12/14/25 Bulletin
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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
December 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. - JOY - Third Sunday of Advent
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
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparation for Christmas. / We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. / We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. / We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your Kingdom. / We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. / We are your people, walking in darkness yet seeking the light. / To you we say, “Come, Lord Jesus.” Amen ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen
* Indicates when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Fantasy on “In Dulci Jubilo” 14th century/ Hugh Livingston Jr.
Welcome
Lighting the Candle of Joy
Voice One: Today we light the Candle of Joy. Joy is often considered the easiest of these four weeks before Christ’s holy birth. We may cling to hope, and pray for peace, but in joy, we delight.
Voice Two: In joy, our struggles are released. In joy, we find relief and comfort, a connection to friends and family and God. In joy, we find innocence within that has not been ground out.
Voice One: The lighting of this candle is joy, and it reminds us of candles lit in our lives. No matter the size or color of the wax, no matter what room it is lit in, the act itself is exquisite.
Voice Two: While the flame dances, we are one in the miracle and beauty of its light.
*Introit Come, God, Creator, Be Our Shield (all verses) B. #69
Come, God, Creator, be our shield, the One to whom our cares we yield;
And in our worship, faith impart, your grace and calm to every heart.
Come, gracious Jesus, be our guest, our morning joy, our evening rest;
And in our daily lives impart your love and peace to every heart.
Come, Holy Spirit, be our guide, our strength to risk against the tide.
That in God’s world we shall impart your light and hope to every heart.
*Call to Worship
One: Joy is the gift God gives us upon waking in the morning to see beams of sun dance in dusty corners or hear much needed rain, even on a leaky roof.All: Joy is in the delight of tiny precious things.One: Joy is the magnificence of the Redeemer when the spirit is tested and chooses faith over fear.All: Joy is in the hands that hold our own while we sit silently and wait.One: Joy is the patience of Emmanuel when petty disagreement turns into great injustice and change is slow to bend towards what is right and good.All: Joy is in the small actions we take each day to help righteousness and peace abound.
*Passing the Peace (ASL) and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn With Joy Draw Water B. #109
With joy draw water from the spring; salvation’s living well.
The Holy One is in your midst; glad praises sing and tell!
A shoot has sprung from Jesse’s tree; of God the chosen One.
A branch of knowledge and of truth; a gift of love has come!
With love the poor will be received; the proud will turn aside;
And faithfulness will be a path, and righteousness the guide!
The wolf shall lie down with the lamb; the calf and lion play.
God’s peace shall dwell within the land; a child shall show the way!
With joy draw water from the spring; salvation’s living well.
The Holy One is in your midst; glad praises sing and tell!
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
Beloved, we come now seeking to recognize moments of delight when we feel connected to you. We bring our fragmented hearts filled with good cheer, gentle reverence, and utter amazement; we share our secret hopes, dependable comforts, and cozy moments of advent peace. Rise up within us as we cherish the divinity of all that is good. Amen
Children’s Message All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings - Chicakadee
Scriptures Isaiah 35:1-10 and Matthew 11:2-11
Special Music Once in Royal David’s City C. Alexander/ Robert Preston
Message
*Hymn Awake, Awake, and Greet the New Morn B. #107 Awake! Awake and greet the new morn, / for angels herald its dawning.sing out your joy, for Jesus is born, / behold! the Child of our longing.Come as a baby weak and poor, / to bring all hearts together,to open wide the heavenly door, / and lives now inside us forever.
To us, to all in sorrow and fear, / Emmanuel comes a-singing,whose humble song is quiet and near, / yet fills the earth with its ringing.Music to heal the broken soul / and hymns of loving kindness,the thunder of the anthems roll / to shatter all hate and injustice.
In deepest night Christ's coming shall be, / when all the world is despairing,as morning light so quiet and free, / so warm and gentle and caring.
One without voice breaks forth in song, / a lame one leaps in wonder,the weak are raised above the strong, / and weapons are broken asunder.
Rejoice, rejoice, take heart in the night, / though cold the winter and cheerless,the rising sun shall crown you with light, / be strong and loving and fearless;
Love be our song and love our prayer, / and love, our endless story,may God fill every day we share, / and bring us at last into glory.
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 - There is a simple joy to be found in sharing what we have. Regardless of how much or how little that may be, a portion belongs to God. What God desires is not an altar of sacrifices, but an outstretched hand. Give what you can, and delight in the joy your gift will bring.
Offertory Meditation on “See Amid the Winter’s Snow” Tune: Humility/ John Barr
*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)
Precious God, take these gifts in the spirit they were given, with joy and love for our siblings around the world. Let us remember that we all have times of trouble. We will each stand before you, hands clasped in prayer, begging for relief. Use what we have here to bring that relief where it is needed most. Amen
*Hymn Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee R. #112 Jesus, the very thought of thee with sweetness fills the breast;but sweeter far thy face to see, and in thy presence rest.
O hope of every contrite heart, O joy of all the meek,to those who fall, how kind thou art! How good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah, this nor tongue nor pen can show;the love of Jesus, what it is, none but his loved ones know.
Jesus, our only joy be thou, as thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be thou our glory now, and through eternity.
*Benediction
*Sung Benediction May the Blessing of God R. #346
May the blessing of God go before you. May her grace and peace abound.
May her Spirit live with-in you. May her love wrap you ‘round.
May her blessing remain with you always. May you walk on holy ground.
Postlude What Child Is This 16th century English Ballad/ Patricia Harris
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary.
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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 Jennifer TJ
207.422.3100 207.323.6743
Resources: Called the Holy Way: Service Prayers for the Third Sunday of Advent Year A
was written by Maria Mankin. All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings, written by Gayle Boss, illustrated by David G. Klein
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 & Nick Davis
Liturgist – Gerry Mehl
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
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.
Awake! Awake! And Greet The New Morn
Words and Music - ©1983 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Marty Haugen
Jesus, The Very Thought Of Thee
Words and Music - ©1988 Shawnee Press
Contributors: trs. from Latin by Edward Caswall, Crawford Thoburn
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