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 25, 2024 - Second Sunday of Lent
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
Whispering God, who longs for us to hear your voice, and waits in the sheer silence for us to recognize your presence, meet me in this quiet moment. Silent my loud, tumultuous thoughts, and help me let go of my distractions, and my desire to be distracted, to simply sit here with you. As the silence unsettles my spirit, let the waves of your peace and presence wash over me. Amen.
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements & MESOM Moment
Prelude O My Soul Rejoice with Gladness S. Karg-Elert
Welcome
*Introit Morning Has Broken (v. 1) Red Hymnal #258
Morning has broken like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!
*Call to Worship
One: Let us not be ashamed of our Savior.
All: Let us sing and praise our God out loud.
One: In the midst of the crowd, we will praise you.
All: In our community, we will bear witness to our faith.
One: Let us set our minds on divine things.
All: Let us take up our cross and follow Christ.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn Be Thou My Vision (v. 1, 2, & 4) R. #445
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my Redeemer, my love thou hast won; thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
High King of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O ruler of all.
*Invocation
One: Gracious God, thank you that you promise to be with us in the midst of worship.
All: Lord, we welcome you among us today and ask that you would open our ears so that we may hear your voice.
One: Open our minds so that we may receive your eternal wisdom.
All: Open our spirits so that we may know your leading and guidance.
One: Open our hearts so that we may receive your wonderful love.
All: We ask all this in the glorious name of Jesus. Amen.
Children’s Message
Scripture Reading Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:25
Jesus the Great High Priest
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Special Music In the Cross of Christ I Glory Rathbun/ Robert Lau
Message “Fix Me” Gordon Thomas Ward
*Hymn Our God, Our Help in Ages Past (v. 1, 3, & 4) R. #80
Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!
Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame,
from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same.
A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.
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 – God invites us to give in gratitude and joy so that we can bless others
as we have been blessed.
Offertory O For a Heart to Praise to Praise my God Tune: Richmond/ Robert Powell
*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 grace, you provide for us in amazing ways. May our offerings provide for others and be used to further Christ’s ministry and mission. Amen.
*Hymn Now Thank We All Our God (v. 1, 2, & 3) R. #27
Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices,who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices;who, from our mothers' arms hath blessed us on our waywith countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us,to keep us in all grace, and guide us when perplexed,and free us from all ills of this world in the next.
All praise and thanks to God almighty now be given;to God, the three in one, who reign in highest heaven,the one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore;for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
*Charge & Benediction
*Sung Blessing Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing (vs. 1) R. #333
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace:
oh, refresh us, oh, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Postlude Rigaudon Andre Campari
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary.
Today is Maine School of Ministry (MESOM) Sunday. Nick Davis will offer a testimony to the importance of supporting this mission of the Maine Conference. Envelopes available 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.
Guest Preacher – Gordon Thomas Ward
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Nick and Mary Angela Davis
Liturgist – Jeanne Edwards
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved.
Morning Has Broken
Words and Music - ©1957 AGEHR Publishing - Handbell Musicians of America
Contributors: Eleanor Farjeon
Be Thou My Vision - Craig Courtney
Contributors: Public Domain
Our God, Our Help in Ages Past
Words and Music - © OCP Publications
Contributors: ST. ANNE, William Croft, Isaac Watts
Now thank We All Our God
Words and Music - ©1586 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd
Contributors: Martin Rinkart, Johann Cruger
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - © Public Domain