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

Installation of Lay Leaders

January 25, 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

You are our strength and salvation, O God. / You are our hope and deliverer. / In the midst of fear and uncertainty in our lives / and when the powerless of the world are overwhelmed by mighty forces / recall us to our true source of help. / Awaken us again to your strong presence within us. / Awaken us again to hope.  (J. Philip Newell)

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

Announcements

Prelude                  

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 (UCC Worship Ways)

Leader: Come, people of God—the dawn is breaking! A new day rises where sorrow had settled in.People: The dawn is breaking—and we rise with it.Leader: Where burdens have bent us low, the Holy One draws near, steadying our steps.People: The Holy One draws near—and we gather our courage.Leader: Where yokes have weighed on shoulders and spirits, God is loosening what has held us down.People: What held us down is lifting—and we move toward freedom.Leader: Come, all who yearn for justice; all who hope for healing; all who hunger for joy.People: We come to the dawning way, we come to the hopeful way, we come to the way God makes glorious.

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

*Hymn         Take My Life, God, Let it Be                                                                                     B. #448

Take my life, God, let it be consecrated faithfully.Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my spirit, let it move at the impulse of your love.

Take my intellect and use all its powers as you choose.

Take my will; your will be done! Make your will and mine be one.

Take my heart, and by your grace make of it your dwelling place.

Take my love and help it grow; let my loving overflow. .Take me now, and help me be part of Christ’s community.

*Invocation (UCC Worship Ways)    Leader: Holy One, Your light dawns where our shadows are deepest. You are never far, your presence remains with us. Awaken us to the glimmers of your glory breaking into our world’s weariness.

People: Shine upon the paths we walk—paths obstructed by fear, uncertainty, and the heavy burdens our communities carry.

Leader: Yet, your compassion rises like morning light! Reveal in us the places where liberation is already taking root.

People: As you drew near to Galilee’s borderlands, Draw near to us today. Let us behold your radiance in overlooked places and in one another.

Leader: Make us ready, alert, and courageous—a people who move with your Spirit, who join your work of release, and who make glorious the way where your justice and joy can flourish.

People: Descend upon us, Spirit of the Living God. Remain with us. Awaken us. And guide our worship into the brightness of your new day. Amen

Children’s Message                 

Installation of Lay Leaders

Greeting and Introduction

President Nick Davis: This morning, we raise up and celebrate the diverse gifts of our members in the life of the church. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.

People: There are different ways of serving, but the same God is served.

Pastor TJ: There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to each of us for our particular service.

People: The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.

President Nick Davis: Christ is like a single body, which has many parts.

People: It is still one body even though it is made up of different parts.

Pastor TJ: If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness.

Presentation and Covenant

Pastor TJ: These people have been called by God, in accordance with the faith and order of this church, to serve among us. They have accepted their call and are before us in witness to their willingness to serve.

OFFICERS

President – Nick Davis

Vice President – David Wildes

Clerk – Vicky Espling

Treasurer – Jennifer Ashmore

Assistant Treasurer – Renata Moise

Stewardship Director – Ron Schwizer

Assistant Stewardship Director – Renata Moise 

BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS

(Chairs are listed first. Those beginning new terms are italicized.)

Church Council, Members at large: Sally Knapp, Peggy Karns, Mike Summerer

Board of Deacons: Doug Kimmel, Pat Summerer, David Wildes,

Tamara Crowley, Mary Angela Davis, Everett Espling, Sally Knapp, Ron Schwizer

Board of Trustees:  Mike Summerer, Peggy Karns, Doug Kimmel, Mary Beth DiMarco, Lincoln Ehrlenbach, Ron McGlinchey

Board of Christian Ed:  Tamara Crowley, Mary Angela Davis, Jennifer Ashmore,

Nick Davis, Pat Summerer, Shelia O’Neill

Board of Outreach: Diane Raymond, Jodie Kimmel, Jeanne Edwards,

Tamara Crowley, Kathy McGlinchey, Carol Skinner

 Pastoral Relations Committee: Mary Angela Davis, Ron Schwizer, Carol Skinner,

Alison Boden, Robin Long, David Wildes

Music Committee: Phoebe Devenish, Ruth Dietze, Cynthia Priem

Ex-officio members: Debbie Riley, Pat Summerer

Nominating Committee: Doug Kimmel, Myrna Coffin, Alison Boden,

Ron Schwizer, Vicky Espling, Pat Summerer

Delegates to UCC: Vicky Espling, Patrice Alexander

Alternate Delegates to UCC: Mary Angela Davis, Pat Summerer

Pastor TJ:  Siblings in Christ, it is an honor to be entrusted with responsibility for particular service in the ministry of the church, whether gathered or scattered. Having prayerfully considered the duties and responsibilities of your ministry, are you prepared to serve, with the help of God?

