United Methodist Church of Mount Kisco

05/28/2026

CELEBRATION OF THE TRINITY

Reverend Thomas Stubbs, Pastor

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF MOUNT KISCO
Saturday, May 30, 2026
5:30 PM
Welcome! We’re glad you’re here.
If you have any questions or needs during the service, please speak to an usher.
+ Please stand in spirit or in body.
PRELUDE “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” Reginald Heber/John B. D***s
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
RINGING OF THE TOWER BELL
+ CALL TO WORSHIP
When I look at the work of your hands, O Lord, at the moon and the stars, I wonder:
What are we, that you are mindful of us? What are mortals, that you care for us?
Yet you've made us only a little lower than yourself, made us to be like you.
And so we praise your Holy name, O Lord, majestic in all the earth!
+ OPENING HYMN “Come, Join the Dance of Trinity” verses 1, 3, 4 W&S 3017
1. Come, join the dance of Trinity, before all worlds begun
the interweaving of the Three: the Father, Spirit, Son.
The universe of space and tine did not arise by chance,
but as the Three in love and hope, made room within their dance.
3. Come, speak aloud of Trinity, as wind and tongues of flame
set people free at Pentecost to tell the Savior’s name.
We know the yoke of sin and death, our necks have worn it smooth;
go tell the world of weight and woe that we are free to move!
4. Within the dance of Trinity, before all worlds begun,
we sing the praises of the Three: the Father, Spirit, Son.
Let voices rise and interweave, by love and hope set free,
to shape in song this joy, this life: the dance of Trinity.
+ PASSING OF THE PEACE “Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands”
Put peace into each other’s hands with loving expectation;
be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God’s creation.
See Jesus Christ in other’s hands; he is love’s deepest measure.
In love make peace, give peace a chance, and share it like a treasure.
MOMENTS WITH ALL GOD’S CHILDREN Rev. Thomas Stubbs
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?
No! In all these things we are more than victorious through him who loved us. Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
THANKS BE TO GOD!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
LORD’S PRAYER
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,
forever and ever. Amen.
+ HYMN OF PREPARATION “How Great Thou Art” verses 1, 2, 3 UMH 77
1. O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee;
how great thou art, how great thou art!
2. When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze;
Repeat refrain
3. And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
sent him to die, I scarce can take it in;
that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
he bled and died to take away my sin;
Repeat refrain
FIRST READING Genesis 1:1-2:4a Kathie Goodman
When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.
Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights--the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night--and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind and the cattle of every kind and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” So God created humans in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all their multitude. On the sixth day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
SECOND READING 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Be restored; listen to my appeal; agree with one another; live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
The Word of God for the people of God!
Thanks be to God!
SERMON “The Never-Ending Story” Rev. Thomas Stubbs
THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY HYMN “Awesome God” Rich Mullins
+ DOXOLOGY “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH 94
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
+ PRAYER OF DEDICATION
+ CLOSING HYMN “God Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens” verses 1, 3, 4 UMH 150
1. God, who stretched the spangled heavens, infinite in time and place,
flung the suns in burning radiance through the silent fields of space,
we your children, in your likeness, share inventive powers with you.
Great Creator, still creating, show us what we yet may do.
3. We have ventured worlds undreamed of since the childhood of our race;
known the ecstasy of winging through untraveled realms of space;
probed the secrets of the atom, yielding unimagined power,
facing us with life’s destruction or our most triumphant hour.
4. As each far horizon beckons, may it challenge us anew,
children of creative purpose, serving others, honoring you.
May our dreams prove rich with promise, each endeavor well begun.
Great Creator, give us guidance till our goals and yours are one.
BENEDICTION & SENDING FORTH
POSTLUDE

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty Words: Reginald Heber 1826 Music: John B. D***s 1861 #64 UMH Public Domain
Come, Join the Dance of Trinity Words: Richard Leach ©2001 Selah Publishing Co. Inc. Music: trad. English melody #3017 W&S
Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands Words: Fred Kaan ©1989 Hope Publishing Co. Music: Irish melody, harm. from The English Hymnal 1906
How Great Thou Art Words & Music: Stuart K. Hine 1953 ©1953, ren, 1981 Manna Music, Inc. #77 UMH
Awesome God Words & Music: Rich Mullins ©1988 IMG Songs, Inc. #2040 TFWS
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Words: Thomas Ken 1674 Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge 1623 #94 UMH Public Domain
God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens Words: Catherine Cameron 1967 ©1967 Hope Publishing Co. Music: William Moore 1825 #150 UMH
LICENSING PERMISSION: One License -741390

