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
Installation of Lay Leaders
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
January 29, 2023
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)
(Posted for later viewing on Facebook and YouTube)
Meeting ID: 883 2746 7219
Passcode: 131738
Silent Prayer
Blessed God, I yearn to see your vision of justice, love, and peace made real for me this day.
Open my eyes to the way of love that I may see your brilliant light shining
into the hidden places of my heart and the darkened corners of the world. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Brightest and Best Liebster Immanuel, arr. Lani Smith
Welcome
Introit Arise, Your Light is Come! R. #167
Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call obey;
Show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today.
*Call to Worship
One: What does the Lord require of you?
All: To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting 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:
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 (spoken in unison)
Holy God, your blessings are abundant, and your wisdom exceeds our grasp. Fill us with your Spirit as we hear your word this day, that we may be justice seekers and peacemakers, sharing your life among those who are forgotten, weak, or persecuted, and revealing to all your glory. 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 – David Wildes
Assistant Stewardship Director – Barbara Reeve
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
(Chairs are listed first. Those beginning new terms are italicized.)
Church Council, Members at large: Sally Knapp, Vicky Espling, Peggy Karns
Board of Deacons: Doug Kimmel, Sally Knapp, Kathy McGlinchey, Robin Long,
Pat Summerer, David Wildes, Vicky Espling, Nick Davis, Mary Angela Davis
Board of Trustees: Peggy Karns, Ron McGlinchey, Arthur Ashmore, Doug Kimmel, Mike Summerer, Mary Beth DiMarco
Board of Christian Ed: Tamara Crowley, Arthur Ashmore, Mary Angela Davis, Amelia Ashmore, Jennifer Ashmore, Nick Davis
Board of Outreach: Jeanne Edwards, Betty Johnston, Savanna Havey, Joy Stratton, Barbara Reeve, Tamara Crowley
Pastoral Relations Committee: Mary Angela Davis,Alison Boden, Robin Long, Ron Schwizer, Mike Summerer, Pat Summerer
Music Committee: Phoebe Devenish, Ruth Dietze, Priscilla Hirschenhofer.
Ex-officio members: Debbie Riley, Pat Summerer.
Nominating Committee: Doug Kimmel, Betty Johnston, Ron Schwizer, Tamara Crowley, Myrna Coffin, Peggy Karns
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.
Old Testament Reading (Hebrew Scriptures) Micah 6:1-8
New Testament Reading (Christian Scriptures) Matthew 5:1-12
Special Music Many Are the Lightbeams B. #163
Message
*Hymn Be Thou My Vision R. #445
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 – With what shall we come before the Lord this day? We come with a love of justice and a passion for sharing Christ’s love. Let us walk in humble gratitude, offering to God a portion of the gifts that God freely shares with us, gifts for the healing of the world.
Offertory My Hope is Built on Nothing Less The Solid Rock/ arr. 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 (spoken in unison)
We thank you, God, that you have blessed us with an abundance of gifts for the flourishing of your world. May this offering of our life and labor reveal your love as we seek to share your promised reign with all creation. Amen.
*Hymn O For A World B. #575
*Blessing
*Sung Benediction Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing (v. 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 Rejoice, My Soul, Rejoice! David Paxton
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
Many thanks to those who helped make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Mary Angela & Nick Davis
Liturgist – Pat Summerer
Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
(Mike Summerer is happy to teach others this simple task. Please inquire…)
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Support our Church Financially
Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our new webpage www.hancockucc.com
(please note that www.hancockucc.org still exists as an archival site)
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
Worship Ways and Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.”
Arise, Your Light is Come!
Words - ©1992 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Ruth Duck
Here I Am, Lord
Words and Music - © OCP Publications
Be Thou My Vision
Craig Courtney
Contributors: Public Domain
O For A World
Words © 1987 Medical Mission Sisters
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - © Public Domain
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