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

Medieval lamb of God with halo and cross, Croatia.

 January 18, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83936359115?pwd=1aQdppqVbvKTZKBi9DQWXgaNVVbhtZ.1

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 (enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters)

Beloved, we long to be devoted, committed, and steadfast in our work towards collective liberation. We also long to rest, play, and care tenderly for our bodies and spirits. Teach us how these two desires dance with each other. Bless us with the wisdom of our elders who have gone before us, creating freedom within and without. Thank you for the moon and the tides who show us how to ebb and flow, 

expand and retreat. Amen

* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit

Announcements

Prelude       Reflection                                                                                                                       Robert 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 (enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters)

One: Cosmic Love— Under shimmering stars, we ponder Your vastness. 

All: In the glow of the moon, we marvel at our shared living. 

One: Down To Earth God— Your wisdom is ancient and ever unfolding. 

All: Like a kind auntie, Your invitation to liberation is as gentle.

One: Like voices shouting for justice, Your call toward liberation is demanding. 

All: Spirit of Christ Alive in Us— Make vivid the path of compassion. 

One: Shake open doors toward radical transformation. 

All: Soothe us with your Flung Wide Love.

*Passing the Peace (ASL) and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle 

*Hymn         Jesus Calls Us, o’er the Tumult                                                                               B. #172

*Invocation (UCC Worship Ways)    (spoken in unison)

Knitter of our bones and namer of our being, we invite you to encompass us with your spirit. Everything we desire can be found in you. You desire wholeness for us and in us so now we draw nigh to receive from you and to share in you. Amen      

Children’s Message                                                                                                     Linda Cunningham

Scriptures                                                                                       Isaiah 49:1-7 and John 1:29-42

Special Music      What Wondrous Love Is This           Southern Harmony/ David Kidwell                                        

Message                                                                                                                                         Rev. TJ Mack

*Hymn         The Summons                                                                                      Insert on back cover

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 – (UCC Worship Ways)

In Heaven it’s believed that there is no good thing lacking. There is no scarcity, no shortage. We have the opportunity today to mirror Heaven. Let’s bring whatever we can to the altar, so that abundance may flow and that God’s people lack no good thing. Amen

Offertory        Reflection on “Royal Oak”                              17th Century Melody/ Robert Powell 

*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 (UCC Worship Ways)       (spoken in unison)                      

Creator of heaven and earth, receive these offerings from our hearts and our hands. May they be used to bring heaven to earth.

*Hymn         Praise to the Living God                                                                                                   R. #18

*Benediction 

*Sung Benediction        Go With Us, Lord                                                                                      R. #336

Go with us, Lord, and guide the way through this and every coming day,

That in your Spirit strong and true our lives may be our gift to you.   

Postlude                 Another Year Is Dawning                  Tune: Aurelia/ S. Wesley/ M Mc Donald        

(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

Many thanks to those who make this service possible –

in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

Music Minister – Debbie Riley

Deacons – Alison Boden & Ron Schwizer

Liturgist – 

Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander

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.

Spirit of the Living God

Words and Music - ©1963 Jubilate Music 

Contributors: Daniel Iverson and Michale Baughen, Daniel Iverson

The Summons

Words and Music - ©1987 Iona Community / WGRG (North America)

Contributors: John Bell

Praise to the Living God

Words © 1966 Ruth Ann Beach, P.O. Box 1056, Blue Hill ME 04614.

Used by permission.

Go, My Children, with My Blessing

Words - ©1983 Concordia Publishing House

Contributors: Jaroslav J Vajda, Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams