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
Drawing © Caleb Edwards
Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without
the words and never stops at all. ~ Emily Dickinson
First Sunday of Advent - Hope - December 1, 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.
Silent Prayer
God of light and freedom, show us the way. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, lift our eyes to the heavens, and help us to see signs of your creative care, glimmers that can lead us from bondage to liberty, from despair to courage, from hopelessness to hope.
Come, Jesus, come! Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude I Wonder as I Wander John Jacob Niles
Appalachian Carol
Welcome
*Advent Candle Lighting
Reader One: Beloved, the days are surely coming when the yearning of the land; the longing of the sun, moon, and stars; the desperate need of the people of earth for flourishing and peace will receive their fulfillment.
Congregation: While fear, anxiety, misinformation, and suspicion surround us on every side, we choose to watch and wait in hope, preparing our hearts to notice and cooperate with God’s grace already at work in our midst.
Reader Two: We light this candle of hope as a sign of our commitment to pay attention and prepare for the days that are surely coming and are already here—the days when God’s kin-dom of love, justice, and mercy will reign.
*Introit One Candle is Lit (vs. 1) Music and lyrics on last page of bulletin
*Call to Worship (based on Psalm 46)
One: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
All: Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
One: God is in our midst; we shall not be moved from that ever present love.All: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of our ancestors is our refuge and our hope.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn Come, O Long-Expected Jesus B. #122
Come, O long expected Jesus, born to set all people free; From our fears and sins release us; grant us your true liberty.
Israel's strength and consolation, hope to all the earth impart;
Dear desire of every nation, enter every longing heart.
Born all people to deliver, born a child you came to reign!Born to rule on earth forever, come, be known to us again.
By your own eternal spirit, come to claim us as your own;By your all sufficient merit, let us share your cross and crown.
*Invocation (in unison)
In you, Steadfast God, we put our trust. Teach us your ancient path of love and show us your compassionate and courageous ways. Reinvigorate within us the rebellious ways of our youth—that we may break out of ruts of dusty thinking; that we may seek justice anew; that we may imagine more expansive futures. Ever-present God of Love—when the way is obscured, sing to us songs of hope. Amen
Children’s Message Painted Turtle
from “All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings”
Written by Gayle Boss. Illustrated by David G. Klein
Greek Scriptures Luke 1:5-19
Contemporary Reading “Blessing of Hope” Jan Richardson
Special Music Rejoice, Rejoice Latin 13th century/ Thomas Mack
Message
*Hymn Now Bless the God of Israel R. # 122
Now bless the God of Israel, who comes in love and power,
who raises from the royal house deliverance in this hour.
Through holy prophets God has sworn to free us from alarm,
to save us from the heavy hand of all who wish us harm.
Remembering the covenant, God rescues us from fear,
that we might serve in holiness and peace from year to year;
and you, my child, shall go before to preach, to prophesy,
that all may know the tender love, the grace of God most high.
In tender mercy, God will send the day-spring from on high,
our rising sun, the light of life for those who sit and sigh.
God comes to guide our way to peace, that death shall reign no more.
Sing praises to the Holy One! O worship and adore!
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 – With these offerings we will rejoice in the hope we co-create! Come, let us meet each other's needs with joy!
Offertory Reflection on “Veni Emmanuel” T. Helmore/ David Lasky
*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)
Wisdom Spirit, we dedicate our offerings to our collective children, to our more-than-human kin, and to our elders. May these souls guide us and teach us practices of hope. Amen
*Communion Hymn I Come with Joy R. #313
I come with joy, a child of God, forgiven, loved and free,
the life of Jesus to recall, in love laid down for me,
in love laid down for me.
I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love in Christ's communion bread,
in Christ's communion bread
As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share, each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one, and strangers now are friends,
and strangers now are friends.
The Spirit of the risen Christ, unseen, but ever near,
is in such friendship better known, alive among us here,
alive among us here.
Together met, together bound by all that God has done,
we'll go with joy, to give the world the love that makes us one,
the love that makes us one.
Communion Liturgy
(We serve gluten and gluten-free bread. The fruit of the vine in our cup is grape juice.)
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.
Words of Remembering
All: On the night when Jesus was betrayed, he gathered with his disciples in the upper room, where an ordinary meal became an instrument of God. At this table, Jesus broke bread with those who would betray him. At this table, Jesus drank wine with the one who denied him. At this table, Jesus communed with those who would abandon him. At this table, Jesus gave a new commandment.
At this table, we learn to love one another as God loves us.
One: Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” When the supper was over, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks to God, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is the cup of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of our failings, and in hope for the new life to come. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Blessing the Bread and the Cup
One: Gracious God, pour out your Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine, that they might be for us the presence of the living Christ. Pour your Spirit upon us also, that we may be one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until we arrive at the heavenly banquet of God.
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.
Sharing the Bread and the Cup
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 All Good Gifts the tune is the refrain from R. #528
All good gifts around us come forth from God’s own love,
So, thank you, God, we thank you, God, for all your love.
Postlude People, Look East Tune: Besancon/ Robert Lau
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
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 – Sarina Brooks & Mary Angela Davis & Robin Long
Liturgist – Peggy Karns
Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Student Ministry Intern – Sarina Brooks
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources
Starry Nights: An Advent Devotional Full of Light and Wonder – Silent Prayer
enfleshed: liturgy that matters, adapted – Invocation, Offering Prayers
UMC-discipleship-org, adapted – Advent Wreath Lighting liturgy
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.
Come, O Long-Expected Jesus
Word adaptations Copyright © 1981 Ruth C. Duck
Now Bless the God of Israel
Words and Music - ©1992, 2010 GIA Publications, Inc. Contributors: Ruth Duck, Norah Duncan
I Come with Joy
Words - ©1995 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Brian Wren
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