Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for March 19, 2023

Though I don’t understand,

I still will stand on this promise I’ve received.

And I don’t need to know how he made me whole

To know I was blind but now I see.

And I don’t need to know how he made me whole

To know I was blind but now I see.

Upcoming meetings, events, and opportunities

The Choir practices at 9:15 this Sunday morning. All are welcome.

Palm Sunday, April 2nd at 10:00 am with palms being distributed

Maundy Thursday service Thursday, April 6th at 12:00 noon

Easter Sunrise service at 6:00 am at Riverside Cemetery

Easter Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall following the Sunrise service

Easter Worship service at 10:00 in the Sanctuary and on Zoom

Join us in our Sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. or on our Sunday Worship Zoom link at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88327467219?pwd=Mis3ME4waGE1RmRBN zFXK3VUaDJXdz09

Meeting ID: 883 2746 7219 Passcode: 131738

(Posted later for viewing on Facebook and YouTube)

The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, United Church of Christ will conduct a

Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, March 19, 2023 immediately following the morning worship service for the following purposes:

1. To vote on a proposed Trustee expenditure

Pursuant to the Emergency Powers granted to Council in Article VI, Section 5, of the Church By-Laws, Council authorizes Ron McGlinchey, or his designee, on behalf of the church Trustees, to spend up to $8,000 in church funds for the purpose of repairing, improving, or replacing any or all plumbing systems or parts of such systems related to the septic disposal system serving the church parsonage residence.

2. And any other matters to come before the congregation

Jeanne Edwards, Clerk

March 5, 2023

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.

Lenten Study Group – Wed. evenings at 7:00.

Featuring selected scriptures and Wendell Berry’s Sabbath Poetry of Lent

Join us for a deepening of faith through introspection and discussion…

You need not come to all sessions. Join us whenever you can.

Council meets Friday, March 17th at 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall and on Zoom

For the month of March, we are collecting new books for children in Hancock County. We love board books- (cardboard,) fabric crinkly books and high-contrast books for babies, books that have different textures, books with nursery rhymes, lift-the-flap books, books that foster attachment, and books about transitions for kids under the age of three, ex: using a potty, going to bed; books about feelings, just to name some. Board books or indestructible books are preferred for this age group so they can enjoy them for years to come! If you need some ideas or prefer to order online, here is an Amazon wish list that will be delivered to the office: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3GU2KAV4MGGXR?ref_=wl_share

Most of these books are between $4-$9. If you prefer a cash donation, we can collect cash and purchase some of these books as well. Thank you so much for your support!

-The Board of Outreach

Meet our congregation:

Mike and Pat Summerer

Mike and Pat have been attending our church for over 10 years. They bought their place in Prospect Harbor in 2006 as a possible retirement home and have lived there full-time since 2013. They have 4 grown and married children, 2 grandsons (11 and 15), and 2 “fully sprouted” grandchildren via their daughter’s marriage.

Pat is a former music schoolteacher and has her degree in music education. She is the current Congregation President and is active on Council, Deacons, Choir, the Music Committee, and represents the church as an alternate to the Maine Conference of the UCC. She enjoys tennis, golf, board games, and jigsaw puzzles.

Mike is a retired cardiologist and hospital administrator. His college degree is in physics, and his interest in computers and electronics resulted in his current role as a “tech guy” for our church’s internet presence. Chairing our last Pastoral Search committee, he helped recruit our current Pastor TJ, and he continues to serve on the Pastoral Relations committee. He enjoys woodturning and woodworking, teaching those skills regularly in his home shop. He is the current President of the American Association of Woodturners, which occupies a lot of his time.

Mike and Pat are both happy to have made this their church home.

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week: the people of Syria and Turkey; the people of Ukraine and Russia; President Jimmy Carter and his family; Nick’s sister Susan; Kenny Stratton; Joy & David; Sally’s friend Joan; Denny Doucette; Vicky’s Aunt Eleanor; Debbie R.; Morgan Espling; Debbie E; Peter Deitze; Kenny Houghton; David Mack; Coulter Huyler; Sandy Phippen; Josh Friend; Mary Shannon; Renata’s sister-in-law Joanne; Linda K.; healing prayers for a family seeking solutions to significant mental health issues; Judith Crowley; Steve Crabtree; Debbie Maddocks and her Aunt Linda Reed; John Wood; Andrew and Tamara; Austin’s cousin Danny; Kathy’s sister Patti Wotton; Roberta Scott; Nancy; Cynthia; Betty Johnston; Betty’s step-daughter Mollie; Margaret B; Liz & Jim; Gary Edwards; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Renata and the women she cares for; Eleanor’s step-daughter Holly; Tom & Judy’s son Andrew and his family; all individuals and families experiencing addictions; all caregivers; all affected by memory loss; those living with depression and other mental health issues; for all victims and loved ones of violence, those impacted by laws limiting reproductive justice; those experiencing food and housing insecurity; all in your heart…

