03/22/2026
We will miss seeing you in person tomorrow, but safety first!
Please join us online at 9:30 AM on ZOOM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84416520839?pwd=ZiOQpeWEIBQbWsR4bTRBeafWkV8DbA.1
Meeting ID: 844 1652 0839
Passcode: 538899
You will find a copy of the Bulletin attached to this email. This will be our guide for the online worship.
Links to versions of the Hymns on Youtube:
When Morning Gilds the Skies (Tune: Laudes Domini - 5vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube
Amazing Grace - The Petersens (LIVE)
Let There Be Peace on Earth | Choir and Piano with Lyrics | Song for World Peace | Christian Hymn
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Plan well and be safe! Happy Spring in the Foothills of Maine!
Blessings,
Pastor Rick
Rick Dorian, MDiv, MMHS
First Congregational Church UCC of Wilton
386 Main Street
Wilton, Maine
Office: 207-645-2535
Cell: 207-431-7929
E-mail: [email protected]
Preview YouTube video When Morning Gilds the Skies (Tune: Laudes Domini - 5vv) [with lyrics for congregations]Preview YouTube video When Morning Gilds the Skies (Tune: Laudes Domini - 5vv) [with lyrics for congregations]
Preview YouTube video Amazing Grace - The Petersens (LIVE)Preview YouTube video Amazing Grace - The Petersens (LIVE)
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
P. O. BOX 566, 386 MAIN ST., WILTON, MAINE 04294 645-2535
email: [email protected]
March 22, 2026 Fifth Sunday in Lent
From Psalm 130 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; 2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 3
If you, LORD, kept a record of
sins, Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can,
with reverence, serve you.
PRELUDE Pat Parent
WELCOME & UPDATES
CALL TO WORSHIP: Leader: This is not the time for platitudes, for simple answers
and tied clichés. This is the time for breaking hearts and weary spirits.
People: Let our worship be arms that can hold all that grieves us.
Leader: This is not the place for blame, for pointing fingers and second guessing. This
is the time for angry tears and aching wails.
People: Let our worship be a witness to journey alongside us as we break.
Leader: When we are standing at the edge of the tomb staring into the truth of the
death-dealing forces of our world, when there is nothing left to do but to go and weep.
People: Let our worship be the song calling us forth from the grave to the
community that can bind us and set us free.
*GATHERING HYMN #86 When Morning Gilds the Skies NCH
PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Leader: In this hour, as we look death in the face, stay
with us, Weeping Jesus, stay with us. In this hour, as we try to hold on, try to believe,
try to hope, stay with us, Tender Love, stay with us. In this hour, as we risk the
vulnerability of love, the possibility of joy, the dream of freedom, stay with us, Sweet
Spirit, stay with us. Amen
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION PEOPLE: People: The story of Lazarus rising
from the dead, our gospel reading for today, feels like it has grief written under
every line. Under Lazarus’ illness and Jesus’ absence. Under the disciples’
questions and the danger of returning to Judea. Under Martha’s believing the
Mary’s weeping. Under the stone and the stench of death. And it is through this
giving that transformation becomes possible. So today, let us seek
transformation and new life, not through confession or accountability, but
through our grieving of the death-dealing forces in our world, for all that binds
us to the death machine. Let our love for what death will touch open us to
vulnerability, open us to these rites of grief.
Time of silent reflection
Prayer for New Life Leader: For the violence that brings death and death-dealing that
brings violence, we grieve,
People: God, have mercy.
Leader: For the blood in the streets and the blood on our hands, we grieve,
People: Christ, have mercy.
Leader: For heartbreaking loss and the loss of hearts soft enough to break, we grieve,
People: God, have mercy.
Leader: From all the binds us and steals our breaths,
People: Turn us around, Holy One, Amen.
Words of Grace Leader: Let your soul receive this rest: on this road, there will be
comfort, in this grief, there will be companions, when death seems to have the last
word, there is still, Jesus.
People: Praise God, who weeps with us, and calls us by name back into life, and
into the community that unbinds and frees us.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
First reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Second reading: Romans 8:6-11
Gospel: John 11:1-45
*GLORIA PATRI Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it
was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
MESSAGE: ‘Are you born again?’
*HYMN: Amazing Grace Insert
A TIME OF SHARING AND PRAYER
You are invited to speak of people or matters in our world that we might all hold in
prayer. Kindly be respectful of the privacy of those whose names you raise, providing
detail only if it is appropriate to do so.
INVITATIONAL PRAYER Loving God, open our eyes, ears and hearts to witness and
be in solidarity with those that are suffering. We join in prayer to be part of Your
wondrous response as we strive to show all the heart and love of Jesus Christ. Amen.
SILENT PRAYER
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD'S PRAYER (see insert)
OFFERTORY INVITATION: Leader: Resurrected life takes community It takes all of
us together to unbind ourselves from the ways of death and move toward the ways of
life. How are you being called to awaken to, rise into an ethic of sharing rather than
scarcity so that we all might have life and have it abundantly? What do our
relationships and commitments to collective liberation ask of us and our resources to
that we can experience freedom together? Let us offer our gifts in ways that unbind us
all. Amen.
OFFERING GIVEN
*DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here
below, Praise him above ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND THANKSGIVING: People: From these offerings,
Holy One, create freedom. From these hearts, Holy One, raise up love. From
these hand, Holy One, bring life. From every one of our gifts, in the sharing of
our resources, may we be unbound, and called forth into a new day together.
Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN: Let There Be Peace on Earth Insert
*BENEDICTION Leader: May your grief be a blessing of opening to vulnerability of
loving what death will touch And in the weeping always know, you are not alone. May
you hear the voice of the Holy One calling you by name singing you into life where
there will be companions waiting to bless you unbind you and set you free. Amen
POSTLUDE Pat Parent
* Unbind: Service Prayers for the Fifth Sunday in Lent was written by Dr. Sharon R.
Fennema
Preview YouTube video Let There Be Peace on Earth | Choir and Piano with Lyrics | Song for World Peace | Christian HymnPreview YouTube video Let There Be Peace on Earth | Choir and Piano with Lyrics | Song for World Peace | Christian Hymn
