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
April 14, 2024 - Third Sunday of Eastertide
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 Compassion, we long to honor each other’s differences, to make room for the many ways to live a life. We want to protect each other’s right to self-determination. At the same time, we desire to be united in purpose. We desire soulful relationships across differences. Guide us in wisdom as we ebb and flow between the personal and the collective. Unite our individual longing with the longings of Interdependent Love. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude With Verdure Clad Haydn/Whitford
From “The Creation”
Welcome
*Introit This is the Day (vs. 1) 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.
*Call to Worship B. #825, adapted
One: Blessed is the One who spoke and the world came into being.
All: Blessed is the One who created the world and is still creating.
One: Blessed are those who speak and do.
All: Blessed are those who fulfill the Holy One’s decrees.
One: Blessed are those who have compassion for the earth.
All: Blessed are those who have compassion for all creatures.
One: Blessed are those who are in awe of God.
All: Blessed is the One who lives eternally and exists forever.
One: Blessed is the One who redeems and saves.
All: Blessed is the Holy One. Blessed are Their holy creations.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn God of Justice, God of Mercy (vs. 1-3) R. #504
God of justice, God of mercy, make us merciful and just!
Help us see your creation as from you a sacred trust,
And when people cry in anguish for their own or others’ pain,
Show us ways to make a difference. O dear God, make us humane!
How can we, as people chosen by your grace for service here—
how endure another’s hardship without offering hope or cheer?
God, forgive us, we beseech you, when our love fails to empower.
Teach us how to be more faithful in this present crucial hour.
You have formed us, God of rainbows, in your image for your will.
Seeing our diverse reflections, trusting you, we marvel still;
For our colors, strengths and talents show what one alone would lack,
calling us to work together – brown, red, golden, white, and black.
*Invocation (in unison)
Holy God, we gather mindful of your covenant with us and all creation. We gather mindful of your wonderful deeds and your powerful work among us. Grant that we may be joined with all your creation in praising You in the name of the One who was, and is, and is to come. Amen
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture Deuteronomy 5:11-22
Christian Scripture Acts 1:6-8
Contemporary Reading Psalm 78:1-7 - Nan Merrill
Special Music The Festal Day Is Here Dutch Melody Arr. Hal Hopson
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn God of Grace and God of Glory (vs. 1-3) B. # 436
God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power;
crown your ancient church’s story; bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
From the evils that surround us and assail the Savior’s ways,
from the fears that long have bound us-- free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.
Cure your children’s warring madness; bend our pride to your control.
Shame our reckless, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage Make our broken spirits whole,
Make our broken spirits whole.
Prayer for Transformation and New Life
One: God invites us to come to worship with our whole hearts, to inventory our deeds and our works, mindful of our covenant with God. God offers us a new beginning day by day and week by week. Trusting in God, we pray for transformation and new life:
All: Gracious God, maker of covenant, faithful and just, we examine our lives in light of your righteousness which endures forever. You give us commandments, raise up prophets among us from among our own people. You speak to us, and ask us to become accountable. Yet often we ignore your ways and disdain your works. We close ourselves to your prophets and to the suffering in our world. Forgive us and renew us, that we may walk in faithfulness to you today, tomorrow, and in all days. Amen
Words of Grace
One: God’s righteousness endures forever, and God is mindful of God’s covenant with us. The promises of God’s covenant of grace assure us that this day and all days we can walk in renewed faithfulness, as we witness good works, and follow God’s call.
All: Thanks be to God, whose righteousness endures forever!
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 offerings we bring are a witness and a contribution to this church’s works in the world. May we freely share and participate in God’s work of grace and mercy, faith and justice.
Offertory Reflection on “Resignation” Early American Melody/ David Lasky
*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)
Let us pray: We worship with our whole hearts, and give with our whole hearts, remembering your covenant with us, O God. As we share these gifts, may they be for the work of faithful justice and gracious mercy through your church and in your world. Amen
*Hymn What a Covenant B. #471
What a covenant, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms:
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet the walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Savior near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
*Benediction
*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.
Postlude Trumpet Tune David Lasky
(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 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
Choir – Mary Angela Davis, Nick Davis, Jeanne Edwards, Peggy Emigh, Jane Lennon,
David Mack, Pat Summerer,
Deacons – Mary Angela & Nick Davis
Liturgist – Peggy Karns
Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources, adapted
enfleshed: liturgy that matters - Silent Prayer
The New Century Hymnal - Call to Worship
ucc.org - Invocation, Prayer for Transformation, Offering Prayers
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - Public Domain
God of Justice, God of Mercy
Words - © Presbyterian Publishing/Westminster John Knox/Geneva Press
Contributors: Jane Parker Huber
God of Grace and God of Glory
Words and Music - Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain