Morning Worship

January 18th, 2026 - Second Sunday After the Epiphany

We offer you a warm welcome, and as is our practice, we remember that the land on which we meet is, was, and always will be native land. We acknowledge those indigenous tribes to Oklahoma: the Wichitas, Caddos, Plains Apaches, and the Quapaws, as the original custodians of the land in this place. We grieve the violence done to native language, culture, and personhood, and seek to honor the sovereignty and dignity of native peoples.

We are so glad you've joined us, whether onsite or online. Please take a moment to tell us you are here by using the sign-in button below.

Welcome

One: Good morning and welcome from Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ, where no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey . . .  

All: You are welcome here!

Call to Worship

Type your new text here.

Hymn

God is Here! As We Your People Meet, Hymn 70
New Century Hymnal

[Please rise in body or in spirit.]

Pass the Peace of Christ

One: "May the peace of Christ be with you."
All: "And also with you!"

Anthem

Simple Song from 'Mass'
Leonard Bernstein
Clint Williams and Carolyn Sargent

Joys + Concerns

For the joys of this congregation, let the people say: “Thanks be to God!”

The Lord's Prayer

a translation by this congregation

All: Our Creator, who is in heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your 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 you reign in the power that is love, now and always, Amen.

Anthem

Be Still, My Soul
Jean Sibelius arr. Cindy Berry
Glenda Stansbury

Pastoral Prayer

Rev. Sheridan Irick

Scripture: John 1:29-42

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One.”

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Sermon: Jesus + House Meetings

Rev. Dr. Lori Walke

Hymn

Won't You Let Me Be Your Servant, Hymn 539
New Century Hymnal

[Please rise in body or in spirit.]

Announcements

  • Please support the work and mission of this church with your tithes and offerings. You can use the giving link in our app or on our website. Those of you who are in person can place them in the Giving Box, which is located just outside the sanctuary. If you haven't returned your 2026 Pledge Card, use the link above or complete a paper copy in the church office.
  • As a part of the VOICE 1,000 Conversations Campaign, Mayflower has committed to hosting conversations within our community. This Sunday, January 18th, after worship, we will gather in Milligan Hall, then divide up for small group discussions where everyone is invited to share a story about the pressures they are currently facing (high grocery costs, caring for aging parents, concerns about your children's or grandchildren’s education, issues in your neighborhood, etc.). Please join us as we seek to know each other better, understand more about what is going on in our communities, and work together for the common good. Childcare is available.
  • Today through Sunday, January 25th, Mayflower is hosting the exhibit Visualizing Palestine, which uses data and research to visually communicate Palestinian experiences to provoke narrative change so that we might envision a liberated future for Palestinians in a world free from oppression. Head to Milligan Hall to see the exhibit.
  • Join Pastor Sheridan on Zoom only this Tuesday, Jan 20th, at 6:30pm for our Brown Bag Bible Study to learn more about the story of Abraham & Isaac (Gen 22:1-18). Let’s study what stands out, ask questions, and interpret together.
  • Soup for the Soul Midweek Potluck: Let’s warm our bellies and hearts in the coldest month of the year with a Soup Potluck on Wednesday, January 21st. Use the sign-up link on the Events page to tell us what you’re bringing, whether it’s soup, a side dish or a dessert. The dinner bell rings at 6pm.
  • The Reproductive Justice Core team will be offering the UPDATED SACReD Curriculum in a series of sessions (both in-person and online), both for those who have previously studied and for those who are new to learn more about Reproductive Justice and how to be an advocate. Register through the link on the Events page/tab. Digital resources and a participant’s guide will be provided, as well as childcare for those who register. Please set aside the following dates and times, as the curriculum is designed to build on each session, culminating in an action plan at the end:

    Sunday, Feb 1st1pm-4:30
    Sunday, March 8th  1pm-4:30
    Sunday, April 12th   1pm-4:30
    Sunday, May 17th1pm-4:30
    Sunday, June 14th 1pm-4:30

    Questions?  Email reproductivejustice@mayflower.com
  • You can find more details about all of these things in the events tab on our app and on our website.

Benediction

One: May God grant to us the grace to never sell ourselves short, the courage to risk something big for something good, and the wisdom to know that the world is too small for anything but love. Let us go in peace, pray for peace, wage a little peace, and love one another . . .

ALL: …every single other.

Benediction Response

What Does the Lord Require?
Jim Strathdee

Part 1: What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you?

Part 2: Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God. Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God.

Part 3: To do justice, and love kindness and walk humbly with your God. To do justice, and love kindness and walk humbly with your God.

[Sung in a round, Part 1 begins the response, joined the second time by Part 2, then by Part 3, and then a fourth time through. For those in-person, it is our tradition for the congregation to stand and turn towards the center aisle during the benediction response so that we might "send each other forth" to embody what we sing.]