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 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. – Fourth Sunday of Advent – Love
This service will be in-person and on Zoom (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 love, thank you for walking with us, for shepherding us, caring for us: going where we go, lodging where we lodge, dwelling where we dwell. With Mary and with Ruth, fill us with your Spirit of loving-kindness. Help us to take care of each other. In the shadows of hate, abandonment, and fear, let each of us become a candle, a bearer of light and love.
Come, Good Shepherd, come! Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Wintertime Pastorale French Canadian melody/ Roberta Raybold
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: Not in the mighty places of power, but in little Bethlehem, in a room out back:
All: The Messiah is coming.
One: Not born in nobility and wealth, but of Mary and Joseph, who pondered and planed wood:
All: The Messiah is coming.
One: Not announced by prophets, priests, and kings, but by two women; the first to know:
All: The Messiah is coming.
One: Nothing will be impossible for God… look among the straw and the stars:
All: The Messiah is coming.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL)
*Hymn Love Came Down at Christmas R. #159
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine;Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine;worship we our Jesus, but where-with for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine;love to God and all folk, love for plea and gift and sign.
*Invocation (in unison)
Your word, Holy God, was written for our instruction. By your Holy Spirit open our ears and fill us with the mysteries of your ancient love; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
Children’s Message Advent Wreath – Godly Play – Advent 4 – Magi and Christmas
Hebrew Scripture 1 Samuel 1:19-28
Christian Scripture Matthew 1:18-25
Special Music Once in Royal David’s City arr/ Robert Preston
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming R. #148
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!Of Jesse’s lineage coming by faithful prophets sung.It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of
winter, when half spent was the night.
Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the rose I have in mind;with Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind.To show God’s love aright, she bore to us asavior, when half spent was the night.
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 He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child French carol/ Keith Christopher
*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 The First Nowell R. #141
The first “Nowell” the angels did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Refrain:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east, beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
Refrain:
And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
Refrain:
This star drew nigh to the north-west;
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay.
Refrain:
Then entered in those wise men three, full reverently upon their knee, and offered there, in his presence, their gold and myrrh, and frankincense.
Refrain:
*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 Pastoral Symphony from “Messiah” G.F. Handel
(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
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 & David Wildes
Liturgist – Myrna Coffin
Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources, adapted
Silent Prayer – Magnify: Mary’s Song and the Magnificent Women of Advent
Call to Worship, Invocation, & Offering Prayers – Feasting on the Word Worship Companion
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
Love Came Down at Christmas
Music - ©1990 Belwin Sacred
Contributors: Christina Rossetti, Maurice C. Whitney
Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming
Words and Music - ©1946 Augsburg Fortress Publishers
Contributors: Th. Baker, Oscar R. Overby
The First Noel
Words and Music - © OCP Publications
Contributors: THE FIRST NOWELL
2023 Christmas Poinsettias Presented by:
Meredith Akerstein in loving memory of all Loved Ones
Gary & Jeanne Edwards in loving memory of their
daughter Jennifer; Jeanne’s sister Lynne Josselyn; and Gary’s parents, Pat and Buzz
Lincoln & Debbie Ehrlenbach in loving memory of
Howard and Katherine Ehrlenbach
Lincoln & Debbie Ehrlenbach in loving memory of
Roger and Sylvia Gatcomb
Everett & Vicky Espling in loving memory of Loved Ones
Catherine Genn in loving memory of David Wood
Gertrude Haskins in loving memory of all Loved Ones
Bill O’Meara in loving memory of Jean O’Meara
Jenifer Remick in loving memory of Pedro
David Wildes & Cynthia Wood in loving memory of Loved Ones