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
January 19, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
₋₋ Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Join us on Zoom
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 Meditation
The Holy Spirit enlivens each of us with unique gifts that nurture faith and serve the common good. To identify those gifts, we can ask ourselves such questions as: When do I feel most alive? What do I love to do? What things, tasks, or actions fill me with a sense of purpose? What am I doing when time seems to stand still? These questions help us discern the Spirit’s movement in our lives. Created in the image of God, each of us is uniquely gifted to reveal divine likeness. When our deep joy is united with meaning and purpose, vocation is birthed. How or where is God calling you?
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Largo, Cello Sonata, g minor Henry Eccles 1670-1742
Welcome
*Introit All People that on Earth do Dwell (verses 1, 2) R. #21
All people that on earth do dwell, sing out your faith with cheerful voice;delight in God whose praise you tell, whose presence calls you to rejoice.
Know that there is one God indeed, who fashions us without our aid,who claims us, gives us all we need, whose tender care will never fade.
*Call to Worship (based on Psalm 36)
God’s love is higher than the sky.
God’s faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
God’s righteousness is stronger than the mountains.
God’s justice is deeper than the seas.
In God’s love we are safe.
In God we find life and light.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle Peace Prayer
*Hymn Songs of Thankfulness and Praise back cover Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to Thee we raise;Manifested by the star To the sages from afar,Branch of royal David's stem, In Thy birth at Bethlehem.Anthems be to Thee addressed, Word in flesh made manifest.
Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;And at Cana, wedding Guest, In Thy God-head manifest;Manifest in pow'r divine, Changing water into wine;Anthems be to Thee addressed, God on earth made manifest.
Manifest in making whole Palsied limbs and fainting soul;Manifest in valiant fight, Quelling all the devil's might;Manifest in gracious will, Ever bringing good from ill:Anthems be to Thee addressed, God for us made manifest.
Grant us grace to see Thee, Lord, Mirrored in Thy holy Word;May we imitate Thee now And be pure, as pure art Thou;That we like to Thee may be At Thy great epiphany;And may praise Thee, ever blest, God for all made manifest.
*Invocation (in unison)
Loving God, in your light, we see light. Waters of pure joy wash over us. We are amazed by the abundance of your gifts. Your love transforms our despair into delight. Your Spirit has blessed this community with an abundance of gifts—gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and love. You are ever faithful, ever just, and ever righteous. May we delight in you always. Amen.
Children’s Message “Gifts”
Epistle Reading 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Gospel Reading John 2:1-11
Special Music Corrente Allegro con Spirito Henry Eccles
Message Rev. Cynthia Priem
*Hymn God Moves in a Mysterious Way B. #412
God moves in a mysterious way great wonders to perform;
God plants firm footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines, of never-failing skill;
God floods the earth with bright designs, guards with a sovereign will.
O fearful saints, fresh courage take, the clouds you so much dread,
Are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head.
Judge not God’s way through human sense, but trust unfailing grace;
Behind a frowning providence, there shines a smiling face.
God’s purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.
Our unbelief is sure to err, and scan God’s work in vain;
God is God’s own interpreter, whose truth shall be made plain.
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
The Spirit has given us so many gifts to use for the common good.
May we offer our gifts to God and our neighbor with joyful hearts, delighting in the abundance of God’s love.
Offertory Adagio
*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)
God of abundance, you have poured out your gifts upon this community, giving us what we need to work for your justice and peace. In gratitude and joy for these gifts, we offer you the gifts of our living. We offer the gift of our money for your transforming work in the world.
We offer the gift of our lives for the healing of all people. Amen.
*Hymn Many are the Lightbeams R. #389
Many are the light-beams from one light. Our one light Jesus.
Many are the light-beams from the one light; we are one in Christ.
Many are the branches of the one tree. Our one tree is Jesus.
Many are the branches of the one tree; we are one in Christ.
Many are the gifts given, love is all one. Love’s the gift of Jesus.
Many are the gifts given, love is all one; we are one in Christ.
Many ways to serve God, the Spirit is one, servant spirit of Jesus.
Many ways to serve God, the Spirit is one; we are one in Christ.
Many are the members, the body is one, members all of Jesus.
Many are the members, the body is one; we are one in Christ.
*Benediction
*Sung Benediction Forward Through the Ages (verse 1) R. #482
Forward through the ages, in unbroken line, move the faithful spirits at the call divine.Gifts in differing measure, hearts of one accord, manifold the service, one the sure reward;Forward through the ages, in unbroken line, move the faithful spirits at the call divine.
Postlude Vivace Sonata, g minor, Henry Eccles
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary.
Our Guest Cellist, Lesley Straley and her spouse Charlotte Stetson retired to Maine in 2009 from Vermont. Lesley, once a violinist, took up the cello eight years ago and studies with Noreen Silver in Bangor. She attends chamber music workshops and plays regularly in a cello trio. An eager vegetable gardener, she attempts to grow food for year-around consumption. She is an active member of the Hancock Community Garden Committee, and keeps busy with the Maine Harvest for Hunger, working with a team to raise produce for donation to agencies that serve the food-insecure population.
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
Many thanks to those who make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Guest Minister – Rev. Cynthia Priem
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Vicky Espling and Ron Schwizer
Liturgist – Sarina Brooks
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Student Ministry Intern – Sarina Brooks
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources
Abingdon Worship Annual 2016: Call to Worship, Invocation, Invitation to Offering, Prayer of Dedication
Feasting on the Word Worship Companion Year C vol. 1: Silent Mediation
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.
Many Are the Lightbeams
Words and Music - ©1974 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Olle Widestrand, David Lewis
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
Public Domain
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
Music - © Greg Scheer
Contributors: Greg Scheer
Many Are the Lightbeams
Words and Music - ©1974 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Olle Widestrand, David Lewis
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
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