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

 September 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. - Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

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

Gregorian Sacramentary (6th century), adapted - Red Hymnal, page 312

* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit

Announcements

Prelude                Partita on “Fairest Lord Jesus”                              St. Elizabeth / Robert Lau   

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: As people of faith, we are called to be mindful

All: To be intentional with our lives

One: To be aware of all we have and need

All: To be awake to the world

One: As people of faith, we are equipped to take actions

All: To align behavior and values

One: To root deeply in integrity

All: To bear brave risks together

One: Let us worship and grow in faith and love

*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle   

In the face of suffering, one has no right to turn away, not to see. In the face of injustice, one may not look the other way. When someone suffers, and it is not you, he comes first. His very suffering gives him priority…. To watch over a man who grieves is a more urgent duty than to think of God.                  Elie Wiesel, Nobelist and holocaust survivor - Red Hymnal page 501

*Hymn       Be Now My Vision                                                                                     B. #451

Be thou my vision, O God of my heart; nothing surpasses the love you impart–

You my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, your presence my light.

Be now my wisdom and be my true word; ever within me, my soul is assured;

Mother and Father, you are both to me, now and forever your child I will be.

Riches I need not, nor life’s empty praise, you my inheritance, now and always;

You and you only are first in my heart, great God, my treasure, may we never part.

Sovereign of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O ruler of all.

*Invocation (spoken in unison)

Spirit of Disruption, come and make us bold with love like yours! When evil comes to recruit us, we pray for the strength and wisdom to refuse. Though we may tremble at times, make us a community of non-compliance with state-sanctioned violence. A community committed to unwavering love and protection. A community in pursuit of your kin-dom. We know you are close. Amen

Children’s Message  

Scriptures                                                                                    Letter from Paul to Philemon

Special Music                Moderato from Vesper Voluntaries                                    Edward Elgar 

Message                                                                                                              Rev. TJ Mack

*Hymn       Let Justice Flow Like Streams                                                                    R. #505

Let justice flow like streams of sparkling water, pure,enabling growth, refreshing life, abundant, cleansing, sure.

Let righteousness roll on as others' cares we heed,an ever-flowing stream of faith translated into deed.

So may God's plumb line, straight, define our measure true,and justice, right, and peace pervade this world our whole life through.

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 – Through baptism, we allow the waters to redefine who is family. Assured that we belong to God and each other, let us bring together what we have.

Offertory                                      Largo                                                                  G.F Handel

*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 One, we dedicate these offerings to the work of deliverance for all people, out from under suffering. Out from under oppression. Out from under scarcity and struggle. May we play our part in making it so, that all your people may be at ease. Amen

*Communion Hymn     Let Us Break Bread Together                                                  R. #311

Let us break bread together on our knees;

Let us break bread together on our knees.

When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,

O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees;

Let us drink wine together on our knees.

When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,

O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us praise God together on our knees;Let us praise God together on our knees.When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,O Lord, have mercy on me.

The Lord’s Supper

 Invitation to Holy Communion

One: This is the joyful feast …

…This is an open table at which all are welcome.

Words of Institution

One: On the night …

…where an ordinary meal became an instrument of God.

All: At this table, Jesus broke bread with those who would betray him. At this table, Jesus drank wine with the one who denied him. At this table, Jesus communed with those who would abandon him. At this table, Jesus gave a new commandment. At this table, we learn to love one another as God loves us.

Breaking Bread and Pouring Wine

One: Through the broken bread …

Through the cup of blessing …

The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready.

Sharing the Elements

The bread of life.

The cup of joy.

*Prayer of Thanksgiving

Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table. We are eternally grateful that in this holy mystery, you have given yourself to us. Empower us, that we may go into the world in courage and peace, to give ourselves to each other in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

*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               March from “Scipio”                                                                   G.F Handel

(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

hancockmaineucc@gmail.com     treasurer@hancockucc.com      revtjmack@gmail.com

                    207.422.3100                                                                          207.323.6743

Resources

Call to Worship, Invocation, Offering Prayers - enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters

Many thanks to those who make this service possible –

in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

Music Minister – Debbie Riley

Deacons – Doug Kimmel & Ron Schwizer & Sally Knapp

Liturgist – Alison Boden

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,                   

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