Worship Bulletin for Sunday, April 28, 2024
9:45am -10am Shared Music, Listening, & Singing Along
Ringing of the Hour
Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God
Welcoming
Opening Prayer
Gracious and Loving God,
As we gather in this sacred space, we come before You with hearts open wide. We
invite Your presence to dwell among us, to guide our thoughts, words, and actions
in this time of worship.
We thank You for this day’s gift and the opportunity to gather as a community of
faith. We recognize Your presence in the beauty of creation, in the fellowship of
believers, and in our love for each other.
God, we praise You and offer our prayers and thanksgiving. May our worship be
pleasing in Your sight, a sweet offering of love and devotion.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
All who are able, please stand
Call to Worship
One: In the stillness of this sacred space, let us gather our hearts and minds, for we are called to worship the Living God.
Many: As we gather, let us open ourselves to the movement of the Holy Spirit
among us.
One: In Jesus, we are connected in a covenant with one another.
Many: We come, seeking understanding and connection with the Divine.
One: Teach us to bear the fruit of your love for the whole world.
Many: May we be filled with that same love overflowing into the world.
One: And in the words of Jesus, we are reminded of our union with Him.
Many: May we abide in Christ, bearing fruit that glorifies God.
Opening Hymn “Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven” FOG # 339
Words of Assurance
Let us take comfort in the boundless love of our God, a love that surpasses all
understanding. In the embrace of this love, we find assurance.
Know that no matter how far we may have wandered, God’s love remains steadfast,
summoning us back into the warmth of His presence. In the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross, our sins were washed away, forgiven, and remembered no more.
Let us rest in the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Not our failures, not our doubts, not even death itself. For in Christ, we are made new, reconciled to God and one another.
Many: Let us rejoice in the forgiveness freely given, the love that knows no
bounds, and the eternal unity we share with God and each other. May this assurance fill our hearts with peace, our souls with joy, and our lives with purpose. Amen.
First Reading 1 John 4:7-21
Old Testament Reading Psalm 22:25-31
Gospel John 15:1-8
Sermon “Abiding in Love”
Hymn “We Love to Sing”
Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns
Time of Silent Reflection & 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 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
Prayer of Dedication
Dear God, Holy Vine Grower, you are love. May the offerings we share today be a
source of hope for the poor. Help us to live out your commandment to love others,
not just because we reach out to them as our sisters and brothers, but also because, as our sisters and brothers, they reach out to us as well. Amen.
Closing Hymn “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
Benediction
May the love of God surround you like a comforting embrace,
May the grace of Christ sustain you in every trial and race.
May the fellowship of the Holy Spirit fill you with peace,
May the fruits of the Spirit in your life never cease.
As you go forth from this place, may you abide in Christ’s love,
Bearing witness to His grace, reflecting His light from above.
May your hearts be filled with joy, your spirits lifted high,
As you walk in faith each day, under God’s watchful eye.
And now, may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
Guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, never demanding.
Go forth in His love, His strength, and His might,
To serve Him faithfully as children of the Light. Amen.
Postlude
Worship Bulletin for Sunday, April 21, 2024
9:45am -10am Shared Music, Listening, & Singing Along
Ringing of the Hour
Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God
Welcoming
Prayer of Invocation
All who are able, please stand
Call to Worship
One: Jesus, our Good Shepherd, gathers us in when we are scattered.
Many: We can depend on Christ’s love when we are lost and lonely.
One: When we are oppressed, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, cares for us.
Many: When we are threatened because of who we are, we can depend on
Christ’s protection.
One: We know Christ because Christ’s tenderness has guided us for generations.
Many: Christ knows us by name. Christ will lay down his very life for our
sake.
One: Let us worship our Good Shepherd, who cares for all of us with fierce love.
Many: Let us give thanks for Christ’s presence with us
Opening Hymn “Alleluia, Alleluia”
Words of Assurance
One: Beloved of God, receive this comfort. It is impossible to respond to every
need in this complicated world. A whole life of faith gives us the grace to lay down
our work, take the rest we need, and then refocus our energy toward the cause of the oppressed. Rest in the shelter of your Good Shepherd, knowing you can take up the cause again with restored souls.
Many: We are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
First Reading Acts 4:5-12 Tim Damon
Old Testament Reading Psalm 23 Paula Thouin
Gospel John 10:11-18 Robert Grammo
Sermon “Power to Lay It Down”
Hymn “Jesus Lives, Thy Terrors Now”
Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns
Time of Silent Reflection & 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 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, thank you for your gift of Jesus Christ, who cares for and protects
us. We return to you with these gifts, helping us care for others in our communities
and worldwide. Amen.
Closing Hymn “Loves Redeeming Work Is Done”
Benediction
Today, you have received the gift of Christ’s protective, unceasing love for you.
Because you are beloved, may all you do and all you are be a reflection of that love.
Fight for the powerless, help the weak, and provide for the needy because Jesus
offers for you. Amen.
