This Week’s Bulletin

CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

APRIL 12, 2026 – 11:00 a.m.

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

Worship in the Garden Chapel

Preparation for worship

“The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.”

–Carl F.H. Henry

💐Today’s flowers are dedicated to Anita’s mom, Anna Lee.

The Rev. Candace Thomas, Pastor

Jay Harragin, Director of Music

Graham Bryan, Church Moderator/ Musician

Joan Chandler, Liturgist

Fay Gordon, Usher

Kevin Salas, Audio/ Visual Technical director

14920 Southwest 67^thAvenue, Palmetto Bay, Florida 33158

www.christcongregationalucc.org

office@christcongregationalucc.org | 305.235.9381

*Indicates please stand if comfortably able

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

*LIGHTING OF THE PEACE CANDLE

Leader: The Light shines in the Darkness

All: And the darkness cannot put out the light!

*WORLD PEACE PRAYER (Unison)

Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,

Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust.

Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace.

Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe. Amen.

* CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)

Leader: We come again to celebrate resurrection. God gives us new birth into a living hope.

People: Death has no power over us. Christ goes before us in the new life God offers.

L: Blessed be the God of our Savior Jesus Christ! Our faith tested by fire is renewed.

P: Our hearts are glad, our souls rejoice. God show us the path of life.

L: Again, Jesus says to us: Peace be with you . Come to receive life in Christ’s name.

All: We rejoice in God’s amazing good news! In God’s presence we find fullness of joy.

*HYMN “I Come to the Garden Alone” (No. 237, NCH)

Verse 1

I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses; And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.

Refrain

And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

Verse 2

He speaks, and the sound of his voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing; And the melody that he gave to me within my heart is ringing.

Refrain

And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

Verse 3

I’d stay in the garden with him, though the night around me be falling; But he bids me go; through the voice of woe his voice to me is calling.

Refrain

And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION (Unison)

Gracious and Eternal God, you are the one who calls us together and the one who sends us out in the world. Remind us, as we gather, how good it is to dwell with you and one another. Stir our hearts to love boldly, freely, and joyfully. Let us praise you with our whole lives and magnify your name by our works. We bless and honor you, O Faithful One, from generation to generation and from community to community. Speak to our spirits and receive our worship. Amen.

THE COMMANDMENT OF JESUS (John 15:5, 12)

I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

SCRIPTURE LESSON: John 20: 19-31 NRSV

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again,

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book.

But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Acts 5:27-32

When they had brought the Apostles, 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 Savior 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.”

SPECIAL MUSIC “O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing”

PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION AND NEW LIFE (Unison)

Gracious and Eternal God, you never abandon us the way that we sometimes abandon you. We doubt your power and your compassion. We call upon your name, but too often without expectation that you will answer. We blame you for the things we have collectively caused or that life demands. Yet, we give ourselves credit for the good that comes our way. We offer empty apology devoid of real repentance. We want to be absolved without engaging in repair. Help us to cherish grace as a gift and mercy as a miracle. Have mercy on us, Holy One. Amen.

WORDS OF GRACE- Pastor Candy

Beloved, the Redeemer of our souls meets us in our doubts, uncertainty, and questions When we call, God responds. When we do not call, God remains present with us. Receive the grace of God to trust the Holy One with our struggles, pain, and brokenness. Have life in the name of the One who came to us, comes to us, and will come to us again and again.

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYER SONG “More Love to You, O Christ” Verse 1 (No. 456, NCH)

More love to you, O Christ, more love to you!

Hear now the prayer I make, faith to renew.

In all I say and do, more love, O Christ, to you

More love to you, more love to you!

TIME OF SILENT MEDITATION

(You are invited to open your heart to the movement of the Holy Spirit).

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE PRAYER OF JESUS (Unison)

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.

INVITATION TO GENEROSITY– Pastor Candy

Through Christ, we receive “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.” (1 Peter 1:4) Let us express our gratitude to God by sharing the gifts we receive. Let us bring our material offerings for tangible ministry to spread good news in our community and world.

MUSICAL OFFERING “These Things Did Thomas Count”

PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND THANKSGIVING (Unison)

Generous One, may these gifts be a blessing to those in need, a source of hope for those in despair, comfort for those who grieve, encouragement for those who doubt, a balm for those in pain. May our generosity reflect our gratitude and our giving be another source of praise. Amen.

*HYMN “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” (Adapted)

Verse 1

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, And we pray that all unity may one day be restored:

Refrain

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Verse 2

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land:

Refrain

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Verse 3

We will work with each other, we will work side by side, We will work with each other, we will work side by side, And we’ll guard each person’s dignity and save each one’s pride:

Refrain

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Verse 4

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come, And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son, And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:

Refrain

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

MESSAGE “We Are Messengers”

*HYMN “Peace I Leave with You, My Friends” (No. 249, NCH)

Refrain

Peace I leave with you, my friends, shalom, my peace, in all you do. Peace I leave with you, my friends. I give to you so you can give to others, too.

Verse 1

To share God’s love is why I came, to show God’s kindness without end. Go now, my friends, and do the same, until I come again.

Refrain

Peace I leave with you, my friends, shalom, my peace, in all you do. Peace I leave with you, my friends. I give to you so you can give to others, too.

Verse 2

Take my hand and be at peace; the spirit of our love I send. And with this love you will be free, until I come again.

Refrain

Peace I leave with you, my friends, shalom, my peace, in all you do. Peace I leave with you, my friends. I give to you so you can give to others, too.

Verse 3

With this love now all will know that loneliness is at an end. Rejoice, my friends, although I go, for I will come again.

Refrain

Peace I leave with you, my friends, shalom, my peace, in all you do. Peace I leave with you, my friends. I give to you so you can give to others, too.

*COMMISSION- Pastor Candy

Beloved, as you go know that you have been sent

By a Creator who endowed you with every gift you need

By a Loving God who stays with you on the journey

By a Sovereign God who protects and provides

By a Purposeful God who has a role for you in the kingdom

By a Merciful and Gracious God who understands and anticipates your mistakes

By a Mighty God who offers refuge and hope in the raging storms

By a Kind God who blesses us with community

By a Challenging God who holds us accountable

By a Risen God who laid the path that you might follow

In love and hope, empowered and equipped, for honor and glory. Amen.

*BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE

Welcome to Everyone!

Whoever or whatever brought you to our Sanctuary or our Facebook or YouTube on-line worship service this morning, we believe that the Spirit of God had a hand in you joining us. We hope that you feel the Holy Spirit in our service of prayer and praise.

At Christ Congregational Church we strive to love one another as God has loved us and welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us. Therefore, we are an Open and Affirming church, loving, and welcoming all people in all of God’s variety, including racial, ethnic, and economic diversity, gender diversity and expression, sexual orientation, and physical and mental abilities.

JOYS AND CONCERNS Do you have joys or concerns you would like lifted in worship? Please call or text Pastor Candy at 925.640.9289 or email her at cccpastor@att.net by 10 am Sunday morning.

For Pastoral Care Needs, please call Pastor Candy at 925-640-9289 or you may call and leave a message with the Church Office, 305-235-9381.

ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT CCC? About the United Church of Christ? Pastor Candy would be happy to meet with you to talk about our Christian faith, your spiritual journey, and to discuss what church membership means. Please let her know if you’re interested!

REMEMBERED IN OUR CONTINUING PRAYERS

Mark Satterfield, The family and friends of Amelia Canali, Jay Harrigan, Rita and Jack Smith, C. M. Chandler, Maggie McDowell, Joan Hansen, Rene Brodsky, Mark Deo, Wally and Judy Carlson.

Please let Tracy Williams, Administrative Assistant at <office @christcongregationalucc.org> or Pastor Candy at <cccpastor@att.net> know if you’d like a name included on our Prayer List. It is a blessing to remember that others are praying for us and a blessing to pray for others.

ONLINE GIVING: We invite you to use our online giving option as a quick, simple, and secure method to make your pledges and any ancillary contributions. Clicking on the “Give Online Today” button at the bottom of our weekly newsletter or by going to our website at https://christcongregationalucc.org and clicking “Online giving.” You will be redirected to the secured Moon Clerk site which will allow you to enter your credit card information.

CCC Women

The Florida UCC Women are meeting in Parrish, Fl. from April 24-26. If you are interested in attending, please let Joan Chandler know.

Our next book will be Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy for our May meeting on May 16.

Our new praise band coordinator, Christopher Dreeson, is currently playing the lead role in Ted Malawer’s Everything Beautiful Happens at Night at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors (Ft. Lauderdale). Christopher plays Ezra Stein, a highly successful children’s book author who is struggling with writer’s block and his lonely lifestyle. He is pressured by his sardonic, witty publisher Nancy (played by the award-winning Laura Turnbull) and Ezra meets Jake (played by Aiden Paul Neal): a young street hustler who has the potential to change his life. It is a story about the life you have, the life you want, and who stays when the world gets quiet.

Tickets may be purchased online at [www.islandcitystage.org]www.islandcitystage.org and the play runs through the month of April.

If you’d like to attend the play with others from CCC, some of us will be going to the 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, April 25th. We’ll purchase our tickets individually online. Please let Pastor Candy know if you’re planning to go.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 12 to April 19, 2026

Today	11:00 am	Worship in the Garden Chapel, also on Facebook Live & YouTube.
Mon. Apr. 13		Bible Study cancelled so we can attend the Nehemiah Action.
Wed. Apr. 15	6:30 pm	Chair Yoga in Kelsey Hall
Sun. Apr. 19	10:00 am	Choir Practice
Sun. Apr. 19	11:00 am	Worship in the Sanctuary, also on Facebook Live & YouTube.