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
All Saints Celebration - Communion Sunday
November 3, 2024
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10 a.m.
(Recorded for Facebook and YouTube)
Join Zoom Meeting
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 borrow something that suits you, and return it after the service.
You are invited at any time this morning to light a candle at the front of the sanctuary to commemorate the life and death of those you know and love who have died since Nov. 1, 2023
Silent Prayer
You have taught us, O Christ, to love the world. You have shown us the light that is within us and within all things. May we learn to love you more and in loving you more learn to love the earth and all its people more, for you are the light of all life. J. Philip Newell
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Come, Let Us Join our Friends Above Arr. Edward Broughton Tune: Forest Green
Welcome
*Introit Come, God, Creator, Be Our Shield B. #69
Come, God, Creator, be our shield, the One to whom our cares we yield;
And in our worship, faith impart, your grace and calm to every heart.
Come, gracious Jesus, be our guest, our morning joy, our evening rest;
And in our daily lives impart your love and peace to every heart.
Come, Holy Spirit, be our guide, our strength to risk against the tide,
That in God’s world we shall impart your light and hope to every heart.
*Call to Worship
One: Christ, the One who was, and is, and is to come, welcomes you to this place.
All: As one body, with one voice, we honor and glorify the giver of wisdom, counsel, knowledge, and joy.
One: So be it.
All: Amen
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
m. jade kaiser - Halloween Blessing
*Hymn I Sing a Song of the Saints of God B. #295
I sing a song of the saints of God, faithful their whole lives through,
who bravely labored, lived, and died for the God they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,
and another a shepherd in pastures green:
they were saints of God, if you know what I mean,
God, help me to be one, too.
They loved their God and they lived that love.
It was loving that made them strong.
They did what was right, for Jesus’ sake,
lived justly their whole lives long.
And one was a prophet, and one was a priest,
another was slain by a fierce wild beast:
there is no earthly reason, none in the least,
why I shouldn’t be one, too.
They lived not only in ages past,
there are hundreds of thousands still.
The world is filled with living saints
who choose to do God’s will.
You can meet them in school, on the road, or at sea,
in a church, in a train, in a shop, or at tea:
for the saints are folk like you and like me,
and I mean to be one, too.
*Invocation (in unison)
Your word, Holy God, was written for our instruction. By your Holy Spirit open our ears
and fill us with the mysteries of your ancient love; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
Children’s Message Sarina Brooks
Hebrew Scriptures Psalm 67
Greek Scriptures Romans 15:7-13
Special Music Open Hand Psalm 145/ Thomas Mack
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Forward Through the Ages R. #482
Forward through the ages, in unbroken line, move the faithful spirits at the call divine. Gifts in differing measure, hearts of one accord, manifold the service, one the sure reward.
Refrain: Forward through the ages, in unbroken line, move the faithful spirits at the call divine.
Wider grows the holy realm, reign of love and light;for it we must labor, till our faith is sight.
Prophets have proclaimed it, martyrs testified,poets sung its glory, heroes for it died.
Refrain:
Forward through the ages, in unbroken line,move the faithful spirits at the call divine.
Not alone we conquer, not alone we fall;in each loss or triumph, lose or triumph all.Bound by God’s far purpose in one living whole,move we on together to the shining goal.
Refrain:
All Saints Remembrance – Roll Call of the Dead
Anita TeHennepe Jensen Lorna Kimmel-Noschese Betty Lewis
Jane Preble Peggy Emigh Richard Butters Dan Geslin Carolyn Clough Rev. Ruth Martin William Pinkham Jim McKenna Jeremy Young Barbara Knoeringer Glen Mills Dr. Kenneth Sherrill
Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns
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 – We believe in the God of justice and righteousness, and God believes in us to carry forth the mission of loving and caring for community. Let us now share our gifts and resources so that we may continue to walk humbly with God and with neighbors.
