Worship

WELCOME TO WORSHIP

June 1, 2025


Communion Sunday

Seventh Sunday of Easter

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS   

RINGING of the BELL/TIME of CENTER

*CALL to WORSHIP 

One: Creator, today we give you thanks

All: for the diversity of which all of Your creation is birthed.

One: Creator, today we give you thanks

All: for the knowledge that we aren’t always right and for the capability to change.

One: Creator, today we give you thanks

All: for the positivity, resistance, and beauty in this world. Let us worship God!

*SONG of PRAISE and SUPPORTING HUMAN JUSTICE

   “They’ll Know We Are Christians”                                                                                #494     

*PRAYER of the DAY 

Creator, be with us as we live into all that is possible. You sent us a human to show us the value and dignity and beauty of all people. You created the change of seasons as a reminder of the beauty of our planet. We are not made sinful by design as so many interpretations go–You created us in Your image with the capabilities of loving so vastly and so greatly that healing and reconciliation are possible. 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 (The Children are invited forward for a special message)

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.(Children leave for Sunday School after prayer.)

*SONG  “He Touched Me”                                                                                          #564   

SCRIPTURE   Psalm 97: 1-6

The Lord rules! Let the earth rejoice! Let all the islands celebrate! 2 Clouds and thick darkness surround God. His throne is built on righteousness and justice. 3 Fire proceeds before him, burning up his enemies on every side. 4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees it and trembles! 5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of the whole world! 6 Heaven has proclaimed God’s righteousness, and all nations have seen his glory.

PRAYER of TRANSFORMATION and RESTORATION 

Creator, you invite us to embody new understandings of collectivity and new ways of acting in and towards the world–and ask us instead, to give gratitude and love. Be with us as we change to become more of what You ask us to be–joyful in the journey towards reparations and true Grace.

WORDS OF GRACE 

We are indeed capable of opening our minds and our hearts and then to move in the world to live like Jesus had. We are looking up and looking out so that we may love, repent, and forgive one another for we do indeed sense the image of You sprinkled throughout all of Creation.

Prayer Concerns and Joys Lifted Up

PASTORAL PRAYER 

SCRIPTURE  John 17: 20-26

“I’m not praying only for them but also for those who believe in me because of their word. 21 I pray they will be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. I pray that they also will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. 22 I’ve given them the glory that you gave me so that they can be one just as we are one. 23 I’m in them and you are in me so that they will be made perfectly one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you have loved them just as you loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you gave me to be with me where I am. Then they can see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, even the world didn’t know you, but I’ve known you, and these believers know that you sent me. 26 I’ve made your name known to them and will continue to make it known so that your love for me will be in them, and I myself will be in them.”

Meditation – Rev. Marilyn Wilcox

MUSICAL MEDITATION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

INVITATION to GENEROSITY 

The ways in which we can give of ourselves are as vast as Creation on Mother Earth. You’re now invited to give accordingly – to give knowing that what we do here matters in the bigger picture of the blessings that the Creator has accorded 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

We give thanks to you Creator, for the invitation to be alive in a world full of possibility with open minds and open hearts to live with great joy until we meet again.

*COMMUNION         (found in insert)

*COMMUNION SONG “Seed, Scattered and Sown”                                       #395

Invitation to Communion

In Eastertide, we remember that our celebrations of new life don’t end with resurrection. It is this new day dawning that calls us to keep living into this newness by building up a new world. So let us practice resurrection and building up a new world this day by building our communion prayer together.

Let us pray: 

God of newness and abundance, we set this table with our prayers, remembering that it was you who set the table at that last supper with your friends. Be with us in this time of witnessing the Sacred and inspire us with your faith.

Story of the last supper

Sharing of communion

Prayer of Thanksgiving

As we share in the abundance of God’s love, may we come to know the presence of Jesus in our midst, and be reminded that to love Jesus is to feed and nourish each other. Amen.

*SONG   “Ours the Journey”                                                                                 #458

BENEDICTION 

And so it is Beloveds, move forward this week knowing the many ways we are fed begin first with understanding that your breath is my breath and that your actions dictate my actions. 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!

Open Minds: Service Prayers for the Seventh Sunday of Easter was written by Rev. Ellie Hutchinson, who serves  as the Minister for Congregational and Community Engagement for the United Church of Christ. Communion liturgy adapted from Dr. Sharon R. Fennema, who serves as Join the Movement toward Racial Justice Curator with UCC National Ministries.

Warm Birthday wishes go out to:

Catherine Irvine  June 2nd                                                                    Angela Pane  June 3rd

Will Jent  June 5th                                                                                  Christine Burgos  June 6th

Zack Newton  June 6th                                                                         Carlos Burgos  June 11th

Bailee McNamara  June 12th                                                              Drew Dobeck  June 19th

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

Happy Anniversary goes out to:

Debbie & Joe Facendola  June 6th

Have you been thinking of officially joining our church as a member? This is your chance! Please speak to Pastor Marilyn or a member of the Diaconate if interested. New member Sunday will be coming up on June 22nd, 2025.


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

In our prayers we lift up: the world, nation, community, those affected by gun violence and extreme weather events, Kevin, Jackie, Kurt, Teressa, Alana, Connie & Henry, Marcy, Francene, Emily, Gloria, June, Edie, Billy, Elizabeth’s surgery, the Champagne family on the loss of Robert, prayers for a job search, those with unexpected (and expected) job loss & anxiety, those facing housing issues, Lee, Anne, Brenda, Carolyn, Phil, Kim, Leanne and family, Aiden, Marie, Susan, Betty Ann, Will, Mike, Angela, Patti, Amy, Audrey, Cindy, Linda, Brian, those facing upcoming surgeries, Michelle, Joan, Olivia, elderly couple moving for rehab, a granddaughter who is struggling, Diane, those facing food/utility/housing insecurities, a struggling infant grandchild, siblings serving our nation, first responders, Pam’s aunt’s family, the Poulin family on the loss of Mary Ellen, the Wilcox family on the loss of Everett, Haddie, Alyssa, Derek, John, Nikki and family on the loss of Mike, students and teachers finishing up the school year, Steve, Kristen, Kerry, Lisa, Paula & JD, all service members, our diaper collection being delivered this week, the sun being in the sky, for family gatherings, for a great nephew Chase’s baptism and his parents Jessie & Shannon, for a new car, and all others that were left out–but God knows who they are.  Prayers for all listed and those whose names go unspoken.

This week in our church:

  • Thursday- 6pm (in office) Servants in Faith followed by Diaconate at 6:30pm. 

  • Saturday- from 9 to 1 pm (online) Southern New England Conference of the UCC Annual Meeting.
  • Next Sunday – 
  •                          10am Worship Live and Virtual

The Annual Meeting of the Southern New England Conference/UCC will be held on Saturday, June 7th- please be in touch with me if you would like to attend. This meeting is an online meeting and will just take up your morning.

Please keep our special members and friends in your prayers:  June, Edie, April, Mary Ellen’s family, and Everett’s family. 

Prayers of Intercession:

  • Prayers for peace as wars and conflicts continue to escalate around the world. 
  • For those grieving or suffering due to the 5,600 gun violence deaths that happened in the US in 2025. 
  • For those affected by the extreme weather, including the recent tornadoes and intense storms that hit the eastern half of the United States.
  • For the state of the church to evolve in form while remaining grounded in the timeless truth of God’s love and justice.

Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving:

For those who pray for us.

For delegates who will participate in the Annual Meeting.

For those who help strengthen the church.

Flowers for Altar, use the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the upstairs foyer to select your Sunday, indicate if the flowers are in memory/honor of someone. You will bring the flowers on the selected day.  Any questions please contact Kelly at uccclintonma@gmail.com or leave a message on the church answering machine 978-365-9232 or email Teressa at blgst2@comcast.net

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  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.

  • 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  right on our website?  Go back 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.