2/1/26 Bulletin

6 hours ago
8 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

February 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. – Communion Sunday

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

All things are born of you, O God. / We carry within us our light and your life. / In the mystery of matter/ and deep in the cells of our souls / are your longings for oneness. / The oneness of the universe / vast and vibrating with the sound of its beginning. / The oneness of the earth / greening and teeming as a single body. / The oneness of the human soul / a sacred countenance in infinite form. / Grant us your longings for oneness, O God, amidst life’s glorious multiplicities. ~ J. Philip Newell

* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit

Announcements

Prelude Give Me Jesus African- American Spiritual David Kidwell

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.

One: When we hunger for justice and thirst for the liberation of all life... When we want for collective flourishing with the entirety of your spirit...

All: Blessed are we, for our longings will birth the dreams of God.

One: When we weep with all the world’s aches. When we find ourselves filled with sorrow because of what is cruel, what is lost, what is forgotten...

All: Blessed are we, for God weeps through us.

One: When we are punished socially or economically for our refusal to go with the flow of normalized evil. When our truth-telling or practices of love leave us isolated or condemned.

All: Blessed are we, for we offer a glimpse of the Kin-dom of God.

One: God draws near wherever hearts are open.

All: Love, come and shape our understanding!

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

*Hymn This is My Father’s World R. #60 This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears,all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thoughtof rocks and trees, of skies and seas, his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Mother's world: the birds their carols raise,the morning light, the flowers bright, declare their Maker's praise.This is my Mother's world: she shines in all that's fair;in the rustling grass I hear her pass, she speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Maker's world: oh let me ne'er forgetthat though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.This is my Maker's world: why should my heart be sad?The heavens ring; let nature sing. God reigns; let earth be glad.

Holy One, your Spirit moves in provocative ways. Though evil seeks false peace, you shake things up. You turn things upside down. You leave us surprised and inspired. When we are confronted by the radical nature of your love, do not let us push you away or remain unchanged. May we embrace discomfort with joy, that we might be friends of justice and companions to peace. Amen

Children’s Message

Scriptures Micah 6:1-8 and Matthew 5:1-12

Special Music Lord, I Want to Be a Christian Arr. Robert Powell

Message Rev. TJ Mack

*Hymn O For A World B. #575

O for a world where everyone respects each other's ways,

Where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.

O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved,

Where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.

We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice

That opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.

The poor are rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise.

Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.

O for a world preparing for God's glorious reign of peace,

Where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.

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.

Friends, we gather together as disciples of Christ for the work of love. Here, we believe in love as the centerpiece of our faith. We practice love. We long for love that restores the earth and mends the wrongs of injustice. We trust in love. And, we are embraced by love. In this spirit, we bring what we have together, that love may be multiplied between us and beyond us.

Offertory Meditation Jacob Arcadelt

*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

God of Sacred Solidarity, Your grace invites all to come and join in a holy uprising of people who dream of a better way. For all you make possible among us, we bring our gifts with thanks. Amen

*Hymn Let Us Break Bread Together R. #311

Let us break bread together on our knees;

Let us break bread together on our knees.

When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,

O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees;

Let us drink wine together on our knees.

When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,

O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us praise God together on our knees;Let us praise God together on our knees.When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,O Lord, have mercy on me.

Sacrament of Holy Communion (Rev. Dr. Kate Winters)

Invitation (responsive)

Pastor: The communion table is long and wide.

People: It is big enough for the whole world.

Pastor: So let us stretch our hearts and take everyone in!

People: Our hospitality is of Christ. No one is left out.

Pastor: Come to the table built on service, inclusion, and love!

Communion Prayer (Responsive)

Holy God, you breathed over the waters…We praise you!

You prepared earth and grew all vegetation…We thank you!

You made all creatures, humankind included…We praise you!

The world spun in harmony and beauty!

Then we lost our way…Christ, have mercy.

We reached beyond our limits…God, have mercy.

We forgot that all were brothers and sisters…Christ, have mercy.

Nations took up arms against nations.

Then your child Jesus walked the earth in goodness and in truth.

He taught forgiveness and had compassion. He called us to live in peace.

Then Jesus was hung on a tree while creation cried.

But this was not the end of the story. He lives risen among us now!

Today we remember that on the night before he died, he met with his friends.

While dining, he took bread. He blessed it and broke it and said:

“Take and eat this bread, for it is my body.”

Let us eat and become one body in Christ.

Then he took the cup, blessed it, and passed it around, saying:

“Take and drink this cup, for it is my blood.”

Let us take in the lifeblood of Jesus for the transformation of the world.

Recognize the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread! (bread is broken)

Taste the goodness of God in this cup of blessing! (cup is poured)

Holy Spirit, pour yourself into this bread, pour your power into this cup.

This is the feast of God for the people of God! Come, for all is ready!

Sharing the Elements

The Bread of Life The Cup of Joy

Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)

You have drawn us together in communion and love, Christ Jesus. May we use this grace to continue your work in our world, and particularly in these days, in our country. We are in need of your vision and your grace to become light for the world! Amen.

*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 Andante Benedetto Marcello

(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 – hancockmaineucc@gmail.com – 207.422.3100

Jennifer – treasurer@hancockucc.com

TJ – revtjmack@gmail.com – 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 – Doug Kimmel, Ron Schwizer, Pat Summerer

Liturgist –

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.)

Church of Huston, Texas

Spirit of the Living God

Contributors: Daniel Iverson and Michale Baughen, Daniel Iverson

This is My Father's Word

Contributors: Maltbie Babcock, Lee Dengler

Let Us Break Bread Together

Words and Music; Text: 10 10 with refrain; Spiritual.

Music: LET US BREAK BREAD.

Contributors: LET US BREAK BREAD

Go with Us, Lord

Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey

Rev. Teresa (TJ) Mack

2/1/26 Bulletin

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