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 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ₋₋ Second Sunday in Lent
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
God hugs you; You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God.
Hildegard of Bingen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Art Thou Weary Tune: Stephanos/ Emma Lou Diemer
Welcome
*Introit “Gathered here” B. #742
Gathered here in the mystery of this hour,
Gathered here in one strong body,
Gathered here in the struggle and the power,
Spirit draw near.
*Call to Worship
One: Come away from the gods of your own creation to worship the living God.
All: We leave our anxious toil and worries to find rest in our creator’s presence.
One: Turn from preoccupation with earthly things to ponder truths that are eternal.
All: Before all the wonders of creation that we can see, we come to ponder realities that are unseen.
One: Fear not, for God is your shield; your reward shall be very great.
All: God gathers us together in covenant, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
Grant us peace, your precious gift, O Eternal Source of peace, and give us the will to proclaim its message to all the peoples of the earth. Bless our country, that it may always be a stronghold of peace, and its advocate among the nations. May contentment reign within its borders and health and happiness within its homes. Strengthen the bonds of friendship among the inhabitants of all lands, and may the love of your name hallow every home and every heart. Blessed are you Eternal God, the Source of Peace. Amen
*Hymn If You But Trust in God to Guide You B. #410 If you but trust in God to guide you, with hopeful heart through all your ways,you will find strength, with God beside you, to bear the worst of evil days;
For those who trust God’s changeless love build on the rock that will not move.
Only be still, and wait God’s pleasure in cheerful hope, with heart content,trusting that grace that knows no measure will by unbounded Love be sent;Nor doubt our inmost wants are clear to One who holds us always near.
Sing, pray, and keep God’s ways unswerving; offer your service faithfully,and trust God’s word, though undeserving, there find the truth to set you free;God will not fail to guide and bless those who embrace God’s faithfulness.
*Invocation (in unison)
Eternal One, who grants us rest and raises us to a new day, we give thanks for your watchful care. As you gather us here, we open ourselves to the vision you would set before us. As your covenant people, we listen, eager to know what you would have us do. Change us to be like Christ and set our minds on things that are above. Amen.
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18
Gospel Reading Luke 13: 31-35
Special Music Do Not Fear, For You Are Mine David Lantz III
Message Rev. Nancy A. Johnston
*Hymn To Abraham and Sarah R. #484
To Abraham and Sarah the call of God was clear:
“Go forth and I will show you a country rich and fair.You need not fear the journey, for I have pledged my wordthat you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”
From Abraham and Sarah arose a pilgrim race,dependent for their journey on God’s abundant grace;and in their heart was written by God this saving word:that “You shall be my people and I will be your God.”
We of this generation on whom God’s hand is laid,can journey to the future secure and unafraid,rejoicing in God’s goodness and trusting in this word:that “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.”
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
Christ has given his life for us. Let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God.
Offertory My Jesus, I Love Thee Tune: Gordon/ Stephen L. Aber
*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, we have beheld your goodness to us. Accept the offering of the work of our hands, and use us for the sake of Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
*Hymn Bless Now, O God, the Journey R. #485
Bless now, O God, the journey that all your people make,
the path through noise and silence, the way of give and take.
The trail is found in desert, and winds the mountain round,
then leads beside still waters, the road where faith is found.
Bless all of us, your pilgrims, who share this winding way,
whose hope burns through the terrors, whose love sustains the day.
We yearn for holy freedom while often we are bound.
Together we are seeking the road where faith is found.
Divine Eternal Lover, you meet us on the road.
We wait for lands of promise where milk and honey flow.
But waiting not for places, you meet us all around.
Our covenant is written on roads, as faith is found.
*Benediction
*Sung Benediction Go In Peace R. #349
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you this day.Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.Celebrate and share the joy! Celebrate new life!Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.
Postlude Postlude on “Hashivenu Arr. Christina Harmon
Turn Us Back to You, O Lord
(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 Minister – Rev. Nancy A. Johnston
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Mary Angela Davis and Nick Davis
Liturgist – David Wildes
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
The church’s Hook & Hastings Pipe Organ was built in 1929 (OP 2577) for the Northern Conservatory of Music in Bangor. It was moved to Bar Harbor and to Hancock Point and was given to the Church by Edward Steinbach (1887–1984). It was installed by Stoddard Smith (of Northeast Harbor) in 1988 and was restored in 2020 by Messrs. Czelusniak et Dugal, Inc., Northampton, MA.
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.
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