April 27th, 2025 - The Second Sunday of Easter
We offer you a warm welcome, and as is our practice, we remember that the land on which we meet is, was, and always will be native land. We acknowledge those indigenous tribes to Oklahoma: the Wichitas, Caddos, Plains Apaches, and the Quapaws, as the original custodians of the land in this place. We grieve the violence done to native language, culture, and personhood, and seek to honor the sovereignty and dignity of native peoples.
We are so glad you've joined us, whether in person or online. Please take a moment to tell us you are here by using the sign-in button below.
We offer you a warm welcome, and as is our practice, we remember that the land on which we meet is, was, and always will be native land. We acknowledge those indigenous tribes to Oklahoma: the Wichitas, Caddos, Plains Apaches, and the Quapaws, as the original custodians of the land in this place. We grieve the violence done to native language, culture, and personhood, and seek to honor the sovereignty and dignity of native peoples.
We are so glad you've joined us, whether in person or online. Please take a moment to tell us you are here by using the sign-in button below.
Welcome
One: Good morning, and Welcome to Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ, where no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey . . .
All: You are welcome here!
All: You are welcome here!
Call to Worship
One: We gather on this day of grief to lament one another. We gather on this day of remembrance to comfort one another.
All: We gather on this day of hope to encourage one another. We gather on this day of community to remind each other that we are not alone.
One: Let the good news be proclaimed, lived, and shared!
All: Our faces are lifted and our hearts are open! Come, Spirit, and breathe into us the joy of a new day!
All: We gather on this day of hope to encourage one another. We gather on this day of community to remind each other that we are not alone.
One: Let the good news be proclaimed, lived, and shared!
All: Our faces are lifted and our hearts are open! Come, Spirit, and breathe into us the joy of a new day!
Pass the Peace of Christ
One: "May the peace of Christ be with you."
All: "And also with you!"
All: "And also with you!"
Anthem
Joys & Concerns
For the joys of this congregation, let the people say: Thanks be to God.
The Lord's Prayer
A translation by members of this congregation:
Our Creator, who is in heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your 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 you reign in the power that is love, now and always, Amen.
Our Creator, who is in heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your 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 you reign in the power that is love, now and always, Amen.
Anthem
Pastoral Prayer
Rev. Dr. Lori Walke
Scripture: Acts 5:27-32
When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’
Sermon: Rev. Nikki Stahl
Rev. Nikki Stahl is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and serves as the Associate Conference Minister (ACM) for the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference. She earned her Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin in 2010.
Rev. Stahl brings a wealth of experience from her ministry at the local church, association, and conference levels of the United Church of Christ. She began her call as ACM in May 2024, where she serves as a resource and ex-officio member of the Committees on Ministry, which oversee the authorization and support of clergy and local churches in the conference, and planning yearly clergy retreats.
In addition to her work in the UCC, Rev. Stahl is a UCC representative on the Board of Be the Neighbor, a justice-based service-learning ministry that equips youth and adults to live lives of love, service, and justice.
When she’s not engaged in ministry, Rev. Stahl enjoys spending time with her husband, cheering on her three children in their activities—including marching band and dance—and loving on her beloved dogs.
Rev. Stahl brings a wealth of experience from her ministry at the local church, association, and conference levels of the United Church of Christ. She began her call as ACM in May 2024, where she serves as a resource and ex-officio member of the Committees on Ministry, which oversee the authorization and support of clergy and local churches in the conference, and planning yearly clergy retreats.
In addition to her work in the UCC, Rev. Stahl is a UCC representative on the Board of Be the Neighbor, a justice-based service-learning ministry that equips youth and adults to live lives of love, service, and justice.
When she’s not engaged in ministry, Rev. Stahl enjoys spending time with her husband, cheering on her three children in their activities—including marching band and dance—and loving on her beloved dogs.
Announcements
- Hiding in the Bible is what may well be an ancient beer recipe! Join Lisa Wolfe and recent OCU Alum Jamie Welsh at 3pm Sunday, May 4th, at Mayflower to learn about beer making then and now. Lisa will give the Bible-scholar back-story on ancient beer making, while Jamie, who spent 6 semesters as a research intern and lab technician at Stonecloud Brewing Company, will explain the chemistry.
- Interested in learning more about our Handmade Ministry at Mayflower? Well then, you are invited to stay after worship on Sunday, April 4th, to learn more about the need for handmade scarves and prayer shawls. The group will meet in the Seekers Room at the far end of Milligan Hall.
Benediction
One: May God grant to us the grace to never sell ourselves short, the courage to risk something big for something good, and the wisdom to know that the world is too small for anything but love. So let us go in peace, pray for peace, wage a little peace, and love one another.
ALL: Every single other. Amen.
ALL: Every single other. Amen.
Benediction Response
What Does the Lord Require?
Jim Strathdee
Part 1: What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you?
Part 2: Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God. Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God.
Part 3: To do justice, and love kindness and walk humbly with your God. To do justice, and love kindness and walk humbly with your God.
[Sung in a round, Part 1 begins the response, joined the second time by Part 2, then by Part 3, and then a fourth time through. For those in-person, it is our tradition for the congregation to stand and turn towards the center aisle during the benediction response so that we might "send each other forth" to embody what we sing.]
Jim Strathdee
Part 1: What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you?
Part 2: Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God. Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God.
Part 3: To do justice, and love kindness and walk humbly with your God. To do justice, and love kindness and walk humbly with your God.
[Sung in a round, Part 1 begins the response, joined the second time by Part 2, then by Part 3, and then a fourth time through. For those in-person, it is our tradition for the congregation to stand and turn towards the center aisle during the benediction response so that we might "send each other forth" to embody what we sing.]