The United Church of Clinton
August 23, 2026
Lay Leader, Timothy Reilly
Musician, Kate Lyczkowski
Lay Reader, Kelly Colby
Ministers, The People of God
WELCOME TO WORSHIP
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
RINGING of the BELL/TIME of CENTER
*CALL to WORSHIP (inspired by Psalm 105)
One: O give thanks to the Holy One; call on God’s name
Many: Make known God’s deeds among the peoples.
One: Sing of the Holy One’s abiding love, grace, compassion, and justice
Many: Rejoice in the God’s redemptive power
One: Seek the Holy One’s presence, strength, and wisdom
Many: Remember God’s wondrous works. Praise the Holy One!
*SONG of PRAISE and SUPPORTING HUMAN JUSTICE
“Sweet, Sweet Spirit” #261
*PRAYER of the DAY
Loving and Wonderful God, you make a home for us. You provide us shelter and sanctuary. You embrace us and uphold us. You come to us and go before us. We come to you now. We search for your presence in this world, in this community, and in this gathering. Let us connect with you and be reminded of the path of full and flourishing life you offer. Let us connect with one another and be reminded that your kingdom comes in us and through us for your glory. 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 “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”
1.Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2. Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy
3. Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love with all my soul.
4. make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving of ourselves that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
SCRIPTURE Matthew 16: 13-20 (Common English Bible)
Peter’s declaration about Jesus. Now when Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Human One is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15 He said, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter said, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” 17 Then Jesus replied, “Happy are you, Simon son of Jonah, because no human has shown this to you. Rather my Father is in heaven has shown you. 18 I tell you that you are Peter and I’ll build my church on this rock. The gates of the underworld won’t be able to stand against it. 19 I’ll give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Anything you fasten on earth will be fastened in heaven. Anything you loosen on earth will be loosened in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered the disciples not to tell anybody that he was the Christ.
PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION and NEW LIFE
Gracious and eternal God, we, like Jacob, struggle when confronted with hard things. We use avoidance to shield us from acknowledging and correcting the wrongs we have done and continue to perpetuate. We, like Joseph, fail to consider the impact we have on others and how we contribute to making life better or worse for those around us. We, like those jealous siblings, attempt to find our own way and create our own schemes rather than trusting in your love that knows no favorites and embraces us all. Help us to shift our attitude and behaviors toward accountability, reconciliation, and love. Amen.
WORDS of GRACE
Inheritors of the kingdom, rest assured that the Holy One’s love knows no bounds. Rest assured that God will companion with you when the struggles life presents overwhelm you. We are all capable of confronting hard things and doing the hard work of restoration through recognition, repair, and reconciliation. God is with us on the journey…helping us to carry the burdens and reducing the load. Be made new in Christ Jesus.
Prayer Concerns and Joys Lifted Up
PASTORAL PRAYER
SCRIPTURE 2 Samuel 20: 13, 15-17, 19-21 (Common English Bible)
Once Amasa was moved out of the road, everyone who followed Joab marched past in pursuit of Bichri’s son Sheba. 15 Then Joab’s men arrived and attacked Sheba at Abel of Beth-maacah. They piled up a ramp against the city, and it stood against the outer wall.[a] All of Joab’s troops were hammering the wall, trying to bring it down. 16 Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come over here, so I can talk to him.” 17 So Joab approached her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he answered. “Pay close attention to the words of your female servant,” she said. “I’m listening,” Joab replied. 19 I am one of the peaceful and faithful in Israel, but you are trying to kill a city that is one of Israel’s mothers! Why would you annihilate the Lord’s inheritance?” 20 Joab answered, “I would never, ever annihilate or destroy such a thing! 21 That’s not the issue. A man named Sheba, Bichri’s son, who is from the Ephraim highlands, has rebelled against King David. Just hand him over, and I’ll leave the city alone.” The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown over the wall to you!”
Meditation – Timothy Reilly
Musical Meditation
INVITATION to GENEROSITY
Let us bring our gifts as faithful stewards so that lives may be changed, needs may be met, and the kindom of God realized. Give generously and cheerfully as an act of grateful praise.
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
Giver of perfect gifts, refine these offerings and our hearts so that they may bear fruit. Bless each of us with the joy of gift giving and help us to know the good that our generosity lends to the world in your Holy and Precious Name. Amen.
*SONG “Down by the Riverside ” #673
BENEDICTION
May the God who loves you, give you the strength and compassion to love our neighbors tangibly, to protect the vulnerable, marginalized, and threatened, to make space for the stranger, to embrace our siblings, Go, in peace, to redeem the pain of the world, through ordinary and extraordinary acts of love and hope. 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:
Sophia Burgos August 6th Samantha Wheeler Jenner August 16th
Haleigh Dobeck August 20th Erin Gilchrest August 20th
Mason Taylor August 21st Guiseppe (Joe) Facendola August 27th
Amy Arpano August 29th
Happy Anniversary go out to:
Christine & Carlos Burgos August 5th
Chrissy & Donnie Dobeck August 5th
Laura & David Taylor August 28th
Lived as an Alien: Service Prayers for 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.”