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 9, 2023 This service will be in-person and on Facebook Live at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) (Posted for later viewing on Facebook and YouTube) Silent Prayer God, help the weary travelers who follow their star, seeking a refuge, so near, yet so far, seeking a place of shelter from hatred and war, seeking the safety of some distant shore. God, help the weary travelers, the lost and the found. All of us travelers on this holy ground. God, help the weary travelers, those just passing through, All of us travelers with love’s work to do.
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit Announcements Prelude Welcome *Introit Sanctuary Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. *Call to Worship One: O Spirit of Holiness, we come here today with our burdens in tow. All: Would you grant us comfort, O Gentle Jesus? Our pain has no place to land, no cradle for our sorrows to rock in. One: And say to us: Yes, let it out. I’ve got you now. There, there, dear child, there, there. All: There, there, to the rhythm of a heartbeat, like a grandmother consoling her kin. There, there. One: There, there, like the psalmist singing in satisfaction. It’s alright now. We made it home. There, there. All: There, there, shouts the activist out in the streets. That’s enough now, never again. There, there. One: For you are here, right here, ever with us—burden-sharer, light-maker, right here. All: And it is from this ancient hum that we worship you. It is from this rest that we know you. It is from such a place that we praise you, right here, again. Amen *Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle *Hymn O Come to Me, You Weary B. 484 "O come to me, you weary, and I will give you rest." The blessed voice of Jesus, which comes to hearts oppressed! It tells of benediction, of pardon, grace, and peace, of joy that has no ending, of love which does not cease. "O come to me, you wanderers, and I will give you light." The loving voice of Jesus, which comes to cheer the night! Our hearts were filled with sadness, and we had lost our way; but morning brings us gladness and songs for each new day. "O come to me, you fainting, and I will give you life!" The cheering voice of Jesus, which stills our inner strife! The evil one surrounds us and would our faith subdue, but you are strong within us, our courage brave and true. "All you who come and seek me will never be cast out." The welcoming voice of Jesus, which drives away our doubt! And though we are unworthy of love so free and true, we hear your call to sinners; in trust we come to you. *Invocation (in unison) O God of Heaven and Earth, who is glorified in the wisdom of children—the experts of presence and oneness. May we evoke your humble heart within us. May we wonder what it might mean to feel our exhaustion and your love, at the exact same time. May we consider all you’ve tried to show, give, or say to us that we weren’t yet ready for. Prepare our souls to yoke with yours, to share in the Good News that revives every living thing. We ask this in your name and energy. Amen Children’s Message Christian Scriptures Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Poem Skinning Your Knees on God Hafiz Special Music Message Hancock County Neighborhood Support Team Arthur Worster *Hymn Now the Day is Over B. #98 Now the day is over, night is drawing nigh, Shadows of the evening steal across the sky. Jesus, give the weary calm and sweet repose; With your tender blessing may our eyelids close. Grant to little children visions of your care; Keep our travels safe by sea and land and air. Comfort every sufferer watching late in pain; Those who plan some evil from their sin restrain. When the morning wakens, then may we arise Pure and fresh and sinless in your holy eyes. Prayer for Transformation and New Life Spirit of God, you are always among us, and yet at times we don’t notice or get caught up in our judgments. Not recognizing you in the stranger on the street or the stranger in me—who does not do the things I want, but rather the things I hate. Perhaps we thought our certainty would keep us safe or ignorance would keep us pain-free, but you show us the way of trust and awareness is what paves the path of peace. Forgive and help us, O God, by the power of grace and connection. Amen Words of Grace No matter the weight of our burdens or the age of our weariness, let us come before our rest-giving God. Rest for our shame and unbelief. Rest for our bootstraps, egos, and false idols. Rest to open us up to grace that says, I feel so much better since I laid my burdens down. Rest for the receptivity to our yes. Yes to forgiveness, yes to repair, and yes to being fearfully and wonderfully made. Amen 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 – Let us present with joy our offerings of commitment and support for the work of Christ’s church. Offertory Greet the Rising Sun Chinese melody/ Le P’ing/ R. Thompson *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) All good gifts come from you, O God. You have given us life, and new life in Christ. As we have been given, so we give, as Jesus taught and lived. Amen *Hymn Lift Every Voice and Sing R. #481 Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of liberty; let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies, let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us; sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; facing