March Birthdays and Anniversaries:

20: *Vivian* Foss

21: *Eveline* Thorsen

21: *Savanna Hudson Havey

23: *Linc* Ehrlenbach

28: *Pam* Bowie

Contact Us at Union Congregational Church of Hancock:

TJ can be reached by cell phone at 207-323-6743 or by email at revtjmack@gmail.com

Vicky can be reached at 207-422-3100 or by email at hancockmaineucc@gmail.com

Jen can be reached by email at treasurer@hancockucc.com

Easter Plants

Daffodil, Hyacinth and Tulip plants wrapped in foil

will be available to order for the Easter Service.

The plants are available for $12.95.

Please order through Barbara Reeve by Sun, March 26th by completing the order form below, calling 460-0527,

or emailing barb.reeve@gmail.com.

Cash or checks made payable to Union Congregational Church of Hancock will be accepted. Please indicate if you would like to place a plant in church “in honor of” or

“in loving memory of” a particular individual(s).

Name:__________________________________ Phone:______________

Choice of flower(s): $12.95 each

Daffodils __________

Hyacinths __________

Tulips __________

How do you wish to have the bulletin read?

In honor of __________________________________________________

In loving memory of __________________________________________

News from the Maine Conference

Please spread the word: there are so many ways that Pilgrim Lodge makes camp affordable! The “Bring-A-Friend Discount” provides a reduced rate to you and a friend that you bring to Pilgrim Lodge for the first time. Children are eligible for a “Multi-Session Discount” if they register for more than one camp program. Scholarship funds are available! Children and adults are eligible to apply. Don’t let financial barriers stand in the way of an amazing camp experience.

What does it mean to be a “Resurrection People?”

by Maine Conference UCC | Mar 16, 2023

(The following message is similar to the one I sent to the Pastors of our churches.) Beloved of our Maine Conference, In this Lenten time as we anticipate the stark messages of Jesus’ footsteps to arrest, an unjust trial and conviction; grieving, pain, torture, and the cross; it is so very important that we hold before us that injustice, grieving, and pain for any of us does not mean that all hope is lost. God has the final answer! Resurrection and new life are the final answer. And we are a “Resurrection People!!” We remind ourselves and others when hope seems lost; when grief grips us and won’t let go; when we experience discord in our leadership and discontent in our membership; when we wonder about the future of our churches and yearn for the way things once were; when we wonder if our ministries really matter, if we are relevant in the world. “Just as Jesus arose from passion, torture, and death, we will rise!” Not only that, “we are arisen with the living Christ and because of the living Christ—right here and right now.” Beloved, we cannot be reminded too many times, can we? We need to say and hear those blessed words over and over and over…. And yet in our beloved Conference, we are in the grip of wondering about the future of God’s church. Will congregations continue to shrink in size? Will we generate enough income to keep our buildings going? To pay our Pastor? To continue our music program? Our Sunday School? To give to OCWM so we have access to resources and wisdom from our Conference Ministers for church vitality and growth, search and call, and authorization of pastors? Will we rise? Are we risen? When I contemplate these questions, I think about how Jesus must have felt during that last meal with his disciples as he anticipated his death and hoped beyond hope that the disciples could indeed “be one as he and God are one” in order to carry on his ministry and found the church of Jesus Christ. I would imagine he had some doubts—why else would he have prayed so fervently? After all, the disciples really didn’t get it for most of Jesus’ 3-year ministry. And then resurrection hope poured out! And Pentecost fire and spirit descended and overwhelmed! And their mission was vibrant and crystal clear! Perhaps being a resurrection people today is to pray as fervently as Jesus prayed for his disciples—pray “to be one as Jesus and God are one”—pray that we follow God’s lead to continue the church of Jesus Christ; pray to open our ears to hear the guidance of God as to what the future of the church means in the 21st century; pray to open our hearts to new life being poured out, to new fire and Spirit that ignites us. In the next few months I will be meeting with over 100 pastors and laity in four workshops focused on God’s vision for a new church: “Alive and Thrive, Any Size!” I pray that we will gain hope, a revitalized spirit and Spirit, and learn to implement new ministries and new ways of welcoming people into the church. There is still room at the Winthrop, Bethel, and Bangor sites. Bangor is entirely in person. Winthrop and Bethel are hybrid. Sign up today!! I remain your partner and servant,

Marisa