Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for April 20, 2025

 That Easter day with joy was bright: the sun shone out with fairer lightWhen, to their longing eyes restored, the apostles saw their risen Lord!

His risen flesh with radiance glowed; His wounded hands and feet He showed;Those scars their solemn witness gave that Christ was risen from the grave.

The choir rehearses Sunday mornings at 9:10 a.m. All are welcome.

The family of Sandra Libby invites the community to a “Celebration of Life” gathering for her at the Sorrento Community Building on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 1:00-3:00. We’ll start with an open time for people to share stories about Sandra, as well as Ron, and listen to some of their favorite music. This will be followed by visiting, looking at family photos, and snacking.

Sandra died during the first week of February 2025 and Ron passed that same week in 2015. They had lived on the West Side of Sorrento since 1965 and raised their four children there - Russell, Pam, Chris, and Ronda.

Those wishing to remember Sandra can make gifts to Frenchman's Bay Library, P.O. Box 215, Sullivan, ME 04664.

Our meetings are open to all. If you would like to attend a meeting, please let Vicky know and she will provide the Zoom link, or you are welcome to attend in person.

Trustees will meet on Wednesday, April 23 at 12:00 pm

Outreach will meet Thursday, April 24 at 4:15 pm

Council will meet Friday, April 25 at 11:30 am

Easter Sunday Services

Easter Sunrise Service at Riverside Cemetery – Sunday, April 20th, 6:00 am, Hancock,

behind Hancock Grammar School (In case of rain, the service will be held in the church Fellowship Hall)

Easter Morning Breakfast in the church Fellowship Hall – Sunday April 20th, 6:45 am

Donations gratefully accepted. Everyone is welcome.

Traditional Easter Morning Worship Service – Sunday April 20th, 10 am, followed by Fellowship Time.

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

April Birthdays and Anniversaries

21: Mary Beth DiMarco        21: Brian Simpson      22: Betty Johnston     

26: John & Chris Wells         27: Jeff Springer             30: Ruth Butters

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Prayers for Pat Shannon’s daughter, Mary Riley. Prayers for Alex, Andrew and Tamara; and for Tyler Crabtree. Prayers for Donald B.; Kenny V.; Orrick; Brian; and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for the Livio Family who lost everything including their beloved dog in a house fire recently. Prayers for Cynthia W.; Judith C.; Eleanor A.; Ira and Ginny; Don and Heather; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Sally’s friend, Sue Barger; Herbie Lounder; Ruth; Marie; Jim Snyder; Jonathan Holmes; John Wood; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport; Liz & Jim; Kenny Stratton & Joy & David & Lori & Melissa; Debbie & Lincoln & son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle; Sandy Phippen; Amy Nickerson; Kevin and Vanessa & family. Prayers of strength and healing for all awaiting diagnoses and for all recovering from surgeries & procedures. Prayers for all that are unsafe, unhoused, hungry & in need of care & compassion. Prayers for all caregivers; those who are grieving; and prayers for all that is in your heart…

2025 Public Suppers

First Congregational Church, UCC

Church Street, Ellsworth

Date: 4th Saturday - March through October

Time: 5-6:30 pm in Dining Room

Cost: $12 per person OR $25 per family (2 adults, 2 children)

Meals include: Protein, 2 veggies, salad, rolls, beverage,

AND homemade pies.

April 26 – Ham

The Church has handicapped accommodations.

From the Maine Council of Churches

On the night of April 18th 250 years ago, Boston’s Old North Church hung two lanterns from its steeple to warn patriots that the British were coming and set Paul Revere off on his famous ride for freedom. The next morning, other area churches rang their bells in alarm as the troops approached. This year, houses of worship across the country will ring their bells to celebrate the American Revolution against tyrants.

The Old North Church will ring its bells — the oldest in America — at 6 p.m. to commemorate the day the American people rose up against tyranny and began the long struggle for freedom, liberty, and justice for all that continues today.

You may already be aware that Good Friday coincides with the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's famous midnight ride.

We at MCC have been honored to be included in a nationwide planning committee organizing a simple bell-ringing commemoration in which churches across the country will be participating --many at 6pm, but any time that works for a specific congregation is AOK. The theme of this event is "ring out against tyranny and for liberty and freedom."

If a church doesn't have a bell tower or carillon, that's no problem--they're urged to use handbells (if they have them) or simply stand outside and ring any kind of bell they have.  Another option is to hang two lanterns in a prominent window or other location (two lanterns were hung in the steeple of Old South Church in Boston the night of Revere's ride--"two if by sea").

From the Maine Conference, United Church of Christ

 Waiting at the Beginning

A Message from Liz Charles McGough, Pilgrim Lodge Director

I went to Pilgrim Lodge today. The weather, at long last, has allowed us to drive down the long dirt road to access camp. The overnight freezing temperatures have abated enough for us to turn on the water system. We’re beginning the slow work of getting ready for the summer. It is a period of waiting as we look toward the season ahead, eagerly awaiting the sound of laughing, playing, singing campers.

 I went down to the chapel. As I looked at the cross, I realized that many of our churches have gold crosses. The cross necklace I have is silver with a gemstone in the middle. I love crosses from Honduras, wooden and brightly painted. As I looked up at the cross in the Pilgrim Lodge chapel, it occurred to me that it is somewhat authentic in its quality: two pieces of wood lashed together with rope.

We are in the midst of Holy Week, a time of waiting. Palm Sunday has passed, we await the drama of the story that is to come on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. As I seek to connect to the story, I try to picture myself in those days. I imagine a time of empire when the political and religious powers that be sought to divide people into who was from away, untouchable, unworthy from those who had a seat at the table of the upper class. I imagine a time when the elite ruled above a population of people who lived in poverty. I imagine a time when individuals looked sideways at one another wondering who would be steadfast, who would betray.

I imagine a time when holding true to one’s values of love and justice carried risks in the public sphere. I imagine a time when one needed to consider the risks of speaking out against the ruler of the day or weigh unfathomable consequences. Can you imagine such a time?

I have spent most of my life celebrating Easter and thinking that we have the benefit of history on our side to know how the story ends. After the darkness of death on the cross, we celebrate new life. This year, however, I’m looking at this old, wooden cross during these waiting days and wondering, “what if Easter is the beginning of the story?” I looked to our national United Church of Christ website that articulates that “God is still speaking” as our denominational identity. I found reference to Easter as a pivotal defining moment of the on-going nature of God's continued presence and calling to do God’s work in the world: “On Easter, God declared in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ‘I’ll never, never stop speaking. Alleluia!’ Throughout history, in moments of compassion, justice, and peace, in our worship, sacraments, prayer, seeking, action, and silence, God continues to speak.” Our very UCC identity is rooted in the Easter story as the beginning: the beginning of on-going acts of justice and peace, action, seeking and compassion.

In this moment of waiting, as we look to the cross and the story that this week reveals anew, I wonder, how are we called to be Easter people of a still-speaking God today? The story begins.