Offertory The Saints’ Delight Isaac Watts/ Dale Wood
*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 dedicate these gifts that have been shared for the good of the beloved community. Let these gifts do justice in the world. Let them be a signal to the people that there is a God who saves, heals, and sets free. Amen
*Communion Hymn Let Us Break Bread Together R. #311
Let us break bread together on our knees; Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees; Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees; Let us praise God together on our knees.When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
The Lord’s Supper
Invitation to the Table
One: Friends, what we are about to do is to celebrate the Joyful Feast of the people of God.
All: When we are able, with the Holy One, to experience the vision of love for God’s Global Village here on earth – then all of creation will come as equal companions to sit at this table.
One: In the meantime, you and I are invited to eat and drink, to be nourished and renewed for the ongoing work of justice, embracing mercy and walking humbly with God.
All: This is an open table at which all are welcome.
Thanksgiving and Praise
All: Holy God, we thank you for the gift of life and for your steadfast love. Most of all we thank you for Jesus, our teacher, savior and friend, who made his way through this life, delighting you and serving us. His tenderness and truth was rewarded with derision and a cruel death; and he loved us still: “Forgive them,” he said to you, “They do not know what they are doing.”
Words of Institution
One: And we remember that on the bleak night of betrayal, he gathered his friends. Even with his betrayer beside him, he was grateful to you for life and all the gifts of this earth. He blessed and broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, broken for you. Eat it and remember me.”
And when supper was over, he took a cup filled with wine, and blessed it. He gave it to them saying, “Take this and drink it, it is my life-blood poured out for you so that sins may be forgiven.”
And then he said, “When you do these things together, remember me.”
Blessing the Bread and the Cup
One: Come Holy Spirit, bless these gifts that earth has given and human hands have made.
All: By our eating and drinking, fill us with the joy of Christ and keep us persevering in his way, honoring our bodies, serving our neighbors, and praising your name.
Sharing the Bread and the Cup
All: With this one loaf, we who are many, become one. With this one cup, what was before has been renewed.
One: Come, for all things are ready.
The bread of life, given for you. AmenThe cup of blessing, given for you. Amen
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Our Creator, our Redeemer, our Sustainer – In this holy mystery, you have given yourself to us. We are eternally grateful. Empower us, that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves to each other in the name of Jesus Christ who gave his life for all. Amen
*Benediction
*Sung Blessing Go Now in Peace (sing twice) R. #347
Go now in peace, go now in peace, may the love of God surround you
everywhere, everywhere, you may go.
Postlude For All the Saints R. V. Williams/ Douglas Wagner
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, United Church of Christ will conduct its 2024 Annual Church Meeting on November 10th, 2024, immediately following the 10:00 AM Worship Service for the following purposes:
1. To Elect Church Officers, Board and Committee members;
2. To receive Board and Committee Reports;
3. To vote on the Proposed 2025 Church Budget
4. And to hear any other business to come before the congregation.
Jeanne Edwards, Clerk
October 27, 2024
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
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 – Mary Angela & Nick Davis and Robin Long
Liturgist – Sarina Brooks
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Student Ministry Intern – Sarina Brooks
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources
Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion - Call to Worship, Invocation, and
Prayers of Confession
Enfleshed: liturgy that matters / m. jade kaiser - Halloween Blessing and For All Saints Day
ucc.org - Offertory Prayers
The New Century Hymnal (B.) Hymns of Truth and Light (R.)
Copyright © 1995 The Pilgrim Press Copyright © 1998 First Congregational
Church of Huston, Texas
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved
I Sing a Song of the Saints of God - GRAND ISLE
Words - ©1929 Morehouse Publishing
Contributors: Lesbia Scott
Let Us Break Bread Together
Words and Music; Text: 10 10 with refrain; Spiritual. Music: LET US BREAK BREAD.
Contributors: LET US BREAK BREAD
Go Now In Peace
Words and Music - ©1976 Hinshaw Music, Inc.
Contributors: Natalie Sleeth
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