5/11/25 Bulletin
- treasurer593
- May 25
- 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
Mother’s Day – May 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Join Zoom Meeting
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
Holy God, you have called a people to be your family out of every tribe, language, and nation,
to love and serve you daily in a world of beauty, complexity, and diversity. Help us to honor and respect the dignity of difference as we seek to be one with you and each other
this day and always. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude O Glorious Day James Mansfield
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: Amidst destruction
All: Blessed be the creators
One: Amidst despair
All: Blessed be the nurturers of connection
One: Amidst cynicism
All: Blessed be those practicing hope
One: Amidst cruelty
All: Blessed be the gentle
One: Amidst death-dealing systems
All: Blessed be those with reverence for life
One: The God of New Life blesses
All: those who love compassion and justice.
One: Let us worship God.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*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.
*Invocation (in unison)
Shepherd of Souls, you call us to an abundant feast at the table of your word; open our hearts to feed on your goodness, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we might dwell evermore deeply in you. Amen
Children’s Message
Scriptures Psalm 23 – Acts 9:36-43 – John 10:22-30
Poem Mary Oliver – Whistling Swans
Special Music Awake, Thou Wintry Earth Dutch Carol/ K.K. Davis
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling R. #404
Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of Heaven to earth come down,fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown;Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast;
let us all in thee inherit, let us find thy promised rest;
take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
Come, almighty to deliver, let us all thy grace receive;suddenly return, and never, never more thy temples leave.Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy host above,pray, and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.
Finish, then thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee;changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise!
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 Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Trusting in divine care, let us present our tithes and offerings to God who restores our lives eternally.
Offertory A Garden Prayer Roberta Rowland-Raybold
*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)
Holy God, Divine Shepherd, you anoint us with the oil of gladness; your love overflows our hearts. Accept our offering for the good of the world as we joyfully give thanks for our life in you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
*Hymn In the Bulb There Is a Flower R. #493
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise; butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity,
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
*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 On This Day, O Beautiful Mother I. Lambilotte
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary.
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.
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
Resources
Call to Worship – enfleshed: liturgy that matters
Silent Prayer, Invocation, Offering Prayers – Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
Many thanks to those who make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Nick Davis and Vicky Espling
Liturgist –
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
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
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Words and Music - ©1999 National Music Publishers
Contributors: Charles Wesley, Dale Grotenhuis
In the Bulb There Is a Flower
Words and Music © 1986 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Natalie Sleeth
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - ©pd Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
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