Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for March 24, 2024
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry;
O Saviour meek, pursue your road
with palms and scattered garments strowed.
Upcoming services, meetings, events, and opportunities
Join us for Worship in our Sanctuary or on Zoom at 10:00 a.m.,
or watch the recording later on Facebook or YouTube
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 822 2425 2518
Passcode: 755650
Find us at Hancock UCC | Hancock ME | Facebook or
on YouTube at Hancock UCC - YouTube
Choir rehearsals are Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. All are welcome. Please, join us!
Our meetings are open to all. If you would like to attend a meeting, please let TJ or Vicky know and they will provide the Zoom link, or you are welcome to attend in person.
Outreach will meet Thursday, April 21st at 4:15 in person and on Zoom.
Holy Week Services
Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service, March 28th at 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunrise Service, March 31st, 6:30 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery (behind Hancock Grammar School), followed by a breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in the church Fellowship Hall,
and our traditional Easter Worship Service at 10:00 am in the sanctuary.
Readers are needed for the Tenebrae service. Please let Vicky know if you will be a reader.
A sign-up sheet is in the Fellowship Hall to donate toward the breakfast.
Lenten Wednesday Study Group
Join Pastor TJ for C.S. Lewis and the Delightful, Diabolical Daring of Lent:
A Lenten Companion to “The Screwtape Letters.”
We will enjoy soup & bread at noon while listening to comedic actor John Cleese read
C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters,” followed by discussion from 12:30 – 1:30.
March 27 is our last meeting for this group.
Planning for Life’s Inevitable Surprises
Most of us like to be in control of our lives. What happens when we lose the illusion of control?
Planning now can help ensure your desires are honored later.
Planning now removes unnecessary burdens placed on your loved ones in times of grief.
Session One - Myrna Coffin will share some of the lessons learned while she (and Steve) navigated unfamiliar territory after he suffered a life-changing health event. We will have some important documents available – and together brainstorm future session topics.
Join us for soup and discussion on Thursday, April 11th from Noon - 2:00 p.m. at the church.
Save the Date: Saturday morning, May 4th, 2024
The Sunrise Association will hold its Spring Meeting at Pilgrim Lodge.
An option for overnight camping will be available on Friday, May 3rd.
Breakfast and lunch options are available on Saturday.
Let’s mix business with pleasure and gather together at our beloved camp.
Recent collections
Pilgrim Lodge - $70.
Maine School of Ministry - $100.
One Great Hour of Sharing - $290.
Upcoming March Birthdays and Anniversaries
28: Pam Bowie 29: Debbie Maddocks
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
Prayers for the people of Lewiston and all of Maine; Prayers for the world, suffering loss and grief in Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, and so many other places experiencing ongoing wars and conflicts. Prayers for Joyce Cornwell; Bruce’s sister, Lynn, Sally’s friend, Sue Barger and Ginny Hamm who all recently received a cancer diagnosis; Prayers for Cynthia’s Aunt Barbara, William and Caroline (both at Golden Acres) and Breck V. all receiving Hospice Care. Prayers for Mary Angel’s mother Caroline, Ron & Kathy; Ruth; Sally’s sister Martha & her husband John; Brandon Perry-Hudson; John Wood; Doris; Jim Snyder; Coulter; Jonathan Holmes; Sue Davies; Nancy & John & Jonas; Sue Davenport; Austin’s cousin Danny; Liz & Jim; Debbie & Lincoln & son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle; Kenny Stratton; Joy & David & Lori; Sandy Phippen; Betty & her step-daughter Mollie; Debbie & Hollis & Holly and Debbie’s Aunt Linda Reed; Patrice’s niece Erica; Amy Nickerson; Tom & Judy’s son Andrew & 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 individuals and families experiencing addictions; prayers for all caregivers; and prayers for all that is in your heart…
If you would like to send Brandon a card or note, the address is:
Brandon Perry-Hudson
7 Shank Painter Road
Provincetown, MA 02657
Handy Woman for Hire!
Personal care; Food preparation and cooking; Shopping;
Gardening; Interior and Exterior Painting
Lori Stratton
Jump Start Workdays
Jump Start Work Days to open camp for the season:
When: April 26th-28th, Fri to Sun - Weekend:
Who Can Go: Campers Entering Grades 6 & Up
Event Fee: Free
No Charge - Donations Accepted
Raking leaves, stacking wood, clearing brush, floating docks, sweeping floors, washing windows…there’s so much to do to clean up PL after the winter and get ready for summer!
We need your help, and there’s something for everyone to do!
Please let us know, calling 207-724-3200 or emailing ksteelhammer@pilgrimlodge.org, if you plan to attend.
A Letter from Our Conference Minister
Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola
“Even if these were silent, the stones would shout.”
Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the
highest heaven!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
Luke 19:28-40
As we set our sights on Holy Week, we will be reminded of the whiplash experience of Hosanna and condemnation, praise and blatant denial, triumph and defeat, hope and despair, death and Brand-New Life!! Holy week reminds us of the fragility of human beings who can praise one moment as they are filled with the Spirit of Love and Freedom and switch to denial and even condemnation when fear grips.
Just like us, these folks had heard of the miracles of Jesus, but even more they had heard of the inclusive message of Jesus for whoever you are, the message that the hungry will eat good things and the poor and disenfranchised are just as valuable as the wealthy and powerful. That hearing came together on that rocky road into Jerusalem. The Spirit gripped them with hope beyond hope that their Savior rode before them, and they rejoiced and shouted Hosanna for all who are included in the Savior’s embrace.
Luke’s version of the story is my favorite one because it ends with an even more beautiful message than Hosannas from human beings. Out of fear for the wrath of the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate riding into Jerusalem on the other side of the city, the Jewish leaders implored Jesus to silence the crowd.
Jesus’ response is a stark reminder that humans are only part of the salvific plan of new life. It reminds us that Jesus did not come just to save us from our folly and fears. Jesus came to save all of the creation from our folly and fears. It ends with an exquisite reminder that even if people stop praise, creation does not. Even when humans fall back and are enveloped by their fears, creation does not. “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” Even when we forget our belovedness and the belovedness of all humans and all creation, creation does not forget. Even when our voices are silent, creation’s voices shout out loud. And Jesus does not forget. God does not forget.
So Beloved, perhaps as we enter into Holy Week, we can meditate on Jesus’ response; maybe even ask ourselves: do we include creation in the salvific picture of a risen Christ? As followers of Jesus’ life, message, and teaching, with the love and power of God, we try to catch the message of welcoming all, loving all, seeing all beloved worthy whoever they are, caring for the poor and liberating the oppressed and welcoming the stranger. Do we look at all creation with equal care and welcome?
I would like to invite you to spend some time with creation during Holy Week. Thank creation for sustaining you. Commit to listen carefully to the stones that will not be silent.
Blessing upon blessing,
Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola Conference Minister
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