Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand.

Call to Worship
We come, our souls thirsting for God, our spirits longing for love.
We come to the One who gives us living water.
We come, with prayers in our hearts and words too painful to speak
We come to the One who listens to our hearts.
We come, with our brokenness and loss, and hope to be made whole.
We come to the One who knows all our secrets, and who brings peace to all of us, and to each of us.

Opening Prayer
God of our hearts, when our relationship with you was lying broken on the floor, you offered the Bread of Life to restore us to wholeness. When pride stiffens our necks so much we cannot bow down before you, you restore our souls with grace’s tender touch. When our ears are blocked with selfabsorption ,you open them wiht songs of grateful praise. Let us worship you in joy, O God our God. AMEN.

Opening Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision”

Affirmation
God does not disappoint us. Our sins are forgiven, our lives are made whole, we are sent forth to serve. In Jesus Christ, living water breaks through the roof of our hearts, in such abundance that we don’t have enough buckets to hold it all. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Scripture

John 4: 5-42 Read dramatically by Rev. Carrie Bail, Tim and Paula

Sermon Title: Living Water

Hymn: “When, Like the Woman at the Well”

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer

Taize Song: “In the Lord’

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: “The Old Rugged Cross”

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

Unison 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 your
forgiveness for the ways we have compromised our trust in you. We
occupy this holy space and approach your presence with contrite 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. Let us worship
in the light of your love. Amen.

All who are able, please stand

Opening Hymn: “Hope of the World” NCH # 46

Scripture Reading(s)
Old Testament Reading Excerpts from Genesis 18 Paula Thouin
Gospel Matthew 26:36-46 Rev. Randy Purinton

Sermon Title: W is for Watch

Hymn: “Rising in Darkness” NCH # 90

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer

Taizé Song “In the Lord”

Offertory and 2nd Offering for Margaret’s Pantry

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 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” NCH #77

Sung Benediction: “God Be with You” NCH #81

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
One: Blow the trumpet in Zion: gather the people.
Many: This is a time to return to God with all our hearts.
One: We return to God in repentance for all those things which we have
done that we should not have done, and for all those things we have left
undone which we should have done.
Many: Seeking forgiveness, we rend our hearts, not our garments.
One: We affirm that God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and
abounding in steadfast love.

Opening Prayer
Gentle God, we thank you for your Lenten walk through Galilee and
through our lives. We thank you for the healing grace and teaching
challenge of this journey. We thank you for the cross and the tomb and the
heavenly resurrection that call us forward. Be with us in these weeks as we
relive your story. AMEN.

Opening Hymn: “Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley” FOG 217

Affirmation
We are all part of the circle of love that began with Jesus, and which
reaches out to embrace the whole world, where the least of these find
dignity and everyone lives in peace. May it be so.

Scriptures
Genesis 2:15-17 and 3:1-7 Carrie Naatz
Matthew 4:1-11 Rev. Carrie Bail

Sermon Title: In the Wilderness

Baptism Hymn: “Child of Blessing, Child of Promise” NCH 325
(Verse 1 only)
The Sacrament of Baptism

Invitation to the Family
Child to be baptized: Malea Vega
Parents: Yenitza Baez and Gean Vega
Godparents: Luciana Baez and Yamiled Mary Galarza Mandoza
Jayden Fuentes and Julio Victor

Welcome (responsively):
Rev. Bail: Members and friends in Christ, we gather now to celebrate the
gift of grace in the sacrament of baptism.
All: There is one body and one Spirit.
There is one hope in God’s call to us.
Rev. Bail: There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and creator
of us all.
Address:
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came out of the water and heaven was
opened to him. The Spirit of God came down like a dove on him. The
sacrament of baptism is an outward, visible sign of the grace and love of
God. The promise of the gospel is not only to us but also to our children.
Baptism with water and the Holy Spirit is the mark of being accepted into
Christ’s church, the sign of their participation in God’s forgiveness, and
the beginning of their growth into full Christian faith and discipleship.
Questions of the Parents
Will you encourage this child to renounce the powers of evil and to
receive the freedom of new life in Christ?
We will, with the help of God
Will you teach this child that she may be led to profess Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior?
We will, with the help of God
Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciples, to follow in
the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and
justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best as you
are able?
We do, with the help of God
Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow with this child
in the Christian faith, to help her be a faithful member of the church of
Jesus Christ, by celebrating Christ’s presence, by furthering Christ’s
mission in all the world, and by offering the nurture of the Christian
Church so that she may affirm her baptism as an adult?
We do, with the help of God

Assent of the Congregation
Jesus Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations and to offer them the
gift of grace in baptism. Do you, who witness and celebrate this
sacrament, promise your love, support, and care, to the one about to be
baptized as she lives and grows in Christ?
Congregation: We promise our love, support, and care.

