4/6/25 Bulletin
- treasurer593
- May 21
- 8 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 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ₋₋ Fifth Sunday in Lent
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 Meditation
Creator God, you have formed us as your own, so whether we are weeping or laughing,
dreaming or shouting for joy, we are always coming home to you.
For all this and more, we thank you. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Lacrymosa Mozart/ Michael Ryan
From “Requiem”
Welcome
*Introit Breathe on Me, Breath of God (vs. 1) B. #292
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew.
That I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.
*Call to Worship
One: As people formed by God, we give praise to God:
All: Dry ground in the sea, rivers in the desert, Christ among us—God is doing a new thing!
One: As people restored by God, we give praise to God:
All: Dry ground in the sea, rivers in the desert, Christ among us—God is doing a new thing!
One: As people pressing on in faith, we give praise to God:
All: Dry ground in the sea, rivers in the desert, Christ among us—God is doing a new thing!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
Reinhold Niebuhr’s “The Serenity Prayer” (in unison) God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time;Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as God did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;Trusting that God will make all things right if I surrender to God’s Will;That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with GodForever in the next. Amen
*Hymn Create in Me, O God R. #397
Create in me, O God, a heart that’s clean and pure,
a spirit new, made right with you,
a mind that’s clear and sure.
Restore to me the joy that once I did receive
when faith was new, and love from you
was easy to believe.
Your Spirit grant to me, that others I may seek,
to share a-new my love for you
in all I do or speak.
Then open, Lord, my lips, to sing your endless praise;
each day a-new, I’ll worship you,
and love you all my days!
*Invocation (in unison)
Break open the Scripture through the power of your Spirit, O God. Let your word, read and proclaimed, pour out until its fragrance fills this house and our lives. Then, anointed with your word, send us out to share the good news we have received. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who is with us always. Amen
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture Isaiah 43:15-21
Gospel Reading John 12:1-8
Special Music For Where Love Is, There Is God Douglas E. Wagner
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn God of Grace and God of Laughter R. #32
God of grace and God of laughter, singing worlds from nought to be--
sun and stars and all thereafter joined in cosmic harmony:
give us songs of joy and wonder, music making hearts rejoice;
let our praises swell like thunder, echoing our Maker's voice.
When our lives are torn by sadness, heal our wounds with tuneful balm;
when all seems discordant madness, help us find a measured calm.
Steady us with music's anchor when the storms of life increase:
in the midst of hurt and rancor, make us instruments of peace.
Turn our sighing into singing, music born of hope restored;
set our souls and voices ringing, tune our hearts in true accord:
till we form a mighty chorus joining angel choirs above,
with all those who went before us, in eternal hymns of love.
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 – Through our tithes and offerings, we can give generously, as Mary did, and remember the poor. As we open wide our hands, we attend to Christ himself, who is present especially among those considered the least and the lost. Let us offer to God these gifts for ministry in Christ’s name.
Offertory Prayer Lani Smith
*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)
Abundant God: You cause water to flow in desert places. You give wine to flow at a wedding feast, and food to feed five thousand on a grassy mountainside. Your generosity astounds and humbles us. We bow before you in gratitude and awe, asking you to receive what we have brought in response. May these gifts be a pleasing offering, for the sake of the world you came to save. We pray in your holy name. Amen
*Communion Hymn Lo, I Am with You R. #323
Lo, I am with you to the end of the world.
Lo, I am with you to the end of the world.
Lo, I am with you, Lo, I am with you,
Lo, I am with you to the end of the world.
Lo, I am with you in the breaking of the bread.
Lo, I am with you in the breaking of the bread.
Lo, I am with you, Lo, I am with you,
Lo, I am with you in the breaking of the bread.
Lo, I am with you in the drinking of the wine.
Lo, I am with you in the drinking of the wine.
Lo, I am with you, Lo, I am with you,
Lo, I am with you in the drinking of the wine.
Communion Liturgy
(We serve gluten and gluten-free bread. The fruit of the vine in our cup is grape juice.)
Invitation
One: Jesus gathered his followers …
Prayer of Confession All: Dearest Lord, we come to this table bringing all parts of ourselves: the good, the bad, and the ugly. We confess that we are not perfect. We carry within us both goodness and shame, compassion and contempt, holiness and idolatry. We lay the worst parts of ourselves at your feet and ask for forgiveness. Fashion for us an open and loving heart, an unbiased mind, and a willing spirit. Widen our circle to include all of your people, even those we do not like, we do not understand, or we do not agree with. Transform our stubbornness, unclench our fists, and give us the eyes and heart of Jesus Christ. Amen.
One: Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, forgives you and reminds you of his love.
All: Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, forgives you and reminds you of his love.
Remembrance and Consecration
Jesus came as teacher…
The Feast
So we take this bread and juice…
Come, for all things are ready.
The Bread of Life
The Cup of Joy
Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)
We are grateful, Lord, for this food of your body and spirit, reminding us of your deep love of us and your desire that we live in harmony and peace with our neighbors. Show us the way as your people to make our church a home for those who need love, attention, nurturing, and a sense of belonging. Break open our hearts and extinguish any resistance we might have so all will truly be welcome as one of our family. Encircle this family as well as all the families of our community, nation, and world so that every person might feel safe and cared for. We ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ. 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 Postlude on “Shout On” Arr. David Lasky
American Folk Hymn
(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, Nick Davis & Doug Kimmel
Liturgist – Gina Tansey
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
Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
Communion Liturgy adapted from:
AND
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.
Breathe on Me, Breath of God
Music - ©2014 Selah Publishing Co., Inc.
Contributors: Edwin Hatch (PD), Craig Phillips
Create in Me, O God
Words and Music - ©1990, 1994 Selah Publishing Co., Inc.
Contributors: Rae Whitney, Richard Hillert
God of Grace and God of Laughter
Words - ©1989 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Carl P. Daw, Jr.
Lo, I Am With You
Words and Music - ©1988 Iona Community / WGRG (North America)
Contributors: Iona Community, John L Bell
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
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