6/28/26 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
June 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. – Long-Term Member Recognition Sunday
Welcome Monteux Musicians!
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
Steadfast God, you greet us as a loving parent and patiently love us beyond all measure. Great is your faithfulness. May we offer that same kindness to all whom
we encounter, knowing it is Christ whom we greet as we welcome others. Amen
* Indicates when we stand in body or spirit.
Announcements Deacon
Prelude
Welcome Rev. TJ Mack
Introit Enter, Rejoice, and Come In (vs. 1-3) B. #73
Enter, rejoice, and come in. Enter, rejoice, and come in.
Today will be a joyful day; enter, rejoice, and come in.
Open yourself to the song. Open yourself to the song.
Today will be a joyful day; enter, rejoice, and come in.
Open your hearts everyone. Open your hearts everyone.
Today will be a joyful day; enter, rejoice, and come in.
*Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 13)One: We gather as a people to worship the Holy One who considers our cries and responds to our conditions.
Many: We gather even when wearied by the world because we trust in God’s steadfast love.
One: Our souls may ask, “How long, Holy One?” Yet our hearts rejoice in your saving acts.
Many: We gather even when shaken and sorrowful because we hope in God’s steadfast love.
One: We gather to sing to the Holy One who has been generous with us.
Many: Our worship and our work testifies to the goodness of the God who prevails. Let us worship the God of Life!
Passing the Peace and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle Rev. TJ & Deacon
*Hymn Many Are the Lightbeams (vs. 1, 3, 5) B. #163
Many are the lightbeams from the one light. Our one light is Jesus.
Many are the lightbeams from the one light; we are one in Christ.
Many are the gifts given, love is all one. Love’s the gift of Jesus.
Many are the gifts given, love is all one; we are one in Christ.
Many are the members, the body is one; members all of Jesus.
Many are the members, the body is one; we are one in Christ.
*Invocation (in unison)
Loving God, as we hear your Word this day, send your Spirit to equip and inspire us, that your grace-filled hospitality may be the center of our lives. Amen
Children’s Message Rev. TJ
Long-Term Member Recognition
All: O God of all creation, we give thanks for the calling to be your church and for the power you give us to fulfill our calling. We are a people with a past full of assurance and a future full of hope.
Pastor TJ: Today we offer special recognition to 24 faithful members of our congregation.
All: We acknowledge our gratitude for the past, present, and future ministry and mission of these members.
Pastor TJ: To each one of you named this morning, I offer heartfelt thanks and God’s enduring blessings.
Celebrating 70 years – Liz Awalt
Celebrating 55 years – Debbie Ehrlenbach
Celebrating 50 years – Myrna Coffin
Celebrating 45 years – Vicky Espling
Celebrating 40 years – Linda King, Tom & Marge Severence
Celebrating 35 years – John Wells
Celebrating 30 years – Don & Nancy Baril, Clifford Manchester, Erva Pinkham, Jim & Liz Singletary
Celebrating 25 years – Joyce Cornwell, Dennis Doucette, Bob Schmid, Katharine Thompson, David Wildes & Cynthia Wood
Celebrating 20 years – Gary & Jeanne Edwards, Roberta Scott, Tamara Wilson
Scripture Matthew 10:40-42
Poem The Guest House Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks
Special Music
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (vs. 1, 2, 4) B. #495
Called as partners in Christ's service / Called to ministries of grace / We respond with deep commitment / Fresh new lines of faith to trace / May we learn the art of sharing / Side by side and friend with friend / Equal partners in our caring / To fulfil God's chosen end
Christ's example Christ's inspiring / Christ's clear call to work and worth / Let us follow never faltering / Reconciling folk on earth / Men and women richer poorer / All God's people young and old / Blending human skills together / Gracious gifts from God unfold
So God grant us for tomorrow / Ways to order human life / That surround each person's sorrow / With a calm that conquers strife / Make us partners in our living / Our compassion to increase / Messengers of faith thus giving / Hope and confidence and peace
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 – Jesus said, Truly I tell you, those who offer a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple will not lose their reward. Beloveds, let us offer to God the gifts of our lives and labor.
Offertory Meditation Edward Elgar
*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)
Faithful God, we give you thanks that you have entrusted us with the gift of hospitality and generosity, and that you have set us free to be generous givers of the gifts you so freely give to us. May our offerings this day draw us closer to you as we share them with others for righteousness’ sake. Amen
*Hymn Blest Be the Tie That Binds R. #368
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Before God’s gracious throne we pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.
We share each other’s woes, each other’s burdens bear,
And often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.
When we are called to part it gives us inward pain,
But we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
*Benediction Rev. TJ
*Sung Benediction May the Blessing of God R. #346
May the bless-ing of God go be-fore you. May her grace and peace a-bound. May her Spirit live with-in you. May her love wrap you ‘round. May her bless-ing re-main with you al-ways. May you walk on ho-ly ground.
Postlude
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book
in the back of the sanctuary.
Our Monteux student musicians for today are Benjamin Stayner (Cello) and Juan Florez (Violin).
Benjamin Marten Stayner is a conductor, music director, and multi-instrumentalist from Youngstown, NY. After receiving a Bachelor of Music in Music Theory from The Hartt School and a Master of Music in Conducting (Musical Theatre & Opera) from Ithaca College, he spent three years music directing and conducting musical theatre around the country. Benjamin has collaborated with Broadway-level talent such as David Archuleta, Josh Strickland, and Felicia Finley. He has studied conducting with Edward Cumming, Glen Adsit, and Christopher Zemliauskas. In masterclass, he has worked with Tito Muñoz, Michael Jinbo, and Carl Topilow. Benjamin is currently working toward a Master of Music in Orchestral and Choral Conducting at the University of Connecticut, studying with Paul McShee and Jamie Spillane. As part of his assistantship, he teaches fundamentals of music theory and ear training, assists with undergraduate conducting classes, and serves as the Assistant Conductor of the UConn Symphony Orchestra and Concert Choir.
Juan Florez is a violinist and conductor from Miami, Florida. He was recently named a Conducting Fellow for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and was admitted to the Jacobs School of Music to pursue his D.M.A. in Orchestral Conducting. He is currently the founding Artistic Director of the Collective Chamber Orchestra, and started building a robust conducting presence for himself by leading the Tegucigalpa Symphony Orchestra in performance, the ensemble of the capital of Honduras, and the Orquesta Filarmónica de Honduras. Most recently, he won the Gold Prize at the 2025 Georges Bizet International Music Competition, and was the principal conductor for the Festival Internacional La Centro in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He is also a violinist for the Jacksonville Symphony, the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, and the Coastal Symphony of Georgia, and has had previous performances with major orchestras, such as the New World Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he was inspired by Gustavo Dudamel to study conducting. Juan has completed his bachelors’ degree in Violin Performance from the University of Florida and a Masters of Science in Management geared towards Arts Administration at the Hough Graduate School of Business. Simultaneously, he also completed a master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting under the direction of Dr. Tiffany Lu. Juan also studies with her at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors.
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 – Mary Angela & Nick Davis
Liturgist – Jeanne Edwards
Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources:
Feasting on the Word – Silent Prayer, Call to Worship, Invocation, Offertory 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.
Enter, Rejoice, and Come In - Harmonization
Music - ©1993 Pilgrim Press, The
Contributors: The New Century Hymnal
Many Are the Lightbeams
Words and Music - ©1974 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Olle Widestrand, David Lewis
Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
Words - ©1981 Presbyterian Publishing/Westminster John Knox/Geneva Press
Contributors: Jane Parker Huber
Blest Be the Tie That Binds
Words and Music - ©2012 Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
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