Worship – The United Church of Clinton

WELCOME TO WORSHIP

Mothering Sunday

Ascension Sunday

Communion Sunday

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

RINGING of the BELL/TIME of CENTERING

*CALL to WORSHIP

One: Let us praise God for sending Jesus Christ to offer his saving love to us all.

All: We give God all our praises.

One: Let our hearts be filled with joyful celebration for the fulfillment of God’s promises.

All: We open our hearts to receive the joy of Christ.

One: Let us move forward with Jesus Christ as our guiding light.

All: The light of Jesus Christ is shining in each of us.

One: Come, let us worship our Risen Christ, whose love and light guide us still.

*SONG of PRAISE and SUPPORTING HUMAN JUSTICE

“Woman In The Night” #188

*PRAYER of the DAY

Ever present God, we are grateful that you meet us right where we are. Speaking our language and giving us the blessed assurance that you are with us. We look forward to the glory that awaits us, trusting that Christ will guide us to our heavenly home. In his 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 Psalm 1 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

The Two Ways. Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers, 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 4 The wicked are not so but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in judgment, not sinners in the congregation of the righteous, 6 for the Lord watches over the ways of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

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

Life-giving God, we find joy in your newness of life through Jesus Christ. Help us feel the joy of inhaling and exhaling the breath of life in every season. Transform us when we come together as your beloved and diverse creation. Guide us in our praise as we seek your saving love toward a world where there is peace and justice for all. Amen.

WORDS OF GRACE

Loving God, in Christ we see the fulfillment of your promise to be with us always. Forgive us when we lose faith in your compassion for all creation. Help us to see the great sacrifice of the Risen Christ as an example of your undying love for us all. Strengthen us to do better and to become better together in our relationship with you and all of creation. Hear our prayer, O God. Amen.

Moment for All God’s Children

*SONG “Kumbaya” #590

Prayer Concerns and Joys Lifted Up

PASTORAL PRAYER

SCRIPTURE John 17: 10-13 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them in your name that[a] you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost,[b] so that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves.[c]

MEDITATION – Rev. Marilyn Wilcox

MUSICAL MEDITATION – “Thy Word” #326

INVITATION to GENEROSITY

One: From the abundance of God’s generosity, all are invited to offer a portion of our gifts.

All: We offer these offerings to Christ’s church.

One: Remembering the great love that Christ has for all people,

All: We give these gifts to further spread the love of Christ in the world.

One: Blessing those who gave, and those unable to give.

All: We receive joy in this moment of giving.

One: May these offerings help fulfill our hope to be Christ’s love and light in the world.

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

Faithful God, we thank you for every gift. We delight in returning a portion of what we have been given back to Christ’s church. Your generous love and care for all creation knows no bounds. Like Christ who offered himself, let these offerings symbolize the fulfillment of your love by bringing a healing balm of hope, peace, and justice to everyone, everywhere. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

*COMMUNION (Please go to insert)

COMMUNION

*COMMUNION SONG “I come with Joy” #420

Praise and Thanks:

Let us pray:

Generous Love, you set the table long and wide and beautiful, with places not just for us

alone, but for everyone, saints and sinners of all times and places. For you know how

much we need each other, how much the consolation of company means to us, how good

it is to join the present and the past, how much deeper the love, sharper the vision, more

complete the memory, and more authentic the witness when it’s not just us alone.

In awe of your mercy, we ask you to unite us in peace, as we remember Jesus, your greatest gift

to us.

Remembering Jesus:

We remember the way he witnessed to your justice, shared your mercy, told the truth, and risked

everything for it. We remember his terrible death and his indestructible new life.

We remember that he called us to follow him.

We remember all his precious siblings, living and dead, whom he has made our siblings, too, and all

whose lives cry out for justice and hope. They are present here: we embrace them, never forgetting.

We remember the glory and the pain, the harm and the healing, what we have done and left

undone, in thoughts, words, and deeds, our costly faithfulness and our timid failings.

Asking for your mercy, and confident of your love, we come now to eat the meal that strengthens

our bonds of affection and our ties of accountability: the meal of persevering presence, of Love that

rejoices in our good and redeems our failings.

