5/31/26 Bulletin
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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 31, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
Welcome Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola – Maine Conference Minister
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
Gracious God, oil the hinges of our hearts’ doors
that they may swing gently and easily to welcome your coming.
* Indicates when we stand in body or spirit.
Announcements
Prelude The Garden Hymn From Southern Harmony Douglas Wagner
Welcome Rev. TJ Mack
Introit For the Beauty of the Earth (all verses, maybe?) B. #28
For the beauty of the earth, for the splendor of the skies,
For the love which from our birth over and around us lies,
God of all, to you we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.
For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light,
God of all, to you we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,
God of all, to you we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.
For the good that love inspires, for a world where none exclude,
For a faith that never tires, and for every heart renewed,
God of all, to you we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.
*Call to Worship (Based on Philippians 4:5–8)
Leader: Beloveds of God, the Lord is near.
People: We come with open hearts, seeking God’s presence among us.
Leader: Let your gentleness be known to everyone.
People: We gather in compassion, humility, and hope.
Leader: Do not be consumed by anxiety or fear.
People: In prayer and gratitude, we bring our whole selves before God.
Leader: God welcomes every joy, every burden, every unanswered question.
People: We trust that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Leader: So let us dwell on what is true and honorable,
People: Let us dwell on what is just and merciful, courageous and kind.
Leader: Let us cherish whatever is beautiful, healing, and worthy of praise.
People: We choose the way of love, justice, and peace.
Leader: Come, let us worship God together.
People: We come with grateful hearts open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Amen
*Passing the Peace and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle Rev. TJ & Deacon
*Hymn Great is Your Faithfulness B. #423
Great is your faithfulness, O God, Creator
with you no shadow of turning we see.
You do not change, your compassions they fail not;
all of your goodness forever will be.
Refrain:
Great is your faithfulness! Great is your faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed your hand has provided,
Great is your faithfulness, God, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
to your great faithfulness, mercy, and love
Refrain:
Pardon for sin and a peace so enduring,
your own dear presence to cheer and to guide.
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.
Refrain:
*Invocation (in unison)
Holy God, we come before you with awe, for you are great in love and power. Some of us come with reluctance and some with joy; some with sadness and others full of fear, yet we know you receive us as we are. Mighty God, stay with us always, as we worship and as we share the risk and challenge of living our faith. By your powerful Spirit, turn our fear to courage and our confusion to confidence. Touch us, God, with your healing fire. Speak to us through your Word. Send us back into the world renewed and eager to do your will. Amen
Children’s Message Rev. TJ
Scripture Philippians 4:5-8 Rev. TJ
Special Music All Earth Rejoice with a Gladsome Voice Vivaldi/ Hal Hopson
Message Gentleness and Peace; Honorable and Good Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola
*Hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus B. #506
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to our God in prayer!Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to our God in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden, burdened with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to our God in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to our God in prayer!
Jesus’ arms will take and shield you; you will find a solace there
Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns – Rev. TJ & Deacons
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father (Mother, Creator) 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 – 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 Offertory in G Henry Coleman
*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 (in unison)
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
*Hymn Let All Things Now Living R. #529
Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving to / God our Creator triumphantly raise;who fashioned and / made us, protected and stayed us, by guiding us on to the / end of our days. God’s banners are o'er us, pure / light goes before us, a pillar of fire shining / forth in the night: till shadows have vanished, all fearfulness / banished, as forward we travel from light into light.
By law God enforces. The stars in their courses, the / sun in its orbit, obediently shine.the hills and the / mountains, the rivers and fountains, the depths of the ocean proclaim / God divine. We, too, should be voicing our / love and rejoicing; with glad adoration a / song let us raise till all things now living unite in thanksgiving / “To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!”
*Benediction Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola
*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 Trumpet Tune in C Robert Lau
(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.
Special Guest Preacher – Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – David Wildes & Tamara Wilson
Liturgist – Rev. TJ
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources: The New Century Hymnal – Silent Prayer, Invocation, Offering Prayers
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.
For the Beauty of the Earth
Words and Music - ©1917 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd
Contributors: Folliot Pierpont, Conrad Kocher
Great Is Your Faithfulness
Words - ©1923, 1951 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Thomas O Chisholm
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Words and Music - ©1986 Shawnee Press
Contributors: Joseph Scriven, Jay Althouse
Let All Things Now Living
Music - ©1973 Royal School of Church Music
Contributors: Katherine K Davis, Gerald H Knight
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