
Worship Bulletin for Sunday, July 13, 2025
Ringing of the Hour
Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God
Welcoming
All who are able, please rise
Call to Worship
“Yet a time is coming, and has now come, when the true worshipers will worship the
Father in the Spirit and in truth. For they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in Truth.” (John 4:23- 24) In this spirit of praise and thanksgiving, let us worship our Lord God.
Prayer of Invocation
Almighty God, We gather in awe of your magnificent power and the beauty of your
creation. As we come together in worship, may your Holy Spirit be present among
us, guiding us in truth and love. Open our hearts to receive your word, and may we
leave this place renewed by your grace. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.
Opening Hymn: “A Song of Peace” FOG # 682
Words of Assurance
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he
acknowledges by name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with
him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and
show him my salvation.” Amen.
Scripture Reading Luke 5.1-11
Sermon Eager for the Journey
Hymn: “Come, Labor On” RED # 293
Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns
Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer
Offertory Message
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 “Crown Him With Many Crowns” RED # 199
Benediction
Postlude
Worship Bulletin for Sunday, July 6, 2025
Ringing of the Hour
Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God
Welcoming
All who are able, please rise
Call to Worship
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song” (Ps.
95.1-2). In this spirit of praise and thanksgiving, let us worship our Lord God.
Prayer of Invocation
Our Loving God, we bless your name forever. There is none like you on earth or in
heaven. Your children have gathered to worship in your presence and sing your
praises. Let us come unto you, sweetest savior. Our provider and our light, we put all of our trust in you. We commit our plans to you, and ask that you bring them to pass. Do not allow us to fall to evil or become vain. Bless us so that we can show the world your goodness and light. Let us be filled with your presence. Amen.
Opening Hymn: “O Worship the King, All Glorious Above” Red #6
Words of Assurance
Hear the good news: Christ died for our sins and rose again that God may free us
from the tyranny of judging others to live fully in the power of God’s grace. In the
name of Jesus Christ, God forgives your sins and offers you a transformed future.
Live fully into God’s grace. Amen.
Scripture Reading Luke 10. 25-37
Sermon A New Look at an Old Story
Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns
Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer
Offertory Message and Second Offering 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!
Prayer of Dedication
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
(Everyone and anyone is welcome at this table, God’s table. All are welcome to
share the bread and drink of the vine.)
Communion Hymn: “Let Us Break Bread Together” Red #288
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to
undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer
bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change. Open to us a future in which we can be changed. And grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS
SHARING THE BREAD
SHARING THE CUP
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (in unison)
We give thanks, Almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table, by
granting us the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and in peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
THE SERVICE OF THE WORD CONTINUES
Closing Hymn: “Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing” Red #63
Benediction
Postlude
Worship Bulletin for Sunday, June 29, 2025
Ringing of the Hour
Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God
Welcoming
All who are able, please stand
Call to Worship
Leader: Stars spin across the sky and the dawn slides into day.
People: God the Creator calls us to new awareness.
Leader: The ocean pulses with life and even starfish seem to dance!
People: God the Maker calls us to thankfulness.
Leader: Babies crawl, friends call, elders share their wisdom with the young.
People: God the Friend calls us to share a smile and tend the wounds.
Leader: A sudden stillness, a quiet moment, a deep prayer, a persistent yearning.
People: God, the End of our longing, calls us to worship with hearts filled with
deep quiet and contagious joy!
Prayer of Invocation
Today, O God, we thank you for the faith that sustains us, for the hope that inspires
us, for the light that guides us, for the love that comforts us, for the forgiveness that
frees us. Above all, Holy One, we are grateful for your Son Jesus, who, by his life,
death, and resurrection, made faith, hope, light, love, and forgiveness a reality
today. Help us to feel his presence among us as we worship today, for we ask all
these things in his name, Amen.
Opening Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” FOG 377
Words of Assurance
All: This is the good news. By Christ’s word and example we learn that divine
love has no bounds. Grace is unending. Those who hunger and thirst will be
satisfied. Those who mourn will be comforted. Those who are lost will be
found. In Christ we are forgiven, and our lives and hopes are renewed. Thanks
be to God.
Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 8 Paula Thouin
Genesis 2: 1-3 Lynda Overlock
Sermon Title: “No Lists on the Sabbath”
Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” FOG 98
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
Gracious God, bless these offerings we bring to your altar today. We give
because we love you and want to show our devotion. We give because there are needs to be met among us, and in other places where we cannot go. We give because we need to be generous in order to be whole persons. Loving God, bless all givers who provide for others, and multiply these offerings in your service. Amen.
