3/30/25 Bulletin
- treasurer593
- May 20
- 7 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
March 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ₋₋ Fourth Sunday in Lent
Join us on Zoom
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 Meditation
Dear God, your gifts are generous and yet we often fail to appreciate what we have been given. We demand more, but squander what we have received. Forgive us for taking for granted what we receive from you. When we fail to accept what you offer, or fail to steward those gifts, bring us back to awareness of you. Amen.
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Passion Chorale Hans Leo Hassler/ Brian Glyncannon
Welcome
*Introit God is So Good On back page
1&4 God is so good;God is so good;God is so good;God’s so good to me.
2 God cares for me;God cares for me;God cares for me;God’s so good to me.
3 God loves me so;God loves me so;God loves me so;God’s so good to me.
*Call to Worship
One: Have you come far to be here today?
Many: You enlarge our gathering: welcome!
One: Have you come from around the corner?
Many: You anchor our gathering: welcome!
One: Do you seek sanctuary? Do you seek inspiration?
Many: May this worship meet you.
One: Do you come with purpose? Do you come with questions?
Many: We welcome you as you are!
All: Let us worship God together!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
Peace & Justice Poem “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou
*Hymn Our God, to Whom We Turn B. #37
Our God, to whom we turn when weary with illusion,whose stars serenely burn above this earth’s confusion,Yours is the mighty plan, the steadfast order sure,in which the world began, endures, and shall endure.
You are indeed the truth; though we who deign to find you,have tried, with thoughts uncouth, in feeble words to bind you.It is because you are we’re driven to the quest;till truth from falsehood part, our souls can find no rest.
All beauty your decree: the mountains and the rivers,
The line of lifted sea, where spreading moonlight quivers.
The deep-toned organ blast that rolls through arches dim,
Hints of the music vast of heaven’s eternal hymn.
O hidden fount of truth, of love, and peace, and beauty,
Inspire us from our youth with joy and strength for duty.
May your fresh light arise within each heart obscure,
till, baring all disguise, we know you true and sure!
*Invocation (in unison)
Holy One, we come into your presence and the presence of this fellowship. We are seeking a little light, some hope, and grace-filled healing. Open us to know you, to receive you and find here your transforming love. Amen.
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture Joshua 5:9-12
Epistle Reading 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Hymn A Woman and a Coin R #77
A woman and a coin –the coin is lost!
How much it means to her, what time and toil,
what part it was to play in her bright dreams!
Am I that treasured coin worth searching for?
I’m found, and you rejoice! What love! What love!
A shepherd and a sheep –the sheep is lost!
Far from the flock, the one in hundred cries,
Then– risking life – the shepherd’s voice and staff!
Am I that treasured sheep worth dying for?
I live, and you rejoice! What love! What love!
A parent and a child –the child is lost!
The parent feeds on memories and hope,
The prodigal on husks and one last chance.
Am I that treasured child worth waiting for?
I’m home, and you rejoice! What love! What love!
Dear God, you sought us when the world was lost!
You gave your only Son at what a cost;
your Spirit welcomes home the tempest tossed;
now we can be all you were dreaming of.
We’re safe, and you rejoice! What love! What love!
Gospel Reading Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Special Music When Jesus Wept NCH 192 William Billings 1770/ W Ringham
Message Rev. Cynthia Priem
*Hymn It was God Who Ran to Greet Him R #71
It was God who ran to greet him as he stumbled home in shame,
then embraced him, clothed and fed him, gave him back his family name.
It was God who swept the kitchen and retrieved that precious coin;
God in woman called her neighbors, “Come, and in my gladness join.”
It was God, who as a shepherd, left the ninety-nine asleep
and then searched in cold and darkness till he found that missing sheep.
It was God who ran to meet us, conscious of our every need;
then, as we in turn help others, God rejoices in each deed!
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
Remembering the gifts we have received, let us make our offerings to God’s work that is done through this church.
Offertory Aria “O Lord, whose mercies” G.F. Handel
*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)
Through this offering of our financial resources, unique passions and skills, and faithful companionship with our community, may we impart hope, render joy, and participate in your reconciling realm. Amen.
*Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling 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.
Breathe, O breathe your loving Spirit into every troubled breast;Let us all in you inherit, let us find your promised rest;Take away our love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be.End of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
Come, almighty to deliver, let us all your life receive;Suddenly return, and never, never-more your temples leave.You we would be always blessing, love you as your angles love.Pray and praise for your unfailing, wounded arms out-stretched above.
Finish, then, your new creation; pure and spotless may we prove;Let us see your great salvation perfectly restored in you;Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,Crowned as saints, we ever shall be lost in wonder, love and praise.
*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 Spanish Chant Arr. Robert Lau
(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
207.422.3100 207.323.6743
Many thanks to those who make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Guest Minister – Rev. Cynthia Priem
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Vicky Espling and Ron Schwizer
Liturgist – Carol Skinner
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Student Ministry Intern – Sarina Brooks
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
The church’s Hook & Hastings Pipe Organ was built in 1929 (OP 2577) for the Northern Conservatory of Music in Bangor. It was moved to Bar Harbor and to Hancock Point and was given to the Church by Edward Steinbach (1887–1984). It was installed by Stoddard Smith (of Northeast Harbor) in 1988 and was restored in 2020 by Messrs. Czelusniak et Dugal, Inc., Northampton, MA.
Resources
Silent Meditation, Call to Worship, Invocation (alt.), Offering Invitation (alt.) written by the Rev. Ruth Garwood. Prayer of Dedication based on prayer by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay.
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.
God Is So Good
Words and Music - ©2012 Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
A Woman and A Coin - NYGREN
Words and Music - ©1990 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Carl Schalk, Jaroslav J Vajda
It Was God Who Ran to Greet Him - WILBUR
Words and Music - ©2006 Selah Publishing Co., Inc.
Contributors: Margaret R Tucker, Rae E Whitney
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Words and Music - ©1993 MorningStar Music Publishers / Birnamwood Publications
Contributors: Charles Wesley, Sid Davis
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
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