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 28, 2024 - Fourth Sunday after Epiphany - Installation of Lay Leaders
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10:00 (Recorded for Facebook and YouTube)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 822 2425 2518
Passcode: 755650
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
O God of heaven, you are present on earth. O God of the stars and planets, you are in the midst of the city. O God above all things, you are in the depths of our being. The river of your eternal life runs through all things. Let us be glad to be bearers of your eternity.
Let us be glad to find you in one another. –J. Philip Newell
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Largo Antonio Vivaldi
Welcome
*Introit Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty (vs. 4) Red Hymnal #10
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty;God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
*Call to Worship
One: All who are righteous, shout with joy to our God!
All: Let us sing a new song!
One: Praise God and give thanks, with organs, pianos, violins, with all kinds of instruments!
All: Play your best with joy!
One: Because our Creator’s word is right, and everything God does is done for our good.
All: Let your faithful love surround us, O God!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn Here I am Lord
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?
Refrain:
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain;
I have wept for love of them. They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?
Refrain:
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts are satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Refrain:
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
*Invocation (in unison)
By your Word, O God, everything was made. Your Word is powerful and can transform our hearts. Speak to us today, O God. Open our hearts and minds to your renovating Word, and give us guidance and strength. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
Children’s Message
Installation of Lay Leaders
Greeting and Introduction
One: This morning, we raise up and celebrate the diverse gifts of our members in the life of the church. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.
All: There are different ways of serving, but the same God is served.
One: There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to each of us for our particular service.
All: The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.
One: Christ is like a single body, which has many parts.
All: It is still one body even though it is made up of different parts.
One: If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness.
Presentation and Covenant
One: These people have been called by God, in accordance with the faith and order of this church, to serve among us. They have accepted their call and are before us in witness to their willingness to serve.
OFFICERS
President – Pat Summerer
Vice President – David Wildes
Clerk – Jeanne Edwards
Treasurer – Jennifer Ashmore
Assistant Treasurer – Renata Moise
Stewardship Director – Ron Schwizer
Assistant Stewardship Director – Renata Moise
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
(Chairs are listed first. Those beginning new terms are italicized.)
Church Council, Members at large: Sally Knapp, Peggy Karns, Nick Davis
Board of Deacons: Doug Kimmel, Robin Long, Pat Summerer, David Wildes,
Vicky Espling, Nick Davis, Mary Angela Davis, Everett Espling, Sally Knapp,
Board of Trustees: Peggy Karns, Doug Kimmel, Mike Summerer, Mary Beth DiMarco, Lincoln Ehrlenbach
Board of Christian Ed: Tamara Crowley, Mary Angela Davis, Jennifer Ashmore,
Nick Davis, Pat Summerer, Andrea Bernard
Board of Outreach: Jeanne Edwards, Joy Stratton, Barbara Reeve,
Tamara Crowley, Carol Skinner, Dianne Eckhardt
Pastoral Relations Committee: Mary Angela Davis, Ron Schwizer, Mike Summerer,
Alison Boden, Robin Long, David Wildes
Music Committee: Phoebe Devenish, Ruth Dietze, Priscilla Hirschenhofer.
Ex-officio members: Debbie Riley, Pat Summerer
Nominating Committee: Doug Kimmel, Myrna Coffin, Peggy Karns,
Ron Schwizer, Vicky Espling
Delegates to UCC: Vicky Espling, Patrice Alexander
Alternate Delegates to UCC: Mary Angela Davis, Pat Summerer
One: Sisters and brothers in Christ, it is an honor to be entrusted with responsibility for particular service in the ministry of the church, whether gathered or scattered.
Having prayerfully considered the duties and responsibilities of your ministry, are you prepared to serve, with the help of God?
Individuals: I am.
One: Do you promise to exercise your ministry diligently and faithfully, showing forth the love of Christ?
Individuals: I do, relying on God’s grace.
One: Members of this household of faith, you have heard the promises of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have answered God’s call to service. Let us express our intention to live in covenant with them, with these words of affirmation.
All: We gather in celebration of the joy that is ours to be partners with you in the service of Jesus Christ. We promise to love you, honor your leadership, and assist you so that together we may be a faithful community.
One: Let us pray. Eternal god, you have called these people to serve you in this household of faith. Send your Holy Spirit on them that they may serve among us with honor and faithfulness. Help them to be diligent in their duties that your church may prosper in the mission you place before it. May their example prove worthy for all of us to follow, as we are united in Christ’s ministry, to the glory of God.
All: Amen
One: In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the people of the Union Congregational Church of Hancock, of the United Church of Christ, I rejoice to announce that you are installed in your respective positions. To each of you, we extend our hearts and hands in Christian love.
All: Thanks be to God.
Hebrew Scripture Isaiah 16:1-5
Christian Scripture Ephesians 3:1-6
Contemporary Reading Living Psalm 33
Special Music How Brightly Shines the Morning Star J.C Bach
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Come, Christians, Join to Sing Red Hymnal #108
Come, Christians, join to sing: Alleluia! Amen!Loud praise to Christ we bring, Alleluia! Amen!Let all with heart and voice, with hymns of thanks rejoice;praise we with grateful choice: Alleluia! Amen!
Come lift your hearts on high: Alleluia! Amen!Let praises fill the sky: Alleluia! Amen!Christ is our Guide and Friend on whom we can depend;his love shall never end: Alleluia! Amen!
Praise yet our Christ again: Alleluia! Amen!Life shall not end the strain: Alleluia! Amen!On heaven's blissful shore Christ’s goodness we'll adore,singing forevermore: Alleluia! Amen!
Considering the Call
One: As the Season of Epiphany leads to the calling of the Apostles we are challenged to examine our calling as disciples of Christ. What is required of us O Lord in this New Year of 2024?
All: Do you require something new from me this year? (Pause)
One: To test my call to discipleship I will search my soul.
All: For this to be any more than a statement of piety, I need your help to reflect carefully on the year past.
One: In this sacred place we silently name ways
All: I tried to be a worthy disciple… (pause)
One: And also
All: how I failed in my calling… (pause)
One: We think of those you called in Galilee knowing they were a strange mix of ordinary folk.
All: We are a strange mix of ordinary folk. Is your requirement of us the same as it was for them?
One: …A single mandate to “love one another as I have loved you.”
All: Forgive us for not loving as we should have loved.
One: In silence we remember those we have failed. We bring names of persons known to us, those to whom we were not as kind as we could have been… (longer pause)
family forgotten, and others deliberately avoided… (longer pause)
All: I ask your help in being a kinder disciple this year. Amen
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 – God invites us to give in gratitude and joy so that we can bless others
as we have been blessed.
Offertory Reflection Robert Lau
*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)
O God, you call us to be a blessing for all people on this earth. Give us the wisdom and the courage to be a blessing to this community and to this world. Through these offerings may we be channels of your compassion and healing, for the sake of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen
*Hymn O For A World B. #575
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, equality achieved.
We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice
That 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 Blessing 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 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.
Support our Church Financially
Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our new 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.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Mary Angela & Nick Davis
Liturgist –
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources, adapted
J. Philip Newell- Silent Prayer
Feasting on the Word, Worship Companion - Call to Worship, Invocation, Offering Prayers, Intercessory Prayers
Rosalie Sugrue, Aotearoa/New Zealand - Considering the Call
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
Music - ©1948 H W Gray
Contributors: Reginald Heber, John B Dykes
Here I Am, Lord
Words and Music - © OCP Publications
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - © Public Domain
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