4/27/25 Bulletin
- treasurer593
- May 21
- 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
April 27, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ₋₋ Second Sunday of Easter
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
Ancient and Everlasting Love—Console us when we are broken-hearted.
Soothe us when we are overwhelmed.
Set us free from the ways we have imprisoned ourselves and each other.
Expand our imagination. Unite us towards liberation. Deepen our love for this world.
Use our anger as fuel for the work of compassion.
Connect us with ancient wisdom. Awaken us to deep truths. Steep us in wonder. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Now Winter fades From Sight J.S Bach
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 (Psalm 150)
One: Christ is risen!
All: Christ is risen indeed!
One: Alleluia! Celebrate God in this sacred space!
All: Celebrate God in all places under heaven!
One: Give praise for God’s mighty deeds!
All: Give praise for God’s resurrecting power!
One: Praise God with a fanfare of trumpets.
All: Praise God with the harp and the cello!
One: Praise God with tambourines and dancing!
All: Praise God with flutes and guitars!
One: Praise God with cymbals and drums!
All: Let everything with life and breath praise God!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn Tis the Gift to Be Simple (Simple Gifts) R. #207
'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free, / 'tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,and when we find ourselves in the place just right, / 'twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained, / to bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,to turn, turn will be our delight / ‘til by turning, turning, we come round right.
*Invocation (in unison)
Living God, as the risen Christ came into the locked room of the first disciples, may your Word enter into us, by the power of your Holy Spirit, so that we who have not seen may yet believe. Amen
Children’s Message
Scriptures Acts 5:27-32 and John 20:19-31
Special Music In the Bulb There Is a Flower Natalie Sleeth R. #493
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn My Shepherd Is the Living God B. #247
My shepherd is the living God, I therefore nothing need;In pastures fair, near pleasant streams you settle me to feed.You bring my wandering spirit back when I forsake your ways,And lead me for your mercy's sake in paths of truth and grace.
When I walk through the shades of death, your presence is my stay;A word of your supporting breath drives all my fears away.Your hand, in sight of all my foes, does still my table spread;My cup with blessings overflows, your oil anoints my head.
The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days;O may your house be my abode, and all my work be praise.There would I find a settled rest, while others come and go -No more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home.
Call to Confession – When we keep our fears and faults locked up inside us, it is hard to be healed and receive new life. So let us open ourselves to God in confession, trusting the Lord’s desire to give us peace.
Prayer of Confession
God of the empty tomb and our empty hearts, when we are afraid to speak our faith in the world, forgive us and help us to find our voice. When we are afraid to forgive and to love again, forgive us and give us the power to forgive. When we are afraid to stand up to misguided authority, join with the weak to make us all strong. When we are confined by our hurts, touch us with your wounded hands and set us free. When we are locked behind our doubts and fears, pass through our barricades, open our hearts, and give us peace. Amen
Declaration of Forgiveness – Christ comes with healing light into our locked places and shadowy hurts, resurrecting our spirits and breathing into us new life. As God’s own forgiven people, go to bring peace, forgiveness, and new life to the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
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 – As we witness systems of greed funneling resources away from places of need, we fan out our resources to each other. We take what we have and break it like loaves of bread passed among the crowd. Look!--together our baskets are full! Come, amidst sorrow, let us create the world we need.
Offertory That Easter Day with Joy Was bright Lyndell Leatherman
Trier Manuscript 15th Century
*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)
Systems of oppression want us disconnected, unimaginative, and in despair. Wondrous God, weave our resources together to repair relationships and lend mutual support. Amen
*Hymn I Come to the Garden Alone (In the Garden) B. #237
I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses;And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses.And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own,And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own,And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.
I'd stay in the garden with Him though the night around me be falling;But He bids me go; through the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own,And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.
*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 Arise My Soul, Arise Finnish Folk Tune/ Lani Smith
(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.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Alison Boden & David Wildes
Liturgist – Monica Quill
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
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
enfleshed: liturgy that matters and Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
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
'Tis The Gift To Be Simple (Simple Gift)
Words and Music - ©1975 Shawnee Press
Contributors: Joyce Merman, Traditional Shaker Song
My Shepherd Is The Living God
Music - ©1976 Hinshaw Music, Inc.
Contributors: Eric Routley
In the Garden
Words and Music - © Oregon Catholic Press
Contributors: GARDEN
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - ©pd Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
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