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 4, 2024 - Fifth Sunday after Epiphany - Communion Sunday
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 glory, God of joy, God of ordinary wonders, come and usher us toward life.
Keep us from losing touch with the miracles all around us: The way love persists.
The way the earth holds us. The way it’s never too late for new beginnings.
Make a way for us, back to the simple truths that sustain. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Communion Aria Franklin Ritter
Welcome
*Introit Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty (vs. 4) Red Hymnal #10
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty;God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
*Call to Worship
One: Holy are the moments that catch our breath, catch our attention, catch us off guard with the wonders of being alive.
All: The surprises of God hearten and revive!
One: God points us back to the riches of life before us. The world is pouring out blessings of beauty. Kinship and community enable lasting joy.
All: The faithful gifts of God are simple and abundant. We gather to remember and to treasure every one.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn I Sing the Mighty Power of God Black Hymnal #12
I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day:
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of our God that filled the earth with food;
God formed the creatures with a word, and then pronounced them good.
Oh, how your wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye:
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky!
On earth there’s not a plant or flower but makes your glory known.
The clouds arise and spread their showers by order from your throne.
All life is but a gift from you and ever in your care;
Wherever people gather, you, O God, are present there.
*Invocation (in unison)
O God, all people are your Beloved manifestations of your image. Let us delight in our diversity that offers glimpses of the mosaic of your beauty. By the power of the Holy Spirit, quicken our understanding that we may believe in the signs that reveal your presence among us now. Amen
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture Psalm 45:6-15
Christian Scripture John 2:1-12
Special Music Meditation Jacob Arcadelt
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Thank Our God for Sisters, Brothers B. #397
Thank our God for sisters, brothers, one by grace, in harmony.
Joining heart to heart with others, making strong community.
With the cross of Christ our standard, let us sing as with one voice.
Glory, glory, yours the promise: we who are the church rejoice.
Praise to God for congregations, keeping faith with Christ as guide;
Many tongues of many nations, song and service unified.
Sweet the psalm and sweet the carol, when our song is raised as one.
Glory, glory, yours the power, as in heaven your will be done.
Holy is your name forever! Heal divisions that remain;
Bless the church’s new endeavors; make our witness one again.
One in Christ and in Christ’s gospel, make us one we now implore.
Glory, glory, yours the glory, then and now and evermore.
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 Give Me Jesus African American Spiritual/ David Kidwell
*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)
O God, you call us to be a blessing for all people on this earth. Give us the wisdom and the courage to be a blessing to this community and to this world. Through these offerings may we be channels of your compassion and healing, for the sake of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen
*Communion 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.
Holy Communion Liturgy
(We serve gluten and gluten-free bread. The fruit of the vine in our cup is grape juice.)
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. AmenThe 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 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 Faith Eternal Edward Broughton
(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 – Everett Espling, Robin Long, David Wildes
Liturgist –
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources, adapted
enfleshed: liturgy that matters - Silent Prayer, Call to Worship
UCC Worship Ways & Feasting on the Word, Worship Companion - Invocation
Feasting on the Word, Worship Companion - Offering Prayers, Intercessory Prayers
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
Music - ©1948 H W Gray
Contributors: Reginald Heber, John B Dykes
I Sing The Mighty Power Of God
Words and Music - ©2021 Stephen DeCesare / Exultet Music
Contributors: Isaac Watts, Traditional, Stephen DeCesare
Let Us Break Bread Together
Words and Music; Text: 10 10 with refrain; Spiritual. Music: LET US BREAK BREAD.
Contributors: LET US BREAK BREAD
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - © Public Domain
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