Prayer of Baptism
Bless by your Holy Spirit, gracious God, this water. Save those who
profess the name of Jesus Christ that sin may have no power over them.
Create new life in the one baptized this day that she may rise in Christ.
Glory to you, eternal God, the one who was and is and shall always be,
world without end. AMEN.

Act of Baptism By what name shall this child be called?
I baptize you in the name of the Creator, and of the Christ, and of the Holy
Spirit.
The Holy Spirit be upon you, child of God, disciple of Christ, member of
the church.

Prayer for the Baptized and the Parents and Godparents
Let us pray for the child baptized today.
Gracious God, you have filled the world with joy by giving us the gift of
Jesus. Bless this newly baptized baby. May she be filled with joy; may she
never be ashamed to confess personal faith in you. Bless her parents and
godparents. May they always show her their gratitude for the life you have
given them by loving and caring for her. Bless all your faithful people and
unite them in the peace of Christ. AMEN.

Hymn: “Just as I Am” NCH 207

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer

Taizé Song “In the Lord”

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: “God Loved the World” NCH 208

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

Unison 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 your
forgiveness for the ways we have compromised our trust in you. We
occupy this holy space and approach your presence with contrite 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. Let us worship in the light of your love. Amen.

All who are able, please stand

Opening Hymn: “Hope of the World” NCH # 46

Scripture Reading(s)
Old Testament Reading Excerpts from Genesis 18 Paula Thouin
Gospel Matthew 26:36-46 Rev. Randy Purinton

Sermon Title: W is for Watch

Hymn:  “Rising in Darkness” NCH # 90

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer

Musical Interlude

Offertory and 2nd Offering for Rebekah’s Closet

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

Closing Hymn: “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing” NCH #77

Sung Benediction: “God Be with You” NCH #81

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand
Responsive Call to Worship (from Psalm 112)
Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the LORD, who greatly delight in his commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.
They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the LORD.
Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.

Unison Prayer of Invocation
Lord, open our hearts and our minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as 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: “I Am Thine, O Lord” FOG # 455

Words of Assurance

Scripture Readings
First Lesson: Lift Up Your Voice! Isaiah 58:1-9 Ed Lynch
Gospel Lesson Let Your Light Shine Matthew 5: 13-20 Robert Grammo

Sermon Title: “Righteousness”

Hymn: “Take Time to Be Holy” FOG # 457

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer, 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

Closing Hymn: “Lead On O King Eternal” FOG # 595

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Unison 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 your
forgiveness for the ways we have compromised our trust in you. We
occupy this holy space and approach your presence with contrite 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. Let us worship in the light of your love. Amen.

Opening Hymn: “We Worship You, God” NCH 26

Scripture Reading(s)
Excerpts from Genesis 1 and 2 Tim Damon
Mark 4: 3-8 Rev. Randy Purinton

Sermon Title: The Good Seeds

Hymn: “In the Bulb There Is a Flower” NCH 433

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer

Musical Interlude

Offertory and 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 world with courage, to work for peace among peoples and nations, that we may bring the Kingdom of God. Amen.

Closing Hymn: “For the Fruit of All Creation” NCH 425

Benediction

Postlude

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

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship (adapted from Isaiah 49 in “The Message”)
One: Listen up, everyone! God has given us work to do.
Many: God has called each of us before we were even born.
One: It was God who named us.
Many: It is God who claims us.
One: The light of God’s love shines in us.
Many: Let’s shine God’s love into all the world!

Opening Prayer
God of Isaiah, you called the prophets but your message did not end with them. There is still work to be done, and we pray to hear your call afresh. Help us to claim our role as your beloved servants, knowing that you provide all that we need to do our work. You walked with us before we were even born, and you continue to hold us by the hand each and every day of our lives. We pray with the assurance of those
who have been called into fellowship with Jesus Christ. Amen.

Opening Hymn: “Arise Your Light is Come” NCH 164

Words of Assurance
God is faithful and ever-present. The God who knew us before our birth loves us still and strengthens us through the gift of Jesus Christ. God offers forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Enter into the light!

Scriptures

Isaiah 49- 1-7 Robert Grammo
Gospel John 1:29-42 Rev. Carrie Bail

Sermon Title: Come and See

Hymn: “Abide With Me” NCH 99

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:  “I Am the Light of the World” NCH 584

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
Leader: Jesus greeted his disciples with these words: “Peace be with you.”
People: We are longing for peace. The world is groaning for peace.
Leader: Jesus invited the people: “Come to me, you who are weary, and I will give you rest.”
People: We are worried and tired, but we have come here to listen, to pray, to question, and to hope.
Leader: Jesus blessed the crowds: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.”
People: We come in peace to love and serve the Holy One.

Prayer of Invocation
All: Holy and gracious God, awaken us this hour to the glory of Your
presence. Shine among us, so that the dullness within and without may be pushed back to reveal what is true and life-giving. Enable us to see the world as You created it to be, as You created us to be. May the light of Christ shine within us this day and all days. Amen

Opening Hymn:  “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”  FOG 318

Words of Assurance (John 1)
Leader: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
All: The Word became flesh and made a home among us. We have seen the glory of the One and Only who came from heaven full of grace and truth.
Leader: To all who receive the Word, to those who believe in the Christ, we become children of God.
All: We are God’s children, not born of human power or human decision, but children born of God’s grace. Amen.

Scripture Readings
Isaiah 42: 1-9 Pat Lavelle
Matthew 3: 13-17 Rev. Barbara Kershner

Sermon Title: On the Wings of a Dove

Hymn: “Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove” Pilgrim 240

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer, 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

Closing Hymn: “Savior Again to Thy Dear Name we Raise” FOG 519

Benediction
Leader: Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to what is good; render to no one evil for evil.
All: Strengthen the faint hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Leader: The grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand
Call to Worship
Leader: the Magi came from far away following a star, seeking wisdom, and offering their gifts.
People: We come from many places and the star sheds light on our path.
Leader: Arise, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Arise, and bring your gifts of song and praise and love.
People: We have come to the wondrous light, the light of the world, Christ Jesus.

Prayer of Invocation
Leader: We thank you, God, that you have spoken to people of faith at many times and in various ways, and that in Jesus, your living Word, you have revealed yourself among us. We come here longing once more to know your presence and to hear your word.
People: We seek your grace and mercy for the times we have lost our way and grown weary of the journey. We turn our face to your light, O God, and ask tha tyou guide us in the way of life and truth. With humble hearts we give thanks for your great love and faithfulness. Amen.

Opening Hymn: “Angels from the Realms of Glory”

Words of Assurance
All: This is the Good News. By Christ’s word and example we learn that God’s love has no bounds. Grace is unending. Those who hunger and thirst will be satisfied. Those who are lost will be found. In Christ we are forgiven and our lives and hopes are renewed. Glory to God in the highest and peace to all on earth.

Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 60:1-6     Carrie Naatz
Matthew 2:10-12    Ed Lynch

Sermon Title: Home by Another Way

Hymn: “As with Gladness Men of Old”

Sharing Time- — Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer, 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 the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!

Communion Hymn: “What Child is This”

Communion — (Everyone and anyone is welcome to this table — God’s table, You don’t have to be a member of this church of any church to share the bread and fruit of the vine (grape juice). Please wait to eat and drink until all have received and the minister invites us).

Invitation to Communion
One; God be with you.
Many: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
Many: We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
Many: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Communion prayer (pastor)
One: O God, who has called us from the shadows into the light, we remember your eternal promise to lead your people from bondage to freedom. We recall how in the fullness of time you gave us yourself in Christ Jesus, the light of the world. We thank you that by the power of your Holy Spirit we are born again as children of light. We remember that on the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, when he had blessed it, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying “Take, eat, this is my body, broken for you.” After supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

By the presence of you Holy Spirit may these gifts we offer be transformed from ordinary to holy things, so that as we eat and drink of them we may be fed and nourished with the presence of Christ and so bel united with him until we shall feast face to face at the glorious banquet table of heaven.

The bread which we break is a means of sharing in the body of Christ. The cup of blessing we bless is a means of sharing the blood of Christ.

After distribution (all): Holy Creator, we remember and give thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus, heaven’s child born of Mary, to share our life, our joy, our troubles and sorrows. He lived and died and lives again so that your love might be real to us and through us. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Closing Hymn: “We Three Kings of Orient Are”

Benediction
Leader: You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine that others may see the good things you do and give glory to God.
People: God is with us now and always, Let us go out in peace. Amen.

Postlude