12/7/25 Bulletin
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- 9 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
Communion Sunday - Dec. 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. - PEACE - Second Sunday of Advent
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
Made in your image, formed in your likeness, we carry your life within us, O God.
In every person, in every race, in every nation on earth, O God,
we look for your presence and long for your peace. ~ J. Philip Newell
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came Basque Carol/ Robert Lau
Welcome
Lighting the Candle of Peace
Voice One: Today we light the Candle of Peace. There is a hush in our hearts as we wait to feel the peace of God envelop us. We imagine it as delicate as a lily’s petals opening, as a blanket pulled snug beneath our chin, as a breeze shaking the oak’s branches on a sunny morning.
Voice Two: We expect peace to come gently, but when has anything worthwhile come without pain? A baby cries in birth as the mother sweats and shakes. Imperfect compromises leave both sides vulnerable. A voice that rallies us to change is often silenced too soon.
Voice One: Striving for peace is no different. It is fierce, and loud, and it requires tenacity. Peace is complicated. Peace is a sip of water after the longest night. Peace is the flame withinthat we must keep lit for the sake of all.
Voice Two: Peace is the hush, and it is the clatter. Peace is God’s love, acted out loud.
*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: At the start of every day, God shakes us awake to the possibility of reconciliation and joyful abundance.All: May our Great Redeemer, who judges all with righteousness, reward the tyrannized with justice.One: In every season, God tends to the child within us, bringing into harmony all distress and despair.
All: May our Beloved Emmanuel defend the cause of the deprived, give deliverance to the abused, and overwhelm the will of their persecutors.One: Throughout all generations, God bestows upon the people a peace that is everlasting.All: May the Prince of Peace rain down blessed mercy upon the people, showering the earth with righteousness and peace.
*Passing the Peace (ASL) and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus R. #121
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
Almighty God, we seek relief from the unrest of our daily lives. You, who offer peace and justice in a single hand, are our redeemer. Allow us, God, to unfold in your palm. With each breath, allow us to inhale the power of your sacred word, and exhale the turmoil within.
Children’s Message All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings - Loon
Scriptures Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12
Special Music Alleluia for Advent English Carol/ Patrick Liebergen
Message
*Hymn Comfort, Comfort O My People B. #101
“Comfort, comfort O my people, tell of peace” thus says our God;Comfort those whose hearts are shrouded, mourning under sorrow’s load.
Speak unto Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them;Tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.
For the herald's voice is calling in the desert far and near,Bidding us to make repentance since the realm of God is here.Oh, that warning cry obey! now prepare for God a way;Let the valleys rise in meeting and the hills bow down in greeting.
Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain!Let your hearts be true and humble, for Messiah’s holy reign.For God’s glory evermore shall be known o’er all the world:And all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.
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 - Peace makes us generous. God’s abundance pours through us to our neighbors, just as God’s love showers us with blessing. As each of us gives what we can, we know that our community is only as resilient as our most vulnerable neighbor.
Offertory Reflection on “Veni Emmanuel” 15th Century 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)
Emmanuel, hear our prayer! We bring these gifts before you to spread peace throughout our homes, our communities, and our world. On every street corner, beside rivers, lakes, oceans, at the top of your tallest mountains, and dwelling below the cliffs, your people are in need. Take these gifts to strengthen our church and bring relief to your beloved children. Amen
*Communion Hymn In Remembrance of Me R. #322 In remembrance of me, eat this bread. / In remembrance of me drink this wine.
/ In remembrance of me pray for the time / when God’s own will is done.
In remembrance of me, heal the sick. / In remembrance of me, feed the poor.
/ In remembrance of me, open the door / And let your neighbors in.
Take, eat, and be comforted; / drink and remember too.
/ That this is my body and this is my blood / shed for you, shed for you.
In remembrance of me, search for truth. / In remembrance of me, always love.
/ In remembrance of me, don’t look above, / but in your heart look for God.
/ Do this in remembrance of me.
The Lord’s Supper Stations of the Creche – Rev. Maren Tirabassi
Stations of WelcomeReader One: Come to this table, for you are welcomed by a star, that guides even those who feel lost, even those who feel distant from the oasis of “church,” and those who need someone to receive their gifts.
Reader Two: Come to this table, for you are welcomed by an innkeeper, who recognizes that no “room” always means finding another kind of space, and who can do magic with life’s leftovers to feed hungry, tired shepherds.
Reader Three: Come to this table, for you are welcomed at a manger, by friendly beasts in the story – cow, dove, donkey, lambs – any holy memory of a companion animal you’ve known.Stations of RememberingReader One: On the Advent journey, we remember a family said, “yes” – Mary, who would feed the Child of God, as we are fed by this sacrament, and Joseph, who loved her, and built tables like this one for a whole town.
Reader Two: On the Advent journey, we remember Elizabeth who sheltered Mary in a time of rejection and Zechariah who learned silence, as they carried their own God-given child. We let Communion nurture our hope and teach us love.
Reader Three: On the Advent journey, we remember the Magnificat, how Jesus lived that song in ministry and the indiscriminate love of a Passover bread and cup for all.
Prayer of Consecration Pastor TJ: Word made flesh and gift divine, who offers us hope, peace, joy and love, all the year long, we pray for your Spirit of starlight and Gloria, upon these gifts which are ours and yours, even as our lives are yours and ours, today and always. Amen
Sharing of the ElementsPastor TJ: This gift is more precious than gold – eat this bread and be rich inside.All: Amen
Pastor TJ: This gift is poured out like myrrh – drink this cup and know you are precious in God’s sight.All: Amen.
Sharing of the Elements Pastor TJ: The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready.
The bread of life The cup of joy
Stations of Thanksgiving
All: Gracious God, we give thanks for your messengers that feel like angels, care that is like a shepherds, and the joy to the world in gathering around this table in this season of waiting. Strengthened by this meal, may we notice and care for all those who are rejected, unhoused, fleeing for their lives from danger without and within. As we go forth, O Holy One, may it truly be by another way. Amen
*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 Noel Nicholas Le Begue/ Dennis Eliot
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary.
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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
Resources: Raised Above: Service Prayers for the Second 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 & Doug Kimmel & David Wildes
Liturgist – Ron Schwizer
Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander
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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