Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for November 27, 2022

Keep awake, be always ready, God’s time approaches sure and steady,

God’s strength will keep your heart from blame.

Clouds, the Spirit’s light concealing, disperse, God’s purest light revealing;

Creation will its Sovereign name.

Dry branches burst forth green, God’s advent signs are seen; Hallelujah!

Christ’s judgment won, God’s will be done; God’s new dominion thus begun.

At their October 19th meeting, Council voted to continue following CDC guidelines.

That means while transmission rates are low or medium that masks are optional.

When transmission rates are high, masking and distancing will be re-implemented.

Also, if masking and distancing are in effect, then coffee time will be canceled.

The First Sunday in Advent

The Candle of HOPE

November 27, 2022

Upcoming events and meetings

The Choir practices at 9:15 on Sunday mornings. All are welcome to join.

Once again, we will be providing gifts for families served by the Emmaus Shelter.

Gift tags will be hanging on the tree in the Fellowship Hall detailing first name, age, and gender of the recipient along with their hoped-for Christmas present. Please return gifts, unwrapped, with original tag attached, to the Fellowship Hall on or before Sunday, December 11th.

We are invited to join St Andrew Lutheran in “adopting a family from Ukraine.”

Let Pastor TJ if you are interested in finding out how you can help.

Saturday, Dec. 3 – Acadia Choral Society @ 3:00 p.m. in our Sanctuary

Tickets can be purchased at acadiachoralsociety.org or at the door on the day of show

Tickets are $20 (general admission).

Family tickets are $45 for 3 or more members of the same family.

December 4th we will have our annual Pot Luck Supper and Carol Sing. Supper will be from 5-6 pm in the Fellowship Hall, then we will go into the Sanctuary for the Carol Sing about 6-7 pm. Bring a dish to share and invite some friends and neighbors.

Meetings are open to all. If you would like to attend a meeting on Zoom, please let Vicky know and she will provide the link, or you are welcome to join in person.

The Board of Outreach will meet Thursday, December 8th, at 4:00 pm

The Board of Deacons will meet Friday, December 9th, at 2:00 pm

Wednesday, December 14th, we will once again hold a Blue Christmas service at 7:00 pm.

Blue Christmas (also called the Longest Night) is a day in the Advent season marking the longest night of the year. On this day, some churches hold a service that honors people that have lost loved ones and are experiencing grief.

In November, we have been taking a collection for Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM). Contributions to OCWM:

· Strengthen local churches;

· Support pastors, church educators, and seminarians;

· Provide resources for worship and stewardship;

· Connect us with mission partners around the world;

· Help us to stand for justice and work for peace;

· And so much more!

Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry could always use your help. If you are able to volunteer,

please contact Ken at loavesandfishesellsworth@gmail.com

or at 207-801-0688.

Contact Us at Union Congregational Church of Hancock:

TJ can be reached by cell phone at 207-323-6743 or by email at revtjmack@hancockucc.com

Vicky can be reached at 207-422-3100 or by email at office@hancockucc.com

and vjespling@spectrum.net

(When emailing Vicky it is helpful to send to both addresses.)

Jen can be reached by email at treasurer@hancockucc.com

December Birthdays and Anniversaries

Nov. 30: *Arthur* Ashmore

Dec. 4: *Gary* Edwards

5: Sonny Mehl

15: *Frank* Dorsey

16: *Ashley* Ehrlenbach Johnson

18: *Barbara* Reeve

20: *Sheila* O’Neill

21: *Mary Angela* Davis

27: *Jennifer* Ashmore

30: *Keith* & *Pam* Bowie

Sharing two poems from Mary Oliver.

One for Thanksgiving. One for the First Sunday of Advent. Blessings…

The Gift

Be still, my soul, and steadfast. Earth and heaven both are still watching though time is draining from the clock and your walk, that was confident and quick, has become slow.

So, be slow if you must, but let the heart still play its true part. Love still as once you loved, deeply and without patience. Let God and the world know you are grateful. That the gift has been given.

Mary Oliver

Making the House Ready for the Lord

Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but still nothing is as shining as it should be for you. Under the sink, for example, is an uproar of mice — it is the season of their many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves and through the walls the squirrels have gnawed their ragged entrances — but it is the season when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard while the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow; what shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling in the yard and the fox who is staring boldly up the path, to the door. And still I believe you will come, Lord: you will, when I speak to the fox, the sparrow, the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know that really I am speaking to you whenever I say, as I do all morning and afternoon: Come in, Come in.

Mary Oliver