8/9/26 Bulletin

14 hours ago
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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 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Celebrating the Baptism of Charlotte Carmella Carlson

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

God of all creation, we praise you for the graciousness of your love showered upon us. We thank you for declaring your love for this child, Charlotte Carmella Carlson. May the love that surrounded her from the beginning, and is present now, be evident throughout her life. We seek your blessing on these parents. Support them in their struggle to be good parents. Help them to savor the days of joy and sustain them in the days of difficulty. Whether we are young or old we ask that you would make our baptism real and complete by opening our eyes again and again to the reality of your gracious love in our lives that we may live in the joy and power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

* Indicates when we stand in body or spirit.

Announcements Deacon

Prelude Pastorale Domenico Zipoli

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: In the midst of all that tosses us to and fro, in the heart of what makes us most afraid, God gathers us together.

All: Grounding us in our collective power, nurturing our faith, drawing upon wells of wisdom, ancient and new, our Spirits are renewed in the presence of God.

One: We take heart. We share the load together. We trust that fear will not overpower us.

All: Courage is our inheritance; a legacy of the faithful. Thanks be to God, the Spirit of Liberation who upholds us.

Passing the Peace and Lighting Peace & Justice Candle

*Invocation (in unison)

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name. Amen.

Hymn I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry B. #351

I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old.

I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.

I was there when you were but a child, with a faith to suit you well;

I’ll be there in case you wander off and find where demons dwell.

When you found the wonder of the Word, I was there to cheer you on;

You were raised to praise the living God, to whom you now belong.

Should you find someone to share your time and you join your hearts as one,

I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme from dusk till rising sun.

In the middle ages of your life, not too old, no longer young,

I’ll be there to guide you through the night, complete what I’ve begun.

When the evening gently closes in, and you shut your weary eyes,

I’ll be there as I have always been with just one more surprise.

I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old.

I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.

Baptism of Charlotte Carmella Carlson

Parents Vanessa Carlson and Brooks Rondinaro

Godparents: Wesley Carlson, Cadence Rondinaro

Grandparents: Peg and Carl Carlson, Tammy and Steve Rondinaro

INTRODUCTION

One: Friends and family of the Lewis / Carlson / Rondinaro family, the time has come to honor Vanessa and Brooks’ young daughter, Charlotte Carmella Carlson with the seal and blessing of baptism. As we begin, we light a candle to symbolize the light of Christ's way of living in the world and proclaiming justice. We are also reminded of the illumination of the mysterious and powerful Holy Spirit with us this morning.

All: Bless us, Holy One, as we gather.

EXPLANATION

One: Baptism is a sacrament which acknowledges the grace and nurturing that God and this community have for this child.

All: Baptism is a covenanting between a community and a new member.

One: Just as God covenants with us in grace, so we covenant with one another.

All: Baptism is a beginning.

One: This morning is a time to honor the beginning of a lifelong spiritual journey.

All: Water has been an important part of sacramental Christian ritual for thousands of years.

One: It is also a part of sacred ritual in many other spiritual traditions.

All: Water is a fundamental part of the cells in our bodies and the oceans of our planet.

One: In a bowl, one drop is an integral part of the whole.

All: Just as we are all drops of water in a larger ocean of life.

One: Water restores and nourishes us in times of exertion and healing.

All: Water provides swimming and coolness and splashing in the summer.

One: We are also called to be a sanctuary of mystery.

All: There is mystery in the holy sacraments. The oneness we become in this ritual of baptism is mysterious and blessed. God is present fully, openly, and in ways we do not know or understand in each of our lives.

One: One important story about water and mystery in the Christian tradition is the account of Jesus' baptism. Jesus approached John to be baptized and, though John thought himself unworthy, he baptized Jesus. As Jesus came out of the water, the sky opened up and the Spirit of God came down like a dove and descended on him.

All: Then a voice from heaven said, ''This is my own dear Son, with whom I am well pleased."

One: This morning, we witness a similar blessing coming from God and this community of faith. Charlotte is God's own beloved daughter with whom God is well pleased.

All: Today, as we baptize Charlotte, we reaffirm our own baptisms and the reality that we are all children of God, full of grace.

COVENANTING

One: Baptism, particularly an infant baptism, is about the promise of an entire community to nurture a child in their spiritual faith journey. As we baptize Charlotte, I ask the following questions to her parents:

Will you covenant to raise your daughter in a faith community?

Will you promise to teach her the stories, beliefs, and rituals of Christianity, while at the same time encouraging her to respect and learn about the religious and spiritual traditions of others?

If so, answer, "I will, with God's grace".

Parents: I will, with God's grace.

One: As you are raising her, will you be mindful of her spiritual life and growth, encouraging questions and conversations?

If so, answer, "I will, with God's grace".

Parents: I will, with God's grace.

One: Will you promise to work for justice in your own life and to teach Charlotte the ways of justice?

If so, answer, "I will, with God's grace".

Parents: I will, with God's grace.

One: Will you promise to ask for help from this community when you need counselor assistance in the spiritual rearing of Charlotte?

If so, answer "I will, with God's grace."

Parents: I will, with God's grace.

