7/13/25 Bulletin
- treasurer593
- Jul 16
- 9 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
July 13, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
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.
Today’s flowers are given by Peggy Karns to the glory of God and in loving memory of
her parents, Norman and Helen Padelford.
Silent Prayer
* Indicates when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude
Welcome
*Introit Come and Find the Quiet Center (tune: Beach Spring)Come and find the qui-et cen-ter / in the crowd-ed life we lead;
Find the room for hope to en-ter, / Find the frame where we are freed;
Clear the cha-os and the clut-ter, / Clear our eyes, that we can see
All the things that real-ly mat-ter, / Be at peace, and sim-ply be.
*Call to Worship
One: Let us not be ashamed of our Savior.
All: Let us praise our God in word and action.
One: In the midst of the crowd, we will praise you.
All: In our community, we will bear witness to our faith.
One: Let us set our minds on divine things.
All: Let us take up our cross and follow Christ.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn Be Thou My Vision (v. 1,2, and 4) R. #445
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; / naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night, / waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; / I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my Redeemer, my love thou hast won; / thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
High King of heaven, my victory won, / may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, / still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
*Invocation
One: Gracious God, thank you that you promise to be with us in the midst of worship.
All: Lord we welcome you among us today and ask that you would open our ears so that we may hear your voice.
One: Open our minds so that we may receive your eternal wisdom.
All: Open our spirits so that we may know your leading and guidance.
One: Open our hearts so that we may receive your wonderful love.
All: We ask all this in the glorious name of Jesus. Amen.
Children’s Message “Pick a Cup”
Special Music
Scripture Reading “On the Road to Emmaus,” Luke 24:13-35
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Message: “Better Sight” Gordon Thomas Ward
*Hymn Our God, Our Help in Ages Past (v. 1, 3, and 4) R. #80
Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!
Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same.
A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.
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 –
Offertory Chorale Prelude on “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” Johann Schop/ Arr. Robert Lau
*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)
God of grace, you provide for us in amazing ways. May our offerings provide for others and be used to further Christ’s ministry and mission. Amen.
*Hymn Now Thank We All Our God (v. 1, 2, and 3) R. #27
Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices;
who, from our mother’s arms hath blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us,
to keep us in all grace, and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills of this world in the next.
All praise and thanks to God almighty now be given;
to God, the three in one, who reign in highest heaven,
the one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
*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
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary.
CALL TO CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, United Church of Christ will conduct a special congregational meeting on Sunday, August 3, following worship for the following purposes:
1.) To consider a motion for the Trustees to employ Contractors for two jobs.
a.) New Metal Roof on the Parsonage.
b.) Painting the Sanctuary Ceiling.
2.) The plan is to launch a fund drive in September to cover the cost (approx. $20,000)
3.) Any other business to come before the congregation.
Vicky J. Espling, Clerk July 11, 2025
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.
We are pleased to have Winter Harbor native singer-songwriter Gordon Thomas Ward in our pulpit this week, while Pastor TJ is a counselor at Pilgrim Lodge.
Gordon is a Grammy-balloted, award winning singer-songwriter-story teller who paints musical portraits that plumb the depths of our emotions and bring the past to life while pointing to a hope-filled future. His music features Contemporary Folk Rock and Alternative Folk Rock genres, influenced by the singer-songwriters of the late 1960’s through the 1970’s. He has collaborated and played with many nationally recognized recording artists and has produced a number of #1 charted songs. Gordon also wrote “Tracing Infinity: Bridging the Gap between Earth and Heaven,” which has been endorsed by groups such as GreenFaith and the New Jersey Audubon Society.
Tracing Infinity takes readers on a journey, one that will show them how close our lives are to the source of our existence. Meadows, mountains, gardens, coastlines, and open rangeland are all classrooms and sources of inspiration, and if you look close enough, the author will teach you how you can find similar inspiration wherever you happen to be, even in your own backyards. We all exist in the present and follow our futures in the same breath. Come and hear how the Divine touches us all on our incredible journeys.
We Welcome our Monteux musicians this morning,
Ben 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. Ben 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. Ben 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 has completed his degree in Violin Performance from the University of Florida and is currently doing a Masters of Science in Management geared towards Arts Administration at the Hough Graduate School of Business. Simultaneously, he is completing a master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting under the direction of Dr. Tiffany Lu at UF. Juan is currently a violinist for the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony, 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. He started building a robust conducting presence for himself by being named the principal conductor of the Collective Chamber Orchestra. Recent engagements include leading the Tegucigalpa Symphony Orchestra in performance, the ensemble of the capital of Honduras, as well as the Orquesta Filarmónica de Honduras.
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, Invocation, Offering Prayers - Feasting on the Word
Many thanks to those who make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Pulpit Supply – Gordon Thomas Ward
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Doug Kimmel & David Wildes
Liturgist – Mary Beth DiMarco
Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander
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.
Be Thou My Vision - Craig Courtney
Contributors: Public Domain
Now thank We All Our God
Words and Music - ©1586 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd
Contributors: Martin Rinkart, Johann Cruger
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - ©pd Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain