Morning Worship

October 18th, 2026 - 
Music + Theology Series: Songs They Tried to Silence

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.

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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!

Call to Worship

One: We gather today seeking connection, bound together by love and grace.

All: We come seeking peace that surpasses all our understanding, bringing with us our dreams, hopes, and fears, trusting the hearts beside us to help us hold what we carry.

One: In a world that builds walls, writes people off, we choose to seek out stories that heal, restore, and liberate.

All: Come, let us create a sanctuary of hope, where the silenced find strength, where hurt is met with tenderness, and where every story is sacred. May our living make God’s love real on earth, as it is in heaven.

Hymn

Community of Christ, Hymn 314
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!"

Anthem

Type your new text here.

Joys + Concerns

For the joys of this congregation, let the people say: “Thanks be to God!”
Share your Joys + Concerns Here

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.

Pastoral Prayer

Rev. Sheridan Irick

Anthem

The Pill (1972)
Written by Lorene Allen, Don McHan, T. D. Bayless and Loretta Lynn

You wined me and dined me when I was your girl
Promised if I'd be your wife, you'd show me the world
But all I've seen of this old world is a bed and a doctor bill
I'm tearing down your brooder house 'cause now I've got the pill

All these years, I've stayed at home while you had all your fun
And every year that's gone by, another baby's come
There's gonna be some changes made right here on Nursery Hill
You've set this chicken your last time 'cause now I've got the pill

This old maternity dress I've got is going in the garbage
The clothes I'm wearing from now on won't take up so much yardage
Miniskirts, hot pants, and a few little fancy frills
Yeah, I'm making up for all those years since I've got the pill

I'm tired of all your crowing how you and your hens play
While holding a couple in my arms, another is on the way
This chicken's done tore up her nest and I'm ready to make a deal
And you can't afford to turn it down 'cause you know I've got the pill

This incubator is over-used because you've kept it filled
But feeling good comes easy now since I've got the pill
It's getting dark, it's roosting time, tonight's too good to be real
Aw, but Daddy don't you worry none 'cause Mama's got the pill
Oh, Daddy don't you worry none 'cause Mama's got the pill

Scripture: Matthe

Type your new text here.

Sermon: The Pill

Rev. Dr. Lori Walke

Hymn

Spirit of Jesus, Hymn 590
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.
  • Plan on staying after church today to learn more about reproductive justice and assemble Period Packs with the whole congregation!
  • October has a number of ways to connect, including but not limited to:
    • This Tuesday, October 20th, we host the Oklahoma Policy Institute’s State Question Town Hall at 5:30pm in Milligan Hall. This is free and open to all who want to know more about what’s on the ballot next month.
    • Theology Through Fiction also meets for this Tuesday, October 20th, at 6pm
    • Please register your 8th-12th grader and trusted adult for our next LiFT sexual health classes, which start next month, but again, require registration this month.
    • Mark your calendars and find your costumes to wear Wednesday, October 28th for our Trick-Or-Eat Potluck. Sign up to bring something and look forward to games and treats for all ages.
  • 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.

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.]