05/16/2026
“And it came to pass when man commenced to multiply upon the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the benei elokim saw the daughters of man when they were beautifying themselves, and they took for themselves wives from whomever they chose. And the L‑rd said, ‘Let My spirit not quarrel forever concerning man, because he is also flesh, and his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.’ The nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the benei elokim would come to the daughters of man, and they would bear for them; they are the mighty men, who were of old, the men of renown” (Genesis 6:1–4, NJPS) Chabad.org.
Literal meaning: Anshei shem (אֲנֵשֵׁי שֵׁם) literally means “men of names” or “men of words,” suggesting individuals whose reputations or public influence were notable ravkooktorah.org+1.
I wanted you to remember your Old Testament for a bit as it is where we first run into the idea of knowing a name. Some mystic Jews say this passage refers to, the men of the name, as those who the name of God. Jesus says that know the name of God refers to eternal life, so lets talk about what's in a name and for that matter, what is eternal life?
Here's the bulletin for worship...
The Monroe Community Church, UCC
Pastor Robert “Bob” Evans
Pianist – Joyce Hillman
Seventh Sunday of Easter
{Spirit of Witness}
“And This is Eternal Life”
Year A – Color – White – May 17 2026
Our Church’s Family of the Week – Rachel & Mario Tribuzio
Sunrise Association Church of the Week – First Congregational Church of Calais, UCC
Bulletin Dedications: -
In Loving Memory of John & Ann Clements & Tammy Cunningham by Fred & Maxine Clements
Greeting: No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here, “as God’s Divine Child.”
Announcements:
Today, we continue our Blanket Sunday collection. Our UCC blankets are some of the first things to arrive in floods, fires, snowstorms & etc. disasters all over the world.
Bible Study – Friday, May 22nd, 1 pm
Prayer for Peace: Holy God of Eternal Life, today, as those who worship you through the vision of Jesus the Christ, who you anointed with your Gospel of love, we pray with heavy hearts for peace in the world. Let it be, according to your own promise. Amen.
Today’s topic: When will the kingdom come, and what exactly does that question even mean, what doe it refer to. The answer to these questions takes a little time to, not only find, but to understand with our hearts. But let’s start with this idea, that all the wise have stated in one way or another, it takes time to find the answers and when they are understood, we experience the second coming of Christ and the already present kingdom of God. “It takes a little time to make it real fine…..”
* Hymn:
Call to Worship – Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 (Responsive) (To be fair to the Truth that gender of God transcends the human body I have done my best to give female and male identities of God their due.) Leader: Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee before him. People: As smoke is driven away, so drive them away, as wax melts before the fire, let the wicked perish before God. Leader: But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy. People: Sing to God, sing praises to her name; cast up a highway for her who rides through the deserts – God’s name is the Lord – be exultant before her. Leader: Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. People: God gave the desolate a home to live in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a parched land. Leader: O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, People: the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel. Leader: Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad; you restored your heritage when it languished; People: your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. Leader: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord, People: O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens; listen, she sends out her voice, her mighty voice. Leader: Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel; and whose power is in the skies. ALL: Awesome is God from your sanctuary, the God of Israel; he give power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
Invocation: Pastor Bob –God of the promise, the promise of peace that passes all understanding, the promise of eternal life, life that is free from delusion and misunderstanding, life filled with compassion and forgiveness. How long before we taste the blessings of this promise and what do we need to learn before we can? Be with us this day and whisper your secrets, with your voice of creation, into our hearts and awaken us from our sleep of blindness. As our loving God, we pray to you. Amen.
*Gloria Patri: ALL: Glor-y to the cre-a-tor, And to the Christ, and to the Ho-ly Ghost. As it was in the begin-ing, is now and ev-er shall be. World with-out end. A-men. a-men.
Call to “Reflection”: (this is basically, I think, what we should always reflect on when asking for healing.) What, today, is standing in the way of our recognition of God’s love for all? What, in our lives, is fueling the estrangement that may exist between us and the Holy One? Do we even know what may be keeping us from communion with God? Do the spiritually blind know they are blind? Let us pray for clarity and forgiveness.
Prayer for Light: What can we do for kingdom of peace to become more of a reality, O God? Are we getting in the way, somehow, in a manner we cannot see without your help, or are we even some of those who are responsible for injustice and inequity in our world. Reveal to us, O God, the true condition of our hearts, and help us to heal those parts that are broken. Overcome us with your truth and compassion and shine your Holy Light on our path as we go in and come out. In the name of your Christ, we pray. Amen.
Words of Assurance: (John 14:19-20) ALL: “In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On “this” day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” (the Christ)
Leader: In Christ, we are forgiven and already participate in eternal life.
Offertory/Dedication (Pastor Bob) From Pastor Bob: You may mail your money offerings to Monroe Community Church, UCC, Attn. Financial Secretary, PO Box 805, Monroe, Me. 04951 or you may go to our page: click on Information, click on www.maineucc.org/giving This will take you directly to the giving page: fill our your name, etc. Designation – choose “My Local Maine UCC Church” and then click in box for “Select your Local Church” and choose our church from the list. (Churches are listed alphabetical by Towns) Click Monroe Community Church, UCC, Monroe, Me – Then just follow the rest of the information as making any donation on line. Thank you for supporting our local church in these trying times.
Please Join me in singing the Doxology: *All: Praise God from whom all bless-ings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God a-bove, ye heaven-ly host; Praise Cre-a-tor, Christ and Ho-ly Ghost. Amen.
Prayer for Birthdays and Anniversaries: ALL: As they begin another year, O God, bless the ones who have birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries. May they be protected in the days to come. May they know your peace, love, joy, and hope for them. In Christ’s name we pray: Amen.
* Hymn:
Reading of Scriptures:
New Testament – Acts 1:6-14
New Testament – 1 Peter 4:12-14 & 5:6-11
Gospel – John 17:1-11
Sermon: “And This is Eternal Life”
Our Church’s Joys and Concerns
Moment of Silence
Lord’s Prayer – Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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 glory for ever. Amen.
* Closing Hymn
Blessing:
#812 – “Amen” – (NCH)
Postlude
Lectionary Reading for next Sunday – Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39 {Red - Pentecost}
Vision of Grace: May 17, 2026– 9 am regular worship; Bible Study - Friday, May 22 - 1 pm
Sunday, May 17, 2026 – Event Committee meeting right after worship, please join us as we gather ideas for our Fall fair.
Monday, May 25, 2026 – Our Church annual Pie sale at Gesner Park with the Monroe Lions Club Memorial Celebration – Parade at 11 am starts at the school to Gesner Park – Chicken BBQ, kids’ games, home made French fries, ice cream, tables for crafts maybe rented –T-ball games at 1 & 2 pm with Knox and MUCH MORE! RAIN OR SHINE!!!!
Music CCL #11040230; Streaming CCL
Monroe Community Church, UCC, PO Box 805, Monroe, ME 04951; Office phone # 207-525-3256
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