Individuals: I am.

Pastor TJ: Do you promise to exercise your ministry diligently and faithfully, showing forth the love of Christ?

Individuals: I do, relying on God’s grace.

President Nick Davis:  Members of this household of faith, you have heard the promises of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have answered God’s call to service. Let us express our intention to live in covenant with them, with these words of affirmation.

All: We gather in celebration of the joy that is ours to be partners with you in the service of Jesus Christ. We promise to love you, honor your leadership, and assist you so that together we may be a faithful community.

President Nick Davis: Let us pray. Eternal God, you have called these people to serve you in this household of faith. Send your Holy Spirit on them that they may serve among us with honor and faithfulness. Help them to be diligent in their duties that your church may prosper in the mission you place before it. May their example prove worthy for all of us to follow, as we are united in Christ’s ministry, to the glory of God.

All: Amen

Pastor TJ: In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the people of the Union Congregational Church of Hancock, of the United Church of Christ, I rejoice to announce that you are installed in your respective positions. To each of you, we extend our hearts and hands in Christian love.

All: Thanks be to God.                   

Scripture                                                                                                                             Matthew 4:12:23

Poem                       Invitation                                                                                                      Mary Oliver

Special Music                               

Message                                                                                                                                    Rev. TJ Mack

*Hymn         Here in This Place (Gather Us In)                                                                        R. #250

Here in this place, the new light is streaming, now the dark night has vanished away.See in this space, our fears and our dreamings, brought here to you in the light of this day. Gather us in, the lost and forsaken, gather us in, our spirits flame.Call to us now, and we shall awaken, we shall arise at the sound of our name.

We are the young - our lives are a mystery; we are the old, who yearn for your face.We have been sung throughout all of history, called to be light to the whole human race. Gather us in, the rich and the haughty, gather us in, the proud and the strong;give us a heart so meek and so lowly; give us the courage to enter the song.

Here we receive new life in your waters; here we receive the bread of new birth;here you shall call your sons and your daughters, call us anew to be salt for the earth.Give us to drink the wine of compassion, give us to eat the bread that is you;nourish us well, and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true.

Not just in buildings, small and confining, not in some heaven, light years away,here in this place the new light is shining; now in God present, and now is the day.Gather us in and hold us forever, gather us in and make us your own;gather us in, all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bone.

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 thanksgiving for the mercy we have received, and in hope for the world God is shaping through us, let us offer our gifts—our resources, our commitments, our lives—so that the way of compassion may grow wide enough for all. Let us give with courage and with joy.

Offertory       

*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)

With gratitude for all you are doing in us and through us, we dedicate these gifts to the work of compassion you entrust to our care. Amen    

*Hymn         Sent Forth by God’s Blessing                                                                               B. #76

Sent forth by God's blessing, our true faith confessing,

the people of God from this dwelling take leave.

The service is ended, O now be extended

the fruits of our worship in all who believe.

The seed of the teaching, receptive hearts reaching,

shall blossom in action for God and for all.

God's grace did invite us, and love shall unite us

to work for God's realm and to answer the call.

With praise and thanksgiving to God ever living,

the tasks of our everyday life we will face.

Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,

embracing God children of each tribe and race.

With your grace you feed us, with you light now lead us,

unite us as one in this life that we share.

Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving

give honor to Christ and that name which we bear.

*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                

(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 – Mary Angela Davis and David Wildes

Liturgist – Nick Davis

Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer

Office Administrator – Vicky Espling 

Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack

The Body of Christ – You

"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

Take My Life and Let It Be

Words and Music - ©2000 Alfred Sacred

Contributors: Frances Havergal, Mark Hayes

Gather Us In

Words and Music - ©1982 GIA Publications, Inc.

Contributors: Marty Haugen

Sent Forth by God's Blessing

Words - ©1964 World Library Publications

Contributors: Omer Westendorf, World Library Publications

Go with Us, Lord

Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company            

Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey