3/29/26 Bulletin
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
Nicolette Faison’s
Palm Sunday Was a Protest
See artist’s statement on the back cover.
March 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. – Palm Sunday – New Member Sunday
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.
Palm Sunday – the good news is... inspiring us to act
Silent Prayer
God of inspiration, when I look around, there are so many people modeling a better way. The leaders working to care for their people, even when it is less profitable. The children speaking out in halls of power to advocate for a brighter future. The everyday people bringing truckloads of donations after a disaster. God, let me be part of this crowd. Let their light ignite my own actions so I might be a light for others, too.
With conviction I pray, amen.
* Indicates when we stand in body or spirit.
Announcements
Prelude Behold the King David Paxton
Welcome
*Introit Come and Find the Quiet Center (tune: Beach Spring)
Come and find the qui-et cen-ter in the crowd-ed life we lead; / Find the room for hope to en-ter, / Find the frame where we are freed; / Clear the cha-os and the clut-ter, / Clear our eyes, that we can see / All the things that real-ly mat-ter, / Be at peace, and sim-ply be.
*Call to Worship
Will you follow?
Will you lay down your coat?
Will you lay down something important?
Will you shout “Hosanna”?
Will you join the parade?
Will you sing, even if your throat is hoarse?
Will you cut down a palm branch?
Will you wave it in the air?
Will you follow the one riding on a donkey?
Will you let this good news inspire you to act?
We will. We will sing. We will pay close attention.
We will worship. We will follow.
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna in the highest.
*Passing the Peace (ASL) and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn God’s Eye is on the Sparrow B. #475
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home, When God is ever my portion? My constant friend will be: God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me; God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me.
Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” Christ’s tender word I hear, And resting on God’s goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path God leads me, but one step I may see; God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me; God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me.
Refrain:
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, When song gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I then draw close to my Savior, from care I am set free; God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me; God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me.
Refrain:
*Invocation (in unison)
Holy One, if we have heard this story before, the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem riding on a donkey, then help us to hear it again. And if we have never heard this story before, if we have never heard the story of Palm Sunday or the cries of "Hosanna," then give us the wisdom to follow along. Give us the wisdom to hear these words. Give us the wisdom to take them into our hearts. Give us the wisdom to act on their truth. We are listening. Amen
Children’s Message All Glory, Laud, and Honor Palm Parade
Reception of New Members into the Church
Pastor TJ: Friends in Christ, we are all received into the church through the beckoning of the Holy Spirit. _________ have found nurture and support in the midst of this family of Christ. They have been led by the Holy Spirit to affirm their covenantal relationship with the members of this community of faith, using their gifts for service to God’s children.
Do you, __________, declare before God and this congregation your intention to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing in the worship of God and the work of this church as it serves this community and the world? If so, would you respond, I do.
Nick Davis: Will you, _________, join with us as we follow the model of Jesus, to bring love and justice to all of God’s creation; to love both the powerless and the powerful; and to seek to bring wholeness to all of humanity?
New Members: I will.
Pastor TJ: Beloveds, do you make Jesus Christ your example, and take for your rule of life his words: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. And … thy neighbor as thyself?
New Members: I do
Nick: Will you join with us and the United Church of Christ to explore questions of Christian faith combining the Good News of the Gospel and social justice?
New Members: I will.
Pastor TJ: Will you join with us in support of this community of faith through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness, so that together we may grow stronger in expressing God’s love for all creation?
New Members: I will, with the help of God.
Nick: Will you join with us in support of this church by accepting the by-laws of this church?
New Members: I will.
Nick: Members of Union Congregational Church: Do you now receive __________ into the membership of our church? Do you promise before God and in their presence to offer to them your love and encouragement, that we all may grow together in God’s grace and service? If so, please say, I do.
Members and Friends: I do.
*The Congregation: We then as members of this church, gladly welcome you among us to be part of us in the hopes, the labors, and the joys of the United Church of Christ. We promise to walk with you in Christian love and sympathy, and to promote, as we are able, your growth in the Christian life.
The right hand of fellowship to be extended by the pastor and senior deacon
Pastor TJ: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (Eph. 2:19-21) Let us pray…
Congregational Call to Confession
The very first Palm Sunday was a day of action. It was a day of movement, of crowded city streets, and cries of "Hosanna!" It was a day of peaceful protest and dreams for a better world. The first Palm Sunday was a day of peaceful, hopeful action. So friends, on this Palm Sunday, let us join the saints before us in an act of faith. Let us begin with an act of prayer, an act of honesty, an act of transformation. Let us begin by drawing close to God and sharing the truth of our lives. Let us begin with confession. Join me in prayer:
Prayer of Confession
Jesus of Nazareth, we know that you spent your days teaching and healing. You marched through the streets and walked on water. You laid hands on the sick and broke bread at crowded dinner tables. Your good news was not confined to conversation. It was not confined to the Temple. Your good news was an act of love, alive in the world. Holy God, we long for a faith like that. Forgive us for the times when we confine our faith to something we think about, as opposed to something we act upon. Inspire us to love as you loved. Inspire us to act. With hope for tomorrow we pray, amen.
Words of forgiveness
Church family, whether or not you wave your palm branch, whether or not you live out your faith, whether or not you allow this good news to inspire your actions, God will never stop loving you. Jesus will never stop marching for you. The Spirit will never stop listening to you. We are claimed, loved, and held in grace. What good, good news. Amen!
Scriptures Mark 11:1-11
Special Music Filled with Excitement Black Hymnal 214 Everyone join us in the Refrain, Hosanna!
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates R. #127
Lift up your heads, O mighty gates; behold, the King of glory waits! The Prince of Peace is drawing near; the Savior of the world is here.
Fling wide the portals of your heart; make it a temple, set apart from earthly use for heaven's employ, adorned with prayer and love and joy.
Redeemer, come! I open wide my heart to you; here, Lord, abide! Let me your inner presence feel; your grace and love in me reveal.
So come, my Sovereign; enter in! Let new and nobler life begin; your Holy Spirit guide us on, until the glorious crown be won.
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 The New Century Hymnal #842
Having received new life through the generosity of God and the hope Christ brings, let us give thankfully and abundantly that we may be called God’s generous people.
Offertory Arise, My Soul, Arise Finnish Folk Tune/ Lani Smith
*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 The New Century Hymnal #845
O God, most merciful and gracious, of whose bounty we have all received: accept, we pray, this offering of your people. Remember in your love those who have brought it and those for whom it is given; and so follow it with your blessing that it may promote peace and goodwill among all people and advance the realm of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
*Hymn Jesus Calls Us, O’er the Tumult R. #304
Jesus calls us, o'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea; day by day his voice still calls us, saying, "Christian, follow me,"
As of old, Saint Andrew heard it by the Galilean lake, turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for Jesus' sake.
Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store, from each idol that would keep us, saying, "Christian, love me more."
In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, still he calls, in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these,"
Jesus calls us; by your mercies, Savior, may we hear your call, give our hearts to your obedience, serve and love you best of all.
*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 Ride On, Ride On! Gilbert Martin
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book
in the back of the sanctuary.
Contact Us
Vicky – hancockmaineucc@gmail.com – 207.422.3100
Jennifer – treasurer@hancockucc.com
TJ – revtjmack@gmail.com – 207.323.6743
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)
Many thanks to those who make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Alison Boden & Tamara Wilson
Liturgist – Myrna Coffin
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources: A Sanctified Art
Nicolette Faison’s artist statement:
Palm Sunday Was a Protest is a sister piece to LL Cool J in that the inspiration was also stained glass. Unlike LL Cool J, Palm Sunday Was a Protest contains a bit more detail emphasizing the hectic energy that is found in movements. Each segment is meant to capture the eye but the central subjects are in black and white, contrasting the brilliant color palette.
The order of colors is intentionally a rainbow as a nod to the Queer community. The piece contains a sunrise behind the iconic Palm Sunday donkey, which is an ode to the Sunrise Movement.24 Accompanying the donkey are crowds of people with fists raised in the air, a common sight at any protest. The phrase, “No Justice, No Peace” sits around a “power to the people fist” symbolizing resistance. This symbol was first utilized by labor and liberation movements in the early 1900s. I personally associate the fist with the Black Power movement of the 1960s. Along the bottom of the piece, the grassroots of the image, are palms, a nod to the biblical story.
Palm Sunday Was a Protest is an ode to modern movements. This piece visually aligns how Palm Sunday is talked about with the active work happening today. Resist fascism. Resist occupation. Do justice.
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.
Come and Find the Quiet Center (BEACH SPRING)
Words and Music - ©1992, 2021 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Shirley Erena Murray, Joe Galyon
God’s Eye is on the Sparrow – Public Domain
Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
Words and Music - ©pd Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
Jesus Calls Us o'er the Tumult
Words and Music - ©pd Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
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