Worship

WELCOME TO WORSHIP

March 30, 2025




Fourth Sunday in Lent

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS   

RINGING of the BELL/TIME of CENTER

*CALL to WORSHIP 

One: Have you come far to be here today?

Many: You enlarge our gathering: welcome!

One: Have you come from around the corner?

Many: You anchor our gathering: welcome!

One: Do you seek sanctuary? Do you seek inspiration?

Many: May this worship meet you.

One: Do you come with purpose? Do you come with questions?

Many: We welcome you as you are!

*SONG of PRAISE and SUPPORTING HUMAN JUSTICE

  “Bring Many Names”                                                                                     #10

*PRAYER of the DAY 

Holy One, we come into your presence and the presence of this fellowship. We are seeking a little light, some hope, healing. Open us to know you, to receive you and find here your transforming love. 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   Joshua 5: 9-12

The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” So the place was called Gilgal,[a] as it is today. Passover 10 The Israelites camped in Gilgal. They celebrated Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month[b] on the plains of Jericho. 11 On the very next day after Passover, they ate food produced in the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped on the next day, when they ate food produced in the land. There was no longer manna for the Israelites. So that year they ate the crops of the land of Canaan. 

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.

*SONG “Softly and Tenderly”                                                                                  #340                          

(Children leave for Sunday School during song)

PRAYER of TRANSFORMATION and RESTORATION 

Dear God, your gifts are generous and yet we often fail to appreciate what we have been given. We demand more, but squander what we have received. Forgive us for taking for granted what we receive from you. When we fail to accept what you offer, or fail to steward those gifts, bring us back to awareness of you. Amen.

WORDS OF GRACE 

However far we wander, God is always ready to receive us, to enfold us in love and grace. In the name of Jesus, you are forgiven.

Prayer Concerns and Joys Lifted Up

PASTORAL PRAYER 

SCRIPTURE  Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32

Meditation – Rev. Marilyn Wilcox

MUSICAL MEDITATION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

INVITATION to GENEROSITY 

Remembering the gifts we have received, let us make our offering to God’s work through this church.

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

Gracious God, bless these gifts and our lives to your service.

*SONG  “Lead Me, Guide Me ”                                                                             #583

BENEDICTION 

May you trust that God’s unfailing love and blessings go with you this day and always. 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!

Squandered: Service Prayers for the Fourth Sunday in Lent was written by the Rev. Ruth Garwood, a transitional pastor in the Heartland Conference, a certified facilitator of Sacred Conversations to End Racism, and a certified InterPlay leader.

Warm Birthday wishes go out to:

Aggie Feliciano  March 2nd                                                        

Laura Allen  March 6th                                                                      

Robert Ryan  March 6th                                                              Gabby Turcotte  March 7th

Michael Hinkley  March 10th                                                     Jake Poulin  March 15th

Tiffany McElroy  March 22nd                                                     Mike Sawyer  March 24th

Tim Reilly  March 25th                                                                Meghann Pagliarini  March 31st

Happy Anniversary goes out to:

Ron & Sue Oja  March 20th

Prayers of Intercession:

  • Prayers for peace as wars and conflicts continue to escalate around the world. Injustices and inequalities manifest as racism, discrimination, gender-based violence, economic disparities, and other issues.
  • For those grieving or suffering due to the 2,100 gun violence deaths that happened in the US since the start of the year. 
  • For those suffering from all that is hurtful, demeaning, inhuman, and unjust.

Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving:

  • For building deep relationships for cross-cultural and interracial collaborations.
  • For legacy gifts that help to deepen other ministries.

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.

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

This week we lift up in prayer:   Edie & April, First Parish Church in Berlin, Mike, Michelle, a family going through a rough time, all those observing Nick’s death anniversary, Jackie, Rum (the ferret undergoing surgery), Carol in the loss of her son- Michael, Laurie in the anticipated loss of her job, all facing unemployment, joy in a visit from an uncle, Victoria and Bonnie joining us in church, those who have needs/concerns that go unspoken at this time, Francene, Emily, Monique, Vic, Al, those facing breast cancer and other illnesses, Kim and family, Leanne, Connie & Henry, Gloria Popp, Mary Ellen, June, Everett, those affected by extreme weather events, those affected by gun violence, and all others we now lift up in prayer…

This week in our church:

                –        Tuesday, Social Justice meeting 7pm (Zoom)

  • Wednesday, Girl Scouts 5:30pm
  • Wednesday, “Icons of Lent” is an Ecumenical Lenten Series being held at the Clinton Presbyterian Church, 155 Chestnut Street, from 7-8pm on Wednesday nights throughout Lent. The first meeting is Wed. March 12th. This program will be offered virtually for those who wish to participate that way. It is being led not only by local clergy, but by Laura Garrity-Arquitt, a staff member from the Icon Museum.  A link will be posted at www.PresbyterianClinton.org  during these Wednesday evenings.
  • Thursday, 6pm Servants in Faith (in office)
  • Thursday, 6:30pm Diaconate (in office)
  • Next Sunday – 10am Worship Live and Virtual

 Please keep our special members and friends in your prayers:  June, Edie K., Mary Ellen P., and Everett. 

Today we will be collecting funds for One Great Hour of Sharing. Envelopes for this collection are on the side.

Our next Book Study will be on Elaine Pagels  “Gnostic Gospels.” We will meet Sunday evening via Zoom at 6:30pm on May 4th giving folks plenty of time to read the book and also time to participate in the Lenten series offered by the Icon Museum.

*If you have not already-please pick up a pledge card at the church (or let Kelly know you need one mailed to you) and let us know how much you can financially support us this year. We thank you for your generosity. Please mail it to the church office or leave it in the offering plate.

  • 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.”
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  • 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.