UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HANCOCK
Open and Affirming of ALL God’s Children
First Sunday of Advent – Candle of Hope
November 27, 2022
This service will be in the Sanctuary and on Zoom at 10:00 a.m.
Join us for Zoom Coffee Hour beginning shortly after the service ends.
(Find the link below and in your email in-box.)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 882 8024 5071
Passcode: 402851
Silent Prayer
God of glory, we know that you are coming at an unexpected hour. Come to us now, in spirit and truth. Take us up into your presence, and make us ready for your reign of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Chorale Prelude on “In Dulci Jubilo” Johann Michael Bach
Welcome
Introit Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race (v.1) R. #372
Diverse in culture, nation, race, we come together by your grace.
God, let us be a meeting ground where hope and healing love are found.
*Call to Worship & Hope Advent Candle Lighting
Reader One: When I look around, I see shadows of hunger. So many neighbors, nearby and around the world, will go to bed hungry tonight…
All: When we look around, we see shadows of injustice, the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer — and someone somewhere will fall asleep under a bridge tonight…
Reader One: In the face of hunger, we light a candle of hope…
Reader Two: In the face of injustice, in the face of despair, we light a candle of hope… (Light the first candle in your Advent wreath.)
All: May the light from this candle overwhelm the world.
Reader One: May the light from this candle say to all that God’s hope is coming, on earth as it already is in heaven.
Reader Two: Friends, be not afraid, God’s hope is at hand!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL)
*Hymn Arise, Your Light is Come! R #167
Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call obey;
show forth the glory of your God, which shines on you today.
Arise, your light is come! Fling wide the prison door;
proclaim the captive’s liberty, good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light is come! All you in sorrow born,
Bind up the broken-hearted ones and comfort those who mourn.
Arise, your light is come! The mountains burst in song! Rise up like eagles on the wing, God's pow’r will make us strong.
*Invocation (in unison)
O God of all people and Lord of every nation, let your Word ring out from the mountains
and your Spirit shine forth in the earth, so that all may hear your teaching and all may do your will; through Jesus Christ our peace. Amen
Children’s Message
Old Testament Reading (Hebrew Scriptures) Isaiah 2:1-5
New Testament Reading (Christian Scriptures) Matthew 24:36-44
Special Music - Choir Isiah the Prophet Has Written of Old B. #108
MessageHymn Come, O Long-Expected Jesus B. #122
Come, O long expected Jesus, born to set all people free;
From our fears and sins release us; grant us your true liberty.
Israel's strength and consolation, hope to all the earth impart; Dear desire of every nation, enter every longing heart.
Born all people to deliver, born a child, you came to reign!
Born to rule on earth forever, come, be known to us again.
By your own eternal Spirit, come to claim us as your own;
By your all-sufficient merit, let us share your cross and crown.
Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns
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 – Beloveds, there are so many ways to spend our time, our money, our emotional and spiritual resources. Here, we choose to gather them together to invest in what matters most: justice, each other, spiritual transformation, and the renewal of the world. May it be so, as we bring our gifts together.
Offertory Reflections on “Veni Emmanuel” Plainsong/Lasky
*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)
God of Unexpected Encounters, you awaken us to quiet wisdom. You captivate us with your love of all life. You draw our attention to the movement of the Spirit in our midst. Though we get preoccupied with the trivial, may these offerings be a sign of our desire to seek you in all that we do. Amen.
*Hymn Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates R. #127
Lift up your heads, O mighty gates;
behold, the King of Glory waits!
The Prince of Peace is drawing near;
the Savior of the world is here!
Fling wide the portals of your heart; make it a temple, set apart from earthly use for heaven's employ, adorned with prayer and love and joy. Redeemer, come! I open wide my heart to you; here, Lord, abide! Let me your inner presence feel; your grace and love in us reveal. So, come, my Sovereign, enter in!
Let new and nobler life begin;
your Holy Spirit guide us on,
until the glorious crown be won.
*Blessing
*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 People, Look East French Carol/ Lau
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
Many thanks to those who helped make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Robin Long & David Wildes
Liturgist – Peggy Karns
Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
(Mike Summerer is happy to teach others this simple task. Please inquire…)
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Support our Church Financially
Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our webpage www.hancockucc.org
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
Resources
enfleshed: liturgies that matter and Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
and The Salt Project
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.”
Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race / De Raza, Cuna, de Nación
Words - ©1992, 2012 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Ruth Duck, Georgina Pando-Connolly
Arise, Your Light is Come!
Words - ©1992 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Ruth Duck
Come, O Long-Expected Jesus
Words and Music - ©2001 OCP
Contributors: Tom Kendzia, STUTTGART
Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
Words and Music - ©pd Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
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