The United Church of Clinton
September 13, 2026
Minister, Rev. Marilyn Wilcox
Musician, Kate Lyczkowski
Lay Reader, Kelly Colby
Ministers, The People of God
WELCOME TO WORSHIP
Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
RINGING of the BELL/TIME of CENTER
*CALL to WORSHIP
One: Today is a Sabbath.
All: We are called to rest.
One: This space is for Sabbath.
All: We have come here to rest.
One: For all who are lonely…
All: May we find belonging.
One: For all who are weary…
All: May we find rest.
One: For all who labor…
All: May we find renewal.
One: For all who are not afforded belonging, rest, and renewal.
All: Let us find rest, and worship together the One who provides rest from labor, loneliness, and weariness.
*SONG of PRAISE and SUPPORTING HUMAN JUSTICE
“Crown Him with Many Crowns” #234
*PRAYER of the DAY
For all who are not afforded belonging, rest, and renewal: may we embody solidarity with those longing for community, wages, and sabbaths that everyone deserves. Today is a Sabbath. Let us find rest, and worship together the One who provides rest from labor, loneliness and weariness. Amen.
*AFFIRMING and CONNECTING (Passing of the Peace) We sing: “Peace be with You”.
* 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 “Awesome God”
Ending
Our God is an awesome God; Our God is an awesome God!
he reigns from heaven above Our God is an awesome God!
with wisdom, power, and love. Our God is an awesome God!
Our God is an awesome God!
repeat verse
SCRIPTURE Exodus 15: 1-3, 11, 20-21 (New International Bible)
The Song of Moses and Miriam. Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. 2 “The Lord is my strength and my defense[a], he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. 11. Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you–majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? 20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he is exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.”
PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION and NEW LIFE
We confess that our actions do not always affirm and honor each other. Our work is not always done in a spirit that is pleasing to you. We admit that we have failed to end an unjust system. Creator God, help us to be your people, working for a world where all workers are valued. A world where all workers everywhere share in the abundance that you have given us.
WORDS of GRACE
God is merciful and just, slow in anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Know this, we are forgiven and we may again now walk in the way of peace, hope and love. Thanks be to God! Thanks be to God!
Prayer Concerns and Joys Lifted Up
PASTORAL PRAYER
SCRIPTURE Romans 14: 5-12 (New International Bible)
One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat. 11 It is written: “As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; and every tongue will acknowledge God.’”[b] 12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
Meditation – Rev. Marilyn Wilcox
Musical Meditation
INVITATION to GENEROSITY
The witness of our sacred texts and generations of prophetic leaders is clear: when we have enough – and more than enough – to meet our needs, our call is to share until all others have their needs met. Let us hold our desire to love one another as God has loved 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 (Creator, Christ, and Spirit One/Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). Amen. (turn over)
PRAYER of THANKSGIVING and DEDICATION
God of Justice, Mercy, and Fairness: We commit ourselves and these offerings unto you, that your will and ways may be manifested in our lives, within your assemblies, and spread forth that the powers that be might serve your purposes until all are fed, housed, cared for, work with dignity, and all of these things done in ways that preserve the sanctity of this one precious earth. Amen.
*SONG “Ours the Journey” #458
BENEDICTION
Now as you go from this place, go to fulfill God’s purposes that all may know of God’s love, and that be seeking justice and mercy for all of God’s people within our homes, neighborhoods, communities, cities, and nations, God’s realm will be seen, known, and experienced now and throughout the ages.
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:
Will Slade September 8th Mars Ruperto September 10th
Erin Bezanson September 10th Kristen (Dietel) Jamieson September 13th
Dennis Bodak September 18th Deborah Bodak September 19th
Marilyn Wilcox September 23rd
Happy Anniversary go out to:
Kristen & Chris (Dietel) Jamieson September 21st
Kelly & Larry (Turcotte) Colby September 22nd
Prayers today are Adapted from Labor Sunday Liturgy by Rev. Ed Middleton and the Rev. Seth Wispelwey, Minister for Economic Justice in the United Church of Christ.
During the First Hymn we have a collection for the Item Appeal. 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.”