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
March 10, 2024 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
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
Teach us, Holy One, of your grace. Grace that is honest. Grace that is steady. Grace that delivers from evil and accompanies healing. May we be rooted in a love that neither boasts nor self-loathes, but declares all life sacred. May it be so. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude There Is a Green Hill Far Away C. Gounod/ Lani Smith
Welcome
*Introit Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (vs. 1) R. #26
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the God of creation!
Sing, my soul, praising the source of thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear; now to God’s temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration!
*Call to Worship
One: Coursing through all the complexities of life, the grace of God is a constant companion.
All: A blessing that is bestowed, not earned.
One: A declaration of inherent worth.
All: A divine confidence in human potential.
One: Let all the earth breathe a sigh of relief.
All: All striving can cease.
One: God’s grace is steadfast and forever.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn God of Grace and God of Glory R. #477 God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power;now fulfill your Church’s story; bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.
Lo! the hosts of evil round us scorn your Christ, assail his ways!From the fears that long have bound us free our hearts to faith and praise.Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, for the living of these days.
Cure your children’s warring madness; bend our pride to your control;shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.Grant us wisdom, grant us courage lest we miss your heav’nly goal, lest we miss your heav’nly goal.
Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore;let the search for your salvation be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving you whom we adore, serving you whom we adore.
*Invocation (in unison)
Your Word, O God, has power to change our lives and to create a whole new world.
As we meditate on your word this day, fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we may treasure your word with our whole hearts and fix our eyes on you. Amen
Children’s Message Godly Play - Faces of Easter
Hebrew Scripture Psalm 136 - Nan C. Merrill Christian Scripture John 3:11-17 - Wilda C. Gafney
Special Music Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross Robert Hebble
Message
*Hymn As Moses Raised the Serpent Up B. #605
As Moses raised the serpent up, God's child is lifted high;And all that in that Child believe shall never, never die.
For God so loved the world that God, all human life to free,Gave to the world God’s Child that all might live eternally.
That Child was sent into the world not to condemn but save;
Now through God’s name all are redeemed– what wondrous love God gave.
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 – In the abundance of God’s love for life, for creation, for creatures and humans alike, God came to dwell among us. To show us the way of life. To make known the power we have. To usher in a new world, where justice and freedom thrive. In service to this collective good, may we share what we have with God and one another.
Offertory Aria “O Lord, whose mercies” G. F. Handel
*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)
Faithful One, your grace is a wonder. Though time and time again, we choose forces that deaden or destroy, you keep insisting transformation is possible. Rather than alienate us, you continue to take on flesh, revealing Christ in our neighbors and making known the ways of salvation. With awe and gratitude, receive our gifts. Amen
*Hymn My Life Flows On in Endless Song B. #476
My life flows on in endless song; above earth's lamentation,
I hear the sweet, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior’s living.
What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he’s giving.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
*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 Spanish Chant arr. Robert Lau
(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 – Robin Long & Pat Summerer
Liturgist – Vicky Espling
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 - Silent Prayer, Call to Worship, Offering Prayers
and Feasting on the Word, Worship Companion - Invocation and Prayers of the People
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved.
Praise To the Lord
Words and Music - ©1863 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd
Contributors: Joachim Neander, Catherine Winkworth
God of Grace and God of Glory
Words and Music - Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
As Moses Raised the Serpent Up
Words - ©1993 Pilgrim Press, The
Contributors: The New Century Hymnal
My Life Flows On in Endless Song
Robert Lowry, Jean Anne Shafferman
Words and Music - ©2019 Jubilate Music
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - Public Domain
Easter Flowers
If you would like to help beautify the church with Easter flowers please fill out the form below and return it to the office by March 24th. (Easter is March 31st.)
A donation of $15.00 is suggested.
Cash or checks, please. Checks payable to Union Congregational Church of Hancock.
Please indicate whether your donation is in honor of or in loving memory of…
Your Name:__________________________________ Phone:____________________
How do you wish to have the bulletin read?
In honor of __________________________________________________________________
In loving memory of _________________________________________________________
Amount paid ___________
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