Closing Hymn: “Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise” FOG 519
Benediction
Postlude
Worship Bulletin for Sunday, June 22, 2025
Ringing of the Hour
Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God
Welcoming
All who are able, please stand
Call to Worship
Leader: We often feel as if we are wandering through our lives, searching for
something we cannot name.
People: We come today to listen for hope, to pray for strength, and to
experience God’s love.
Leader: Speak to us of faith, hope, and love, O Lord.
People: As the deer longs for flowing water in the wilderness, we long to drink
deeply of God’s promise for us.
Leader: Knowing God is here, we join together on our journey.
People: Lead us to your still waters, O Lord. Imprisoned as we are by rules of
our own making, we come to remember and claim our faith.
Leader: With shouts of praise and songs of thanksgiving, we come to celebrate the
God of hope, the Spirit of peace, and the Christ of redeeming love.
People: We come to pray. We come to sing. We come to worship and praise.
Opening Prayer
Open our hearts today, O Lord, to feel the powerful strength and love you have for us. Help us to listen, not only with our ears, but with our spirits for your words of compassion and healing. Enable us to become more faithful disciples for you; for we ask this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Opening Hymn: “To You, O God, All Creatures Sing” NCH 17 (v.1- 4)
Prayer for Transformation and New Life:
Lord of the ages, in our busy lives, we do not always make time to love, to pray, or to sing your praises. We want to be strong, yet we often feel out of control: buffeted by the winds of change, rocked by the earthquakes in our
relationships, burned by the fires of doubt. Forgetting what we cannot see, we
ask, “Why have you forgotten me?” Help us trust your presence, even when we feel utterly alone. With the promise of Christ as our hope, lead us from our
own wilderness wanderings into the garden of your love.
Words of Assurance
The steadfast love of God is with you—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Whether you turn away or doubt, whether you follow timidly or joyfully,
you are loved and forgiven in Christ
Scripture Psalm 42 Carrie Naatz
I Kings 19: 1-16 Rev. Carrie Bail
Sermon Title: Ready for the Journey
Hymn: “Dear God, Embracing Humankind” NCH 502
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: “Called As Partners in Christ’s Service” NCH 495
Benediction
Postlude
Worship Bulletin for Sunday, June 15, 2025
Ringing of the Hour
Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God
Welcoming
All who are able, please stand
Call to Worship
One: we have been called to witness to a new heaven and a new earth.
All: may our eyes remain open to see the beauty and dignity of God’s creation.
One: we have been called to witness the God dwelling among the members of our
community.
All: may our eyes remain open the radiance of the Spirit within each of us.
One: we have been called to witness that suffering and death are not the end of our
story.
All: may our eyes remain open to the well spring of new life flowing within
each of us.
Prayer of Invocation
Jesus: you are the Beginning and the End, the one who appears to us in the
distressing disguise of the suffering and oppressed. As we worship together this
morning, open our eyes to see your holy presence among those we meet on life’s
journey. Help us to see your infinite love for those who are in distress that we may
be your instruments of grace for them.
Opening Hymn: “In the Midst of New Dimensions” NCH
Words of Assurance
Jesus: you are the radiant image of the Divine, the one who often appears to us in
unexpected times and places. As we worship together this morning, open our eyes
to see the glory of your face in the distressing disguise of those who are suffering.
Help us to see that your radiance is a shining light that no darkness can overcome.
Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 37:1-11; 27-28, 39-40 Ed Lynch
Matthew 5:1-12 Tim Damon
Sermon Title: Thank You, Evelyn Rev. Dr. Robert M. Girard
Hymn: “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” FOG 677
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 the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
Prayer of Dedication
Jesus: you give the waters of eternal life freely to all who seek you and have
assured us that our journey ends where every tear will be wiped from our eyes. As
we continue our journey in a world filled with conflict and oppression, we ask to be
filled with your Spirit of unconditional love and acceptance for all people. May our
presence, words and actions flower into sources of peace and harmony for our
fellow travelers on the pathways of life.
Closing Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” FOG 98
Benediction Rev. Dr. Robert M. Girard
Postlude
Worship Bulletin for Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025
Ringing of the Hour
Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God
Welcoming
All who are able, please stand
Call to Worship
One: The Spirit descends like a dove, bringing peace to unite the world in a caring
and just community.
Many: The Spirit comes like a breath, bringing life to renew God’s people.
One: The Spirit spreads like fire, bringing energy for witnessing to God’s love.
Many: Spirit of the Living God, come to us and by your power transform our
lives.
Opening Prayer
O God, we thank you that you sent your Spirit to encourage those whom Jesus left
behind, that they might not be alone. Through the comfort of your presence, you
empowered them and us to witness to your love. Today we seek the encouragement of your presence. Leave us not alone, O God, but send your Spirit to us that we may worship and serve you with joy, through our Risen Savior. AMEN.
Opening Hymn: “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” NCH
Affirmation of Faith:
People of God, let us leap up and dance and sing! The Spirit is here in healing
power: your sins are forgiven. Rise in the new life of the Spirit!
Scripture Lessons
Old Testament Genesis 11:1-9 Martha May
New Testament Acts 2: 1-21 Rev. Carrie Bail
Sermon Title: One Language of Love
Reception of New Members Carrie Naatz
Questions to the Candidates for Membership
As a faith community, we covenant with God and with one another, seeking as
a congregation and as individuals to be faithful to God’s will and way.
Will you join with us in our covenant with God and with one another as we
seek to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to follow in
the way of Jesus, as best as we are able?
If so, will you answer: I will
Will you participate in the life and mission of United Congregational Church
Holyoke, sharing regularly in the worship of God, supporting the work of
United Church with your prayers, your talents, skills, and your resources?
If so, will you answer: I will
Congregational Response
We promise you our continuing friendship and support as we share in the
hopes and labors of United Congregational Church of Holyoke. By the
power of the Spirit, may we grow together in God’s love and grace.
Welcome! Welcome into this community of God’s Grace.
Hymn: “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart” NCH
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 “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” NCH
Benediction
Postlude
Worship Bulletin for Sunday, June 1, 2025
Ringing of the Hour
Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God
Welcoming
All who are able, please stand
Call to Worship
Creator, today we give you thanks
People: for believing we can be born again.
Creator, today we give you thanks
People: for the diversity of which all of Your creation is birthed.
Creator, today we give you thanks
People: for the knowledge that we aren’t always right and for the
capability to change.
Creator, today we give you thanks People: for the desire to change structures and institutions that tell us community is less valuable than the individual.
Creator, today we give you thanks
People: for the positivity, resistance, and beauty in this some times
challenging world.
Prayer of Invocation
Creator, be with us as we live into all that is possible. You sent us a human to
show us the value and dignity and beauty of all people. You created the change of seasons as a reminder of the beauty of our planet. We were not made broken by design as so many interpretations go – You created us in Your image with the capabilities of loving so vastly and so greatly that healing and reconciliation are possible. Amen.
Opening Hymn: In Christ There Is No East or West NCH #395
Prayer for New Life
Holy God, You desire us to share in the unity and be one as you are Three in
One. We confess that such unity often eludes us. We dwell on our differences
and find reasons to criticize each other. The love you called us to offer one
another disappears when we disagree. Forgive us for making our opinions and
preferences into dividing lines within the body of your Church. Call us again to honor the unity and love you cherish for your followers so we may witness to
unity and love in this divided world. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Scripture Readings
Reading From Early Church Acts 1:1-11 Robert Grammo
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the
beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions
through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he
presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.
“This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you
will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times
or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power
when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Gospel Luke 24:44-53 Myra Cardona-Grammo
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with
you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the
psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,
and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from
the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be
proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay
here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them.
While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Sermon Title: Not Alone
Hymn: As We Gather At Your Table NCH #332
Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People & Lord’s Prayer
Offertory Message and Second Offering 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!
Prayer of Dedication
Musical Interlude
Communion Jesus invites you to the feast. Whoever you, and wherever you are
on your journey of faith, you are welcome. Whoever you are, this feast is for you.
One: When the time was right, O God, you sent Jesus to show us the way that we had lost…
… Creating God, send your Spirit to bless this bread and this cup, that they may be for us the bread of new life and the cup of true healing. Let your Spirit rest on us, that your light may shine through us for the sake of the broken world. God of infinite power and infinite grace, Amen.
After distribution:
*Unison Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Grant, O God, that the ears which have heard the voice of your song may be
closed to the voice of clamor and dispute; that the eyes which have seen your
great love may also behold your blessed hope; that the tongues which have
sung your praise may speak the truth; that the feet which have walked your
courts may walk in the region of light; and that the bodies which have tasted
your living presence may be restored in newness of life. Thank you for
feeding us with the spiritual nourishment we need to do the work of love
today. Shine your light in and through us. Amen.
Closing Hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee Chalice # 2
Benediction
Postlude