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 31, 2024 - Easter Sunday
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10:00 (Recorded for Facebook and YouTube)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 822 2425 2518
Passcode: 755650
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
Mysterious Spirit of Hope and Wonder—amidst the sorrow of the world, we seek signs of life. Grant us space and courage to cultivate joy, practice hope, relish wonder, and embody freedom. For you are a God in whom all things are possible. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Trumpet Tune John Stanley
Welcome
*Introit Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day (v. 2) R. #215
O Jesus, source of gentleness, come now yourself our hearts possess
that we may give you all our days the willing tribute of our praise.
*Call to Worship
One: Shake off your grave clothes of despair, roll away your stones of resignation,
tear down the middle the veil of your fear!
All: Jesus rises in the lives of those who live like him—Alleluia!
One: Challenge state-sanctioned violence, widen the margins of belonging,
live simply, and offer healing!
All: Jesus rises in the lives of those who live like him—Alleluia!
One: We follow Christ through our living.
All: Let us worship God!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn Christ the Lord is Risen Today B. #233
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Mortal tongues and angels say: Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, glad heavens, and earth reply: Alleluia!
Let the Victor’s people sing, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia!
Dying once, Christ lives to save, Alleluia! Where your victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Christ rise, Alleluia! God has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Christ, like Christ we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
*Invocation (in unison)
Resurrecting God, strengthen in us the will to go out, sharing your Good News of God’s redeeming love. Guide us in telling the story of your endless love through our words and deeds. Remind us of your presence. Fill our hearts with your ways of love that bring about peace and justice for all. Bring us your hope found in the excitement of eternal life and saving love exemplified in Jesus, the Risen Christ! Amen
Children’s Message Godly Play - Faces of Easter
Christian Scripture John 20:1-18
Contemporary Reading Seen (For Easter Day) Jan Richardson
Special Music Christ Rose Up from the Dead Black hymnal #239
Message
*Hymn Woman, Weeping in the Garden R. #203
Woman, weeping in the garden, who has pushed the stone aside?
Who has taken Jesus’ body; Jesus Christ, the crucified?
Woman, waiting in the garden, after men have come and gone;
After angels give their witness, silently you watch the dawn.
Woman, walking in the garden, Jesus takes you by surprise;
When the gardener calls you, “Mary!” faith and joy meet in your eyes.
Woman, weeping in the garden, weep for joy, for you have seen
Jesus, the Messiah, risen; Christ, of whom the prophets dream.
Woman, dancing from the garden, find the others and proclaim
Christ is risen as he promised; tell the world he knew your name!
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 – We gather these offerings, dedicating them to all that we love. For Christ has come—not that we may have excess—but that we might have life abundantly.
Offertory Rise Up, My Heart with Gladness J.S. Bach
*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)
Jesus was steadfast on his path of Liberating Love. May these gifts gladden the hearts of those in need—that there may be Easter—life, glowing, and free—for all beings everywhere. Amen
*Hymn The Day of Resurrection B. #245
The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness, the Passover of God. From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky, our Christ has brought us over with hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright the Christ who reigns eternal in resurrection light; We listening for the teachings once heard so calm and plain, for we, too, want to follow and raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens be joyful, let earth its song begin, the whole world keep high triumph, and all that is therein; Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend, for Christ again has risen, our joy that has no end.
*Sung Blessing Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing (vs. 1) R. #333
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace:
oh, refresh us, oh, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
*Benediction
Postlude Let Us Rejoice, Alleluia arr. Todd Kendall
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
Each year we celebrate Easter between March 21 and April 25,
on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox.
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 new 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.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Mary Angela & Nick Davis
Liturgists – Tamara Crowley & Jane Lennon
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources, adapted
enfleshed, liturgy that matters - Silent Prayer, Call to Worship, Offering Prayers
ucc.org - Invocation
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved
Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
Words and Music - ©pd Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Words and Music - ©pd Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
A Cheering, Chanting, Dizzy Crowd
Words - ©1985 Oxford University Press
Contributors: Thomas H. Troeger
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - Public Domain
Easter Plants were donated by:
Steven and Laura Cooper in honor of
Clayton Nowell – Jan. 29, 1947-Mar. 28, 2022
Nick and Mary Angela Davis in memory
of Loved ones
Gary and Jeanne Edwards in loving memory of
Lora, Pat, Buzz, Lynne and Jennifer
Bob and Jean Foss in loving memory of
Bee and Maynard Foss
Gertrude Haskins in loving memory of Edie, Betty, Helen and all other family members
Jodie Kimmel and Jason Noschese in loving memory of our daughter Jensen Noschese
The Kimmel Noschese family in loving memory of family and friends Jane McMullen, Robert Evans and Joe Macphee
The Lewis Family in honor of Betty and Charles Lewis
David Mack in honor and loving memory of Brig. Gwen Mack
Jenifer Remick in loving memory of Alleycat
Mike and Pat Summerer in honor of all our church family
David Wildes and Cynthia Wood in loving memory of Loved ones