This Week’s Bulletin

CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

MARCH 15, 2026 – 11:00 a.m.

FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING

Preparation for worship

“My darkness has been filled with the light of intelligence, and behold, the outer day-lit world was stumbling and groping in social blindness.” — Helen Keller

The Rev. Candace Thomas, Pastor

Jay Harragin, Director of Music

Graham Bryan, Church Moderator/ Musician

Isabella Legrand, Liturgist

Joan Campagna, Usher

Kevin Salas, Audio/ Visual Technical director

14920 Southwest 67th Avenue, Palmetto Bay, Florida 33158

www.christcongregationalucc.org

office@christcongregationalucc.org | 305.235.9381

*Indicates please stand if comfortably able

GATHERING MUSIC

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

*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: Draw near to the light of God’s love; flock to the One who leads us by still waters.

People: The Lord is our shepherd; we shall not want. God is light for all who are stumbling in darkness.

Leader: Awake, all who are sleeping through God’s wonders; look around you and observe the light Christ gives.

People: We gather in the name of Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world and our light.

Leader: The God revealed in Jesus Christ is our host; we are guests of One who feeds and heals us.

All: We have come to worship the God of mercy. We are here to be fed and enlightened.

*Hymn “This is the Day” (No. 84, NCH)

Verse 1

This is the day, this is the day that our God has made, that our God has made; we will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day that our God has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it; This is the day, this is the day that our God has made.

Verse 2

This is the day, this is the day Jesus rose again, Jesus rose again; we will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day Jesus rose again, we will rejoice and be glad in it; This is the day, this is the day Jesus rose again.

Verse 3

This is the day, this is the day when the Spirit came, when the Spirit came; we will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day when the Spirit came, we will rejoice and be glad in it; This is the day, this is the day when the Spirit came.

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.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION (Unison)

We are here, dear God, because you have called us. Help us be fully present to your gracious hospitality. There is much in our lives to distract us: the work we do, the difficulties we encounter, the losses we have sustained. Sometimes we are overwhelmed by all we must face. Yet in your house of prayer we sense your calming Spirit, the comfort of your care, the goodness and mercy you provide. In joyous anticipation we come to worship.

SCRIPTURE LESSON: John 9:1-41 NRSV

As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am he.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So, they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind, but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore, his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

So, for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.

Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see may see and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

SPECIAL MUSIC “Something Beautiful for God” Brian Serchio

Verse 1

Know this one thing above all else

We are loved, loved by God

Let this be how we see ourselves

As people loved, loved by God

And once we know the love of Christ

Feel God’s healing in our lives

Loving service is how we give our love back to God

Chorus

Today let us do something beautiful for God

Do something small, but do it with great love

Do what we can, where we are, with what we’ve got

Today let us do something beautiful for God

Verse 2

Everyone who we meet today

Is God’s child, God’s own child

May our lives help them hear God say

You are my child, God’s own child

A smile can radiate God’s love

Let them see the Christ in us

Let our lives be the cheerfulness of God in this world

Chorus

Today let us do something beautiful for God

Do something small, but do it with great love

Do what we can, where we are, with what we’ve got

Today let us do something beautiful for God

Verse 3

Jesus will visit us today

In disguise, in disguise

Poor and weak, Christ will come our way

Jesus Christ, in disguise

The lonely, poor, the victimized

Love for them is love for Christ

Love is water to quench the thirst of Christ on the cross

Chorus

Today let us do something beautiful for God

Do something small, but do it with great love

Do what we can, where we are, with what we’ve got

Today let us do something beautiful for God

PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION AND NEW LIFE (Unison)

Eye-opening God, whose compassion reaches out to all who walk in darkness, help us to recognize the blind spots in our lives. Keep us from aimless wandering, from narrow judgments, from unfruitful works and underhanded methods. We want to walk as children of light, to be instruments of healing, to recognize your activity among us. Illuminate and enlighten us now, that your church may express faith in Christ through all we say and do. Amen.

WORDS OF GRACE – Pastor Candy

Let your soul receive this rest: There is no story we can’t unlearn, and no way of loving we can’t learn anew. Praise God, who forgives us and frees us always inviting us to change and become a new creation from the ground up.

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYER SONG “Hear Our Prayer, O God” (No. 769, NCH)

Hear our prayer, O God, hear our prayer, O God; incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace.

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

God sees all things! God sees our comings and our goings, our strengths and our weaknesses, our needs and our desires. God sees in us the potential we do not yet see in ourselves. I invite you to share your offerings and gifts out of the abundance that is God’s vision for us!

MUSICAL OFFERING “See the Love”

Everyday

We go to war again

We assume we know so much more then them

Before we hear what they have to say

Headline breaks

We start to hate again

Calling them names again

We give our peace away

I hope they see it

Cause I wanna see it

I hope we believe it

I wanna see

I wanna see the love

All around you

I wanna know

That love

Is all around you

It’s all around you

Shout!

Day by day

Hope fades away and then

We know

That there is pain within

We cannot medicate

Learn to feel

Learn to begin again

Open our eyes again

To see our brother’s pain

I hope they see it

Cause I wanna see it

I hope we believe it

I wanna see

I wanna see the love

All around you

I wanna know

That love

Is all around you

All around you

See how it lights you up

It lights you up

See how it lights you up

It lights you up

See how it lights you up

It lights you up

I wanna see

I wanna see the love

All around you

I wanna know

That love

Is all around you

It’s all around you

PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND THANKSGIVING (Unison)

All that we have, all that we give this day, Holy One, already belongs to you. Bless these, our gifts, and give us vision to use them to glorify you. Amen.

*HYMN “Open My Eyes That I May See” (No. 486, HFG)

Verse 1

Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth You have for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unlock and set me free. Silently now I wait for you, Ready, my God, Your will to do; Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Verse 2

Open my ears, that I may hear Voices of truth so sharp and clear And while the message sounds in my ear, Everything else will disappear. Silently now I wait for You, Ready, my God, Your will to do; Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Verse 3

Open my mouth, let me declare words of assurance everywhere; Open my heart, and let me prepare Your loving kindness to share. Silently now I wait for You, Ready, my God, Your will to do; Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine! Amen.

MESSAGE “Surely We Are Not Blind, Are We?”

*HYMN “Amazing Grace”

Amazing grace!

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

My God has promised good to me,

His word my hope secures;

God will my shield and portion be,

As long as life endures.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

*COMMISSION- Pastor Candy

Go forth into the world as children of light. Go in Christ to do what is pleasing to God. As light bearers, you have good news to share.

*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, 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.

The ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING special mission offering will be received today.

CCC Women

Spiritual Spa Day will be held on Saturday, March 28 from 10:00-2:00, RSVP is required to Joan Chandler at bingo123@bellsouth.net

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

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 15 to March 22, 2026

Today	11:00 am	Worship in the Sanctuary, also on Facebook Live & YouTube.
Mon. Mar. 16	6:30 pm	ZOOM Bible study. ID: 835 5486 8918
Tues. Mar. 17	6:30 pm	Pact S. Miami Assembly in the Sanctuary
Wed. Mar. 18	6:30 pm	Chair Yoga in Kelsey Hall
Sun. Mar. 22	10:00 am	Choir Practice
Sun. Mar. 22	11:00 am	Worship in the Sanctuary also on Facebook Live & YouTube.