May 17, 2026

Worshipping with Hummelstown UCC

Worship online: Streamed weekly on YouTube    Worship in person: Settle in and engage the spirit. 
Bold Type indicates you are invited to read, in unison aloud.
Hymns numbers are included here for the hymnals in the pews. If the music is from another source, it should be included at the end of the bulletin below.
Offerings & Gifts are always welcome, for your use a plate is placed at either entrance to the sanctuary.  A link is included here if you prefer to give online.
Prayer requests and communication cards are available on the clipboards in the pews.  Please place in the offering plates.  If you would like your prayer spoken in service, please give to the pastor before worship begins.
Children & Youth Jesus loved kids and loves yours, so we invite kids to be kids, whether they are wiggly, giggly or quiet. A rocking chair and changing table are available for your use at the back of the sanctuary to the left. Activity bags, crayons and paper are located at the back of the sanctuary. Move, groove and be part of the spirit!

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Seventh Sunday of Easter 5/17/2026
Building Community…
WELCOME
OPENING MEDITATION                                            Proverbs & Psalms
“Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor God.” (Proverbs 14:31)
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord and will be repaid in full.” (Proverbs 19:17)
“Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)
“Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.” (Proverbs 31:8)
“It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to one who is perishing and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out; judge righteously; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:4-9)
“The Lord watches over the strangers; upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked, brings to ruin.” (Psalm 146:9)

PRELUDE    “We Shall Overcome”    Trad., Arr. by Esther Schutz

CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Whether we are rich, middle class or barely getting by-
Many: We are part of Christ’s church.
One: Whether we have plenty or in want-
Many: We are part of Christ’s church.
One: Whether we are employed, unemployed or retired-
Many: We are part of Christ’s church.
One: Whether we give of time, talent or treasure-
Many: We are part of Christ’s church.
One: In a spirit of unity, caring for one another-
Many: We are part of Christ’s church.
One: Eager and Empowering Savior of All, we come to you this morning to expand our view of worship.  We enter this sanctuary to examine the ways we can create sanctuary for all.  Walking among us are our sisters of brothers who want.  In our families, circles of friends, body of Christ and human family are loved ones who hunger, who can’t afford basic necessities.  Allow this time not only to be one where we worship you but one where you open us up to new ways of serving.  Amen.
 
 HYMN     “Lead on Eternal Sovereign”        #573
 
PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION    
Many: Creator God, you made us to be neighbors, members of one family blessed with great diversity. You created us to be helpers and friends to one another, entrusting to us your justice and your joy. Yet we have denied justice and joy to many, creating worlds of poverty, pain, lost opportunities, and absence of hope. In so many ways, we break each other’s hearts. Still, you do not reject us. We ask your forgiveness and pray to be transformed. Help us to find ways of assisting others that will empower them in the process, leading all of us to a future where we see you more clearly and love our neighbors abundantly.  Amen.
 
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
One: Loving God, you restore us to each other and to you, mending our hearts and repairing the world. Through the power of your Spirit, you shape us to be for others what Christ is for us: pardon and peace, new life and blessing. We give you thanks for your love, forgiveness and constant presence. Like a great feast, God is providing an abundance of grace.  No matter what decisions or choices we have made in the past, we are
forgiven again and again.
 
PASSING OF THE PEACE
                                                        
HYMN    “Hallelujah”     #236
Message for Younger Disciples
All families, kids or those young at heart are welcome to come forward for a moment of connection at the altar
 HYMN    “Hallelujah”     #236
 
Opening to the Spirit’s call…
 
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
We seek health and healing with… Amy Gehris, healing from stroke; Bob Brandis; Carolyn Williams; Diane Tillotson; Andrea Quigley; Kerry Watson-out of rehab; Laurie Watson-doing well; Dustin Perry; John Hoover-at Lebanon Valley Home for rehab, making some progress; Randy Whitman-PT, progress slower than desired; Cindy C.-still going through difficult time after husband’s death;
We pray with… Yvonne; Bill Severns; Chuck K.; Nancy Bingaman; Hunter; Mary Lohr; Bryce and family; Debbie Husser-kidney failure; Those with cancer: Carol Ann Simpson; Jan Mindish; Peggy Anderson; Tom Ordille; Sue Mannello; Dan Brouse; Becki; Pam; Deb; Kate H.; Ana; Gary Wert; Linda Gemberling; Olivia; Those affected by war & violence, those serving in our armed forces and all first responders;
We grieve with… The families of: Carl Siebert; Dean Moser; Wayne Williams; Andrew Sabol; Rose;
 
LORD'S PRAYER
MANY: Our Creator/Mother/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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
 
ANNOUNCING MISSIONS & MINISTRY
 
CENTERING OUR GENEROSITY
One: By using our voices, our hands and all of our resources, we can make a difference, we can Care for the poor and Fight for the Powerless.  At this time, we come together to offer our treasures to build the Body of Christ and care for our world.  Let us share what we have knowing that it will help the world experience God’s love.
                                                               
MUSICAL REFLECTION              Choir: “Do Lord, Remember Me”
                                                         Traditional Spiritual, Arr. by Russell Mauldin
 
SUNG RESPONSE        (Tune #780)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.
 
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Many: We dedicate these gifts today as we build our voices to stand for the powerless in our communities.  Extend your blessings upon these gifts and wisdom upon us.  May these treasures invigorate the lives of all of your children.  Amen.
 
HYMN    “O for a World”        #575
 Discerning through Story…
HEBREW SCRIPTURE     Esther 4:13-17
Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
 
                         Leviticus 19:9-13
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God. “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the Lord. “You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning.
 
GOSPEL        Mark 12:28-31
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
 
SERMON      We Embrace: Justice    Pastor Beth Rogers
 
Going Forth with God’s Love!
CLOSING HYMN     “For the Healing of the Nations”      #576                                          
 
BENEDICTION
One: As we go forward help us to remember that we are all connected to one another.  When we help one person or one community, our work ripples into the world.  Let us leave this place being the hands and feet of Christ, ready to serve when we are called. 
 
POSTLUDE    “I Will Praise Thee”    Benton Price                                                       
                                                      

 

Today in worship:
Liturgist: John Horn                Tech: John Horn
Acolyte: Tylah Peterson       Greeters/Ushers: Carole Hoover, Jim Landvater
 
 
Announcements:
Hummelstown Community Singers Concert TODAY!  Come and listen, and celebrate community and music making.
 
Scholarship Season: HUCC scholarship applications are available by contacting the church office. All applications will be due by mid summer.
 
Game Day following worship today! Stay after worship for a game or two in the lower level.  Card games, board games and all are welcome!
 
 
June 12th  Relay for Life Sign up to be part of the team by contacting team captains Wendy Whitehaus Cole or Kris Landvater. Or bring your change to donate to the collection bottles in sanctuary!
         

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