8/16/26 Bulletin

19 hours ago
6 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

(photo credit Renata Moise)

August 16, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

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

My mind is everywhere and nowhere. God, could you be working in this confusion? Help me to sort out my thoughts. Let me take a few moments of silence to let my thoughts have their way. And then, to put aside the ones that can wait for another day. In silence, I pray: Clear my mind, Cleanse my soul, help me focus on what matters.

* Indicates when we stand in body or spirit.

Announcements Deacon

Prelude Prelude on “Converse” C. Converse/ R. Haan

Welcome Rev. TJ Mack

*Introit As We Are Gathered R. #243 As we are gath-ered, Je-sus is here; / one with each oth-er, Je-sus is here.

Joined by the Spir-it built up in love, / part of the bod-y, the church of God. As we are gath-ered, Je-sus is here; / one with each oth-er, Je-sus is here.

*Call to Worship

One: Welcome to this holy place! Come with others or alone. Savor, here refreshing grace, here where peace from God is known.

All: Peace to all who enter here! Peace be with each passerby! Peace dispelling anxious fear, peace from God, who hears each sigh!

Passing the Peace & Lighting Peace & Justice Candle

My Creed—My Beatitude from Gifts in Open Hands, Geoffrey Duncan, England

I believe in the precious nature of each individual. Peace to the people who respect their challenging and exciting neighbors. I believe in Justice for all people. Peace to the people who support the right for people to be accepted for who they are. I believe in the acceptance of women and men of whatever sexual orientation and persuasion. Peace to the people who speak out against persecution, bullying, verbal and physical abuse of individuals and groups of people. I believe in an Inclusive Church. Peace to the people who, with their love and desire for the wholeness of humankind, create communities and churches where we are enabled to worship in the spirit of diversity, honesty, and love.

*Hymn O for a World R. #500

O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways,

where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.

O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved,

where truth is spoken, children spared, and equality achieved.

We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice

that opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.

The poor are rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise.

Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.

O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,

where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.

*Invocation (in unison)

O God, who comes as the disturbing comforter, shattering the rigid preconceptions of our minds and hearts, give us the grace to welcome your coming, to trust beyond where we can see, to have hope in the midst of chaos, to learn from our mistakes, to accept your forgiveness and to walk steadfastly in the way of Gospel gladness.

Children’s Message

Scripture Genesis 45:1-45 and Matthew 15:21-28

Special Music Soprano Soloist, Sylvia Rhyne

Message Rev. TJ Mack

*Hymn Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race R. #372

Diverse in culture, nation, race, we come together by Your grace.

God, let us be a meeting ground where hope and healing love are found.

God, let us be a bridge of care connecting people everywhere.

Help us confront all fear and hate and lust for pow’r that separate.

When chasms widen, storms arise, O Holy Spirit, make us wise.

Let our resolve, like steel, be strong to stand with those who suffer wrong.

God, let us be a table spread with gifts of love and broken bread

where all find welcome, grace attends, and enemies arise as friends.

Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns –

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 – People of faith, let us bring what we have to the altar of love - not in arrogance nor in shame, but in confidence that all our gifts are multiplied in community.

Offertory Serenade Jeremiah Clarke

*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)

We dedicate these offerings in service to all the world needs in order to thrive. May it be so and soon. Amen

* Hymn In the Midst of New Dimensions R. #363 In the midst of new dimensions, in the face of changing ways,

who will lead the pilgrim peoples wandering in their separate ways?

Refrain:

God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar,

We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and ever more.

Through the flood of starving people, warring factions and despair,

who will lift the olive branches? Who will light the flame of care?

Refrain:

Though we reach the highest heavens,

holding worlds at our command,

we are yet a desert people searching for the promised land.

Refrain:

Should the threats of dire predictions cause us to withdraw in pain,

may your blazing phoenix spirit resurrect the church again.

Refrain:

*Benediction

*Sung Benediction Love God with Your Heart R. #79

Love God with your heart and your neigh-bor as your-self;

Love God with your mind and your neigh-bor as your-self;

Love God with your strength and your neigh-bor as your-self.

Postlude The St. Anthony Chorale Att. Franz J. Haydn

(Please remain seated for the Postlude)

If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book

in the back of the sanctuary.

Sylvia Rhyne is a lyric soprano and has had a career in musical theatre { e.g. Christine in Phantom of the Opera} and as half of an early music duo, Asteria. She is Carol Skinner’s niece and Barbara Rhyne’s daughter. She lives in France and is here visiting for a week.

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

Vicky – hancockmaineucc@gmail.com – 207.422.3100

Jennifer – treasurer@hancockucc.com

TJ – revtjmack@gmail.com – 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

Deacons – Sally Knapp & Everett Espling

Liturgist – Priscilla Hirschenhofer

Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer

Office Administrator – Vicky Espling

Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack

The Body of Christ – You

Resources:

Silent Prayer – A Book of (Un)common Prayers – Lillian Daniel

Call to Worship – Gifts in Open Hands – Norman J. Goreham, Aotearoa/New Zealand

Invocation – Gifts in Open Hands – William Livingstone (Bill) Wallace, Aotearoa/New Zealand

Offertory Prayers – From enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters, adapted

Benediction – Gifts in Open Hands – Erice Fairbrother, Aotearoa/New Zealand

The New Century Hymnal (B.) Hymns of Truth and Light (R.)

Church of Huston, Texas

Diverse In Culture, Nation, Race

Contributors: Ruth Duck

In the Midst of New Dimensions

Contributors: Julian Rush, Tom Trenney

Rev. Teresa (TJ) Mack

8/16/26 Bulletin

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