Prayer of the Holy Spirit:

Holy Spirit, bless what we do here in Jesus’ name, sharing with each other his bread and cup. Help

us meet him in this Communion, rejoicing in his affectionate company: not just us alone, but all of

us together, here and everywhere, now and forever. Amen.

Words Institution

Pastor: Jesus said: I am the bread of life. All who come to me shall not hunger, and all who believe

in me shall not thirst. We gather around these symbols of bread and wine–simple elements that

speak of nourishment and transformation and remember their significance.

Sharing the Elements

Prayer of Thanksgiving

All: We give thanks, loving God, that you have refreshed us at your table. Strengthen our faith;

increase our love for one another. As we have been fed by the seed that became grain, and then

became bread, may we go out into the world to plant seeds of justice, transformation, and hope.

Amen.

*SONG “Blessed Assurance” #543

BENEDICTION

Let us pray this prayer that can be sung in a round afterward, “Go, now in peace. May the love of God surround you, everywhere you may go.” 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: Fulfilled: Service Prayers for the Seventh Sunday of Easter was written by The Rev. Dr. Sheila Harvey, Pastor of Union Congregational United Church of Christ.

“Not Just Us” Communion Segment by Mary Luti from “DO THIS: Communion for Just and Courageous Living”

Warm Birthday wishes go out to:

Gloria Parkinson May 2nd

Donald Dobeck May 4th

Janice Ganusko May 5th

Larry Gilman May 6th

Brett Cooper May 7th

Julie Cummins May 8th

Heather McNamara May 16th

Fred Sontag May 17th

Daryl Jent Jr. May 21st

Eric Furman May 21st

Oscar Turcotte May 22nd

Kelly Ryan May 24th

Caroline Arsenault May 31st

Happy Anniversary goes out to:

Marilyn Wilcox & Michael Hinkley May 16th

Jane-Anne & Larry Crossman May 30th

Happenings at United Church:

Saturday, May 18th – Pastor Marilyn at Clergy Wellness Day
Next Sunday – worship at 10am both in person and virtual

Church Events Coming Up:

May 31st, Friday at 6pm Fireside Fellowship
The Next Book Study we will talk about The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carlson on June 30th at 6:30pm
Also on June 30th – Strawberry Shortcake after worship

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

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

This week we lift up in prayer: Vic, Kasey, Matt & Amy & Anne, Denny, Deborah and family, Janet, Jason & Megan’s engagement, Mike, 7 World Kitchen workers killed in Gaza last month: Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutala 25, Palestine; Lalzawmi (Zomi) Frankcom 43, Australia; Damian Sobol 35, Poland; Jacob Flickinger 33, USA & Canada; John Chapman 57, UK; James (Jim) Henderson 33, UK; James Kirby 47, UK; Pam McQuaid as she undergoes appointments at Dana Farber, Bob McQuaid’s brothers who are both having surgery this week, those affected by severe weather-related events, those in Ukraine and the Middle East, Ruth, Jackie, friends and family of Pastor Carol, family and friends of Amy, Marissa and Joe, Aunt Karen, Kristin, Tony, Johanna, Kate’s family in the loss of Gram Chris,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, cousin Jackie, Crosby, Beth, Naomi, Thurley, Michelle, MS, Donna’s Dad, Bob A., Al G., those affected by gun violence, Mae and her family, Sarah, Sandi, Lydia, Casey, Amira, Doug’s brother who had a seizure, Christian & Carrie, Meagen on the loss of her Dad Thomas, Sydney, Archie and Mabel, friends and family of Robert Anderson, and all others who have gone unnamed.

Joys: having young ones in church for Girl Scouting Sunday this past Sunday. Thanks to the leaders and scouts for coming!

A close up of a flower

Description automatically generated

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.
For those grieving or suffering due to the 5,600 gun violence deaths that happened in the US since the start of the year.
For those affected by the recent tornados and other climate-related storms.

Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving:

For summer camps and the opportunities to experience nature, make new friends, and explore faith.
For finding creative new ways to connect and partner.
For ways to celebrate the LGBTQ+ Community.
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.)

“Making Connections” The United Church of Clinton, 109 Haskell Ave., Clinton. Need to get out and socialize with others in the community? Just want a night out to connect with other people? Come for some refreshments, talk, and support.

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.

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 $200.00. 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 back to the home page and click the blue button on the right that says “online giving.”