2/16/25 Bulletin
- treasurer593
- Mar 14
- 6 min read
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 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ₋₋ Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
Join us on Zoom
Meeting ID: 839 3635 9115
Passcode: 776780
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 Meditation
Integrity for me means my outward actions line up
like a plumb line to God who is present
in my deepest center.
Janet Hoffman
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude O My Soul Rejoice with Gladness S. Karg-Elert
Welcome
*Introit B. #742
Gathered here in the mystery of this house,
gathered here in one strong body,
gathered here in the struggle and the power,
Spirit, draw near.
*Call to Worship
One: Happy are those whose hope is rooted in God.
ALL: They are like trees planted by streams of water.
One: Happy are those whose longings are for God.
ALL: They flower and yield abundant fruit in due season.
One: Happy are those whose trust is placed in God.
ALL: Their leaves do not wither, their roots grow deep.
One: Happy are those who worship the living God.
ALL: They prosper in spirit, they branch out in service, they grow in love.
One: Come! Let us drink from the pure waters of Spirit!
ALL: We shall be refreshed and energized in grace!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
(in unison)
O God, you are the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love,
and the fountain of blessings. Water us with plentiful streams from the riches
of your grace and from the most sweet springs of your kindness. Make us
children of quietness and heirs of peace. Amen.
Prayer of St. Clement of Alexandria, 2nd Century Egypt
-silence-
*Hymn Like a Tree Beside the Waters B. #313 Like a tree beside the waters, nurtured by your loving care,
We, O God, your sons and daughters, your enduring witness bear.
In each passing generation may your voice of love be heard.
Bless, we pray, this congregation with your holy, living Word.
Like a tree beside the river, drawing life from holy streams,
Fill us with your love forever; recreate our hopes and dreams.
Through the storms of life sustain us by the wisdom of your grace.
May the changing of the seasons find us in your warm embrace.
We, beside the living waters, drink from your eternal life.
Give to all, your sons and daughters, faith that rises over strife.
O Living God, most glorious, strengthen us for life today.
By the hope of timeless promise guide your church upon the Way.
*Invocation (in unison)
Living Waters of grace and promise, spill over our gathering today. Touch every soul thirsting for your presence. Drench every local community longing for holy justice. Fill our empty wells with hope until we overflow with the joy of the gospel! Living Waters, become a flood of spirit among us that together in Christ we can refresh the entire earth! Amen.
Children’s Message Rev. Dr. Kate Winters
Hebrew Scripture Jeremiah 17:5-10
Gospel Reading Luke 6:17-26
Special Music Meditation Mendelssohn
Message “Leveling with the People” Rev. Joel Krueger
*Hymn Lead Us from Death to Life B. #581
Refrain:
Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,
from despair to hope, from fear to trust,
lead us from hate to love, from war to peace;
let peace fill our hearts,
let peace fill our world,
let peace fill our universe.
Still all the angry cries, still all the angry guns,
still now your people die, earth's sons and daughters.
Let justice roll, let mercy pour down,
come and teach us your way of compassion.
Refrain:
So many lonely hearts, so many broken lives,
longing for love to break into their anguish.
Come, teach us love, come, teach us peace,
come and teach us your way of compassion.
Refrain:
Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,
from despair to hope, from fear to trust,
lead us from hate to love, from war to peace;
let peace fill our hearts,
let peace fill our world,
let peace fill our universe.
Let justice ever roll, let mercy fill the earth,
let us begin to grow into your people.
We can be love, we can bring peace,
we can still be your way of compassion.
Refrain:
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 The Peace of God Robert Lau
*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)
God of abundance, we present these gifts to you with joy! Enable us to use them to build a ministry in our midst that welcomes the poor, comforts the mourning, and restores hope where there is none. Make of us a communityin which all can know and receive love, in Jesus name. Amen
*Hymn You Are Salt for the Earth, O People B. #181
You are salt for the Earth, O people: salt for the reign of God!
Share the flavor of life, O people: life in the City of God!
Refrain:
Bring forth the kingdom of mercy,bring forth the kingdom of peace.Bring forth the kingdom of justice,bring forth the kingdom of God!
You are a light on the hill, O people: light for the City of God!
Shine so holy and bright, O People: Shine for the City of God!
Refrain:
You are a seed of the Word, O people: bring forth the reign of God!
Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice, grow in the City of God!
Refrain:
We are a blessed and a pilgrim people: bound for the reign of God!
Love our journey and love our homeland: love I the City of God!
Refrain:
*Benediction
*Sung Benediction Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing (v. 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 Pastorale Zipoli
(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.
Guest Ministers – Rev. Joel Krueger and Rev. Dr. Kate Winters
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Alison Boden and Nick Davis
Liturgist – Gerry Mehl
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
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.
Introit
Copyright ©1990 Elaine Kirkland and Phil Porter
Like a Tree beside the Waters
Words and Music - ©1994 Selah Publishing Co., Inc.
Contributors: Roy Hopp
World Peace Prayer
Words and Music - ©1985 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Marty Haugen
You Are Salt for the Earth, O People
Words and Music - ©1986 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Marty Haugen
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - © Public Domain
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