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
October 15, 2023 – Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10:00 (Recorded for Facebook and YouTube)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82224252518?pwd=aEd4WENqcjFHakFTcVFyQnltNzl1UT09
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 Spirit of Life, grant us the discernment to distinguish between shallow positivity and the riches of joy that surround us: Joy that neither shies away from pain nor pacifies us with short-term distraction. But joy that gives us the courage to face the struggles of our shared lives with the sustenance we need. May laughter and pleasure, beauty and the freedom you have given us be a source of strength, empathy, and creativity in all we do. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit Announcements Prelude Variations on “Dunlap’s Creek” Lewis/ Lasky Welcome *Introit God of Grace and God of Glory (vs. 1) R. #477 God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power; now fulfill your Church’s story; bring its bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour. *Call to Worship One: Let’s thank the Lord, for the Lord is good. All: God’s love endures forever. One: Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare God’s praise? All: Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right. Our God is worthy of our Praise! One: Remember us, O Lord, when you show favor to all people, that we may enjoy your blessings. All: Let us worship God, who blesses us with infinite love and abundant grace. Amen *Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle *Hymn O For A World (vs. 1,3,5) R. #500 O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways, where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise. We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice that opens us to unity and gives our vision voice. 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. *Invocation (in unison) Gracious God, we gather to worship you today with hearts full of joy and appreciation for the beauty of your diversity and extravagant welcome. We invite your Holy Spirit to this space to celebrate your goodness and presence in our gathering time together. Prepare our hearts to receive what you have for us today. Amen Children’s Message Hebrew Scripture s Psalm 23 KJV The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Christian Scripture Philippians 4:1-9 NRSVUE Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you. Special Music Awake, Awake To Love and Work Kentucky Harmony/ Tom Mitchell Message Rev. TJ Mack *Hymn Our God, Our Help in Ages Past (Vs. 1,3,6) R. #80 Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home! Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame, from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same. Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be thou our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home. 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 – All we have comes from you, O Lord. So, we give our offerings and tithes with generous hearts in thanksgiving for all you do for us. May these gifts given today offer hope in proclaiming and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ our Savior with all the world. Offertory Meditation on “Leoni” Lyon/ Hegarty *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) Take our offerings and tithes, O God, bless them that they may be used to share your love and blessing in our community and the world. May these offerings provide for the least of these needs and the proclamation of your word to those seeking hope. Amen *Hymn This Is My Song R. #515 This is my song, O God of all the nations, a song of peace for lands afar and mine. This is my home, the country where my heart is; here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine: but other hearts in other lands are beating with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine. My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean, and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine; but other lands have sunlight too, and clover, and skies are everywhere as blue as mine. O hear my song, O God of all the nations,a song of peace for their land and for mine. This is my prayer, O Ruler of all nations: let your reign come; on earth your will be done. In peace may all earth’s people draw together, and hearts united learn to live as one, O hear my prayer, O God of all the nations; myself I give you; let your will be done. *Sung Blessing Go With Us, Lord R #336 Go with us, Lord, and guide the way through this and every coming day, That in your Spirit strong and true our lives may be our gift to you. *Benediction Postlude Danza Rustica Iouri Grichetchkine (Please remain seated for the Postlude) If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary. 2024 Stewardship Pledges Needed Now! To date we have received 18 pledges for $43,214 to help pay for a proposed 2024 church budget that projects spending $157,704. There is a potential deficit of $28,604 after considering all income and spending estimates. All of this will be discussed at our Annual Meeting on November 12th. Please plan to attend in person or on Zoom. Your Stewardship pledge is needed now to help secure our income goal and reduce this funding gap. Thanks to all who have made their stewardship promises for next year. For those who have not, pledge cards are available in the Sanctuary or one can be sent to you. They can be mailed back to the church or placed in the offering plate on Sunday morning. Please let David Wildes (422-3739) know of any questions. Thank you for your prompt attention to this very important matter. 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 hancockmaineucc@gmail.com treasurer@hancockucc.com revtjmack@gmail.com 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 – Doug Kimmel & David Wildes Liturgist – Ron Schwizer Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander Office Secretary – Vicky Espling Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack The Body of Christ – You Resources enfleshed, liturgy that matters, and Worship Ways @ ucc.org "Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.
God of Grace and God of Glory
Words and Music - ©PD Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
Our Help In Ages Past
Words and Music - ©2008 Shawnee Press
Contributors: Isaac Watts, Robert Sterling, William Croft
This Is My Song
Words - ©1964 Lorenz Publishing Corporation, The
Contributors: Lloyd Stone, Jean Sibelius
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
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