May 18th, 2025 - Graduation & Youth Sunday!
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!
Hymn
Now in the Days of Youth, Hymn 350
New Century Hymnal
[Please rise in body or in spirit.]
New Century Hymnal
[Please rise in body or in spirit.]
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
Sonata No. 3 in F Major, HWV 370
G.F. Handel
Isaac Jones and Glenda Stansbury
G.F. Handel
Isaac Jones and Glenda Stansbury
Joys & Concerns
For the joys of this congregation, let the people say: Thanks be to God.
Senior Recognition
Ashton
Kaitlyn
Moriah
Kaitlyn
Moriah
Anthem
For Good
Jocelyn and Moriah
Glenda Stansbury
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led to those
Who help us most to grow if we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes the sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So, let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done, you blame me for
But then I guess
We know there's blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore
Like a comet pulled from orbit (like a ship blown from its mooring)
As it passes the sun (by a wind off the sea)
Like a stream that meets a boulder (like a seed dropped by a bird)
Halfway through the wood (in the wood)
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
I do believe I have been changed for the better
And because I knew you
Because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed
For good
Jocelyn and Moriah
Glenda Stansbury
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led to those
Who help us most to grow if we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes the sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So, let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done, you blame me for
But then I guess
We know there's blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore
Like a comet pulled from orbit (like a ship blown from its mooring)
As it passes the sun (by a wind off the sea)
Like a stream that meets a boulder (like a seed dropped by a bird)
Halfway through the wood (in the wood)
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
I do believe I have been changed for the better
And because I knew you
Because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed
For good
Life Lessons
Solace Youth Group Members
Communion Liturgy
Youth: To read the story from the Gen Z Bible, “So, Jesus and the gang were vibing at dinner when He grabbed some bread, did a quick bless up, broke it, and was like, “Yo, this bread is me. Take a bite.” Then He snagged a cup, gave it a thankful shoutout, and passed it around, saying, “Sip on this—it's my squad pact juice, pouring out for everyone.”
All: We come to receive communion because we know Jesus invited everyone. God makes room for all, so at this church everyone has a place at the Table.
Youth: We made it to the Table, Holy One. Bless these pizza rolls, and may they remind us that even the ordinary can be holy, if we are intentional. Bless the cup, and may it remind us that our lives overflow with blessings, if only we pay attention.
All: You promised to fill the hungry with good things, Holy One, and we are hungry for justice and peace. May this meal be the beginning of a revolution. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.
All: We come to receive communion because we know Jesus invited everyone. God makes room for all, so at this church everyone has a place at the Table.
Youth: We made it to the Table, Holy One. Bless these pizza rolls, and may they remind us that even the ordinary can be holy, if we are intentional. Bless the cup, and may it remind us that our lives overflow with blessings, if only we pay attention.
All: You promised to fill the hungry with good things, Holy One, and we are hungry for justice and peace. May this meal be the beginning of a revolution. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.
Hymn
O for a World, Hymn 575
New Century Hymnal
[Please rise in body or in spirit.]
New Century Hymnal
[Please rise in body or in spirit.]
Announcements
- Please use the giving link in the bulletin to support the work and mission of this congregation with your tithes and offerings. Those of you who are in-person can also contribute by placing your tithes and offerings in the giving box located just outside the sanctuary.
- This afternoon, please come back at 2pm for our Housing Justice Workshop led by Legal Aid. Childcare is provided.
- At 5pm this afternoon, our Ensemble in Residence, Bella Voce, will perform their spring concert here in the sanctuary.
- Next Sunday, May 25th, all of our Governing Boards meet after worship
- Make plans to join our Storytelling Workshop with Jason Stephenson next Sunday, May 25th, at 4pm. Childcare is provided.
- The congregation is invite to celebrate the marriage of own Kelly Moore and Kevin Salter on Saturday, May 31st, at 11am here at Mayflower.
- Please sign up for our weekly email updates on our website and download our app so that you can have all of the details of our work and ministry close at hand.
All of these events and more details are on the events tab on in our app and on our calendar on our website.
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.]