ANNOUNCEMENTS
UMC Mount Kisco and Yorktown UMC will worship jointly at Mt. Kisco on Sunday, June 14 at 10:00am. There will be no Saturday worship that weekend. Join us!
Our next UMCMK Flea Market is scheduled for Saturday, June 13 from 10:00am to 4:00pm on the front lawn. New vendors are welcome ($35 fee). To help with setup or breakdown, please contact Bobbie McCann at (914) 841-8941.
Our Summer BBQ potluck will be held on Sunday, June 28 at 4:00pm in the church’s backyard. Burgers and hotdogs will be provided, so bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join in the fun! The folks from Yorktown UMC will also be invited. More information coming soon.
The Pastor’s Bible Study continues on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm in the Porter Library. Join us as we learn from the books of Acts, Psalms, and Lamentations how God transforms communities into places where hearts are healed by his redeeming love. If attending via Zoom, email Pastor Thomas for the link at [email protected]
The Pantry of Northern Westchester helps hundreds of people in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. They are still seeking donations of boxed cereal, canned and dried beans, canned corn, canned tomatoes, and canned fruit. There is a pantry box for donations in the narthex. To volunteer: please contact Marianne in the church office at (914) 666-5014.
Please sign up for liturgist, for the parable box, for Fellowship Hour refreshments, and for greeter. Look for the sign up sheet after service or call Marianne in the office at (914) 666-5014 to volunteer.
Our parish thrift shop, Treasures on Smith, is open on Mondays 10am-2pm and Saturdays 10am-3pm. Donations are accepted during shop hours only. To volunteer: please call Marianne in the church office at (914) 666-5014.

__________________________________________
United Methodist Church of Mount Kisco
May 23 report — Attendance: 21 Weekly Donations: $1886.41
Pastor: Reverend Thomas Blaine Stubbs Pastor’s email: [email protected]
Church office email: [email protected] Website: www.mountkiscochurch.com
Phone: 914-666-5014 300 E. Main St., Mount Kisco, N.Y. 10549
Administrative Assistant: Marianne Baldwin Music Director: Paul Martinez
Lay Leaders: Bobbie McCann, Ross Porter Hymn Leaders: Kooki Laux, Heather Kent
Liturgist: Kathie Goodman Projectionist: Ross Porter

05/22/2026

DAY OF PENTECOST
Reverend Thomas Stubbs, Pastor

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF MOUNT KISCO
Saturday, May 23, 2026
5:30 PM
Welcome! We’re glad you’re here.
If you have any questions or needs during the service, please speak to an usher.
+ Please stand in spirit or in body.
PRELUDE “Come Down, O Love Divine” Bianco of Siena/Ralph Vaughan Williams
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Thomas Stubbs
RINGING OF THE TOWER BELL
+ CALL TO WORSHIP
May the glory of the Lord endure forever! May the Lord rejoice in his works.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created. You renew the face of the earth.
I will sing to the Lord for as long as I live! As long as I have being, I will praise him.
May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
+ OPENING HYMN “O Spirit of the Living God” verses 1, 3, 4 UMH 539
1. O Spirit of the living God, thou light and fire divine,
descend upon thy church once more, and make it truly thine.
Fill it with love and joy and power, with righteousness and peace;
till Christ shall dwell in human hearts, and sin and sorrow cease.
3. Teach us to utter living words of truth which all may hear,
the language all may understand when love speaks loud and clear;
till every age and race and clime shall blend their creeds in one,
and earth shall form one family by whom thy will is done.
4. So shall we know the power of Christ who came this world to save;
so shall we rise with him to life which soars beyond the grave;
and earth shall win true holiness, which makes thy children whole;
till, perfected by thee, we reach creation’s glorious goal!
+ PASSING OF THE PEACE “Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands”
Put peace into each other’s hands with loving expectation;
be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God’s creation.
See Jesus Christ in other’s hands; he is love’s deepest measure.
In love make peace, give peace a chance, and share it like a treasure.
MOMENTS WITH ALL GOD’S CHILDREN Rev. Thomas Stubbs
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Can you bottle a breeze? Can you blow out a forest fire? Can you help but breathe?
For those times we stifle your Spirit, O God;
For those times we ignore your whispers and shouts;
For those time when we turn away from your wonders and miracles:
Forgive us. AMEN.
Time for silent confession
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Hear the good news: The breeze is loosed on the world. The fire is consumed.
We breathe deeply, for indeed, we are forgiven.
Alleluia! Thanks be to God!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
LORD’S PRAYER
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,
forever and ever. Amen.
+ HYMN OF PREPARATION “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” TFWS 2171
1. Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2. Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, only light,
and where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3. Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love with all my soul.
4. Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
in giving of ourselves that we receive,
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
FIRST READING Acts 2:1-21 Eric Smith, Ray Wray
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power.”
All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?”
But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine.”
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 'In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
+ GOSPEL READING 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
No one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of power deeds, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
The Word of God for the people of God!
Thanks be to God!
SERMON “Find Your Fire” Rev. Thomas Stubbs
THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY HYMN “You Alone Are Holy” Kenneth R. Hanna/Jorge Lockward
+ DOXOLOGY “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH 94
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
+ PRAYER OF DEDICATION
+ CLOSING HYMN “Forward Through the Ages” all 3 verses UMH 555
1. Forward through the ages, in unbroken line,
move the faithful spirits at the call divine;
gifts in differing measure, hearts of one accord,
manifold the service, one the sure reward.
Refrain
Forward thru the ages, in unbroken line,
move the faithful spirits at the call divine.
2. Wider grows the kingdom, reign of love and light;
for it we must labor, till our faith is sight.
Prophets have proclaimed it, martyrs testified,
poets sung its glory, heroes for it died.
Repeat refrain
3. Not alone we conquer, not alone we fall;
in each loss or triumph lose or triumph all.
Bound by God’s far purpose in one living whole,
move we on together to the shining goal.
Repeat refrain
BENEDICTION & SENDING FORTH
POSTLUDE

