Worship – The United Church of Clinton

The United Church of Clinton Scroll Down the page to see July 5th bulletin

June 28, 2026

Pastor, Rev. Marilyn Wilcox

Musician, Laura Troisi

Lay Reader, Tim Reilly

Ministers, The People of God

WELCOME TO WORSHIP

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

RINGING of the BELL/TIME of CENTER

*CALL to WORSHIP

Leader: Come, you who are weary and wounded, you who are radiant and rising–

People: We come as we are, beloved, and becoming.

Leader: Come, you who have been told you’re too much or not enough–

People: We come with our stories, our scars, and our strength.

Leader: Come, for you are sacred. You are seen. You are called.

All: We come to worship the One who made us in love and calls us to live in joy.

*SONG of PRAISE and SUPPORTING HUMAN JUSTICE

“There’s a Spirit in the Air” #257

*PRAYER of the DAY

Holy One, You who named us before we were born, You who claimed us in the waters of baptism, You who have walked with us through closets, protests, pulpits, and pews–Meet us here today. Make this space holy with your presence. Make our hearts soft enough to be moved and strong enough to be bold. Let joy rise, let fear fall away, and let your Spirit move freely among us. 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 “Breathe On Me, Breath of God” #254

SCRIPTURE Psalm 13 (The Message Translation)

^-2Long enough, God— you’ve ignored me long enough. I’ve looked at the back of your head long enough. Long enough I’ve carried this ton of trouble, and lived with a stomach full of pain. Long enough my arrogant enemies
have looked down their noses at me. ^3-4Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye,
So no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face. ^5-6I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms— I’m celebrating your rescue. I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers.

PRAYER of TRANSFORMATION and NEW LIFE

God of the Covenant, in you, we have new life. In you, we have a faithful companion. Yet, difficult moments confront us with the limits of our trust in you. We struggle to release control so that we might participate fully in your plan without fear, hesitation, or resistance. Help us, O God, to be your faithful service who trust you even through the tests and trials of life. May we know the assurance and peace of your eternal love. Amen.

WORDS OF GRACE AND ASSURANCE

The Holy One loves you and has made you participants in an everlasting covenant. God will not abandon you in despair or deprivation. Rather, the one who creates also sustains. There is a ram in the bush, and the Sovereign God will continue to provide. Receive the grace of God.

Prayer Concerns and Joys Lifted Up

PASTORAL PRAYER

SCRIPTURE Romans 4: 13-25 (NRSVUE)

God’s Promise Realized through Faith

¹³For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. ¹⁴For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. ¹⁵For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.¹⁶For this reason the promise depends on faith, in order that it may rest on grace, so that it may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (who is the father of all of us, ¹⁷as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”), in the presence of the God in whom he believed,^[^a^] who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. ¹⁸Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So shall your descendants be.” ¹⁹He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already^[^b^] as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), and the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. ²⁰No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, ²¹being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. ²²Therefore “it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” ²³Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone ²⁴but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe^[^c^] in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, ²⁵who was handed over for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.

Meditation – Rev. Marilyn Wilcox

(A sermon written by Rev. Megan Manus, Clinton Presbyterian Church)

Musical Meditation

INVITATION to GENEROSITY

God is still creating and still providing. Let us honor the continued and new gifts of God’s generosity by bringing forth a portion of what we receive so that all needs will be met. Let us participate in the realization of the kindom through offering material resources to the Body of Christ.

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 (Creator, Christ, and Spirit One/Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). Amen.

PRAYER of THANKSGIVING and DEDICATION

Generous God, may the gifts we bring provide for our community and neighbors just as you provided a ram for Abraham. Bless our time, talent, and treasure for your glory and your kindom. Amen.

*SONG “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is” #264

BENEDICTION

May we now be sent out as people who know who we are: Sacred. Seen. Called. Let our love be bold. Let our light be impossible to ignore. Let our joy be a sign of the world you are still creating. 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:

Catherine Irvine June 2nd Laura Taylor June 2nd

Angela Pane June 3rd William Jent June 5th

Christine Burgos June 6th Zack Newton June 6th

Carlos Burgos June 11th Bailee McNamara June 12th

Molly Arpano June 15th Drew Dobeck June 19th

Jean Lidstone June 22nd Ryan O’Toole June 28th

Happy Anniversary wishes go out to:

Debbie & Joe Facendola June 6th

It Shall Be Provided: Service prayers for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Year A was written by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology for the United Church of Christ. And also – prayers from ONA UCC Coalition Pride Sunday Resources.

During the First Hymn we have a collection for our monthly meal at WHEAT Community Cafe. Thank you for your generosity!

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

The United Church of Clinton

July 5, 2026

Lay Leader, Bob Lidstone

Musician, Laura Troisi

Lay Reader, Mike MacInnis

Ministers, The People of God

WELCOME TO WORSHIP

Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

RINGING of the BELL/TIME of CENTER

*CALL to WORSHIP

One: We gather as a people to worship the Holy One who considers our cries and responds to our conditions.

