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
Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 19, 2023
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)
(Posted for later viewing on Facebook and YouTube)
Meeting ID: 883 2746 7219
Passcode: 131738
Silent Prayer
Lord God, Great I Am, you are resurrection and life. As we worship you this day show us who we are: bearers of good news, messengers of resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Art Thou Weary Emma Lou Diemer
Welcome
Introit Many Are the Lightbeams (v. 1) B. #163
Many are the lightbeams from the one light. Our one light is Jesus.
Many are the lightbeams from the one light; we are one in Christ.
*Call to Worship
One: The Lord is our shepherd. There is nothing we lack.
All: God guides us in proper paths for the sake of God’s good name.
One: God bathes our heads in oil; our cups are so full they spill over!
All: Yes, God’s goodness and faithful love will pursue us all the days of our lives.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn O Holy Dove of God Descending B. #285
O holy Dove of God descending, you are the love that knows no ending,
All of our shattered dreams you’re mending: Spirit, now live in me.
O holy Wind of God now blowing, you are the seed that God is sowing,
You are the life that starts us growing: Spirit, now live in me.
O holy Rain of God now falling, you make the Word of God enthralling,
You are that inner voice now calling: Spirit, now live in me.
O holy Flame of God now burning, you are the power of Christ returning,
You are the answer to our yearning: Spirit, now live in me.
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
Gracious God, illumine our hearts and minds as the Scriptures are read and proclaimed, so that by the power of your Holy Spirit we may see what is good and right and true. And seeing, help us to do what is pleasing to you, so that your glory becomes visible in our words and deeds. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen
Children’s Message
Christian Scripture John 9
Poem Sabbath Poem VI, 1987, “Remembering that it happened once” Wendell Berry Special Music In the Calm arr. Keith Christopher
Message
*Hymn Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound R. #401
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved and set me free!
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come;
'tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
My God has promised good to me, whose word my hope secures;
God will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
When we've been here ten thousand years, bright, shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we’d first begun.
Call to Confession
As children of God’s light, we are called to do what is pleasing to the Lord: to participate in what is good and right and true, and expose what is unfruitful and evil. Knowing that we turn from the light, we bring our confession to God, so that what is hidden in us becomes visible,
and the shadows of our hearts may be illumined by grace.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, we are people who still love darkness rather than light. We keep shameful deeds secret, but flaunt our occasional acts of virtue. We see ourselves as blameless, but pass judgment on others. We do not stand firmly enough with those who are vulnerable, but step back, protecting ourselves. Forgive us, we pray. Bring us into your light that we may see ourselves rightly. Bring us into your light that we may know ourselves loved. Bring us into your light that we may live more fruitful lives. Keep raising us, we pray, from the deadness of sin, and shine upon us with your grace. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen
Declaration of Forgiveness
The psalmist assures us that God’s goodness and mercy will follow us, even pursue us, all the days of our life. As God’s forgiven people, receive this goodness and mercy, and live a new life in the grace of Jesus Christ.
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 – Our lives overflow with the goodness of God. Sharing what we have received, we bring now our tithes and offerings to God, with gladness and gratitude.
Offertory If Thou Art Near Bach/ Paxton
*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)
In gratitude, O God, we bring our gifts to you. Be it time, tithe, or talent, it all comes from you. We offer these gifts with our heartfelt thanks and praise. Amen
*Hymn The Summons See attached Will you come and follow me If I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know And never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, Will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown In you and you in me?
Will you leave yourself behind If I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind And never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare Should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer In you and you in me?
Will you let the blinded see If I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free And never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean, And do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean In you and you in me?
Will you love the “you” you hide If I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside And never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found To reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound In you and you in me?
Lord, your summons echoes true When you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you And never be the same.
In your company I’ll go Where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow In you and you in me.
*Blessing
*Sung Benediction Go, My Children, with My Blessing (v.1) B. #82
Go my children with my blessing, never alone;
Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own;
In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever,
Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.
Postlude Arise, My Soul, Arise Finnish Folk/ Lani Smith
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, United Church of Christ will conduct a
Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, March 19, 2023 immediately following the morning worship service for the following purposes:
1. To vote on a proposed Trustee expenditure
Pursuant to the Emergency Powers granted to Council in Article VI, Section 5, of the Church By-Laws, Council authorizes Ron McGlinchey, or his designee, on behalf of the church Trustees, to spend up to $8,000 in church funds for the purpose of repairing, improving, or replacing any or all plumbing systems or parts of such systems related to the septic disposal system serving the church parsonage residence.
2. And any other matters to come before the congregation
Jeanne Edwards, Clerk
March 5, 2023
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
the people of Syria and Turkey; the people of Ukraine and Russia;
President Jimmy Carter and his family; Nick’s sister Susan; Kenny Stratton; Joy & David; Sally’s friend Joan; Denny Doucette; Vicky’s Aunt Eleanor; Debbie R.; Morgan Espling; Debbie E; Peter Deitze; Kenny Houghton; David Mack; Coulter Huyler; Sandy Phippen; Josh Friend; Mary Shannon; Renata’s sister-in-law Joanne; Linda K.; healing prayers for a family seeking solutions to significant mental health issues; Judith Crowley; Cheryl and her husband Jeff; Steve Crabtree; Debbie Maddocks and her Aunt Linda Reed; John Wood; Andrew and Tamara; Austin’s cousin Danny; Kathy’s sister Patti Wotton; Roberta Scott; Nancy; Cynthia; Betty Johnston; Betty’s step-daughter Mollie; Margaret B; Liz & Jim; Gary Edwards; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Renata and the women she cares for; Eleanor’s step-daughter Holly; Tom & Judy’s son Andrew and his family; all individuals and families experiencing addictions; all caregivers; all affected by memory loss; those living with depression and other mental health issues; for all victims and loved ones of violence, those impacted by laws limiting reproductive justice; those experiencing food and housing insecurity; all in your heart…
Support our Church Financially
Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our new webpage www.hancockucc.com
(please note that www.hancockucc.org still exists as an archival site)
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
hancockmaineucc@gmail.com treasurer@hancockucc.com revtjmack@gmail.com
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 – Pat Summerer & David Wildes
Liturgist – Pat Summerer
Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
(Mike Summerer is happy to teach others this important task. Please inquire…)
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources
Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.”
Many Are the Lightbeams
Words and Music - ©1974 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Olle Widestrand, David Lewis
O Holy Dove of God Descending - Bryan Jeffery Leech
Words and Music - ©1976 Fred Bock Music Company
Amazing Grace
Words and Music - © OCP
Contributors: NEW BRITAIN, John Newton
The Summons
Words and Music - ©1987 Iona Community / WGRG (North America)
Contributors: John Bell
Go, My Children, with My Blessing
Words - ©1983 Concordia Publishing House
Contributors: Jaroslav J Vajda, Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams
Easter Plants
Daffodil, Hyacinth and Tulip plants wrapped in foil
will be available to order for the Easter Service.
The plants are available for $12.95.
Please order through Barbara Reeve by Sun, March 26th by completing the order form below, calling 460-0527,
or emailing barb.reeve@gmail.com.
Cash or checks made payable to Union Congregational Church
of Hancock will be accepted. Please indicate if you would like to place a plant in church “in honor of” or “in loving memory of” a particular individual(s).
Name:__________________________________ Phone:______________
Choice of flower(s): $12.95 each
Daffodils __________
Hyacinths __________
Tulips __________
How do you wish to have the bulletin read?
In honor of __________________________________________________
In loving memory of __________________________________________