Postlude
Worship Bulletin for Sunday, April 14, 2024
9:45am -10am Shared Music, Listening, & Singing Along
Ringing of the Hour
Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God
Welcoming Rev. Nathan Gonzalez
All who are able, please stand
Call to Worship
One: Hear the words of Jesus: “I am the good shepherd….I am the gate for the
sheep.”
All: Gather us into your flock. Welcome the weak and the strong, the young
and the old, the lost, the lonely and the leaders.
Bless us together as we listen for your voice.
One: Jesus says: “Don’t be afraid; only believe.”
All: We gather as your followers. We believe. Help our unbelief. We gather
and we question. Fill us with hope.
One: Jesus says: “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
All: Open our eyes and our minds, our hearts and our lips that we may
respond with awe and humility.
You are the way to wisdom. You are the light and life of the world.
Opening Hymn “Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove” Red #240
Words of Assurance Rev. Nathan Gonzalez
Holy One, loving mother and father of us all, you promise to be with us whenever
two or three gathered in your name. You offer your unending presence among us, in our lives and in the beauty of the creation that surrounds us. We give you thanks for your forgiving and unending love. Amen.
Christian Scripture Reading Acts 3:12-19 Martha May
Hebrew Scripture Reading Psalm 4 Ed Lynch
Gospel Luke 24:36b-48 Lynda Overlock
Sermon Trusting God at all Times
Hymn “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” Red #210
Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns
Time of Silent Reflection & 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 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
Prayer of Dedication Rev. Nathan Gonzalez
O God, whose richness is not found at the tables of those willing to exchange goods
for the sake of acquiring earthly riches, but rather is found at the table of
extravagant love for neighbor, we entrust these gifts to your care that they may
abound in your steadfast love for all persons. Use them for the building of your
beloved community here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Closing Hymn My Faith, It Is an Oaken Staff NCH #418
Benediction
God, help us trust you with our decisions and future. Let us lean on you with all our
hearts instead of relying on our own imperfect understanding. Give us clear
guidance in our life. I ask for your help to direct our path. May the love of God,
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us
this day and forevermore. Amen.
Postlude
Worship Bulletin for Sunday, April 7, 2024
9:45am -10am Shared Music, Listening, & Singing Along
Ringing of the Hour
Prelude Sonata no. 3 in A Major, mvt. 2 (Adiago) – Felix Mendelssohn
Bringing in the Light of God
Opening Prayer and Welcoming
Call to Worship
All who are able, please stand.
L: Into the house of God we are called to enter,
A: to worship and receive the gift of grace.
L: As we step towards this sacred space,
A: we acknowledge all that can distract or exploit.
L: God calls upon us to cleanse our houses of all that does not find its source in
God’s love.
A: Together we give ourselves in worship and right relations with our neighbor. Let us worship God.
Opening Hymn “He Lives” FOG #299
Prayer of Awareness
O God of temples and tables turned over, we enter this sacred space of worship
seeking your transformation and healing. Make us ready for the kind of turned
upside down world you are seeking to build among us. We have come to this place of worship to be changed, so turn over our tables and make us whole. In the name of Jesus our savior. Amen.
Lesson from the Hebrew Scripture Psalm 133 Martha May
Lesson from the Christian Scripture Acts 4: 32-35
Lesson from the Christian Scripture 1 John1:1-2:2
Sermon
Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns
We bring our hearts together as one, and call to you O’ God, to hear our
prayers – those we have shared and those we hold close. We give thanks for
our blessings and seek your guidance and your will in all our prayers. Amen.
Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer
Offertory Message and Second Offering for Margaret’s Pantry
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 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
Prayer of Dedication
O God, whose richness is not found at the tables of those willing to exchange goods
for the sake of acquiring earthly riches, but rather is found at the table of
extravagant love for neighbor, we entrust these gifts to your care that they may
abound in your steadfast love for all persons. Use them for the building of your
beloved community here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Sacrament of Communion
The Sacrament of Communion is offered to all who are present.
Communion Song “Breathe On Me, Breath of God” FOG #161
Invitation To Communion
Sisters and brothers, the Gospel tells us that Jesus was raised from
the dead, and on that same day he sat at a table with two disciples and was
made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
We gather here at this table to break bread with Jesus in our midst.
This is the table to which we come to celebrate life and to remember our past,
which is enfolded into and transformed by God’s future.
This is God’s inclusive table to which all are invited.
This is the joyful feast of the people of God, men and women,
all genders, all people, youth and children, who come from
east and west, from north and south, to gather at God’s table.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us, thanks be to God.
Amen
Words of Institution
The Bread of Hope
Sharing the Bread
The Cup of Joy
Sharing the Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We give you thanks, O God, that you have renewed us
at your table in fellowship with one another and with Jesus.
Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another
that we follow you in courage and peace. Amen.
Closing Hymn “How a Firm Foundation” FOG #32
The Benediction
God has turned our world upside down and called us to a life of transformation.
Now, go forth changed, called anew, and turned towards a God who makes us
whole. Amen and Amen!
Postlude
