12/28/25 Bulletin
- 8 hours ago
- 6 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 28, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
First Sunday After Christmas
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
Be still and aware of God’s presence within and all around.
Be rested in the depths of God’s peace.
Cultivate silence.
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude He is Born the Divine Christ Child French Carol/ Keith Christopher
Welcome
*Introit Now Bless the God of Israel (v. 3) R. #122
In tender mercy, God will send the dayspring from on high,
Our rising sun, the light of life for those who sit and sigh.
God comes to guide our way to peace, that death shall reign no more.
Sing praises to the Holy One! O worship and adore!
*Call to Worship
Leader: People say – “Christmas is for children.”
People: But Christmas is also for people of age and experience.
Leader: Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, and Zechariah, the priest, both received new birth.
People: Simeon the singer and Anna the prophet hoped for years to see the Messiah
and then recognized the gift in a poor couple’s baby.
Leader: How then shall we respond to Christ’s promised coming?
People: With silence and singing, with patience, with flexibility, and by recognizing Christ in the least likely of our brothers and sisters.
Leader: Rejoice, and be glad, for Christ has come among us!
*Passing the Peace (ASL) and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime R. #146
‘Twas in the moon of wintertime, when all the birds had fled,
that mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;before their light the stars grew dim, and wandering hunters heard the hymn:Peace on earth, Christ is born, Jesus is born, In ex-cel-sis glo-ri-a.
Within a lodge of broken bark the tender Babe was found;a ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round;but, as the hunter braves drew nigh, the angel song rang loud and high:
Peace on earth, Christ is born, Jesus is born, In ex-cel-sis glo-ri-a.
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fairas was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Peace on earth, Christ is born, Jesus is born, In ex-cel-sis glo-ri-a.
O children of the forest free, the ancient song is true,
the holy child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy, who brings you beauty, peace, and joy.
Peace on earth, Christ is born, Jesus is born, In ex-cel-sis glo-ri-a.
*PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR (spoken in unison)
Creative and faithful God, we come to this service filled with the uncertainty of a new year before us. The days ahead are unknown to us; what they hold in terms of joy or sorrow we cannot see. O God of hope, you create all the possibilities of the future. God of love, you forgive all the mistakes of the past. God of our faith, we enter your gates with thanksgiving and we serve you with gladness. In this time of worship, grant us the reassurance of your presence, that we may know your comfort and be guided by your joy. Amen.
Scripture Psalm 148
Special Music Love Came Down at Christmas Black Hymnal #165
Message
*Hymn O Christ, How Shall I Meet You R. #130
O Christ, how shall I meet you, how welcome you aright?Your people long to greet you, my hope, my heart's delight! O kindle, Lord, most holy, a lamp within my breast,to do in spirit lowly all that may please you best.
Love caused your incarnation; love brought you down to me;your thirst for my salvation procured my liberty:O love beyond all telling, that led you to embrace
in love all love excelling our lost and fallen race!
A heav’nly hope you give me, a treasure safe on high,
that will not fail nor leave me as earthly riches fly.
My heart shall bloom forever with joyful praises new,
and from your name shall never withhold the honor due.
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
Offertory Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Polish Carol/ Robert Lau
*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)
O God, through the offering of these gifts may we become a more open people…open-minded in hearing your Word and wisdom, open-hearted in healing a broken world, open handed in heeding your call for charity and acts of love. With thanks for all good gifts, we present a portion of our substance and the whole of ourselves. Amen
*Hymn Go, Tell It on the Mountain R. #160
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain, o’er the hills and everywhere. go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!
The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!
Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
*Benediction
*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 Now Raise Your Song on High Camille Saint Saens
From Christmas Oratorio
(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
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 – Mary Angela & Nick Davis
Liturgist – Kathy McGlinchey
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.
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