The United Church of Clinton
May 31, 2026
Lay Leader, Alana Limber
Musician, Kate Lyczkowski
Lay Reader, Kelly Colby
Ministers, The People of God
WELCOME TO WORSHIP
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
RINGING of the BELL/TIME of CENTER
*CALL to WORSHIP
Leader: Shout it out–no holding back!
People: There is truth that needs to be spoken.
Leader: Let the people rise and hear it.
People: We are listening. We stand ready.
Leader: Shout to the weary, the overlooked, the worn-thin:
People: With courage, we gather. With voices, we speak words of life.
People: Shout to the hearts carrying hidden weigh,
People: The Holy One meets us here in our honesty.
Leader: Shout to the systems that press people down.
People: Their power is not the final word. A new song is rising–
People: A song that frees, a rhythm that restores, a melody of reparation.
Leader: Shout to the builders, the dreamers, the stubbornly hopeful:
People: The time has come for burdens to lift, for the grip of harem to loosen, for the rebuilding of what has been broken.
Leader: Come, Beloved Community, Come. bring your resolve, your compassion, your wide-awake faith.
All: Let us worship the God who calls us to remove every yoke.
*SONG of PRAISE and SUPPORTING HUMAN JUSTICE
“Here I Am, Lord” #452
*PRAYER of the DAY
Calling Voice That Won’t Be Silenced, we come into this moment carrying the weight of our days–the strain we feel in our bodies, the struggle we witness in our neighbors, the burdens that press on our shared life. Draw near to us now. Gather our scattered breath. Steady our trembling places. Kindle in us a courage that does not look away. You are One who refuses empty rituals and meets us instead in acts of mercy, in the work of lifting burdens, in the rebuilding of what has been harmed. Open us now–open our hearts to compassion, open our imaginations to repair, open our hands to the work of freeing one another. Let this time be honest, let this gathering be brave, and let your Spirit move among us with the power to uproot what harms and to plant what heals. We are here. Speak to us. Lead us. Remake us for your justice and joy. 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)
Moment for All God’s Children
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.
*SONG “Lead Me, Guide Me” #583
SCRIPTURE Psalm 112: 1-9 (Common English Version)
Praise the Lord! Those who honor the Lord, who adore God’s commandments, are truly happy! 2 Their descendants will be strong throughout the land. The offspring of those who do right will be blessed; 3 wealth and riches will be in their houses. Their righteousness stands forever. 4 They shine in the dark for others who do right. They are merciful, compassionate, and righteous. 5 Those who lend generously are good people—
as are those who conduct their affairs with justice. 6 Yes, these sorts of people will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever! 7 They won’t be frightened at bad news. Their hearts are steady, trusting in the Lord. 8 Their hearts are firm; they aren’t afraid. In the end, they will witness their enemies’ defeat. 9 They give freely to those in need. Their righteousness stands forever. Their strength increases gloriously.
PRAYER of TRANSFORMATION and NEW LIFE
Calling Presence who knows our hidden places, we admit that we have not always chosen the path that frees. We have stayed silent when truth asked for our voice; we have protected our comfort when compassion asked for our hands; we have waited for others to do the work you entrusted to us. Loosen our resistance, lift the habits that keep us from seeing one another clearly, and break the patterns that bind us to what harms. Teach us the courage to act with mercy. Teach us the disciple of repair. Teach us the way of releasing what we cling to so that others may breathe more easily. Let this moment mark a turning–a turning toward your justice, a turning toward your tenderness, a turning toward the shared life you imagine for us. In your grace, make us new. Amen.
WORDS OF GRACE AND ASSURANCE
Hear the good news: The one who calls us out in truth, meet us not with shame, but with mercy that lifts what is heavy and compassion that steadies our steps. When we turn toward justice, God’s healing begins working in us. When we loosen what harms, God loosens the weight within us. When we offer ourselves to repair, God says to us, “Here I am.” In this promise, receive your freedom. In this grace, begin again. Amen.
Prayer Concerns and Joys Lifted Up
PASTORAL PRAYER
SCRIPTURE Matthew 5: 13-20 (Common English Version)
Salt and light13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people’s feet. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven. Jesus and the Law 17 “Don’t even begin to think that I have come to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I haven’t come to do away with them but to fulfill them. 18 I say to you very seriously that as long as heaven and earth exist, neither the smallest letter nor even the smallest stroke of a pen will be erased from the Law until everything there becomes a reality. 19 Therefore, whoever ignores one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called the lowest in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps these commands and teaches people to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 I say to you that unless your righteousness is greater than the righteousness of the legal experts and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Meditation – Alana Limber
Musical Meditation
INVITATION to GENEROSITY
Faithful Friends of God, The prophets tell us that devotion is revealed in the way we lighten each other’s load–right here, in our streets and neighborhoods, where strain is real and hope needs partners. When we give, we join the work of lifting burdens and repairing the places we call home. Let our offering be simple and true: open hands, willing hearts, and commitment to our shared life. Let us give.
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 THANKSGIVING and DEDICATION
Calling Voice Who Lead Us Toward Freedom, we give thanks for every gift offered today–for open hands, willing hearts, and the courage to imagine a shared life made whole. Bless what we have brought. Let it move where relief is needed, where repair can begin, where dignity can rise. Make these gifts more than generosity–make them instruments of justice, seeds of compassion, signs that your vision is taking root among us. For every burden lifted, for every neighbor tended, for every act of mercy made possible, we give thanks. Carry us forward in this work with gratitude deep enough to shape the world we are building together. Amen. (go back to inside back page to “Shine, Jesus Shine”)
*SONG “Shine, Jesus, Shine”
Refrain
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father’s glory,
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire;
flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with grace and mercy,
send forth your word, Lord,
and let there be light.
1. Lord, the light of your love is shining
in the midst of the darkness shining;
Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us,
set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me.
Refrain
2. Lord, I come to your awesome presence
from the shadows into your radiance;
by the blood I may enter your brightness,
search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.
Refrain
3. As we gaze on your kingly brightness,
so our faces display your likeness;
ever changing from glory to glory,
mirrored here may our lives tell your story.
Shine on me, shine on me.
Refrain
BENEDICTION
May the Way, Truth and Life go with you, the Presence that unsettles what must change and steadies what must endure. Let the weight on your shoulders grow lighter, not by forgetting it, but by letting others walk beside you. Carry within you a courage that listens deeply, and imagination wide enough to rebuild ruins, and a tenderness fierce enough to unlearn every habit of harm. And as you go–into streets that need mending and neighborhoods aching for breath–may you hear the Holy murmur “Here I am” in every burden, in every act of mercy, in every small unraveling of the yoke. Go in boldness. Go in gentleness. Go in the sacred work of making all things whole. Amen.
SUNG “Amen”(feel free to clap along!)
Postlude
* Please stand if you are able.
Bold– Words in bold are said in unison.
Our worship has ended ~ Let our service begin!
Warm Birthday wishes go out to:
Gloria Parkinson May 2nd Donald Dobeck May 4th
Larry Gilman May 6th Brett Cooper May 7th
Julie Cummins May 8th Heather McNamara May 16th
Fred Sontag May 17th Eric Furman May 21st
Oscar Turcotte May 22nd Kelly (Ryan) Fay May 24th
Mike MacInnis May 25th Jane Patterson May 29th
Happy Anniversary wishes go out to:
Pastor Marilyn Wilcox & Michael Hinkley May 16th
Remove the Yoke: Service Prayers for Epiphany 5A was written by Rev. Michael Anthony Howard, who serves as the Minister of Faith in Action for the Living Water Association, Ohio NorthEast, of the Heartland Conference, United Church of Christ. Michael’s work supports congregations as they weave theology, justice, and place-based ministry into faithful action that bears prophetic witness to God’s dwelling among us.
For all joys and concerns mentioned in the Pastor’s Tuesday email.
Remember in your prayers our special members: June and Edie K.
THE UNITED CHURCH OF CLINTON
109 Haskell Avenue Clinton, Massachusetts 01510
Website: clintonunitedchurch.org E:Mail: Uccclintonma@gmail.com
rev.marilyn.uccclintonma@gmail.com
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.
Support Our Church’s Local Community Meal Mission!
The United Church of Clinton is committed to nourishing our community through a monthly pizza meal at the WHEAT Community Cafe. Each month, our congregation generously provides a delicious dinner featuring pizza, Caesar salad, and cookies – all at a cost of over $200!
How You Can Help
Your donation can make a real difference in supporting this vital local outreach program. By contributing, you help ensure that neighbors in need receive a warm, nutritious meal on the third Monday of the month.
Why It Matters
WHEAT Community Connections serves residents in Clinton and surrounding towns, providing critical food support and community connection. Every contribution helps sustain this important mission of care and compassion through our donation of a monthly meal.
Call to Action
Please consider giving to this meaningful local outreach and help keep our part in providing these community meals going strong!
Online Giving Did you know that you can process your weekly contribution
or any other donation supporting The United Church of Clinton go back to our website home page? Click the blue button on the right that says “online giving.”