July 5th, 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: Calling all determined dreamers and disciples of love, looking to belong and to become!
All: Calling all seekers of the Spirit, carried by the winds of hope, who trust that God is near!
One: Calling all who translate compassion into peace, knowing that Love makes neighbors of strangers and kin of the forgotten!
All: All who want renewal for the road ahead, come and let us work together to make earth as it is in heaven!
All: Calling all seekers of the Spirit, carried by the winds of hope, who trust that God is near!
One: Calling all who translate compassion into peace, knowing that Love makes neighbors of strangers and kin of the forgotten!
All: All who want renewal for the road ahead, come and let us work together to make earth as it is in heaven!
Hymn
This Is My Song, Hymn 591
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
Prelude on 'Dominus Regit Me'
arr. Raymond H. Haan
Carolyn Sargent
arr. Raymond H. Haan
Carolyn Sargent
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.
Anthem
Glenda Stansbury
Pastoral Prayer
Rev. Dr. Lori Walke
Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Sermon: The Fifth of July
Rev. Dr. Lori Walke
Communion Liturgy
Here at Mayflower, everyone is welcome at the Table.
We will go through the communion liturgy, and then everyone is invited to receive communion either by remaining in your pew, so that communion can be brought to you, or by coming forward to receive the elements. We serve communion via intinction, so if you come forward, go to either side of the Table to first receive a gluten-free cracker from and then cup of juice from a deacon. Pause to eat and drink or take the elements back with you to the pew to eat and drink there. Place the cup in the pew back in front of you for our deacons to collect after worship.
Invitation to the Table
All: We come without hesitation, knowing that there is a place for us. There is no such thing a guest list, a secret password, or a litmus test to receive the bread and the cup. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
[Communion Music--Veni Sancte Spiritus from the Taize community. J. Berthier
Diane Ball, Larry Ball, Emma Newberry-Davis, and Clint Williams
Vivi Bare, flute
Carolyn Sargent and Glenda Stansbury]
We will go through the communion liturgy, and then everyone is invited to receive communion either by remaining in your pew, so that communion can be brought to you, or by coming forward to receive the elements. We serve communion via intinction, so if you come forward, go to either side of the Table to first receive a gluten-free cracker from and then cup of juice from a deacon. Pause to eat and drink or take the elements back with you to the pew to eat and drink there. Place the cup in the pew back in front of you for our deacons to collect after worship.
Invitation to the Table
One: Come, all who are looking to belong, for God welcomes all. Come, all who are worn out by life, for God has promised us rest. Come, all who are hungry for mercy and thirsty for justice, for God has prepared a table for us.
All: We come without hesitation, knowing that there is a place for us. There is no such thing a guest list, a secret password, or a litmus test to receive the bread and the cup. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
Prayer of Consecration
One: On the night when he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to all who were gathered. He took the cup, gave thanks, and offered it for all to drink. He told them, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
All: So it is that we remember Jesus was born under the rule of a merciless king, and revealed the merciful kingdom of God. He moved across borders to people broken and oppressed, and brought healing, wholeness, and liberation. As we eat this bread and drink this cup, may our hearts be filled with peace, our hands moved to compassion, and our steps guided by love.
One: Just as Jesus and the disciples ate the bread and drank from the cup after they were blessed, we do so now, in remembrance of his life and ministry. [eat & drink]
Prayer of Thanksgiving
One: As we go back out into the world, Holy One, may we remember that this table is meant for us to practice giving grace generously and offering extravagant welcome so that we can do so among our neighbors.
All: Pour us out into a broken world, Holy One. Channel our common life toward the common good. We pray in the name of Jesus, who showed us how. Amen.
[Communion Music--Veni Sancte Spiritus from the Taize community. J. Berthier
Diane Ball, Larry Ball, Emma Newberry-Davis, and Clint Williams
Vivi Bare, flute
Carolyn Sargent and Glenda Stansbury]
Hymn
Part in Peace, Hymn 78
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.
- All during the month of July, we are collecting new and gently used tennis shoes for our community partners who serve our unhoused neighbors. Tie the laces together and put a piece of tape across the toes with the size clearly marked. You can also use 363's Amazon with list and have shoes shipped directly to the church, which you can find on our webpage or in last week's email update.
- Handmade Ministry Group meets today after worship in the Seekers Room (which is at the NE end of Milligan Hall). It’s a casual and fun group that invites you to bring any project you want to work on, with the option of joining them as they work on making scarves year-round to prepare for 363s Wrap Them in Warmth drive in December, as well as handmade prayer shawls that Rev Lori & Rev. Sheridan gift to folks during life’s significant moments.
- Also after worship today, kids of all ages and their grown-ups are invited to gather in the Youth Room for a brief story time followed by popsicles and time on the playground!
- Next Sunday, stay after worship for our Condom Packing Party, a fun and meaningful service opportunity to help assemble condom kits in partnership with the HIV Prevention CO-Op of OKC. It’s a quick, hands-on way to support public health, and it’s also a great chance to chat, laugh, and connect with fellow Mayflower folks!
- You can find more details about all of these things in the events tab on our app and 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.
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.]