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
The Raising of Lazarus by Duccio di Buoninsegna (1255-1319)
Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 26, 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
Welcome
Introit Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (v.1) B. #43
Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven on earth be found,
Fix in us a humble dwelling, all your faithful mercies crown;
Jesus, you are all compassion; pure, unbounded love impart.
Visit us with your salvation, enter every trembling heart.
*Call to Worship
One: Creator God, you animate us with the breath of life.
Many: We come before you seeking revival from within.
One: Holy One, when you speak, great things happen.
Many: Empower us to make great things happen.
One: Omnipotent One, you bring us to life and declare it good.
Many: Sustain in us the desire to honor this good life in all living things.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn This is the Day R. #257
This is the day, this is the day that our God has made, that our God has made;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that our God has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it;
this is the day, this is the day that our God has made.
This is the day, this is the day Jesus rose again, Jesus rose again;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day Jesus rose again, we will rejoice, and be glad in it;
this is the day, this is the day Jesus rose again.
This is the day, this is the day when the Spirit came, when the Spirit came;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day when the Spirit came, we will rejoice and be glad in it,
this is the day, this is the day when the Spirit came.
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
Life Giver, come and revive us again. Indwell us with your spirit and let our souls awake to joy. We come boldly that you might breathe on us. May what we experience with you today change us forever and for the better. Amen
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture Ezekiel 37:1-14
Christian Scripture John 11:1-45
Special Music
Message
*Hymn I Danced in the Morning (Lord of the Dance) R. #206
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth;
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
but they would not dance and they wouldn’t follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John,
They came with me and the Dance went on.
Refrain:
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame,
the holy people said it was a shame:
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high,
and they left me there on a cross to die.
Refrain:
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black,
It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;
they buried my body and they thought I’d gone,
but I am the Dance and I still go on.
Refrain:
They cut me down and I leapt up high;
I am the life that‘ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the lord of the Dance said he.
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
Prayer for Transformation and New Life Mender of Hearts, we confess that sometimes in our brokenness, we cause brokenness in others. Sometimes in our woundedness, we wound others. In these despairing moments, we need healing and restoration. We give thanks that we are never beyond your reach or grace. Amen
Words of Grace God’s mercy makes wholeness possible and our wholeness is rooted in becoming who we are meant to be–living sanctuaries. Amen
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 is the source of our supply. Let us give from what we have been supplied. May this supply meet every demand.
Offertory
*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)
Divine Sustainer, receive this offering that we gladly give. May it be used to revive and restore those in need. Amen
*Hymn Like a Mother Who Has Born Us R. #89
Like a mother who has born us, held us close in her delight,
fed us freely from her body, God has called us into life.
Like a father who has taught us, grasped our hand and been our guide,
lifted us and healed our sorrows, God has walked with us in life.
Though as children we have wandered, placed our trust in power and might,
left behind our brothers, sisters, God stills calls us into life.
When we offer food and comfort, grasp our neighbor’s hand in love,
tread the path of peace and justice, God still walks with us in life.
*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
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
The family and friends of Karen Dickson, who died on March 18th;
Gary & Jeanne’s grandson William; Mike and Cindy Merritt; Kate Winters; Annie McCormack;
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; Denny Doucette; Vicky’s Aunt Eleanor; Debbie R.; Graham Espling; Debbie E; Peter Deitze; Coulter Huyler; Sandy Phippen; Josh Friend; 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
Guest Musician - Phoebe Devenish
Deacons – Doug Kimmel & Robin Long
Liturgist – Robin Long
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
UCC Worship Ways and 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.”
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Words and Music - ©1993 MorningStar Music Publishers / Birnamwood Publications
Contributors: Charles Wesley, Sid Davis
Lord of the Dance / I Danced in the Morning
Words and Music - ©1963 Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Contributors: Sydney Carter
Like a Mother Who Has Borne Us
Words - ©1986 MennoMedia Inc.
Contributors: Daniel Bechtel
Music - ©1993 Selah Publishing Co., Inc.
Contributors: William P. Rowan
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 __________________________________________