Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for November 26, 2023
When the poor ones who have nothing share with strangers,
when the thirsty water give unto us all,
when the crippled in their weakness strengthen others,
then we know that God still goes that road with us,
Upcoming services, meetings, events, and opportunities
Join us for Worship in our Sanctuary or on Zoom at 10:00 a.m.,
or watch the recording later on Facebook or YouTube
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 822 2425 2518
Passcode: 755650
Find us at Hancock UCC | Hancock ME | Facebook or
on YouTube at Hancock UCC - YouTube
Choir Rehearsals are held on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am. All are welcome!
The Handbells are in hopes to ring again on December 17th. In order for this to happen, we need at least one or more ringers to join us. If you are interested, please speak to Pat Summerer, (207) 963-7182, immediately. Rehearsals will be November 26, December 3rd and 10th.
During the month of December, we will be receiving the Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross Offering. This offering is an annual UCC offering that expresses our thanks to retired and active UCC pastors and lay church workers and their families facing financial need, providing direct assistance to supplement pensions, help with the cost of medical insurance, a thank you gift at Christmas, and funds to meet emergency needs.
Gift wrapping fundraiser. Drop off your presents Friday, December 8th between 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Pick up wrapped gifts on Saturday, December 9th between 2-5 p.m.
This Christmas season we will be working with the Emmaus Center to provide gifts for the children at the center. The Angel Tree will be up with cards this Sunday, November 26th.
Join us on Wednesdays in Advent (December 6, 13, 20) on Zoom for Soup and Study (Zoup!) or join us in person in our Fellowship Hall at the church. 6:00 Soup. 6:30 Study. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
In this Advent devotional, entitled “Maya Angelou and the Freedom Poetry of Advent” biblical texts and simple, accessible practices interweave with Maya Angelou’s stirring vision of faith, freedom, and dignity. Week by week, as we wait, and watch, and pray, we’ll walk toward Bethlehem - with Maya Angelou as our guide.
A Christmas Pops Concert is scheduled for Thursday, December 14th at 4:00 p.m. Musicians Gary Bushee and Dwight Ingalls will be entertaining. The concert is free, but donations are accepted. Included in the concert will be sing-a-longs.
There will be snacks provided after the concert.
Join us for local Christmas Caroling on Friday, December 15th. Meet at the church Fellowship Hall at 2:30. Caroling from 2:30 -3:00 and then back to the church for hot chocolate and cookies and a short Christmas movie.
November Birthdays and Anniversaries
26: *Clint* Ritchie 30: *Arthur* Ashmore
December Birthdays and Anniversaries
04: *Gary* Edwards 05: Sonny Mehl 10: *Ron* & *Kathy* McGlinchey
15: *Frank* Dorsey 16: *Ashley* Ehrlenbach Johnson 17: *Sue* Croteau
18: *Barbara* Reeve 20: *Sheila* O’Neill 21: *Mary Angela* Davis
27: *Jennifer* Ashmore 30: *Keith* & *Pam* Bowie
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
Prayers for the family and friends of Kristy Johnston who passed away on November 14th. Prayers for the people of Lewiston and all of Maine; Prayers for the world, suffering loss and grief in Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Russia, and so many other ongoing wars and conflicts. Prayers for Debbie R. recovering from tick borne anaplasmosis; Sally’s sister Martha and her husband John; Ryan Gordon; Ron & Kathy; Kenny Houghton; John Wood; Doris; Jane Preble; Jonathan Holmes; Nick & Mary Angela’s son Joshua; William; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport; Austin’s cousin Danny; Liz & Jim; Debbie & Lincoln & son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle; Jim Snyder; Margaret B; Amy Nickerson; Kenny Stratton; Joy & David & Lori; Sandy Phippen; Betty & her step-daughter Mollie; Debbie & Hollis & Holly and Debbie’s Aunt Linda Reed; Coulter; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Patrice’s niece Erica; Renata’s sister-in-law Joanne; Tom & Judy’s son Andrew & family; Prayers of strength and healing for all awaiting diagnoses and for all recovering from surgeries & procedures; Prayers for all that are unsafe, unhoused, hungry & in need of care & compassion; Prayers for all individuals and families experiencing addictions; for all caregivers; and prayers for all that is in your heart…
From the Maine Conference
As we look forward to our Covenant together in 2024
Beloved, Covenant is at the heart of who we are in the United Church of Christ: our churches, our associations, our conference, the national office. We are strong when our covenant relationships are strong. As your Conference Minister I have so dearly valued the covenant between the Conference and the churches over this past year as we have worked together for congregations to be alive and thrive at any size. Not only do I, your Conference Minister, hold covenant with you. Every staff member at the conference holds covenant: office staff and program staff. We at the Conference office are so appreciative of the many churches that support our financial health as we support all of you to live into the future God has for you.. As we look toward 2024, I will be speaking more about OCWM as a crucial way to assure that your staff at the conference office can do whatever we can to assure that the churches of our conference are healthy as we venture into the future God has for all of us. Our new General Minister and President Karen Georgia Thompson has written a beautiful report to all UCC churches entitled “Under A Big Tent”, that speaks beautifully of the vast diversity of our denomination even as we are “one as God and Jesus are one.” Please read Karen Georgia’s words here and consider sharing with your congregations. Please take time to contemplate our covenant with one another at the church, association, conference, and national level. You can access the report by clicking here.
Deep blessings to each and all, Marisa
A letter from the Bridge Associate Conference Minister Rev. Samantha Houser
Dear Friends of the Maine Conference,
It's been nearly a month since I embarked on my journey with you as the part-time, bridge, Associate Conference Minister, and I must say, it has been an absolute pleasure. The level of responsiveness and the warm welcome from this incredible conference have made this experience truly exceptional thus far.
For those of you whom I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Reverend Samantha Houser, residing in the Midwest, and I bring with me over a decade of valuable experience in conference ministry to my role here in Maine. My theological perspective is rooted in the belief that holding onto the past can hinder our ability to embrace the ever-unfolding presence of the Spirit. In my work with the church, I'm all about delving deep into the "why" behind our practices and because of this I have a natural curiosity that fuels my penchant for creative, solution-oriented discussions. Some of the other skills I bring to the Maine Conference are effective communication, adept boundary-setting, and modeling self-advocacy.
I'm thrilled to be part of this remarkable community and look forward to the meaningful work we will accomplish together.
Warm regards,
Reverend Samantha Houser
Bridge Associate Conference Minister
The United Nations program, World Food Program, is sending food into Gaza. Over 800,000 women, children and families are affected by the conflict between Israel and Hamas. World Food distributes fresh bread, canned food and ready-to -eat meals to people in shelters. $75.00 can provide a family with enough food for a month.
To donate, from $10.00 and up, go on-line to World Food Program, USA
or send a check to: World Food Program, USA P.O. Box 96316, Washington, D.C. 20090 – 6316.
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