Come Down, O Love Divine Words: Bianco of Siena 1851 Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams 1906 #475 UMH Public Domain
O Spirit of the Living God Words: Henry H. Tweedy 1935 Music: trad. English melody, arr. by Ralph Vaughan Williams 1906 #539 UMH
Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands Words: Fred Kaan ©1989 Hope Publishing Co. Music: Irish melody, harm. from The English Hymnal 1906
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace Words: Prayer of St. Francis Music: Sebastian Temple ©1967 OCP Publications #2171 TFWS
You Alone Are Holy Words: st.1 anon, adapt. by Kenneth R. Hanna, st.2 Jorge Lockward ©2000 Abingdon Press, admin. by The Copyright Co.
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Words: Thomas Ken 1674 Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge 1623 #94 UMH Public Domain
Forward Through the Ages Words: Frederick Lucian Hosmer, 1908 Music: Arthur S. Sullivan 1871 #555 UMH Public Domain

LICENSING PERMISSION: One License -741390

_______________________________

United Methodist Church of Mount Kisco
May 16 report — Attendance: 18 Weekly Donations: $278.
Pastor: Reverend Thomas Blaine Stubbs Pastor’s email: [email protected]
Church office email: [email protected] Website: www.mountkiscochurch.com
Phone: 914-666-5014 300 E. Main St., Mount Kisco, N.Y. 10549
Administrative Assistant: Marianne Baldwin Music Director: Paul Martinez
Lay Leaders: Bobbie McCann, Ross Porter Hymn Leaders: Kooki Laux, Heather Kent
Liturgists: Eric Smith, Ray Wray Projectionist: Ross Porter

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our Summer BBQ potluck will be held on Sunday, June 28 at 4:00pm in the church’s backyard. Burgers and hotdogs will be provided, so bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join in the fun! The folks from Yorktown UMC will also be invited. More information coming soon.
UMCMK is hosting a Food Drive during the month of May for The Pantry. There is a pantry box for donations in the narthex. The pantry’s wish list includes cereal, canned and dried beans, canned corn, canned tomatoes, and canned fruit. To receive food: Pantry hours are Tuesdays 3pm-7pm, and Wednesdays 9am-11am and 4pm-6pm. To volunteer: please contact Marianne in the church office at (914) 666-5014.
The UMCMK Flea Markets occur on our front lawn every second Saturday of the month, May thru September, from 10:00am-4:00pm. Next one: Saturday, June 13. New vendors are welcome! ($35 fee) To participate or volunteer, please call Marianne in the church office at (914) 666-5014.
The Pastor’s Bible Study continues on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm in the Porter Library. Join us as we learn from the books of Acts, Psalms, and Lamentations how God transforms communities into places where hearts are healed by his redeeming love. If

05/21/2026

05/21/2026

Dear UMC Mount Kisco Family,

Good afternoon! Blessings and peace to you and yours.

