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
February 11, 2024 - Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10:00 (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
Holy One, when the world is full of so much uncertainty, we cling tightly to what we know.
We acknowledge that our need to feel secure can become a barrier to transformation.
May your Spirit guide and support us as we seek to be made new each day. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Pastorale on “Rockingham” Norman Gilbert
Welcome
*Introit For the Beauty of the Earth (v. 1) R. #54
For the beauty of the earth, for the splendor of the skies,
For the love which from our birth over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
*Call to Worship
One: People of God, Divine Mystery comes to dwell among us.
All: With hospitality, let us turn our attention to the Spirit. We welcome unfamiliar ideas. We are open to surprising revelations. We celebrate a multiplicity of truths.
One: People of God, there is freedom in letting go of the need to be certain.
All: Let us trade individual arrogance for collective humility: That fresh wisdom may emerge, Love may deepen, and paths of collective liberation may manifest.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn 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.
*Invocation (in unison)
O God, who gives us strength when we feel weak, we gather to hear your Word, sing your songs, and give you praise. We know that you are always with us, and we are grateful.
Help us to live our lives in ways that show you are near. Thank you for your presence and constant care for us —in worship, and in each day of our lives. Come, Spirit, come. Amen
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture 1 Kings 17:8-16 Christian Scripture Luke 4:16-27
Poem “Tell It Slant” Emily Dickinson
Special Music Humbly I Adore Thee Tune: Adore Te Devote Arr./ Robert Lau
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Take My Life, God Let It Be B. #448
Take my life, God, let it be consecrated faithfully.
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my spirit, let it move at the impulse of your love.
Take my intellect and use all its powers as you choose.
Take my will; your will be done! Make your will and mine be one.
Take my heart, and by your grace make of it your dwelling place.
Take my love and help it grow; let my loving overflow. .Take me now, and help me be part of Christ’s community.
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 – God invites us to give in gratitude and joy so that we can bless others
as we have been blessed.
Offertory Morning Prayer Mark Roberts
*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)
O God, you call us to be a blessing for all people on this earth. Give us the wisdom and the courage to be a blessing to this community and to this world. Through these offerings may we be channels of your compassion and healing . Amen
*Hymn Now Thank We All Our God R. #27
Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices;
who, from our mothers' arms, hath blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us,
and keep us in all grace, and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills in this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God almighty now be given,
to God, the three in one, who reigns in highest heaven,
the one eternal God, whom heaven and earth adore,
for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
*Benediction
*Sung Blessing Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing (vs. 1) R. #333
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace:
oh, refresh us, oh, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Postlude Make the Sounds of Praise Robert J. Hughes
(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 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 – Doug Kimmel & Pat Summerer
Liturgist – Monica Quill
Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources, adapted
enfleshed: liturgy that matters - Opening Prayer, Call to Worship
UCC Worship Ways - Invocation
Feasting on the Word, Worship Companion - Prayers of the People
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved.
For the Beauty of the Earth
Words and Music - ©1917 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd
Contributors: Folliot Pierpont, Conrad Kocher
Come, God, Creator, Be Our Shield
Music - ©1994 Pilgrim Press, The
Take My Life and Let It Be
Words and Music - ©2000 Alfred Sacred
Contributors: Frances havergal, Mark Hayes
Now thank We All Our God
Words and Music - ©1586 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd
Contributors: Martin Rinkart, Johann Cruger
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - © Public Domain
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