Worship – The United Church of Clinton

WELCOME TO WORSHIP

Fifth Sunday of Easter

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

RINGING of the BELL/TIME of CENTERING

*CALL to WORSHIP

One: Christ gives us a new commandment:

Many: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

One: When we love one another as Christ has loved us, we will live lives full of joy.

Many: We will live with God’s love deep in our hearts.

One: Let us worship the one who shows us how to love.

Many: Let us worship with joy! Alleluia!

*SONG of PRAISE and SUPPORTING HUMAN JUSTICE

“Gather Us In” #284

*PRAYER of the DAY

Loving God, we remember your Child’s commandment to love one another as he has loved us. May this time of prayer and reflection remind us of the love we have in Jesus. As we leave this sacred place, may we be filled with joy as we share his love with others. 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 1 John 4: 7-21

God is Love. Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16 So we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may hold boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in the world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love[a] because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, “I love God,” and hate a brother or sister are liars, for those who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

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

Jesus, our sibling and friend, we confess that we do not always love one another. Our divisions and disagreements so often prevent us from knowing the joy of meaningful relationships. Even as we seek to follow your example, we forget that we are chosen and appointed by you to bring hope to a weary world. Help us renew our focus and live by your will…that we may follow you with joy in our hearts. Amen.

WORDS OF GRACE

Leader: Jesus no longer calls us servants, but friends. Each relationship is a new opportunity to abide in Christ’s love, and a reminder that we can start again.

Many: We are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

Moment for All God’s Children – “Something to Protect the Earth”

*SONG “Loving Spirit” #244

Prayer Concerns and Joys Lifted Up

PASTORAL PRAYER

SCRIPTURE 1 John 3: 16-24

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us–and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters. 17 How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18 Little children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us, for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God, 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

MEDITATION – Alana Limber

MUSICAL MEDITATION

INVITATION to GENEROSITY

Jesus has appointed us to bear fruit that will last. Fruit that will bring love and justice. Joy and hope. Bring what you can; together, the gifts we offer can transform lives.

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

Loving God, we remember that one of Christ’s most important commandments is loving one another. With these gifts, help us show this love in our words and actions, caring for the vulnerable and offering hope in times of despair. Amen.

*SONG “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” #514

BENEDICTION

Friends of God, as you leave this place, remember that God has chosen you to share the love you’ve found with a world of need. Go bear fruit that will last. Let your joyful hearts be signs of hope in these anxious times.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: Chosen and Appointed: was written by Rev. Jacob Nault, Pastor of Union-Congregational Church in Waupun, WI. He also works alongside the UCC’s Disabilities Ministries Board to provide music, liturgy, and other resources on issues of disability justice.

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.
For those grieving or suffering due to the 4,8500 gun violence deaths that happened in the US since the start of the year.
For a healthier planet.
For those suffering from dismissal, teasing, and bullying.

Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving:

For environmental ministries and Green Congregations.
For community mission work.
For donors and their hopes for change.
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: 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 and extreme weather events, 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: That JJ walked away from a serious car accident (thank you Jesus!), Kelly’s time spent with Denise, and special time with Gram Chris by Kate and family prior to Gram Chris’ death.

Happenings at United Church:

Wednesday 4pm – Pastoral Relations Committee
Next Sunday we worship at 10am both in person and virtual

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.

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.”