Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

Call to Worship
O God, creator of light and life, look upon these good people gathered here and lead us in our worshiping this day; that our words may praise you, and our lives may bless you, and our meditations glorify you, through Christ Our Lord.

Introit

Prayer of Invocation
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray together:
We begin worship by confessing our sins and asking for your forgiveness for the ways we have compromised our trust in you. We occupy this space and approach your presence with repentant hearts. We come before you now with sincerity, hope and faith. May this room and the people in it be a sign that your Kingdom is real. Amen.

Opening Hymn: “Giver of Life, Where’er They Be”

Scripture Reading   Matthew 16:24-26, 26:6-13    Stefan Stauber

Sermon Title: The Crosses We Bear

Hymn: “O Day of God, Draw Near”

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer

Musical Interlude

Offertory: 2nd Offering for Margaret’s Pantry

Invitation

Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God, above ye heavenly host;
Praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!

Dedication

COMMUNION

Invitation

Blessing the Wine and Bread

Distribution

Unison Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Gracious God, we give you thanks that you have joined us at this table and blessed us with the presence of Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the worlds with courage to work for peace among people and nations, that we may bring the Kingdom of God. Amen.

Closing Hymn: “This is My Song”

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
One: God moves with us throughout this earth and nurtures the soil.
Many: Our neighbors are awed by God’s works.
One; god’s river flows with water, and the fields are blessed by the Spirit.
Many: Our neighbors are awed by God’s gifts.
One: God’s wilderness fields overflow with joy.
Many: Our neighbors are awed by God’s grace.

Prayer of Invocation
Lord God in heaven, we confess that we try to measure our faithfulness by comparing ourselves with others. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us as sinners. Forgive us O God where we fail to see your Spirit’s work in others, in those who have lived before us. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us as sinners. Forgive us for choosing comfort and convenience over faithfulness. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us as sinners.

Opening Hymn: “Standing in the Need of Prayer”

Words of Assurance
God fully shares mercy and grace no matter where we sit in our churches or what our power is in this world. May we know your radical love when we rarely experience it. May your light and kindness seep from our souls so that our neighbors will understand your grace even when the harsh winds surround them. No matter how chaotic or serene our lives may be, may we all know your steadfast love. Amen.

Scripture Reading   Luke 18:9-14   Sharon Midyette

Sermon

Hymn: “Amazing Grace”

Sharing Time– Our Joys and Concerns

Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer

Offertory Message
Thank you for sharing your gifts for the ministry with the United Congregational Church of Holyoke

Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!

Prayer of Dedication
Holy God, Source of Goodness and Grace,
We thank you today for all you have given to us. When we bear more power and privilege, we are called to share more of our talents, time, and treasures. In our efforts to seek humility and balance, may we soberly evaluate our gifts and understand the healthiest ways to apportion them to strengthen your Realm and love your children. Amen.

Closing Hymn: “Spirit of the Loving God”

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour
Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God
Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
One: Righteous God, you are always listening to us.
Many: We come with courage, raising our praise to you, because we know you hear us.
One: Lover of Justice, you reveal your truth to us.
Many: You help us to see things as they are and also how they might be.
One: Eternal One, you are persistent in your love for us and all creation.
Many: Teach us that we might persist in love as well.

Opening Prayer
O God of Truth, we invite you to come to us so that we might experience the breadth of your love. we are thankful that justice flows from you like a stream, that justice is an infinite and indispensable part of your love. Help us to be steadfast in our hope, as we work alongside others to create a world of justice and peace. AMEN.

Opening Hymn: “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”

Words of Affirmation
God is the source of all grace, love, and justice. Because we are made in God’s image, we know those same gifts flow through us. God’s justice in manifest in the fullness of who we really are. Thanks be to God.

Scriptures
New Testament Scripture   Psalm 121   Tim Damon
Gospel Lesson   Luke 18:1-8   Rev. Carrie Bail

Sermon Title: “Don’t Lose Heart’

Hymn: “Let Justice Flow Like Streams”

Sharing Time — Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer

Offertory Message and Second Offering for Rebekah’s Closet
Thank you for sharing your gifts for the ministry with The United Congregational Church of Holyoke.

Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below; 
Praise God, above ye heavenly host;
Praise the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen!
Prayer of Dedication

Closing Hymn: “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing of the Light of God

Welcoming 

All who are able, please stand

Responsive Call to Worship (from Psalm 111)
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

Unison Prayer of Invocation
Lord, open our hearts and our minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that s the scriptures are read, as the hymns are sung, as our prayers are shared, and as your Word is spoken that we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.

Opening Hymn: “Great Is Thy Foundation”

Words of Assurance

Scripture Readings
2 Timothy 2:8-15     Ed Lynch
Luke 17:11-19          Paula Thoin

Sermon Title: “Gratitude”

Hymn: “Softly and Tenderly”

Sharing Time — Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer

Offertory Message
Thank you for sharing your gifts for the ministry with The United Congregational Church of Holyoke

Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen!

Prayer of Dedication

Closing Hymn “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go”

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

Call to Worship

Introit

Prayer of Invocation
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray together:
We begin our worship by confessing our sins and asking for your forgiveness for the ways we have compromised our trust in you. We occupy this space and approach your presence with repentant hearts. We come before you now with sincerity, hope and faith. May this room and the people in it be a sign that your Kingdom is real. Amen.

Opening Hymn: “From All That Dwell Below the Skies”

Scripture Reading

Matthew 14:13-21     Myra Cardona-Grammo

Sermon Title: A Seat at the Table

Hymn: “O Holy Spirit, Root of Life”

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Time of Silent Reflection & the Lord’s Prayer

Musical Interlude

Offertory:

Invitation

Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen!

Dedication

COMMUNION
Invitation
Blessing the Wine and Bread
Distribution
Unison Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Gracious God, we give you thanks that you have joined us at this table and blessed us with the presence of Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth in to the world with courage, to work for peace among peoples and nations, that we may bring the Kingdom of God. Amen.

Closing Hymn: “Lord Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship

Introit

Prayer of Invocation
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray together:
We begin our worship by confessing our sins and asking for your forgiveness for the ways we have compromised our trust in you. We occupy this space and approach your presence with repentant hearts. We come before you now with sincerity, hope and faith. May this room and the people in it be a sign that your Kingdom is real. Amen.

Opening Hymn: “God is Here! As We Your People Meet”

Scripture Readings

1 Kings 17:7-24  Paula Thoin

Mark 9:14-29  Rev. Randy Purinton

Sermon Title: How Can I Help?

Hymn: “Dear God, Embracing Humankind”

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Time of Silent Reflection & the Lord’s Prayer

Musical Interlude

Offertory Message
Thank you for sharing your gifts for the ministry with the United Congregational Church of Holyoke.

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen!

Prayer of Dedication

Closing Hymn: “Sweet, Sweet Spirit”

Benediction

Postlude