One: I now turn to Charlotte’s Godparents.

Being a godparent is a holy calling. It means being a spiritual guide, an adult companion, and a playful influence. It entails supporting Charlotte in a special kind of relationship which each of you has already begun. Will you promise to pay particular attention to Charlotte’s spiritual milestones, to honor and remember her baptism, and to answer tough questions she asks honestly, even if it means being vulnerable or awkward?

If so, answer, "I will, with God's grace".

Godparents: I will, with God's grace.

One: Will you promise to take Charlotte out for ice cream, play games with her and to continue to love her unconditionally?

If so, answer, "I will, with God's grace".

Godparents: I will, with God's grace.

One: Finally, will you promise to work for justice in your own life and to teach Charlotte the ways of justice?

If so, answer, "I will, with God's grace".

Godparents: I will, with God's grace.

One: There are at least two different communities that Charlotte will grow up in, the community of the Union Congregational Church of Hancock and the community of chosen family and friends. Will you, the community of the Union Congregational Church of Hancock and the chosen family and friends that surround her, promise to encourage Charlotte's spiritual life and growth, to provide an education for Charlotte in the church, and to teach Charlotte about issues of justice?

If so, answer "I will, with God's grace."

All: I will, with God's grace.

One: Do you promise to be with her as a community in joy, in sadness and in questions? Will you bestow on her the grace of a child of God? Will you laugh with her and play with her?

If so, answer," I will, with God's grace".

All: I will, with God's grace.

One: I now invite all the children here today up to the front. You children are special playmates of Charlotte's. Will you, the children in Charlotte’s life, agree to help Charlotte learn about God? Will you listen to her and laugh with her? Will you show her how to be an honest and playful child?

If so, answer, "We will!"

Children: We will!

BAPTISM

One: Now it is time to baptize Charlotte Carmella Carlson.

(Children of the congregation take containers filled with water and pour them into the baptismal bowl.)

Will you join with me as we bless this water and the covenants we made?

All: God of water and life, we celebrate the community that surrounds Charlotte. Give each of us strength, conviction, and courage as we live into the promises we have made. Bless this water that it might be a sign and symbol of Your abundant grace. Amen.

One: By what name will this child be called?

Parents: Charlotte Carmella Carlson

One: Charlotte Carmella Carlson, I baptize you in the name of the Creator who is Mother and Father of us all; in the name of the Christ who guides us in the ways of love and justice; and in the name of the Holy Spirit who comforts, inspires, and sustains us. Amen.

BAPTISMAL PRAYER

One: Gentle God, we give thanks for Charlotte Carmella Carlson, received with water, words, and the whisper of God into the church and this community of faith.

All: We pray grace on this young life as infancy stands up into childhood and childhood reaches out for adolescence. Grant, O God, strength for the journey, insight appropriate for years, laughter in her home, and blessing in all places.

One: May these parents find courage; may her godparents share wisdom, may a friend arrive for every loneliness; and may the community of faith be alert always to the needs and hopes of all God’s children.

All: Amen.

Hymn Child of Blessing, Child of Promise R. #306 Child of blessing, child of promise, baptized with the Spirit's sign,

with this water God has sealed you unto love and grace divine.

Child of love, our love's expression, love's creation, loved indeed!

Fresh from God, refresh our spirits, into joy and laughter lead.

Child of joy, our dearest treasure, God's you are; from God you came.

Back to God we humbly give you: live as one who bears Christ's name.

Child of God, your loving Parent, learn to know whose child you are.

Grow to laugh and sing and worship, trust and love God more than all.

Scripture Matthew 14:22-33

Message Rev. TJ Mack

Special Music Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee Tune:St Agnes/ R. Darley

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 – In community, we are buoyed by love. We are made capable of doing hard things, taking risks, and bravely facing the circumstances that surround us. With gratitude for this place of belonging, and for God’s presence with us, let us bring what we have together.

Offertory A Morning Canticle 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)

As we bring together our resources, we pray for your blessing upon our shared labor. May all that we do reflect the radical and abundant faith to which you have called us. Amen.

* Hymn Now Thank We All Our God 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 mothers' 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 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 March Christoph Von Gluck

(Please remain seated for the Postlude)

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

in the back of the sanctuary.

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 – Tamara Wilson & Ron Schwizer

Liturgist – Mary Beth DiMarco

Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer

Office Administrator – Vicky Espling

Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack

The Body of Christ – You

Resources:

Silent Prayer – Hymns of Truth & Light, p. 306, adapted – Robert H. Tucker

Call to Worship & Offertory Prayers – enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters

Invocation – Hymns of Truth & Light, p. 312 – Gregorian Sacramentary (6^th century), adapted

A Service of Baptism – Rev. Rebecca Voelkel

BAPTISMAL PRAYER adapted from "Blessing Prayer for Infant" by Maren Tirabassi

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

Church of Huston, Texas

I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry

Contributors: John Ylvisaker

Child of Blessing, Child of PromIse

Contributors: Ronald Cole-Turner

Now thank We All Our God

Contributors: Martin Rinkart, Johann Cruger

Rev. Teresa (TJ) Mack

8/9/26 Bulletin

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