12/21/25 Bulletin

1 day ago
7 min read

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 21, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. - LOVE - Fourth Sunday of Advent

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

In lives where love has been born this day / thanks be to you, O God. In families where forgiveness has been strong / thanks be to you. In nations where wrongs have been addressed / where tenderness has been cherished and where visions for earth’s oneness have been served / thanks be to you. May those who are weary find rest this night. May those who carry great burdens for their people find strength. May the midwives of new beginnings in our world find hope. And may the least among us find greatness / strength in our souls / worth in our words / love in our living.

* Indicates when we stand in body or spirit

Announcements

Prelude Wintertime Pastorale French Canadian Melody/ Roberta Rowland-Raybold

Welcome

Lighting the Candle of Love

Voice One: Today we light the Candle of Love. Over the past few weeks, we have sparked the light of hope, peace, and joy. Now, we come to love, which binds all of these together. Each strand is braided gently into an image of God who protects, encourages, and endures.

Voice Two: We cannot look upon the face of God, but we can experience this love every time we experience hope, peace, and joy. We are not above suffering, but God promises, even in the midst of despair, love will pour down upon us.

Voice One: Just as we await the birth of our savior in the manger, God waits on us, watches over us, and sends us out into the world to do as Jesus did –

Voice Two: to care for our neighbors, to give freely to those in need, to call out tyranny, to face down injustice – knowing that God is with us.

Voice One: We are loved.

Voice Two: We are love.

*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: To love is the greatest gift bestowed upon us. It is a surrender to God’s holy power.

All: God loves us, despite all our mistakes, so we pray for the patience of hope!

One: To be loved by God is the right of every living thing. This love is the sun and the rain,

it is the beginning and end of all.

All: God loves us even when we neglect our neighbors, so we pray for the strength to bring peace.

One: God’s love is always a promise and a responsibility, and we are given this love freely. God demands nothing from us, yet knows we are capable of greatness.

All: God loves us in the midst of destruction and despair, so we pray to share a vision of joy.

One: Love is a sacred vow God has made to us, a rainbow in the sky, a baby in the manger.

All: God loves us just as we are, and we give thanks and whisper amen.

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

*Hymn People Look East R. #116

People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Guest, is on the way.

Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there. Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Rose, is on the way.

Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim, one more light the bowl shall brim, shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Star, is on the way.

Angels, announce with shouts of mirth him who brings new life to earth. Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.

*Invocation (spoken in unison)

Emmanuel, we come today with arms wide open, ready to meet your precious son. Your love for us is so full that you sent a fragile babe to share your holy word, knowing that he would face human pain. Open us, God! Prepare us for his coming, that we may be messengers of your abundant love, and act to ease the suffering of all. Amen

Children’s Message All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings - Firefly

Scripture Psalm 80:1-7,17-19 and Matthew 1:18-25

Special Music Isaiah the Prophet has written of old Black Hymnal #108

Message Rev. TJ Mack

*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 me 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.

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 - God has told us many times and, in many ways, where love flows from – it comes from the hand we extend when we give to others. Let us bring forth the true joy of this season and give as we are able.

Offertory Lo, How a Rose Tune: Es Ist Ein Ros/ Craig Penfield

*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)

Love and Light of the world, we give you thanks for these gifts. We give you thanks for the privilege of generosity. We give you thanks for the ability to share your divine love in a tangible form with our siblings around the world. Help us to remember, as we await Christ’s birth, to give more generously than we receive, knowing we will always be rich in your abundant love. Amen

*Hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel R. #114

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou Day-spring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;

disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou Wisdom from on high, and order all things, far and nigh; to us the path of knowledge show, and cause us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;

bid envy, strife and quarrels cease, fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

*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 Today in Bethlehem Polish Carol/ Rick Parks

(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 Jennifer TJ

hancockmaineucc@gmail.com treasurer@hancockucc.com revtjmack@gmail.com 207.422.3100 207.323.6743

Resources: Let It Be Deep: Service Prayers for the Fourth 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 – Alison Boden & Everett Espling

Liturgist – Vicky Espling

Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander

Office Administrator – Vicky Espling

Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack

The Body of Christ – You