8/2/26 Bulletin

23 hours ago
7 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

August 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. – Communion Sunday

Welcome Peter Schay – Guest Preacher

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83936359115?pwd=1aQdppqVbvKTZKBi9DQWXgaNVVbhtZ.1

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

Life-changing God, you have touched us and transformed us to reach out to all who hunger for what only you can give. Keep our feet in your paths and bless us to multiply blessings to others, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Lord. Amen

* Indicates when we stand in body or spirit.

Announcements

Prelude Galliarda Louri Grichetchkine

Welcome

*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.

*Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 145)

Leader: The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

All: The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.

Leader: The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.

All: The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.

Leader: The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.

All: The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Leader: The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

All: My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

Passing the Peace and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle

*Hymn Love Devine, All Loves Excelling B. #43

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven on earth be found,

Fix in us a humble dwelling, all your faithful mercies crown;

Jesus, you are all compassion; pure, unbounded love impart.

Visit us with your salvation, enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe your loving Spirit into every troubled breast;

Let us all in you inherit, let us find your promised rest;Take away our love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be.End of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.

Come, almighty to deliver, let us all your life receive;

Suddenly return, and never, never-more your temples leave.

You we would be always blessing, love you as your angles love.

Pray and praise for your unfailing, wounded arms out-stretched above.

Finish, then, your new creation; pure and spotless may we prove;

Let us see your great salvation perfectly restored in you;

Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,

Crowned as saints, we ever shall be lost in wonder, love and praise.

*Invocation (in unison)

Through dreams and visions, O God, you broaden the horizon and hope of your people, that they may discover the meaning of your covenant, even in the midst of trial and exile. Increase the number of those who believe in your word so that all people may joyfully respond to your call and share in your promises. Amen.

Children’s Message

Scripture Isaiah 55:1–5 and Matthew 14:13–21

Special Music What Wondrous Love Is This Arr. Gehard Krapf

Message Peter Schay

*Hymn Break Now the Bread of Life B. #321

Break now the bread of life, Savior, to me,

As you once broke the loaves beside the sea;

Beyond the sacred page I seek you, Lord;

my spirit yearns for you, O Living Word.

Bless now the truth, dear Christ, to me, to me,

as you once bless the bread by Galilee;

Then shall all bondage cease, all shackles fall,

and I shall find my peace, my all in all.

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 – God has been generous in providing for our needs. Let us give back a portion of what has already been given to us.

Offertory Flute Tune Gilbert Martin

*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)

Loving and generous God, you provide for us and even bless us in more ways than we can number. We give these tithes and offerings to tell of your wondrous and steadfast love. Amen

*Communion Hymn Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ B. #347 Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy:

bread is broken, the wine is poured, Christ is spoken and seen and heard.

Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again, pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Christ is able to make us one, at his table, he sets the tone,

teaching people to live to bless, love in word and in deed express.

Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again, pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Jesus calls us in, sends us out, bearing fruit in a world of doubt,

gives us love to tell, bread to share: God (Immanuel) everywhere!

Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again, pass the Word around: loaves abound!

COMMUNION LITURGY

Communion Prayer:

Pastor TJ: May the Giver of Peace be with you.

Many: May God’s justice burn in you.

Pastor TJ: Our hearts are wounded and wandering.

Many: We lift them up to God.

Pastor TJ: Give thanks to God, for God is good.