Those of you who’ve seen this past Saturday’s service know that this past weekend yours truly was leading a Conference-wide youth retreat spotlighting the Methodist footprint in New York City.

“Methodists in the City,” as we call it, happened for the first time in November of 2024, and featured an in-depth look at the ministry of early Methodists in lower Manhattan. For this second iteration, we turned our attention to Harlem and the upper west side. Among the sites we visited:

(1) Mother AME Zion Church, the oldest Black Methodist congregation in the country
(2) Sylvia’s Restaurant, a famous soul food joint in Harlem where we were treated to a fantastic lunch
(3) Central Park, where our youth and adults split into groups and took on my homemade scavenger hunt
(4) St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church, where we helped bake muffins to be distributed at the church’s community food pantry and heard from the creative director of the Bedlam Theater Company, which stages is productions at St. Paul St. Andrew.

All in all, I’d say the trip was a great success! We had 24 total participants from all over our Annual Conference. My prayer for those who came is that they’ll be inspired by the stories of faith, resilience, advocacy, and community connection that these remarkable churches have to tell, so much so that they’ll imagine how their own congregations can be a part of that work in ways all their own. Thank you for the support you’ve shown me for the work I’m doing with this and other events. It’s a gift to have this work—and the time I devote to it—received with such enthusiasm and grace.

Alright, enough talk. I promised you pictures, and here they are:

I hope these shots give you a bit of joy today. Taking them certainly gave me a lot of joy. So did getting to spend the day with so many fine folks, both young and old. They reminded me, as y’all do, too, of what a gift it is to serve the Lord who calls us together.

In Christ,

Thomas

05/15/2026

5:30 PM
ASCENSION OF THE LORD
Betty Lynn Gannon, Guest Preacher
Reverend Thomas Stubbs, Pastor

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF MOUNT KISCO
Saturday, May 16, 2026
5:30 PM
Welcome! We’re glad you’re here.
If you have any questions or needs during the service, please speak to an usher.
+ Please stand in spirit or in body.
PRELUDE “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” James K. Manley
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Joanne Hall
RINGING OF THE TOWER BELL
+ CALL TO WORSHIP
Why are we looking up to heaven?
Christ has come; Christ has risen; Christ will come again.
Why are we looking ahead to the future?
The Holy Spirit is among us now. In our baptism, we have already died and risen with Christ
Why are we afraid of death and dying?
God’s love casts out our fear.
Why are we afraid to follow Jesus?
In Christ, we have the promise of new life now, eternal life to come. In Christ, we join our hearts to worship God, who has prepared for us to enter the reign of God.
+ OPENING HYMN “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise” all 4 verses UMH 312
1. Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
To his throne above the skies, Alleluia!
Christ, awhile to mortals given, Alleluia!
Reascends his native heaven, Alleluia!
2. There the glorious triumph waits, Alleluia!
Lift your heads, eternal gates, Alleluia!
Christ hath conquered death and sin, Alleluia!
Take the King of glory in, Alleluia!
3. See! the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia!
Yet he loves the earth he leaves, Alleluia!
Though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
Still he call the world his own, Alleluia!
4. See! he lifts his hands above, Alleluia!
See! he shows the prints of love, Alleluia!
Hark! his gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
Blessings on his church below, Alleluia!
+ PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST “Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands”
Put peace into each other’s hands with loving expectation;
be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God’s creation.
See Jesus Christ in other’s hands; he is love’s deepest measure.
In love make peace, give peace a chance, and share it like a treasure.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Joanne Hall
While we claim to celebrate the ascension of our Lord, the way we live proclaims our lack of faith in his power to deal with the world. Let us confess the incongruity between our faith and practice. Let us pray:
We come, O Lord, on this day of glory to confess our lack of trust. While we sing of your lordship over all creation, we have too often acted as though you are powerless in the face of today's events. Help us to live with confidence in your presence today and in hope for life with you forever. Amen.
Time for silent confession
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the good news. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. This proves God’s love toward us.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
Glory to God. AMEN.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Joanne Hall
LORD’S PRAYER
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, forever and ever. Amen.
+ HYMN OF PREPARATION “Come, Let Us Join Our Friends Above” verses 1, 2, 4 UMH 709
1. Come, let us join our friends above who have obtained the prize,
and on the eagle wings of love to joys celestial rise.
Let saints on earth unite to sing with those to glory gone,
for all the servants of our King in earth and heaven are one.
2. One family we dwell in him, one church above, beneath,
though now divided by the stream, the narrow stream of death;
one army of the living God, to his command we bow;
part of his host have crossed the flood, and part are crossing now.
4. Our spirits too shall quickly join, like theirs with glory crowned,
and shout to see our Captain’s sign, to hear his trumpet sound.
O that we now might grasp our Guide! O that the word were given!
Come, Lord of Hosts, the waves divide, and land us all in heaven.
FIRST READING Acts 1:6-14 Joanne Hall
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
+ GOSPEL READING John 17:1-11
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
"I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me.
I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
The Word of God for the people of God!
Thanks be to God!
SERMON “The Kingdom Is Coming, Please Stand By” Betty Lynn Gannon
THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY HYMN “O Christ, When You Ascended” Carolyn Winfrey Gillette/Henry T. Smart
+ DOXOLOGY “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH 94
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
+ PRAYER OF DEDICATION Betty Lynn Gannon
+ CLOSING HYMN “A Charge to Keep I Have” all 4 verses UMH 413
1. A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky.
2. To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will!
3. Arm me with jealous care, as in thy sight to live,
and oh, thy servant, Lord, prepare a strict account to give!
4. Help me to watch and pray, and on thyself rely,
assured, if I my trust betray, I shall forever die.
BENEDICTION & SENDING FORTH
POSTLUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell ©2025 Rev-o-lution Resources
Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness Words & Music: James K. Manley ©1978 James K. Manley #2120 TFWS
Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise Words: Charles Wesley 1739 Music: Robert Williams 1817 #312 UMH Public Domain
Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands Words: Fred Kaan ©1989 Hope Publishing Co. Music: Irish melody, harm. from The English Hymnal 1906
Come, Let Us Join Our Friends Above Words: Charles Wesley 1759 Music: trad. English melody, arr. by Ralph Vaughan Williams 1906 #709 UMH
Public Domain
O Christ, When You Ascended Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette ©2007 Carolyn Winfrey Gillette Music: Henry T. Smart #3087 W&S
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Words: Thomas Ken 1674 Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge 1623 #94 UMH Public Domain
A Charge to Keep I Have Words: Charles Wesley 1762 Music: Lowell Mason 1832 #413 UMH Public Domain
LICENSING PERMISSION: One License -741390

_______________________________

Pastor: Reverend Thomas Blaine Stubbs Pastor’s email: [email protected]
Church office email: [email protected] Website: www.mountkiscochurch.com
Phone: 914-666-5014 300 E. Main St., Mount Kisco, N.Y. 10549
Guest Preacher: Betty Lynn Gannon
Administrative Assistant: Marianne Baldwin Music Director: Paul Martinez
Lay Leaders: Bobbie McCann, Ross Porter Hymn Leaders: Kooki Laux, Heather Kent
Liturgist: Joanne Hall Projectionist: Ross Porter

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Pastor’s Bible Study continues on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm in the Porter Library. Join us as we learn from the books of Acts, Psalms, and Lamentations how God transforms communities into places where hearts are healed by his redeeming love. If attending via Zoom, email Pastor Thomas for the link at [email protected]
UMCMK is hosting a Food Drive during the month of May for The Pantry. There is a box in the narthex for donations. The pantry’s wish list includes cereal, canned and dried beans, canned corn, canned tomatoes, and canned fruit. To receive food: Pantry hours are Tuesdays 3pm-7pm, and Wednesdays 9am-11am and 4pm-6pm. To volunteer: please contact Marianne in the church office at (914) 666-5014.
Please sign up for liturgist, for the parable box, for Fellowship Hour refreshments, and for greeter. Look for the sign up sheet after service or call Marianne in the office at (914) 666-5014 to volunteer.
Our parish thrift shop, Treasures on Smith, is open on Mondays 10am-2pm and Saturdays 10am-3pm. Donations are accepted during shop hours only. To volunteer: please call Marianne in the church office at (914) 666-5014.
The UMCMK Flea Markets occur on our front lawn every second Saturday of the month, May thru September, from 10am-4pm. New vendors are welcome! ($35 fee) To participate or volunteer, please call Marianne in the c