Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for March 16, 2025

Holy God of ancient glory,

choosing man and woman, too;

Abram’s faith and Sarah’s story

formed a people bound to you.

Pastor TJ is on family leave in Wisconsin. Even though we miss her, we are very grateful for those who have stepped up to cover for her while she is away.

This week, we welcome to our pulpit Rev. Nancy Johnston. Nancy grew up in the Rouge Valley of southern Oregon where she enjoyed camping, as a Camp Fire Girl. After graduating from Linfield College she drove across the continent to Pennsylvania working at Camp Adahi before beginning Penn State’s graduate studies in recreation. Nancy was able to combine her interests in outdoor education, psychology and the church in an inner city ministry in Reading, PA. From there God led her, as adjunct staff for PSE Conference, to begin a retreat ministry. In 1988 Cynthia Priem and Nancy developed a religious community for the UCC (the Order of Emmaus Pilgrims) with the ministry of leading retreats and prayer experiences. Three years later she was ordained, in St. Louis, MO, serving churches in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky before being called to be chaplain of Riverview Community. Riverview was a UCC 151 bed nursing home in Cincinnati from which she retired in 2009 after 12.5 years. Her first exposure to Maine was in 1980 and in 2015 they moved to Maine. While in retirement she enjoys reading, needlework, genealogy and hiking (in good weather).

The choir rehearses Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. All are welcome.

Next Sunday, March 23, Rev. Joel Krueger & Rev. Dr. Kate Winters will be our Guest Ministers.

Join us for lightly guided meditation at 9:00 a.m. on Fridays in our Sanctuary.

All are welcome!

Our meetings are open to all. If you would like to attend a meeting, please let Vicky know and she will provide the Zoom link, or you are welcome to attend in person.

Trustees will meet Wednesday, March 19 at 12:00 noon.

Outreach meets Thursday, March 20 at 4:15 p.m.

Council meets Friday, March 21 at 11:30 a.m.

Christian Ed will meet Wednesday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m.

 If you would like to provide refreshments for coffee time after worship, there is a new sign-up sheet posted by the coffee pot.

March Birthdays and Anniversaries

20: Vivian Foss           21: Eveline Thorsen              21: *Savanna Hudson Havey   

23: Linc Ehrlenbach              28: Pam Bowie            29: Debbie Maddocks

The Hancock Community Garden is looking for gardeners! They currently have three raised bed gardens and one handicap-accessible raised bed garden available for the 2025 growing season, Raised beds are three feet high and approximately 3’X8’ and the accessible bed is a wheel-in, multi-level bed (fenced in). Beds are available for residents of Hancock and Sullivan. E-mail garden@crabtreenecklandtrust.org for more information.

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Prayers for Antonio Blasi and Renata Moise on the recent death of his mother, Yoli, and prayers for Vicky’s family as they mourn the loss of her aunt, Eleanor Wentworth.

Prayers for Pastor TJ, her Mom, Carol, and her siblings; and prayers for Pat’s daughter, Mary Shannon-Riley. Prayers for Alex, Andrew and Tamara; prayers also for Tyler Crabtree, recently diagnosed with cancer.  Prayers for Donald B.;  Kenny V.; Orrick; Brian; and Jane of Golden Acres. Prayers for Judith C.; Eleanor A.; Ira and Ginny; Don and Heather; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Sally’s friend, Sue Barger; Herbie Lounder; Ruth; Marie; Jim Snyder; Jonathan Holmes; John Wood; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport; Liz & Jim; Kenny Stratton & Joy & David & Lori & Melissa; Debbie & Lincoln & son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle; Sandy Phippen; Amy Nickerson; Kevin and Vanessa & family. Prayers of strength and healing for all awaiting diagnoses and for all recovering from surgeries & procedures. Prayers for all that are unsafe, unhoused, hungry & in need of care & compassion. Prayers for all caregivers; those who are grieving; and prayers for all that is in your heart…

2025 Public Suppers

First Congregational Church, UCC

Church Street, Ellsworth

Date: 4th Saturday - March through October

Time: 5-6:30 pm in Dining Room

Cost: $12 per person OR $25 per family (2 adults, 2 children)

Meals include: Meat (or Fish in July), 2 veggies, salad, rolls, beverage,

AND homemade pies.

The Church has handicapped accommodations.

            March 22 – Roast pork           

April 26 – Ham

May 24 – Roast Turkey

June 28 – Roast Pork

July 26 – Baked Haddock

August 23 – Pot Roast

September 27 – Roast Pork

October 25 – Roast Turkey

Save the Date – Sunrise Association Spring Meeting!

Our Spring Sunrise Association Gathering will be hosted by Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine on May 17th. 

There will be a continental breakfast at 8:30 with our meeting from 9-noon followed by lunch.

A more complete schedule and committee reports will be sent once we are closer to the date.

From the Maine Conference, United Church of Christ

    A Letter from our Associate Conference Minister

                                 Rev. John Fiscus

Lenten Greetings,

We are already one week into out yearly observance of Lent. I enjoy the ancient rituals of time keeping that offer us holy seasons to ponder and observe. Lent is both the hardest and the most rewarding for me. Unlike the journey of Advent that leads us toward the light of Christmas, Lent asks us to journey from the mountaintop of Transfiguration to the crucifixion and tomb. We of course will emerge in the promised resurrection but we are invited into the journey that includes betrayal, denial, humiliation, and death. We remember these moments to remind us that through Jesus, God too knows the human condition and painful path.

I have a favorite hymn of Lent as well, Again We Keep This Solemn Fast. I have sung it so often I have lost count as to the times. But as I was preparing for my own Lenten observation, I found myself drawn to one verse in particular.

Let us avoid each harmful way that lures the careless mind astray;

By watchful prayer our spirits free from scheming of the Enemy.

What I hope we all hear and take away in that verse is not scheming of the enemy but rather our call to watchful prayer.

 I had the pleasure of being around a table of church folk this last Wednesday for a time of conversation, sharing, prayer and ashes. One lovely sibling in Christ talked about giving up Facebook for Lent. She seemed so happy to be leaving all the drama and divisiveness behind she might never go back. She embodied avoiding the harmful way that lures the careless mind away. Others at the table shared similar tales of avoiding the harmful ways. Then there was offered what e might replace the noise within time like this. Shared were names of devotional books, gathering times, and hopes for prayer.

I hope that each find great ways to be in watchful prayer during lent. I know it can be hard to pray on given days. In my closing here, I will offer a short poem by Mary Oliver. Her thoughts on prayer can open us all to possibility.

“Praying” by Mary Oliver

It doesn't have to be the blue iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try to make them elaborate, this isn't a contest but the doorway into thanks, and a silence in which another voice may speak.

Lenten Blessings,

Rev. John Fiscus

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 April 13th. (Easter is April 20th.)

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:____________________

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