4/5/26 Sermon - Easter
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
Hannah Garrity’s Artist Statement on back cover
April 5, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. – Easter Sunday – Christ is Risen!
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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.
Easter Sunday – the good news is... alive in the world.
Silent Prayer
Living God, there is so much to be grateful for. Even in the midst of death, new life emerges. Thank you for the flowers that push up through the snow. Thank you for the sun that rises each morning. Thank you for young people who bring energy to tired places. Thank you for hope on the horizon. Thank you for birdsong and new friends and the old, old story of your endless love. Thank you for all the things that help me feel full to the brim with life. Amen
* Indicates when we stand in body or spirit during the service.
Announcements
Prelude Now the Green Blade Rises French Melody/ David Cherwien
Welcome
*Introit Christ the Lord is Risen Today (vs. 1) R. #205
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! / Mortal tongues and angels say: Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! / Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply: Alleluia!
*Call to Worship
On Friday, we thought the good news had been silenced.
On Friday, we thought the good news had taken its last breath.
On Friday, we thought the good news had been buried.
But today, we know the good news is alive and well.
The good news is dancing!
The good news is on the loose!
The good news is out in the world, calling our names!
Alleluia! Even death has lost its sting.
Let us worship our good-news Christ.
*Passing the Peace (ASL) and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn I Danced in the Morning R. #206
I danced in the morning when the world was begun, / and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, / and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth; /
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be; / I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. /
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be, / and I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and the pharisee, / but they would not dance and they wouldn’t follow me; / I danced for the fishermen, for James and John, /
they came with me and the Dance went on.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be; / I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. /
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be, / and I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame, / the holy people said it was a shame; /
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high, /
and they left me there on a cross to die.
Refrain:
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black, / it's hard to dance with the devil on your back, / they buried my body and they thought I'd gone, /
but I am the Dance and I still go on.
Refrain:
They cut me down and I leapt up high; / I am the life, that'll never, never die; /
I'll live in you if you'll live in me; / I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
Refrain:
*Invocation (in unison)
Holy One, all over the world, people are gathering to hear the same story. All over the world, people are gathering to hear how death lost its sting. All over the world, people are gathering together, praying for a glimpse of you. So like our neighbors all over the world, we pray, be here. Speak to us today. Soften the calloused parts of our hearts until we can sense your Holy Spirit in our midst once more. With eagerness and hope, we run to the tomb. We sing alleluia. We bow our heads. We listen for you. Amen
Children’s Message
Call to Confession
Friends, on Easter Sunday we remember that the world did its worst to God.
The world battered and bruised, betrayed and abandoned, crucified and buried our living God. And despite it all, Jesus still chose to return. Jesus rose again and immediately went to work spreading God’s love to the very people who had hurt
him. So hear me when I say, there is nothing you can do that could keep God’s love at bay. With that good news mind, let us go to God in prayer, trusting that Jesus Christ loves, claims, and seeks us. Friends, let us pray:
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, we want to be Easter people. We want to shout your good news from the rooftop. We want to follow the disciples, who ran to look for you. We want to follow the angels, who said, “Be not afraid,” but we are afraid. And we don’t know where to look. And we are worried we’ll say the wrong thing. So forgive us, for we are imperfect Easter people. We are best intentions and best laid plans. We are an out-of-tune chorus of “alleluias.” We are on our way, but we are not yet there. Show us how to embody your good news in this world.
Show us how to be your Easter people. With hope for tomorrow, we pray, amen.
Words of forgiveness
Family of faith, even when we are an out-of-tune chorus of “alleluias,” we belong to God. Jesus died and rose for you. And there is nothing that could keep God’s love at bay. So join me in this good news declaration: Through Jesus Christ we are seen, saved, loved, and claimed. This is the good news of the gospel! Thanks be to God. Amen
Scripture Matthew 28:1-10
Special Music Christ the Lord is Risen Today Tune: “Easter Hymn” Arr. F.L.W.
Handbell Choir – Nancy Johnston, Cynthia Priem, Pat Summerer, Carol Skinner, Debbie Riley, Alison Boden & Nick Davis
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*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.
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 New Century Hymnal #842
Having received new life through the generosity of God and the hope Christ brings, let us give thankfully and abundantly that we may be called God’s generous people.
Offertory Hosanna To Our Savior King Sondra K. Tucker
Handbell Choir – Nancy Johnston, Cynthia Priem, Pat Summerer, Carol Skinner, Debbie Riley, Alison Boden & Nick Davis
*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 The New Century Hymnal #845
O God, most merciful and gracious, of whose bounty we have all received: accept, we pray, this offering of your people. Remember in your love those who have brought it and those for whom it is given; and so follow it with your blessing that it may promote peace and goodwill among all people and advance the realm of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
*Communion Hymn We Are People on A Journey R. # 315
We are people on a journey: pain is with us all the way.Joyfully we come together at the holy feast of God.
God has sent the invitation to the hungry and the poor.
Joyfully we come together at the holy feast of God.
This is bread that God provides us, nourishing our unity.
Joyfully we come together at the holy feast of God.
Christ is ever present with us to unite us all in love.
Joyfully we come together at the holy feast of God.
