5/3/26 Bulletin
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
May 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. – Fifth 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
Spirit of Righteousness & Truth— grant us the emotional bravery to engage in difficult conversations. Grant us the courage to root ourselves deeply in the work of our convictions. When we must engage in conflict for the sake of authentic relationships, guide us in wisdom. When we must rest for the sake of our wellbeing, restore our bodies and spirits. Amen
* Indicates when we stand in body or spirit during the service.
Announcements
Prelude Spiegel im Spiegel Mirrors in the Mirror Arvo Part Cynthia Priem, Violin & Debbie Riley, Piano
Welcome
Introit Here We Gather as God’s People R. #383
Here we gather as God’s people with our friends from far and near;
let our voices sound with praises knowing Christ has called us here.
Now we seek and greet each other, now in joy approach our friends.
Here we mingle, bound together as to all our love extends.
*Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 31)
In you, Holy Visionary, we take refuge.
With you, we co-create dignity for all of creation.
Turn your compassion towards us, come quickly to our rescue—
deliver us from those who do not treasure the sacred worth of all people.
Protect us from those who dream of our demise instead of our flourishing.
Free us from all systems of domination.
Shine your face of possibility upon us.
Infuse us with your Unfailing Love.
*Passing the Peace and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn Restless Weaver R. #520
Restless Weaver, ever spinning threads of justice and shalom;
dreaming patterns of creation where all creatures find a home;
gathering up life’s varied fibers – every texture, every hue:
grant us your creative vision. With us weave your world anew.
Where earth’s fragile web is raveling, help us mend each broken strand.
Bless our urgent, bold endeavors cleansing water, air, and land.
Through the Spirit’s inspiration – off’ring health where once was pain –
strengthen us to be the stewards of your world knit whole again.
When our violent lust for power ends in lives abused and torn,
from compassion’s sturdy fabric fashion hope and trust reborn.
Where injustice rules as tyrant, give us courage, God, to dare
live our dreams of transformation. Make our lives incarnate prayer.
Restless Weaver, still conceiving new life – now and yet to be –
binding all your vast creation in one living tapestry:
you have called us to be weavers. Let your love guide all we do.
With your reign of peace our pattern, we will weave your world anew.
*Invocation (in unison) (inspired by 1 Peter 2:9)
Lord, as we listen to your holy Word, open our hearts to the power of your Spirit,
call us out of darkness, and lead us into your marvelous light.
Children’s Message
Scripture John 14:1-14 and Acts 7:55-60
Special Music Now the Green Blade Rises French Carol/ Harm. Martin Shaw
Black Hymnal #238
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn The House of Faith R. #382
The house of faith has many rooms where we have never been;
there is more space within God's scope than we have ever seen.
We dare not limit God's domain to what our creeds declare,
or shrink from probing things unknown lest God should not be there,
The way to God is not escape, though truth does make us free:
the life of chosen servanthood is perfect liberty.
Yet still we seek at journey's end the last and sweetest grace:
the gift of room to turn around and know God face to face.
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 people of God, let us offer ourselves and the fruit of our labor for God’s work in the world.
Offertory Song of Peace Craig Penfield
*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
Almighty God, receive the gifts we bring in gratitude for your astounding goodness.
*Communion Hymn As We Gather at Your Table R. #314
As we gath-er at your ta-ble, as we lis-ten to your word,
help us know, O God, your pres-ence; let our hearts and minds be stirred.
Nour-ish us with sa-cred sto-ry till we claim it as our own;
teach us through this ho-ly ban-quet how to make Love’s vic-tory known.
Turn our wor-ship in-to wit-ness in the sac-ra-ment of life;
send us forth to love and serve you, bring-ing peace where there is strife.
Give us, Christ, your great com-pas-sion to for-give as you for-gave;
may we still be-hold your im-age in the world you died to save.
Gra-cious Spir-it, help us sum-mon oth-er guests to share that feast
where tri-um-phant Love will wel-come those who had been last and least.
There no more will en-vy blind us nor will pride our peace de-stroy,
as we join with saints and an-gels to re-peat the sound-ing joy.
The Lord’s Supper
Invitation to the Table
One: Friends, what we are about to do is to celebrate the Joyful Feast of the people of God.
All: When we are able, with the Holy One, to experience the vision of love for God’s Global Village here on earth – then all of creation will come as equal companions to sit at this table.
One: In the meantime, you and I are invited to eat and drink, to be nourished and renewed for the ongoing work of justice, embracing mercy and walking humbly with God.
All: This is an open table, all are welcome, no exceptions.
Thanksgiving and Praise
Holy God, we thank you for the gift of life and for your steadfast love. Most of all we thank you for Jesus, our teacher, savior and friend, who made his way through this life, delighting you and serving us. His tenderness and truth was rewarded with derision and a cruel death; and he loved us still: “Forgive them,” he said to you, “They do not know what they are doing.”
Words of Institution
And we remember that on the bleak night of betrayal, he gathered his friends. Even with his betrayer beside him, he was grateful to you for life and all the gifts of this earth. He blessed and broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, broken for you. Eat it and remember me.” And when supper was over, he took a cup filled with wine, and blessed it. He gave it to them saying, “Take this and drink it, it is my life-blood poured out for you so that sins may be forgiven.” And then he said, “When you do these things together, remember me.”
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, bless these gifts that earth has given and human hands have made.
By our eating and drinking, fill us with the joy of Christ and keep us persevering in his way, honoring our bodies, serving our neighbors, and praising your name.
Come, for all things are ready. The bread of life. The cup of joy.
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (in unison)
Bountiful God, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
*Benediction
*Sung Benediction May the Blessing of God R. #346
May the blessing of God go before you. May her grace and peace abound. May her Spirit live within you. May her love wrap you ‘round. May her blessing remain with you always. May you walk on holy ground.
Postlude Postlude on “Joyful Song” Chester Allen/ David Lasky
(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 – Ron Schwizer, Pat Summerer, & David Wildes
Liturgist –
Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources:
Silent Prayer, Call to Worship, – enfleshed: liturgy that matters
Invocation, Offering Prayers – Feasting On the Word
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.
Here We Gather as God's People
Words - ©1995 Christian Board Of Publication
Contributors: Daniel B Merrick
Restless Weaver
Words - ©1995 Christian Board Of Publication
Contributors: Cricket Harrison
The House of Faith Has Many Rooms
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Carl P Daw
As We Gather At Your Table
Words - ©1989 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Carl P. Daw, Jr.
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