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 3, 2023 – First Sunday of Advent – Hope
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 light and shadow, heaven and earth, kindle a new hope in our hearts. Keep us alert to the signs of your coming: how you lift up the lowly, tear open the heavens, and let the daunting mountains of hopelessness, despair, and cynicism quake at your presence. With Mary and Elizabeth and Hagar give us the courage to trust, rejoice, and sing. Come, Jesus, come! Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude I Wonder as I Wander Appalachian carol/ John Jacob Niles
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: O that God would tear open the heavens and come down!
All: Of that day or hour, no one knows, only God.
One: Be alert! Keep awake!
All: The time is drawing near: The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ,
the Son of God.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL)
*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.
Refrain: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.
Refrain:
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.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
*Invocation (in unison)
Gracious God, heaven and earth will pass away, but your words will not pass away:
Your Word stands forever. May our generation be attentive so that, by the power of your Holy Spirit, we remember your ways and gladly do right, meeting you wherever and whenever you appear. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen
Children’s Message Advent Wreath – Godly Play – Advent 1 – The Prophets
Hebrew Scripture Genesis 6:7-13 Christian Scripture Luke 1:26-38
Contemporary Reading - Marie Howe “Annunciation”
Special Music Isiah the Prophet Has Written of Old Black Hymnal #108
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came R. #123
The angel Gabriel from heaven came, with
wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame;"All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary.”Most highly favored lady," Gloria!
"For know a blessed mother thou shalt be,All generations praise and honor thee,thy son shall be Emanuel, by seers foretold.”Most highly favored lady," Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name."Most highly favored lady. Gloria!
Of her, Emanuel, the Christ, was born
in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
Most highly favored lady, Gloria!
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 Reflection on “Veni Emmanuel” Plainsong/ David Lasky
*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)
God of righteousness, you have promised to redeem the whole creation when Christ comes again. In faith and hope we offer our gifts of money and self, that we may be part of what you are doing in the world even now, as we watch for Christ’s coming in glory. Amen
*Communion Hymn As We Gather at Your Table (vs. 1&2) B. #332
As we gather at your table, as we listen to your word,help us know, O God, your presence; let our hearts and minds be stirred.Nourish us with sacred story till we claim it as our own;
teach us through this holy banquet how to make Love's victory known.
Turn our worship into witness in the sacrament of life;send us forth to love and serve you, bringing peace where there is strife.Give us, Christ, your great compassion to forgive as you forgave;may we still behold your image in the world you died to save.
Holy Communion Liturgy
Invitation to the Table
One: Friends, what we are about to do is to celebrate the Joyful Feast of the people of God.
All: When we are able, with the Holy One, to experience the vision of love for God’s Global Village here on earth – then all of creation will come as equal companions to sit at this table.
One: In the meantime, you and I are invited to eat and drink, to be nourished and renewed for the ongoing work of justice, embracing mercy and walking humbly with God.
All: This is an open table at which all are welcome.
Words of Remembering
All: On the night when Jesus was betrayed, he gathered with his disciples in the upper room, where an ordinary meal became an instrument of God. At this table, Jesus broke bread with those who would betray him. At this table, Jesus drank wine with the one who denied him. At this table, Jesus communed with those who would abandon him. At this table, Jesus gave a new commandment.
At this table, we learn to love one another as God loves us.
One: Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
When the supper was over, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks to God, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is the cup of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of our failings, and in hope for the new life to come. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Blessing the Bread and the Cup
One: Gracious God, pour out your Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine, that they might be for us the presence of the living Christ. Pour your Spirit upon us also, that we may be one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until we arrive at the heavenly banquet of God.
All: With this one loaf, we who are many, become one. With this one cup, what was before has been renewed.
One: Come, for all things are ready.
Sharing the Bread and the Cup
The bread of life, given for you. Amen The cup of blessing, given for you. Amen
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Our Creator, our Redeemer, our Sustainer – In this holy mystery, you have given yourself to us. We are eternally grateful. Empower us, that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves to each other in the name of Jesus Christ who gave his life for all. Amen
*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 People, Look East French Folk tune/ Dale Wood
(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 – Nick Davis, Robin Long, Pat Summerer
Liturgist – Kathy McGlinchey
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources, adapted
Cover Art “Annunciation by Anne Cutri
Silent Prayer – Magnify: Mary’s Song and the Magnificent Women of Advent
Call to Worship and Invocation – Feasting on the Word Worship Companion, Year B
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
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Public Domain
Words and Music - ©2009 Public Domain
The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
Words and Music - ©2002 H W Gray
Contributors: Sabine Baring-Gould, Hal H Hopson
As We Gather at Your Table
Words - ©1989 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Carl P. Daw, Jr.