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

November 26, 2023 – Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Pastor Appreciation Sunday 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 God, Holy is your wisdom. You reveal all that has narrowed our imagination, confined our worldviews, and distorted our sense of what’s possible. Come and help us create anew. Within and between us, nurture our creativity in the simple and serious work of love. Amen

* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit Announcements Prelude Come, Ye Thankful People, Come Elvey/ McDonald Welcome *Introit Take My Life, God, Let It Be (vs. 4) B. #448 Take my love and help it grow; let my loving overflow. . Take me now, and help me be part of Christ’s community. *Call to Worship One: Come and seek together the salvation of God. All: Welcome the stranger. One: Redistribute resources. All: Tend needs and practice mutual care. One: Abolish all that imprisons. All: This is the way of Christ. Let the old ways be left behind. Love has come to free us *Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle Dave Morrison, Psalm 30 *Hymn Now Thank We All Our God R. #27 Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices; who, from our mothers' arms hath blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us, to keep us in all grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills of this world in the next. All praise and thanks to God almighty now be given; to God, the three in one, who reign in highest heaven, the one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore; for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore. *Invocation (in unison) God who cares. We flourish in your compassion. You search for us and find us. You, Holy One, surround us with the power of your abundant love and utmost care. Be present among us as we praise your name, bring our burdens, and give thanks for all that you are and all that you do. Amen Children’s Message Hebrew Scripture Psalm 100 Christian Scripture Matthew 25:31-46 Contemporary Reading “Making the House Ready for the Lord” Mary Oliver Special Music We Gather Together Kremser/ Robert Lau Message Rev. TJ Mack *Hymn Not My Brother, nor My Sister (Standing in the Need of Prayer) B. #519 Not my brother, nor my sister, but it’s me, O God, standing in the need of prayer; Not my brother, nor my sister, but it’s me, O God, standing in the need of prayer. Refrain: It’s me, it’s me, O God, standing in the need of prayer; It’s me, it’s me, O God, standing in the need of prayer. Not the preacher, nor the deacon, but it’s me, O God standing in the need of prayer; Not the preacher, nor the deacon, but it’s me, O God, standing in the need of prayer. Refrain: Not my father, nor my mother, but it’s me, O God, standing in the need of prayer; Not my father, nor my mother, but it’s me, O God, standing in the need of prayer. Refrain: Not the stranger, nor my neighbor, but it's me, O God, standing in the need of prayer; Not the stranger, nor my neighbor, but it's me, O God, standing in the need of prayer. Refrain: It’s me, it’s me, O God, standing in the need of prayer; It’s me, it’s me, O God, standing in the need of prayer. Prayer for Transformation and New Life Sovereign God, transform us in your image. Your reign is just and righteous. We go our own way and live according to our own will. Make us ambassadors of your kin-dom. Let us represent you through words and actions. May we release our need for anything that creates a barrier to loving you and our neighbor. May we know and bear witness that we are all neighbors. Amen Words of Grace Beloved, you are loved unconditionally by the Everlasting One. The kin-dom is yours to embrace and enter with full citizenship. Know that every move toward God transforms you. Every confession of God’s sovereignty fortifies you. Every moment in the presence of God brings restoration. 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 – Let us bring to God now the offerings of our lives and our labors, with the prayer that God’s will may be done through them. Amen Offertory Let All Things Now Living Ash Grove/ 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) Accept our gifts, we pray, as signs of our gratitude for what you give us every day and as honor to your presence in our world; for the sake of those who stand in need. Amen *Hymn Standing at the Future’s Threshold (vs. 1,3,4) B. #538 Standing at the future’s threshold, grateful for God’s guiding hand, Asking no protected stronghold, called to be a pilgrim band, Seeking ever for new vision of the gospel for our day, We move forward in God’s mission with our faith to show the way. Openhearted in exchanges with the faithful not our own, Trusting God’s way with these strangers not to leave the truth unknown, Joining them in shared endeavor where we have Christ’s clear command, We have faith that calls us ever toward this good earth’s promised land. Building justice as the bulwark of the peace that God would give, Making sacrifice for the hallmark of the life we’re called to live: Grant us, God, to bear our witness to this peace in Christ, and move Forward with our faith’s own access to the life of hope and love. *Benediction *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. Postlude Rondeau Royal Oak/ Michael Helman (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 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 – Peggy Karns Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander Office Secretary – Vicky Espling Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack The Body of Christ – You Resources, adapted Silent Prayer & Call to Worship - enfleshed: liturgy that matters Invocation & Prayer for Transformation and New Life - UCC Worship Ways @ ucc.org "Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.

Take My Life and Let It Be

Words and Music - ©2000 Alfred Sacred

Contributors: Frances havergal, Mark Hayes

Now thank We All Our God

Words and Music - ©1586 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd

Contributors: Martin Rinkart, Johann Cruger

Standin' in the Need of Prayer

Words and Music - ©1994 Public Domain

Contributors: Public Domain

Go with Us, Lord

Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company

Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey