2/15/26 Weekly Messenger
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Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for February 15, 2026
Though what I dream and what I do in my weak days are always two, help me, oppressed by things undone, O thou whose deeds and dreams were one!
Pastor TJ will be on vacation and working from Wisconsin from Feb. 9th - 25th.
February 15th we will welcome Sarina Brooks back to our pulpit.
And on MESOM Sunday, Feb. 22nd, Ann Boudreaux, a Member-in-Discernment in our Sunrise Association will be our guest preacher, with TJ leading the service on Zoom, with much help from those in our sanctuary.
Pick up a copy of our Lenten Devotional, “Tell Me Something Good: Grounding Ourselves in the Good News this Lent” in our Sanctuary or Fellowship Hall. The following is an excerpt from the introduction:
“Lent was originally a season for new converts to learn and prepare for their baptism on Easter. During that time, they would study what was central to Chrisitanity. As we crafted this Lenten devotional, we studied what was central to Jesus’ life and ministry: radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry, nonviolence in the face of injustice. At the heart of Jesus’ teachings, we find liberation, love, mercy, and grace–all of which are meant to be very good news for us all.
Jesus’ ministry can be described as ‘radical’ which comes from the Latin word ‘radicalis,’ meaning ‘root’ or ‘ground.’ Therefore, the good news should bring us back to our roots. Emulating Jesus and embodying his teachings should ground us in who God created us to be. Can we be ‘good news’ people in a world too often burdened by bad news? …
We invite you to journey through this devotional at your own pace, as each week offers art, reflections, poetry, and hymns to ground you in the good news. This Lent, let the teachings of Jesus lead us forward. May the good news inspire us to take action in a world desperate to hear, see, and taste what is good.”
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. Join us on Wednesday, February 18th at noon for a service with the distribution of ashes followed by a soup and bread luncheon.
The Meditation Group meets Friday mornings, at 9:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. Reach out to Pastor TJ or Alison Boden with any questions. All are welcome!
(revtjmack@gmail.com, 207-323-6743 or aboden3321@gmail.com, 609-865-3236)
Calling all bell ringers. Wouldn’t it be great to have handbells ringing on Easter? I need ringers. We can practice on Sundays after church. Please call Pat Summerer at (203) 522-2781 if interested. Thanks!
Our meetings are open to all. If you would like to attend a meeting, please let Vicky know and she will provide the Zoom link, or you are welcome to attend in person. Our meetings are held in person and virtually on Zoom.
Deacons will meet on Friday, February 13th at 4 pm
Trustees will meet on Wednesday, February 18th at 4 pm via Zoom
Outreach will meet Thursday, February 19th at 4:30 pm
Council will meet on Friday, February 20th at 11 am
We have created a new YouTube channel. Please follow us on the new site by clicking on this link and subscribing.
(The original site will be discontinued soon.)
Wabanaki-REACH Workshop
“De-colonizing and the Role of Faith Communities”
Saturday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, Mar. 7 - 9:00-12:00 (Zoom)
This workshop is available to participants throughout Maine.
Fee: $50
Register: https://www.maineucc.org/mesom/
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
Our prayers remain with Alex & Savannah and Andrew & Tamara, and with Tyler Crabtree and his family. We ask prayers for Gerry and Sonny as Gerry recovers from heart surgery. We ask prayers for Sarina and her Dad as he recovers from a major stroke. We pray for David, Brian, Brad, Donald, Kenny V, James, Marie, Charlie, Jonathan and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for Jeanne recovering from a broken tibia and her brother Clem receiving cancer treatments. We pray for Mike & Carol; Dexter B.; Cynthia W.; Judith C.; Eleanor A.; the Raymonds; Hollis & Debbie; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Ruth & Peter; Patrice’s step-sister Patricia; Morgan; Herbie Lounder; Sandy Phippen; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport; Kirk; Kenny Stratton & Joy & David & Lori & Melissa; Debbie & Lincoln & Aaron & Ashley & Brielle. Prayers for all in Hospice Care. Prayers for all that are unsafe, unhoused, hungry & in need of care & compassion. Prayers for individuals and families affected by addictions. Prayers for all caregivers. Prayers for those who are grieving loss or change or experiencing family conflict; and prayers for all that is in your heart…
You're invited to join us for another PL BOOK CLUB!
Pick-up a copy of the book "A Little One Shall Lead | Small Congregations Create New Ways of Being Church" by Rev. Susan McNeily Craig and Rev. Dr. Douglas Allan Dunlap and join PL friends via Zoom on March 16th to discuss the text. We'll once again be joined by the authors!
February Birthdays
15: David Stratton 16: Will Stephenson 18: Sara Beth Denoncourt
19: Monica Quill 21: Pat Summerer 24: Heath Hudson
25: Michael Hodgdon 27: Antonio Blasi
A Letter from our Associate Conference Minister
Rev. John Fiscus
1 Samuel 7:12
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Thus far the Eternal One has helped us.’
Here I’ll raise my Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I’m come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing V2A
In Hebrew, Ebenezer means “stone of help”. The Ebenezer of the song is taken from the story of Samuel. It was raised by Samuel to be a marker or symbol that God had embraced and led the people from harm and toward safety. So, what does an Ebeneser look like in your world? Can you spot the places that remind you of God’s promises and hopes for us?
As I visit the churches of the Maine Conference, I see signs of who and where we are as people. I see and count my Ebenezers. One of the games I play is how far away I will spot the traditional New England steeple of our churches. They are a great symbol but not my Ebenezer. I look for the orb, crown and cross proudly displayed on church signs still not the stone of help. When I walk into churches to preach or visit I grab a bulletin and turn to the pages of what’s happening and there I often find my Ebenezer. I see it in the ways we are present in our world. From missions, pantries, line dances, grief groups, and community meals I see the ways we connect to our world. I see countless ways we display our stones of help. Here we lift our Ebenezers.
My connection to our churches being places of hope and help drives my ministry here in Maine. Next week I am offering sessions on the new Manual on the Local church. The aim of that work and my sessions will be to offer churches a chance to see themselves and their work through new lenses. The manual provides both practical and aspirational ways to re-imagine and re-kindle the work we are meant to do in our world. That level of connecting to our churches is important to me.
One of the other ways I connect in churches is to come and visit. When I am invited to come and preach it allows me to really connect. I enjoy thinking about who and where I am invited. My two favorite parts of the day are standing by the door that people use to reenter the world and fellowship. I shake hands and greet as many folks as possible. Then I head to fellowship and look for the empty chair at a nearly full table. I want to listen to stories and tell a few. I want church coffee and often something chocolate. I want to feel and experience the heartbeat of the people that are in our churches. I still have an open schedule and want to visit as much of Maine as possible. Hint, hint!
Finally, I see our stones of hope being the ministers serving our congregations, as chaplains, and in other places of need. I see my primary call to be a pastor to pastors and churches. To this end, a large part of my work is with committees of ministry working to help and equip ministers for their calls. But I am often invited to be present with pastors needing advice or support. I feel so privileged to answer those calls. I am also hoping to see ministers come together for our Clergy convocation in May. Keep checking midweek news for registration and updates on this opportunity.
To all of you, thank you for all the Stones of Hope and Connections, you are my Ebenezer.
Rev. John Fiscus, Associate Conference Minister
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