Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for May 11, 2025

Peter sent them out, knelt down and prayed.

He said, "Tabitha I tell you arise.”

He called the others. They came inside and

Peter presented Dorcas alive!

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

During the month of May, we will be receiving the Strengthen the Church Offering. STC is one of the special 5 for 5 offerings received by the Maine Conference each year. STC reflects the shared commitment of people across the UCC to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations.  By your generous gift to this offering, you build up the Body of Christ. Envelopes are available in the back of the Sanctuary. Every little bit helps!

This summer, in addition to the 10:00 Worship Service in our Sanctuary, Pastor TJ plans to offer an alternative early morning contemplative service during the months of June, July, and August. The tentative plan is for the services to begin at 7:00 a.m. at Tidal Falls. It is expected that these outdoor services inspired by John Philip Newell prayer books might be 20-30 minutes in length. Your feedback is desired. How often shall we meet? Weekly? Twice a month? Once a month? Is 7:30 preferable to 7:00? Is there a location other than Tidal Falls to consider? Are others interested in leading this simple service so that they happen even on the Sundays when TJ is unavailable to lead? Please be in touch with Pastor TJ with your thoughts on how to best make these early morning outdoor services fit your busy summer schedules.

Our meetings are open to all.

Outreach will meet on Thursday, May15 at 4:15 pm

Trustees will meet on Wednesday, May 21 at 4:00 pm on Zoom only

Council will meet on Friday, May 23 at 11:00 am

May Birthdays and Anniversaries

          14: John Wells   18: Fran Courschene   20: Dennis King        

 22: Brendan Bonner   23: Debbie Ehrlenbach     24: Erva Pinkham   

26: Vicky Espling       27: Andrea Bernard         29: *Sally Knapp

31: Marty Johnson      31: Clint & Eleanor Ritchie

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Prayers for Renata’s friend Julie, whose husband Dennis Coleman died unexpectedly this week. Prayers of healing for Vicky, recuperating in Ellsworth ICU. Prayers for Sally’s sister Martha; and Myrna’s friend Donna J. Prayers for Pat Shannon’s daughter, Mary Riley; for Alex, Andrew and Tamara; and for Tyler Crabtree. Prayers for Donald B.; Kenny V.; Orrick; Brian; and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for Cynthia W.; Judith C.; Eleanor A.; Ira and Ginny; 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 for all that are unsafe, unhoused, hungry & in need of care & compassion. Prayers for individuals and families affected by addictions. Prayers for all caregivers; those who are grieving; and prayers for all that is in your heart…

From Our Maine Conference

Called to Serve

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. (Isaiah 43:18-21)

The phrase “Called to Serve” has been on my mind and in my prayers lately. It is the theme of our Annual Meeting this October 17 and 18. Together as a Conference we will contemplate what it means to be “called to serve” as the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ. We will discern our vision and mission for the next 5-10 years. We will come together to contemplate what it means to bring unconditional love to all whom we encounter; what it means to follow Jesus’ example and teaching—to be the voice, hands, and feet of Jesus; what it means to be a resurrection people. Together—not separated by culture and distance—acknowledging the diversity of our faith expressions and our associations—yet together as Jesus prays for us, and as we have adopted the UCC motto: “That they may all be one.” (John 17:21).

For us, that’s “one” in the Maine Conference.  Our Board of Directors and I have begun the process of contemplating the vision and mission of our conference, as we have been brainstorming, praying mightily. Our discernment is just the beginning of the process. The Board of Directors and I are not called to determine the vision and mission of our conference. We are called to begin the process by prayerfully wondering about our future. We then invite all of the people of our conference to participate in the process. For all of us are called to develop a vision and mission—each and everyone of us is invited to decide: what is our call to serve?

How is God calling us to serve for the next 5-10 years? It’s not too early to think and pray about these questions. This summer all of you will be invited to bring these questions to your faith settings as we prepare for our Annual Meeting.  We invite you to contemplate, wonder, pray.  We invite you to think beyond your faith setting, beyond your association, to the expanse of the entire Conference.  We are indeed One in Christ, despite our cultural and geographical expanse; in the midst of our diversity of political views; united under the God who calls us beloved and then calls us to seek the beloved in all people, whoever they are. We are the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ, committed to follow Jesus teachings and example for everyone, wherever they are on life’s journey.  Please join together during this time of wonder: where is God leading us? Please join together at our Annual Meeting to wonder as one conference, united in Christ.  If you have ideas, wonders, questions, that you would like to share, please contact me. Let’s envision our “call to serve” in covenant together.

Holding all of you in prayer,

Marisa