1/11/26 Bulletin
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HANCOCK
We respect tradition — and we welcome inclusive language about people and expansive language about God. Please pray using words most meaningful to you.
Open and Affirming of ALL God’s Children
January 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. – Baptism of Christ Sunday
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 839 3635 9115 Passcode: 776780
The first pew in front of the pulpit has books and quiet activities for people of all ages.
Please find something that suits you, take it to your pew, and return it after the service.
Silent Prayer
Mysterious One, through the ordinary elements of the earth, we are reminded that your grace is woven into our common life. The same waters that revive our bodies and the earth’s, invite, too, the renewal of our souls. May we not take for granted the sources of our life but be good stewards of these gifts that restore. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Tune: Nettleton/ Wyeth/Lau
Welcome
*Introit Spirit of the Living God R. #281 Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me; / Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. / Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
*Call to Worship
One: God hovered over the waters and brought forth life.
All: Delighting in earth’s creatures and creations, God called these wonders “good!”
One: Though greed and cruelty seeped in, bringing violence and destruction into life’s abundance, still, God persists in the work of love.
All: Stirring the waters again and again, God points us back to our divine beginnings while also ushering us towards new forms of life.
One: Let us remember anew, with joy, God’s proclamations over creation: The earth and all its creatures are beloved. All life is Sacred. Each person, birthed from the Divine.
All: Thanks be to God, who calls us back to ourselves - beloved and good and free to pursue life together.
*Passing the Peace (ASL) and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth B. #28
For the beauty of the earth, for the splendor of the skies,
For the love which from our birth over and around us lies,
God of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light,
God of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,
God of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the good that love inspires, for a world where none exclude,
For a faith that never tires, and for every heart renewed,
God of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
Still-speaking God, as these words from Scripture are read, may it be to us as if the heavens are opening, and we see your Spirit descending on us like a dove, revealing your love for us as your beloved children. Amen
Children’s Message
Scripture Isaiah 42:1-9 and Matthew 3:13-17
Special Music Tell Me the Old, Old Story Tune: Evangel/ Doane/ Powell
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Here I am Lord
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in deepest sin My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Chorus:
Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people's pain.
I have wept for love of them. They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them, Whom shall I send?
Chorus
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Chorus:
Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns
Our Father (Creator, Mother) 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
Lead me Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, make thy way plain before my face.
For it is thou Lord, thou Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.
Invitation to Offering - Friends, through baptism we recognize one another as family in Christ. The earth and the soil and the water and the creatures - they are our family too. In gratitude for this entangled life and for the Creator who ushers us towards right-relationship with one another, let us bring our gifts together.
Offertory Behold That Star American Spiritual/ Robert Thompson
*The Doxology
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. Amen
*Prayer of Dedication (spoken in unison)
Holy One, with thanks for your love that stretches beyond our comprehension, we bring our gifts. What a wonder, your invitation to be co-creators of life. May we be bold enough to believe it’s true: that you have called us, that you claim us, and that together, we can do a new thing. Amen
*Hymn God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale B. #32
God of the sparrow God of the whale God of the swirling starsHow does the creature say Awe How does the creature say Praise
God of the earthquake God of the storm God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature cry Woe How does the creature cry Save
God of the rainbow God of the cross God of the empty graveHow does the creature say Grace How does the creature say Thanks
God of the hungry God of the sick God of the prodigalHow does the creature say Care How does the creature say Life
God of the neighbor God of the foe God of the pruning hookHow does the creature say Love How does the creature say Peace
God of the ages God near at hand God of the loving heartHow do your children say Joy How do your children say Home
*Benediction
*Sung Benediction Go, My Children, with My Blessing (v.1) B. #82
Go my children with my blessing, never alone;
Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own;
In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever,
Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.
Postlude Cold December Flies Away Trad. Catalonian Carol/ Anthony Giamanco
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary.
Support our Church Financially
Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our webpage www.hancockucc.com
or visit this link to our PayPal account: paypal.me/hancockucc
or mail offerings to:
Union Congregational Church, PO Box 443, Hancock, ME 04640 (Attention: Treasurer)
Contact Us
Vicky – hancockmaineucc@gmail.com – 207.422.3100
Jennifer – treasurer@hancockucc.com
TJ – revtjmack@gmail.com – 207.323.6743
Resources:
Silent Prayer, Call to Worship, Offering Prayers, Benediction -
enfleshed: liturgy that matters
Invocation - Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
Many thanks to those who make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Mary Anggela Davis & Everett Espling
Liturgist – Pat Summerer
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
The New Century Hymnal (B.) Hymns of Truth and Light (R.)
Copyright © 1995 The Pilgrim Press Copyright © 1998 First Congregational
Church of Huston, Texas
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.
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