website? Go to back to the home page and click the blue button on the right that says “online giving.”