All who truly thirst for justice seek their liberation here.
Joyfully we come together at the holy feast of God.
Invitation to the table
On Easter morning, the women went looking for Jesus. The angel said he was not in the tomb, so they ran, afraid yet filled with joy. They sought after him. They hurried to Galilee, looking for their risen Christ. And in their seeking, the text tells us: "Suddenly, Jesus met them” (Matthew 28:9). Jesus met the women in their seeking. Jesus met them in their moment of fear and grief. Jesus met them when they felt lost. Jesus met them and provided hope. Friends, if like the women you are seeking Christ, if you have known grief or fear, if you have ever felt lost, or if you are in need of some hope, then come to this Table.
All are welcome here.
For just as Jesus met the women in their seeking, I am confident that Jesus meets us here, saying, “Do not be afraid.”
Words of Institution
God of sinners and saints, your love meets us at this Table and calls us out into the world. And that is good, good news. May we see you at this Table, in this ordinary bread and cup. And may we always remember: alleluias came after the grave.
The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 RSV, adapted)
Sharing of the Elements
Let us receive the gift of God, the Bread of Heaven.
We come to Christ in this and every meal we share.
Let us receive the gift of God, the Cup of Blessing.
We come to Christ in this and every cup we share.
Come, for all things are ready.
Prayer after Communion
Loving Christ, thank you for the bread that nourishes our bodies. Thank you for the cup that quenches our thirst. Thank you for this community, which reminds us who we are. Thank you for this Table that brings us together. Thank you for the music that lifts our spirits. Thank you for the promise that at this Table, and every table, you will be there. May this holy meal nourish us to go out into the world speaking of your good, good news. With joy and hope we pray, amen.
*Benediction
*Sung Benediction Go With Us, Lord R. #336
Go with us, Lord, and guide the way through this and every coming day,
That in your Spirit strong and true our lives may be our gift to you.
Postlude O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing French Melody/ 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.
Contact Us
Vicky – hancockmaineucc@gmail.com – 207.422.3100
Jennifer – treasurer@hancockucc.com
TJ – revtjmack@gmail.com – 207.323.6743
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)
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, Doug Kimmel, & Ron Schwizer
Liturgist – Gerry Mehl
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
2026 Easter Flowers
Alison Boden in Loving Memory of Richard E. Boden.
Myrna Coffin in Loving Memory of Steve Coffin.
Mary Angela & Nick Davis in Memory of Loved Ones.
Jeanne & Gary Edwards in Loving Memory of Jennifer Edwards, Lynn Josselyn,
Lora B & Bob Josselyn, and Buzz & Pat Edwards.
Everett & Vicky Espling in Loving Memory of all our Loved Ones.
Jodie, Jason, Justin & Jarek in Loving Memory of our daughter & sister, Jensen Noschese
Betty Johnston in Loving Memory of Earl Johnston.
The Kimmel-Noschese Family in honor of our extended and growing Family.
Sonny & Gerry Mehl in honor of Blessings Received.
Grace & Lilly O’Meara in Loving Memory of Jean O’Meara (Nana).
Phyllis, Tammy, & Jodie in Loving Memory of Kayli, Frankie, and Jensen.
Jenifer Remick in Loving Memory of Lillian.
Debbie Riley in honor of Loved Ones.
David Wildes & Cynthia Wood in Loving Memory of Francis & Gertrude Wildes and David’s sister, Diann Wilde.
Cynthia Wood and her sister, Carole Baali in Loving Memory of Carole’s son, Samer.
Resources: A Sanctified Art
Hannah Garrity’s artist’s statement:
The good news is alive in the world. Do not be afraid. Go back to Galilee. Go back to Galilee where it all started. Go back to Galilee and celebrate like we did at the beginning when we were not afraid, when these words of liberation had not yet drawn the trappings of imperial execution. Here in this artwork, the crowd is celebrating. Figures are dancing and dancing and dancing. Doves fly among the dancers, breaking borders, Holy Spirit. This throng is in the vacant space of the empty cross. The cross here is mirroring the traditional, four-petaled, stained-glass window design element, which has long represented the cross in European architecture. The crowd dancing within the cross celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, fearlessly awaiting his arrival in Galilee. The Roman weapon of oppression, the cross, inflicts but a pause in the steadfast and abiding ministry of revolutionary love offered by Jesus in his public ministry. It is fitting then that we should go back to the place it began, when fear was not such a lethal factor. God has overcome death. Hallelujah! Around the dancing figures in Galilee, patterns of doves disperse outward. The good news, the euaggelion, is alive in the world. Do you remember? The cross is empty, yet full. Overcome. Go and you will find Jesus, free in the world in the faces of strangers and neighbors.
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.
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Words and Music;
Contributors: Public Domain
Lord of the Dance / I Danced in the Morning
Words and Music - ©1963 Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Contributors: Sydney Carter
The Day of Resurrection
Type: Words and Music; Contributors: Public Domain
Tune: Henry T. Smart (1813-1879) Text: John of Damascus, 8th c.; tr. John M. Neale (1818-1866)
We Are People on a Journey-English Transl.
Words - ©1993 Pilgrim Press, The
Contributors: Carolyn Jennings6
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
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