the rising sun, of our new day begun, let us march on till the victory's won. Stoney the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, felt in the days when hope unborn had died; yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet come to the place for which our people sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered; we have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, God who has brought us thus far on the way; God who by glorious might, led us into the light, keep us forever, in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met you; lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget you; shadowed beneath your hand, may we forever stand, true to our God, true to our native land. *Sung Blessing Go With Us, Lord R #336 Go with us, Lord, and guide the way through this and every coming day, That in your Spirit strong and true our lives may be our gift to you. *Benediction Postlude (Please remain seated for the Postlude) The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, United Church of Christ will hold a special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, July 16, 2023 immediately following the morning worship service for the following purposes: ● To approve the Treasurer to take funds from the Camden Wealth Management cash reserves to pay the overage of replacing the septic system at the parsonage. ● To act on any other business that may come before the congregation. Jeanne Edwards, Clerk June 18, 2023 Support our Church Financially Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our new webpage www.hancockucc.com (please note that www.hancockucc.org still exists as an archival site) 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 hancockmaineucc@gmail.com treasurer@hancockucc.com revtjmack@gmail.com 207.422.3100 207.323.6743 Many thanks to those who make this service possible – in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Music Minister – Debbie Riley Guest Musicians – Marie Graham and Halilu Zhang, both on violin Deacons – Sally Knapp & David Wildes Liturgist – Jack Hirschenhofer Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer Office Secretary – Vicky Espling Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack The Body of Christ – You Our Monteux student musicians for today are Marie Graham and Halilu Zhang, both on violin. Marie Graham (1st year) is a rising sophomore at Oberlin Conservatory, pursuing a major in Violin Performance and a minor in East Asian Studies. Prior to entering her studies at Oberlin, she was a section member of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra for three years. A current student of Francesca dePasquale, Marie’s former teachers have included Professor James Lyon of the Pennsylvania State University and Suzuki pedagogue Dr. Emily Rolka. At the Oberlin Conservatory, Marie has had the additional privilege of being coached in chamber music by members of the Verona Quartet, as well as supplementary studies in Historical Performance with Edwin Huizinga. As an Oberlin Conservatory student, Marie Graham is the recipient of the Oberlin Commitment Award, the Conservatory Dean’s Scholarship, and the Oberlin College Grant, as well as the C. and C. Bacon Scholarship. Currently, Marie plays a 2005 Zdenek Frodl Hradec Kralove violin on temporary loan courtesy of Oberlin Conservatory. Chinese-born violinist Halilu Zhang (1st year) boasts a distinguished orchestral background, performing with prominent conductors including Muhai Tang and Guoyong Zhang, at esteemed venues like the National Center for Performing Arts. Beginning her musical journey at Germany’s Mannheim Musik Hochshule, she further honed her craft at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music and California Baptist University, fulfilling roles such as associate concertmaster and concertmaster respectively. Currently, she enriches her expertise as a Doctor of Music candidate at the University of Oklahoma, serving as concertmaster of the OU Symphony Orchestra and first violinist of the Crouse Graduate Quartet. Halilu’s professional history includes roles with the Tianjin Symphony and Guiyang Symphony Orchestras in China. She will be joining the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra starting from the ‘23-’24 season. Additionally, she holds a Graduate Teaching Assistant position at the University of Oklahoma. Committed to ongoing development, Halilu has engaged in masterclasses with esteemed musicians like Peter Zazofsky, Alexander Kerr and Paul Kantor, earning praise for her skill and versatility. Resources UCC Worship Ways: The Weary: Service Prayers for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost was written by The Rev. Dr. Elyse Berry serves as the Associate for Advocacy and Leadership Development for the Council of Health and Human Service Ministries of the United Church of Christ. Learn more at chhsm.org. "Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.
Sanctuary
Music - ©1982 Kruger Organisation Inc.
Contributors: John W Thompson
Come To Me, Ye Weary
Words and Music - ©1998 Hal Leonard Corporation (select catalogs)
Contributors: William C Dix, William Lloyd, Mark Hayes
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Words and Music - © OCP Publications
Contributors: J. Johnson, James Johnson
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey