August 30th, 2026 - Season After Pentecost
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 onsite or online. Please take a moment to tell us you are here by using the sign-in button below.
We are so glad you've joined us, whether onsite or online. Please take a moment to tell us you are here by using the sign-in button below.
Words of Welcome
One: Good morning and welcome from 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: After another week that was a mixed bag of good, bad, and ugly news,
All: we gather to lament, to laugh, to learn, and to carry each other’s burdens.
One: We may not know what this next week will bring, but we know the One who walks beside us. We are not promised certainty, but we are promised presence. God is close to the brokenhearted and an ever-present help in trouble.
All: So let us rest in the sure and certain hope that Love will see us through, trusting that we will find strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow in the company of God’s beloved community.
All: we gather to lament, to laugh, to learn, and to carry each other’s burdens.
One: We may not know what this next week will bring, but we know the One who walks beside us. We are not promised certainty, but we are promised presence. God is close to the brokenhearted and an ever-present help in trouble.
All: So let us rest in the sure and certain hope that Love will see us through, trusting that we will find strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow in the company of God’s beloved community.
Hymn
Great Is Your Faithfulness, Hymn 423
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
Zion's Walls
Traditional arr. Aaron Copland
Clint Williams and Carolyn Sargent
Come fathers and mothers,
Come sisters and brothers,
Come join us in singing the praises of Zion.
O fathers, don’t you feel determined
To meet within the walls of Zion?
We’ll shout and go round
The walls of Zion.
Traditional arr. Aaron Copland
Clint Williams and Carolyn Sargent
Come fathers and mothers,
Come sisters and brothers,
Come join us in singing the praises of Zion.
O fathers, don’t you feel determined
To meet within the walls of Zion?
We’ll shout and go round
The walls of Zion.
Joys + Concerns
For the joys of this congregation, let the people say: “Thanks be to God!”
The Lord's Prayer
Let us say together the Lord’s Prayer, a translation by this congregation:
All: 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.
All: 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.
Welcome New Members
All: We, the people of Mayflower UCC, do extend to you our warmest welcome, and pledge our support as you become part of the family of Christ. We will walk with you, learn with you, and grow with you, as together we make a witness to the love of God in this world.
From this day forward, you are more to us than a mere acquaintance - you are a sibling in building the kingdom. We are linked together in communion with the saints, and will walk hand-in-hand as disciples seeking love, peace, and justice. Welcome to the family!
From this day forward, you are more to us than a mere acquaintance - you are a sibling in building the kingdom. We are linked together in communion with the saints, and will walk hand-in-hand as disciples seeking love, peace, and justice. Welcome to the family!
Anthem
It Is Well With My Soul
Traditional arr. Glenda Stansbury
Glenda Stansbury
Traditional arr. Glenda Stansbury
Glenda Stansbury
Pastoral Prayer
Rev. Sheridan Irick
Scripture: Romans 12:9-21
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Sermon: The Dolly We Don't Love
Rev. Dr. Lori Walke
Hymn
Won't You Let Me Be Your Servant?, Hymn 539
New Century Hymnal
[Please rise in body or in spirit.]
New Century Hymnal
[Please rise in body or in spirit.]
Announcements
- Please support the work and mission of this congregation with your tithes and offerings using the giving link in our app or on our website or by putting your gift in the giving box located just outside the sanctuary.
- Join us for a Church-Wide Potluck immediately following worship! The Deacons are providing fried chicken, and there will be hot dogs and chips for the kids and the young at heart.
- Today is the last day to register for our Rooted in Faith Confirmation Classes, which begin this Wednesday, September 2nd, and run throughout the entire month:
- Join online from 12-1pm on Wednesdays. Register here.
- Join in person from 5:30-7pm on Wednesdays. Classes for Kindergarten through adults of all ages. Childcare provided for children not yet in kindergarten. Dinner provided. Register here.
- Martha Circle, a monthly gathering for dinner and fellowship, meets this Tuesday, September 1st, at 6:30pm in Milligan Hall. Check the Events tab for details.
- This Tuesday officially begins Nominate Me Season in the life of the church. Official members of Mayflower Church are asked to nominate yourself to serve on one of our five governing boards. Starting September 1st, find our online Nominate Me form on our website + app or pick up a paper copy in the main office (which can be returned to the same).
- Next Sunday, September 6th, our Handmade Ministry Group will meet after worship in the Seeker’s Room, which is at the east end of Milligan Hall.
- The Events tab in our app and on our website can give the most up-to-date information on what is going on around here, so be sure to check it out!
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.
ALL: …every single other.
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.]