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 17, 2023 – Third Sunday of Advent – Joy
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
God of delight, God of celebration, God of good news of great joy for all people – help us to lift our voices in song. Even among the shadows of sorrow and despair, help us rejoice in what you have done and what you will do. With Mary and with Hannah, let us sing of how you lift up the lowly, scatter the proud, and fill the hungry with good things. Come, Jesus, come! Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude In Dulci Jubilo J.S.Bach
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
One: My soul magnifies the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
All: The Mighty One has done great things. Holy is God’s name!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL)
*Hymn Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (vs. 1,2,4) 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!
Jesus, our only joy be thou, as thou our prize wilt be;Jesus, be thou our glory now, and through eternity.
*Invocation (in unison)
As your Holy Spirit spoke to Mary, the mother of our Lord, speak to us now through your Word that by hearing we too may receive faith and be strengthened to do your will. Amen
Children’s Message Advent Wreath – Godly Play – Advent 3 – The Shepherds
Hebrew Scripture Judges 13:2-7
Christian Scripture Luke 1:46-56
Contemporary Reading No One Knows My Name Isobel de Gruchy
Special Music Advent Blessing Roger Summers
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn My Soul Gives Glory to My God (vs. 1,2,5) B. #119
My soul gives glory to my God. My heart pours out its praise.God lifted up my lowliness in many marvelous ways.
My God has done great things for me: yes, holy is God’s name.All people will declare me blessed, and blessings they shall claim.
Praise God, who's loving covenant supports those in distress,
remembering past promises with present faithfulness.
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 – Let us bring to God now the offerings of our lives and our labors,
with the prayer that God’s will may be done through them.
Offertory The First Noel Traditional English arr. Bill Ingram
*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)
Accept our gifts as signs of our gratitude for what you give us every day and as honor to your presence in our world; for the sake of those who stand in need. Amen
*Hymn Joy to the World R. #134
Joy to the world! the Lord is come: let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing,and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world! the Savior reigns: let earth her songs employ;let fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
Christ rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations provethe glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love,and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.
*Benediction
*Sung Christmas Blessing (sung to Eventide)
Go with us, Lord, throughout this Christmas tide: be our protector, brother, friend, and guide.
Give us your peace and keep us in your care: help us your love and grace with all to share.
Postlude Silent Night, Holy Night words: Joseph Mohr music: Franz Gruber arr. Bill Ingram
(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 & Doug Kimmel
Liturgist – Pat Summerer
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources, adapted
Cover Art available through vimeo.com
Silent Prayer – Magnify: Mary’s Song and the Magnificent Women of Advent
Call to Worship, Invocation & Offering Prayers – Feasting on the Word Worship Companion
No One Knows My Name by Isobel de Gruchy in Gifts in Open Hands – Tirabassi & Eddy
Sung Christmas Blessing by Jan Chamberlain in Gifts in Open Hands – Tirabassi & Eddy
"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
Jesus, The Very Thought Of Thee
Words and Music - ©1988 Shawnee Press
Contributors: trs. from Latin by Edward Caswall, Crawford Thoburn
Joy To The World
Words and Music - ©1674 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd
Contributors: Isaac Watts, George Handel
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