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
December 31, 2023 – First Sunday after Christmas
This service will be in-person and on Zoom (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 find something that suits you, take it to your pew, and return it after the service.
Silent Prayer
Because you came to us in a baby, a sign we can understand, O God, we glorify you. For your great love by which you call us children, we praise you. With people of every time who have testified to your love, we sing. Amen.
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude March of the Three Kings Provençal carol/ G Martin
Welcome
*Introit What Child Is This, Who, Laid to Rest R. #153
What child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Who angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him praise, the babe, the Son of Mary.
*Call to Worship
Leader: Such a large star for such a tiny babe;
People: Such a fuss over a poor child in a manger;
Leader: Such a loud song for such a quiet gift;
People: Such a celebration for a little stranger;
Leader: Such a Love to enter our lives so softly;
All: Such a Life to fill our hearts with Love!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) – A Christmas Litany(in the words of Charles Dickens)
A CHRISTMAS LITANY
(Words of Charles Dickens, adapted)
We celebrate Christmas once again. God bless it! Let us by one consent open our shut-up
hearts and think of people as if they were fellow-passengers to the grave.
Let Christmas be once more a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time.
May we keep our Christmas humor to the last.
It is required of everyone that the spirit within us should walk abroad among our human
neighbors and travel far and wide.
This is required of our joyful allegiance to the Spirit of Jesus, a Spirit
sustained by the best in humanity ever since his day.
The common welfare is our business; charity, mercy, forbearance are all our business.
Let us go forth while it is day, and turn human misery into joy.
Let us not be haunted at this season by the shadows of things that might have been.
If our past is darkened by ill-will, let not the mirrors of our own yesterdays show us
what we shall be in years to come.
Human courses foreshadow certain ends to which, if persevered in, they must lead. But if the courses be departed from, the ends must change.
The year is waning fast, and it is precious time to us. We have the power to render
others happy or unhappy.
We have the power to make their days light or burdensome, and their work a pleasure or a
toll.
Our power lies in words or looks, in things so small that it is impossible to add and
count them up.
The happiness we give is not a small matter. A good word is worth a fortune. Let no idol
displace Love, even a golden one.
Let us carry the torch of good will, that the light may banish hate.
Let us honor Christmas in our hearts and keep it all year.
A happy New Year to all the world! God bless us, every one!
*Hymn Angels We Have Heard on High R. #135
Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o'er the plains, and the mountains in reply echo back their joyous strains:
Refrain: Glo- - - - - - ria in excelsis Deo! Glo- - - - - - - ria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be, which inspire your heavenly song?
Refrain:
Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing; come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the new-born King.
Refrain:
*Invocation: (in unison)
Amazing God, you have confounded the wisdom of this world by coming to us in the form of a human baby, frail and vulnerable. Help us to comprehend the great Love with which you open yourself to the world, that we in turn may risk to open ourselves in love toward all your children, and that we may find the source of our lives in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Children’s Message “The Tale of the Three Trees” by Angela Elwell Hunt
Hebrew Scripture Ruth 4:13-17
Christian Scripture Luke 2:22-40
Special Music Prelude on “Es ist ein Ros” arr. Craig Penfield
Message “Christmas Is Not Just For Children”/ “Anna and Simeon”- Iona Community
Worship Group
*Hymn Who Would Think That What Was Needed R. #157
Who would think that what was needed to transform and save the earth
might not be a plan or army proud in purpose, proved in worth?
Who would think, despite derision, that a child should lead the way?
God surprises earth with heaven, coming here on Christmas Day.
Shepherds watch and sages wonder, monarchs scorn and angels sing;
such a place as none would reckon hosts a holy, helpless thing;
stable beasts and passing strangers watch a baby laid in hay:
God surprises earth with heaven, coming here on Christmas Day.
Centuries of skill and science span the past from which we move,
yet experience questions whether with such progress we improve.
In our search for sense and meaning, lest our hopes and humor fray,
God surprises earth with heaven, coming here on Christmas Day.
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 –
Offertory Today in Bethlehem Polish carol/ Rick Parks
*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)
Loving God, we give you thanks that Jesus was born, the Word made flesh. Receive the gifts we offer in union with Christ’s gift for us. Clothe us with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, that we may be love incarnate for others. In his name we pray. Amen.
*Hymn Go Tell It On the Mountain R. # 160
Refrain:
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.
Refrain:
The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earthrang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.
Refrain:
Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
Refrain:
*Benediction
*Sung Christmas Blessing (sung to Eventide)
Go with us, Lord, throughout this Christmas tide: be our protector, brother, friend, and guide.
Give us your peace and keep us in your care: help us your love and grace with all to share.
Postlude Raise Now Your Song on High Saent-Saens/ arr. Lani Smith
(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 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 – Pat Summerer and Vicky Espling
Liturgist –
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved.
What Child Is This
Music - ©1993 Pilgrim Press, The
Contributors: William C Dix
Angels We Have Heard On High
Words and Music - ©1997 Hal Leonard Corporation (select catalogs)
Contributors: Traditional French carol, James Chadwick, Traditional French carol
Who Would Think that What Was Needed
Words - ©1987 Iona Community / WGRG (North America)
Contributors: John Bell
Go, Tell It On The Mountain
Words and Music - ©2005 Shawnee Press
Contributors: African-American spiritual, John W Work, Jr, African-American spiritual
Sung Christmas Blessing by Jan Chamberlain in Gifts in Open Hands – Tirabassi & Eddy
Comments