Many: We gather even when wearied by the world because we trust in God’s steadfast love.

One: Our souls may ask, “How long, Holy One?” Yet our hearts rejoice in your saving acts.

Many: We gather even when shaken and sorrowful because we hope in God’s steadfast love.

One: We gather to sing to the Holy One who has been generous with us.

Many: Our worship and our work testifies to the goodness of the God who prevails. Let us worship the God of Life!

*SONG of PRAISE and SUPPORTING HUMAN JUSTICE

“Standing In the Need of Prayer ” #579

*PRAYER of the DAY

God who provides, we acknowledge your presence that invites us to draw near to you. We glorify your name, for you, Holy and Righteous One, remain faithful to your creation. We open our hearts and minds to remember the testimonies of the past and to receive the truth revealed in your word for the present. May you delight in our praise as we honor you and encourage one another in the journey of faithful living. 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

SCRIPTURE Romans 7: 15-25 (Common English Bible)

¹⁵I don’t know what I’m doing, because I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do the thing that I hate. ¹⁶But if I’m doing the thing that I don’t want to do, I’m agreeing that the Law is right. ¹⁷But now I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it’s sin that lives in me. ¹⁸I know that good doesn’t live in me—that is, in my body. The desire to do good is inside of me, but I can’t do it. ¹⁹I don’t do the good that I want to do, but I do the evil that I don’t want to do. ²⁰But if I do the very thing that I don’t want to do, then I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it is sin that lives in me that is doing it.²¹So I find that, as a rule, when I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me. ²²I gladly agree with the Law on the inside, ²³but I see a different law at work in my body. It wages a war against the law of my through Jesus Christ mind and takes me prisoner with the law of sin that is in my body. ²⁴I’m a miserable human being. Who will deliver me from this dead corpse? ²⁵Thank God our Lord! So then I’m a slave to God’s Law in my mind, but I’m a slave to sin’s law in my body.

*SONG “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord” #306

God of the Covenant, in you, we have new life. In you, we have a faithful companion. Yet, difficult moments confronts us with the limits of our trust in you. We struggle to release control so that we might participate fully in your plan without fear, hesitation, or resistance. Help us, O God, to be your faithful service who trust you even through the tests and trials of life. May we know the assurance and peace of your eternal love. Amen.

WORDS OF GRACE AND ASSURANCE

The Holy One loves you and has made you participants in the everlasting covenant. God will not abandon you in despair or deprivation. Rather, the one who creates also sustains. Receive the grace of God.

Prayer Concerns and Joys Lifted Up

PASTORAL PRAYER

SCRIPTURE Matthew 11: 16-30 (Common English Version)

This generation ¹⁶“To what will I compare this generation? It is like a child sitting in the marketplaces calling out to others, ¹⁷‘We played the flute for you and you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song and you didn’t mourn.’ ¹⁸For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹Yet the Human One^[^a^] came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved to be right by her works.” Condemnation of Bethsaida and Capernaum ²⁰Then he began to scold the cities where he had done his greatest miracles because they didn’t change their hearts and lives. ²¹“How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible it will be for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done among you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed their hearts and lives and put on funeral clothes and ashes a long time ago. ²²But I say to you that Tyre and Sidon will be better off on Judgment Day than you. ²³And you, Capernaum, will you be honored by being raised up to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to the place of the dead. After all, if the miracles that were done among you had been done in Sodom, it would still be here today. ²⁴But I say to you that it will be better for the land of Sodom on the Judgment Day than it will be for you.” The Father and the Son ²⁵At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you’ve hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have shown them to babies. ²⁶Indeed, Father, this brings you happiness.²⁷“My Father has handed all things over to me. No one knows the Son except the Father. And nobody knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wants to reveal him. ²⁸“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. ³⁰My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”

Meditation – Bob Lidstone

Musical Meditation

INVITATION to GENEROSITY

Passing of the Plate

DOXOLOGY (Use whatever words are comfortable for you)

PRAYER of THANKSGIVING and DEDICATION

Generous God, may the gifts we bring provide for our community and neighbors just as you provided a ram for Abraham. Bless our time, talent, and treasure for your glory and your kindom. Amen.

*SONG “Marching to Zion” #707

BENEDICTION

Be confident that the Holy One will provide, for the promise of God is trustworthy, and the presence of God is enduring, Therefore, show up in the world, with boldness and clarity, that justice and righteousness will prevail, In the name of Holy Love and Everlasting Peace, May it be so for you and through you.

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:

Edie Shaw July 6th

Kylee Dobeck July 6th

Nancy Moran July 7th

Kelly Turcotte-Colby July 7th

Alison Zinsli July 7th Irving Dietel July 9th

Erin Ruperto July 15th Sue Smethurst July 15th

Maddison Arpano July 29th Reese Taylor July 30th

Debora Wheeler July 31st

Service prayers for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Year A was written by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology for the United Church of Christ.

During the First Hymn we have a collection for our monthly meal at WHEAT Community Cafe. Thank you for your generosity!

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.”