This Week’s Bulletin

CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

APRIL 26, 2026 – 11:00 a.m.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY

Break the Silence Sunday

Preparation for worship

“Wherever you are in life, you have come there either because some doors are not opened or some doors are opened!”

― Mehmet Murat ildan

The Rev. Candace Thomas, Pastor

Jay Harragin, Director of Music

Graham Bryan, Church Moderator/ Musician

Isabella Legrand, Liturgist

Jack Smith, 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

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) (Inspired by Psalm 23)

One: The Good Shepherd is the gate. Let us enter with thanksgiving and praise!

Many: The Shepherd restores our souls, satisfies our needs, and leads us on the right path.

One: The Good Shepherd is the gate. Let us live with courage and conviction, not fear and timidity.

Many: Through valleys and storms, chaos and confusion, threats and concerns, the Shepherd comforts us with power and strength, love and compassion, hope and peace.

One: The Good Shepherd is the gate. Let us worship in the presence of the Holy One!

ALL: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all our days of my life. Let us dwell in God’s presence forever!

*HYMN “Enter, Rejoice, and Come In” (No. 73, NCH)

Verse 1

Enter, rejoice, and come in. Enter, rejoice, and come in. Today will be a joyful day; enter, rejoice, and come in.

Verse 2

Open yourself to the song. Open yourself to the song. Today will be a joyful day; enter, rejoice, and come in.

Verse 3

Open your hearts everyone. Open your hearts everyone. Today will be a joyful day; enter, rejoice, and come in.

Verse 4

Don’t be afraid of some change. Don’t be afraid of some change. Today will be a joyful day; enter, rejoice, and come in.

Verse 5

Enter, rejoice, and come in. Enter, rejoice, and come in. Today will be a joyful day; enter, rejoice, and come in.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION (Unison)

God who is Shepherd, Gate, and Way, we join together as a community in your presence and in your protection. Shield us from apathy and isolation. Fortify us against resignation and despair. Nudge us toward justice and righteousness in your name. As we gather to worship you, may we be transformed by your love, strengthened in grace, and rooted in faith for your glory and your kingdom come. 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: Psalm 23 adapted NRSV

The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want;

he makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me

Beside still waters;

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

For his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through

the valley of the shadow

of death, I fear no evil;

for you are with me.

You prepare a table

before me in the presence

of my enemies;

you anoint my head

with oil, my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy

Shall follow me all the days

Of my life;

and I shall dwell in the

house of the Lord for ever.

John 10:1-10 NRSV

‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again, Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

SPECIAL MUSIC “I Believe” Frankie Lane Jose Torres, Bassist

PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION AND NEW LIFE (Unison)

WORDS OF GRACE- Pastor Candy

Beloved, the Shepherd cares for you and rejoices whenever you turn back to follow God’s holy way. Life in the promise of glorious, flourishing life and the kingdom of God manifested on earth. There is no detour you may take where the Shepherd cannot find you and urge you back into their loving embrace. You are redeemed and restored in Christ. Receive the goodness of God whose grace is sufficient and available for you to begin anew.

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

MUSICAL OFFERING “We Live by Faith and Not by Sight”

PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND THANKSGIVING (Unison)

Generous God, may these gifts bless our life together, fortify our ministry, and transform our community. Receive them as we give them—with gladness and thanksgiving. Amen.

*HYMN “God Is My Shepherd” (No. 479, NCH)

Verse 1

God is my shepherd, I’ll not want, I feed in pastures green. God grants me rest and bids me drink from waters calm and clean. Through daily tasks, I’m blessed and led by One I have not seen.

Verse 2

Restored to life each morning new, I rise up from the dust, to follow God whose presence gives, me confidence and trust. I praise the name of God today; in God I put my trust.

Verse 3

When I must pass through shadowed vale, where loss and death await, I will not fear for God is there, my shepherd strong and great, Whose rod and staff will comfort me, and all my fears abate.

Verse 4

No enemy can overcome, no power on earth defeat, the ones anointed by God’s grace, and fed with manna sweet. My cup is filled and overflows as I my Savior greet.

Verse 5

Goodness and mercy all my days will surely follow me; and where God reigns in heaven and earth, my dwelling place will be. My shepherd blesses, cares, and leads through all eternity.

MESSAGE “The Good Gate”

*HYMN “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” (No. 252, NCH)

Verse 1

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
much we need your tender care;
in your pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use your folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have bought us, yours we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have bought us, yours we are.

Verse 2

We are yours, in love befriend us,
be the guardian of our way;
keep your flock, from sin defend us,
seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear your children when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear your children when we pray.

Verse 3

Let us always seek your favor;
let us always do your will;
Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
with your love our spirits fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have loved us, love us still.

*COMMISSION- Pastor Candy

Beloved, as you go, note the encouragement of the Shepherd:

The Gate is open and with you.

In your coming and going,

The Shepherd leads you.

Go, have life and have it abundantly.

*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.

By the Gate: Service Prayers for the Fourth Sunday in Easter Year A was written by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology for the United Church of Christ.

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

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

You’re invited to join Pastor Candy and Bianca as they carpool to the 4 p.m. Prayer Vigil at Alligator Alcatraz. Please let them know if you would like to carpool also.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 26 to May 3, 2026

Today	10:00 am	Choir Practice
Today	11:00 am	Worship in the Sanctuary, also on Facebook Live & YouTube.
Today	12:30 pm	Food & Faith in Kelsey Hall
Today	4:00 pm	Prayer Vigil at Alligator Alcatraz
Mon. Apr. 27	6:30 pm	ZOOM Bible Study ID: 835 5486 8918
Wed. Apr. 29	6:30 pm	Chair Yoga in Kelsey Hall
Sun. May 3	10:00 am	Choir Practice
Sun. May 3	11:00 am	Worship in the Sanctuary with Holy Communion, also on Facebook Live & YouTube.