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 14, 2024 - Second Sunday after Epiphany - The Baptism of Christ
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10:00 (Recorded for Facebook and YouTube)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 822 2425 2518
Passcode: 755650
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
O God of life, who chooses creation over chaos and new beginnings over emptiness, we bring to you the disorder of our nations and world and the emptiness of our lives and relationships.
Bless us and the nations with the grace of creativity.
Bless us and all people with the hope of new beginnings. Amen
– John Philip Newell
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude This Is the Day the Lord Has Made Chapin/ Giamanco
Welcome
*Introit Arise, Your Light is Come! (vs. 1) Red Hymnal #167
Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call obey;
show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today.
*Call to Worship
One: Come! Wade in the river in your finest clothes!
All: Sing, strong and hard.
One: Sway your body with the gathered beloveds
All: that the waters may hum with our happiness.
One: We will splash forth the sacred!
All: We will dance forth the renewal of the world!
One: The Holy Spirit hovers in the depths. She washes us in Her Ancient, Ever new Wisdom.
All: Let us gather in the Flow of Refreshing Grace. Amen
*Passing of the Peace (ASL)
*Hymn Now Thank We All Our God R. #27
Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices; who, from our mothers' arms hath blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us, to keep us in all grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills in this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God almighty now be given; to God, the three in one, who reigns in highest heaven, the one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore; for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
*Invocation
One: God of grace and majesty, we exalt you for your wisdom, compassion, strength, and love. All: We thank you for choosing to walk among your people in all the circumstances of our lives. We pray that we would always be aware of your presence among us. One: Grant us ears to hear and eyes to see, through faith, the Christ in all. All: Almighty God, we give thanks for the strength, courage, and conviction to do justice, to speak loudly for those who need water, who need the refreshment that comes only from you and from those whom you have sent. One: May we walk as angels in the places we live, striving to live in the way of Jesus. All: We extend our gratitude for being able to come before you this day to offer our worship, to seek your presence, and to be restored to do great things among your people. One: For this and every day of life, we give you thanks and praise. All: In the name of Jesus the Christ we pray. Amen
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture Psalm 18:2-11, 16-19
Christian Scripture Matthew 3:1-6, 11-17
Special Music Tell Me the Old, Old Story Tune Evangel /Doane/Powell
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Like a Tree Beside the Waters R. #244
Like a tree beside the waters, nurtured by your loving care,
We, O God, your sons and daughters, your enduring witness bear.
In each passing generation may your voice of love be heard.
Bless, we pray, this congregation with your holy, living Word.
Like a tree beside the river, drawing life from holy streams,
Fill us with your love forever; recreate our hopes and dreams.
Through the storms of life sustain us by the wisdom of your grace.
May the changing of the seasons find us in your warm embrace.
We, beside the living waters, drink from your eternal life.
Give to all, your sons and daughters, faith that rises over strife.
Ever living God, most glorious, strengthen us for life today.
By the hope of timeless promise guide your church upon the Way.
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 ourselves and one another as family in Christ. With us, 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 African American Spiritual/ 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. Through Christ we pray, Amen
*Hymn Great Is Your Faithfulness B. #423
Great is your faithfulness, O God, Creator with you no shadow of turning we see. You do not change, your compassions they fail not; all of your goodness forever will be.
Refrain:
Great is your faithfulness! Great is your faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed your hand has provided, Great is your faithfulness, God, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness to your great faithfulness, mercy, and love
Refrain:
Pardon for sin and a peace so enduring, your own dear presence to cheer and to guide. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.
Refrain:
*Benediction
As we prepare to leave this place, may the refreshment of the baptism of the Holy Spirit remain with us, renewing us for the service and work that awaits us. Amen
*Sung Blessing Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing (vs. 1) R. #333
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace:
oh, refresh us, oh, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Postlude Postlude on “Madrid” Spanish Melody/ Lasky
(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 new 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
207.422.3100 207.323.6743
Many thanks to those who make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Robin Long & Vicky Espling
Liturgist – Doug Kimmel
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources, adapted
enfleshed: liturgy that matters - Silent Prayer, Call to Worship & Offertory Prayers
UCC Worship Ways - Invocation & Benediction
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved.
Arise, Your Light is Come!
Words - ©1992 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Ruth Duck
Now thank We All Our God
Words and Music - ©1586 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd
Contributors: Martin Rinkart, Johann Cruger
Like a Tree beside the Waters
Words and Music - ©1994 Selah Publishing Co., Inc.
Contributors: Roy Hopp
Great Is Your Faithfulness
Words - ©1923, 1951 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Thomas O Chisholm
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - © Public Domain
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