8/31/25 Bulletin
- treasurer593
- 16 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
August 31, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. - Twelfth 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.
Silent Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, / And send out from heaven / The beam of your light.
~ Archbishop Stephen Langton, “The Golden Sequence,” Whitsunday
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude
Welcome
*Introit Here We Gather as God’s People R. #383 Here we gather as God’s people with our friends from far and near;
let our voices sound with praises knowing Christ has called us here.
Now we seek and greet each other, now in joy approach our friends.
Here we mingle, bound together as to all our love extends.
*Call to Worship
One: Come, let us ground ourselves in the sacred wonder of this ordinary day,
All: for the Holy infuses all of our lives.
One: Let us gather together expectantly,
All: for the Living God sets the table for all Her Beloveds.
One: Let us rejoice,
All: for Love is not earned but freely given.
One: Our birthright is Belonging,
All: let us welcome one another in.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn O Master Let Me Walk With Thee R. #465 Master, let me walk with thee in lowly paths of service free;
tell me thy secret; help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move by some clear, winning word of love;
teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way.
Teach me thy patience; still with thee in closer, dearer company,
in work that keeps faith sweet and strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong.
In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future’s broad’ning way,
in peace that only thou canst give, with thee, O Master, let me live.
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
Creating One, you welcome us to the path of healing and invite us into the ways of radical love. We desire to mirror your compassion while at the same time honoring our own wellbeing. Grant us wisdom to hold boundaries that support our thriving. May we feel the balance of what is ours to do and what is ours to release into your Mysterious Peace. Amen
Children’s Message
Scriptures Living Psalm 81:1,10-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant? B. #539
Won’t you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you?Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey, we are travelers on the road;We are here to help each other go the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you in the shadow of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.I will share your joy and sorrow till we’ve seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven we shall find such harmony,
Born of all we’ve known together of Christ’s love and agony.
Won’t you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you?Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
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 – American Civil Rights champion, Fannie Lou Hammer, famously said, nobody’s free until everybody’s free. We collect our shared resources so that, together, all beings may experience their birthright of freedom. Freedom to live in safety, with bodily agency, and with dignity. Freedom to rest, to make amends, and to experience beauty. Let us bring forth our gifts, that it may be so.
Offertory
*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)
Holy Wisdom, bless our gifts of money, time, and skills to the flourishing of your people. For we desire a world where nothing is hoarded and abundance abounds, that all may live in the rich landscape of freedom and belonging. Amen
*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 choicethat 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.
*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.
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.
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
Call to Worship, Invocation, Offering Prayers - enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters
Living Psalm written by Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson
Many thanks to those who make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Guest Organist – Phoebe Devenish
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Alison Boden & Ron Schwizer
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.
Here We Gather as God's People
Words - ©1995 Christian Board Of Publication
Contributors: Daniel B Merrick
O Master Let Me Walk with Thee
Words and Music - ©1989 Hinshaw Music, Inc.
Contributors: H Percy Smith, Washington Gladden, Gilbert Martin
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - ©pd Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
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