4/20/25 Bulletin
- treasurer593
- May 21
- 6 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
April 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ₋₋ Easter Sunday
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.
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 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 Spirit of the Living God R. #281
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me, / Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. / Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
*Call to Worship
One: On this day, we celebrate the risen Christ.
Many: On this day, we celebrate resurrection in our lives.
One: On this day, we embrace the grace which reaches from the tomb.
Many: On this day, we embrace faith by committing to love in action.
One: On this day, we shout Alleluia!
Many: On this day we shout, Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
*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
Gospel Reading John 20:1-18 Easter Poem The Magdalene’s Blessing Jan Richardson
Special Music The Festal Day Is Here Dutch Melody/ Hal H. Hopson
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Alleluia! The Strife Is O’er R. #209 Refrain:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The strife is o’er, the battle done; / The victory of life is won;The song of triumph has begun: / Alleluia!
The powers of death have done their worst, / But Christ their legions has dispersed;Let shouts of holy joy outburst: / Alleluia!
The three sad days are quickly sped, / He rises glorious from the dead;All glory to our risen Head! / Alleluia!
Christ, by the stripes which wounded thee, / from death’s dread sting thy servants free,that we may live and sing to Thee: / Alleluia!
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 all may 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 new 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.
*Benediction
*Sung Benediction 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 Fantasia on “Easter Hymn” From Lyra Davidica/ Lloyd Larson
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary.
Easter flowers for the Altar were donated by:
Patrice Alexander In Loving Memory of My Mom, Dorothy Gordon
Alison Boden In Loving Memory of Richard E. Boden
Myrna Coffin In Loving Memory of Donna Fields (Cousin)
Mary Angela and Nick Davis In Loving Memory of Susan C. Cummings
Jeanne and Gary Edwards In Loving Memory of Buzz & Pat Edwards;
Robert & Lora Josselyn; Jennifer Edwards; & Lynne Josselyn
Vicky and Everett Espling In Loving Memory of Loved Ones
Gertrude Haskins In Loving Memory of Edie Lounder & Betty Sprague
Jodie Kimmel, Jason Noschese & Family In Loving Memory of Jensen Noschese
Judy and Tom Niblock In Loving Memory of Andrew Niblock
Bill O’Meara’s Family In Loving Memory of Jean O’Meara
Barbara Reeve In Loving Memory of Bill Reeve
Jenifer C. Remick In Loving Memory of Nana
Debbie Riley In Loving Memory of Loved Ones
David Wildes and Cynthia Wood In Loving Memory of Barbara Knoering & Cindy Roberts
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.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Doug Kimmel & Ron Schwizer
Liturgist – Vicky Espling
Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
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
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.
Spirit of the Living God
Words and Music - ©1963 Jubilate Music
Contributors: Daniel Iverson and Michale Baughen, Daniel Iverson
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Words - ©1992 Pilgrim Press, The
Contributors: Charles Wesley
Alleluia (The Strife Is O'er)
Words and Music - ©1955 Shawnee Press
Contributors: Traditional Latin Hymn, Francis Pott, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestri
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - ©pd Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
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