2/8/26 Bulletin
- 4 hours ago
- 6 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
Racial Justice Sunday
February 8, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. – Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
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
Restorative One, your law is like medicine, your wisdom a balm. You heal the wounds of destruction within, around, and between us. In the quiet places of our hearts, make known to us what pain remains neglected. Tend, O God, to all the fears that keep us from receiving love’s instruction. Amen (enfleshed: Liturgy That Matters, 2020)
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Rondo Marin Marais
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.
*Call to Worship (UCC Worship Ways)Leader: Shout it out—no holding back!People: There is truth that needs to be spoken.
Leader: Let the people rise and hear it.People: We are listening. We stand ready.
Leader: Shout to the weary, the overlooked, the worn-thin:People: With courage, we gather. With voices, we speak words of life.
Leader: Shout to the hearts carrying hidden weight,People: The Holy One meets us here in our honesty.
Leader: Shout to the systems that press people down,People: Their power is not the final word.
Leader: A new song is rising—
People: A song that frees, a rhythm that restores, a melody of reparation.
Leader: Shout to the builders, the dreamers, the stubbornly hopeful:People: The time has come for burdens to lift, for the grip of harm to loosen,for the rebuilding of what has been broken.
Leader: Come, Beloved Community, Come. Bring your resolve, your compassion, your wide-awake faith.All: Let us worship the God who calls us to remove every yoke.
*Passing the Peace (ASL) and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn You Are Salt for the Earth, O People B. #181
You are salt for the earth, O people: salt for the reign of God!
Share the flavor of life, Ο people: life in the city of God!
Bring forth the reign of merсу, bring forth the reign of peace.
Bring forth the reign of justice, bring forth the City of God!
You are a light on the hill, Ο people: light for the City of God!
Shine so holy and bright, Ο people: shine for the City of God!
Refrain:
Bring forth the reign of merсу, bring forth the reign of peace.
Bring forth the reign of justice, bring forth the City of God!
You are a seed of the Word, Ο people: bring forth the reign of God!
Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice, grow in the City of God!
Refrain:
We are a blessed and a pilgrim people: bound for the reign of God!
Love our journey and love our home - land: love is the City of God!
Refrain:
*Invocation (enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters, 2020)
Leader: Bringing all of our concerns, our question, our doubts, and our hopes...
People: We come to explore the mystery of God.
Leader: Through the power of the Spirit, we long to discern the mind of Christ...
People: That love might be our center and justice our true aspiration.
Leader: Leaving behind our loyalties to all that hinders the flourishing of life...
All: Holy Spirit, come and reveal the wisdom of God!
Children’s Message
Scriptures Isaiah 58:1-12 and Matthew 5:13-20
Marianne Williamson,
Special Music Wondrous Love American Folk Hymn Wilbur Held
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn We Shall Overcome R. #476
We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome someday.
We’ll walk hand in hand…
We are not afraid, we are not afraid, we are not afraid today.
God will see us through…
Truth shall make us free…
We shall live in peace…
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 (enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters, 2020)
None of us can know the heart of God alone. To encounter Holy Mystery, we depend on each other, on the earth and its creations, and on the ones who came before and will come after us. Love takes on flesh in community. And so in gratitude for one another and all the Sacred gifts of this gathering, let us bring our offerings to God.
Offertory Reflection on Brother James’ Air Arr. 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 (enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters, 2020)
Spirit of Truth, you reveal the wisdom of God made secret by patterns and histories of dominance. You remove from our hearts and minds all that shrouds justice. Let your love be made evident in us. By your grace, may this community be like a city on a hill - a beacon of hope that cannot be hidden. Amen
*Hymn This Little Light of Mine (verses 1, 2, 3) R. #364
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine;This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine;This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
This great joy I have, I’m gonna let it shine …
Ev’ry-where I go I’m gonna let it shine …
*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 Pastorale Francois Couperin
(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 – Everett Espling & Ron Schwizer
Liturgist – Alison Boden
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
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.
Spirit of the Living God
Words and Music - ©1963 Jubilate Music
Contributors: Daniel Iverson and Michale Baughen, Daniel Iverson
You Are Salt for the Earth, O People
Words and Music - ©1986 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Marty Haugen
We Shall Overcome
Words and Music - ©2018 Stephen DeCesare / Exultet Music
Contributors: Traditional, Traditional, Stephen DeCesare
This Little Light of Mine
Words and Music - ©2022 Stephen DeCesare / Exultet Music
Contributors: Traditional, Traditional, Stephen DeCesare
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
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