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 9, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ₋₋ First 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
Whatever you are doing,
that which makes you feel most alive…
that is where God is.
St. Ignatius of Loyola
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Go To Dark Gethsemane Tune: Redhead/ Lloyd Larson
Welcome
*Introit Spirit, Open my Heart (to tune of Wild Mountain Thyme, Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go)
Spirit, open my heart
to the joy and pain of living.
As you love, may I love,
in receiving and in giving.
Spirit, open my heart.
Call to Worship
One: Come, Holy Spirit,
All: and open my heart.
One: To the joy and pain of living,
All: open my heart.
One: To the needs of my sisters and brothers,
All: open my heart.
One: To my own needs,
All: open my heart.
One: To the terror of living with war,
All: open my heart.
One: To the suffering of all the grieving,
All: open my heart.
One: To the cries of all creation,
All: open my heart.
One: To your voice calling me this morning,
All: open my heart.
One: To this season of transformation,
All: open my heart.
One: To your sweet and boundless love,
All: Spirit, open my heart.
Let us worship.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
Holy God, when we face trials that are beyond our understanding, help us to find peace.
Help us be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
You set all things in accordance with your time.
Remind us to wait patiently, and find peace in your plan. Amen. –Dick Woodward
*Hymn For the Healing of the Nations B. #576
For the healing of the nations, God, we pray with one accord;for a just and equal sharing of the things that earth affords;
to a life of love in action help us rise and pledge our word.
Lead us forward into freedom; from despair your world release,that, redeemed from war and hatred, all may come and go in peace.Show us how through care and goodness fear will die and hope increase.
All that kills abundant living, let it from the earth be banned:pride of status, race, or schooling, dogmas that obscure your plan.In our common quest for justice may we hallow brief life's span.
You, Creator God, have written your great name on humankind;for our growing in your likeness bring the life of Christ to mind,that by our response and service earth its destiny may find.
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
In this season of Lent, create in us, O God, open and courageous hearts.
We have found ourselves in the wilderness with Jesus. Here we will be
tested. Dare we hold on tight to your dream for us? Or will we follow
temptation into a nightmare? We know you will keep us safe as we follow
Jesus into richer compassion for all people, stronger love for all creation,
and deeper trust in you. In the company of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Gospel Reading Luke 4:1-3
Special Music ‘Tis Winter Now S. Longfellow/ R.V. Williams B. #432
Message Rev. Dr. Kate Winters
*Hymn Light Upon Me, Sacred Spirit Song for Lent
Tune: BEACH SPRING (p.332, NCH) Rev. Dr. Kate Winters
Light upon me, Sacred Spirit, / sink into my waiting skin.
Stir to life my barely breathing / heart of stone and enter in.
Soften up the calloused places / where my fears have taken hold.
And prepare the transformation / turning ashes into gold.
Flow into me, Sacred Spirit, / course the pathway of my veins.
Water every arid inscape / with your gentle healing rains.
In a world so parched for meaning, / full of anger, hate, and strife,
Make me fertile for conceiving / and the bearing of your life.
Shine around me, Sacred Spirit, / as I grow to live in you,
Every cell alive with wonder, / every breath a world anew.
It is time to stop the hiding, / from what keeps me paralyzed,
Grant me courage to let go of / all that dims your light inside.
Breathe within me, Sacred Spirit, / and may I in you abide.
Bring me deeper into union / with the Word as tender guide.
Teach me Jesus’ way of living, / way of loving beyond fear,
For this holy me-ta-noi-a, / Sacred Spirit, enter here.
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
Offertory Lenten Meditation Robert Powell
*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)
Receive our offerings this Lenten season, along with our honest efforts toward
transformation, O God. With both, may we lessen the suffering of the world
and increase its joy. Help us to create springs of healing in every wilderness, in
the name of Christ. Amen.
*Hymn Lord Jesus, Who through Forty Days B. #211
Lord Jesus, who through forty days for us did fast and pray,teach us with you to mourn our sins, and at your side to stay.
As you with Satan did contend, and did the victory win,O give us strength to persevere, in you to conquer sin.
And through these days of penitence, and through the Passiontide,
Yes, evermore, in life and death, O Christ, with us abide.
Abide with us, till when this life of suffering over past,an Easter of unending joy we may attain at last.
*Benediction
*Sung Benediction Peace I Leave with You, My Friends. B. #249
Peace I leave with you, my friends.
Shalom, my peace, in all you do.
Peace I leave with you, my friends.
I give to you so you can give to others too.
Postlude Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross Tune by W. Doane/ Robert Hebble
(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 Ministers – Rev. Joel Krueger and Rev. Dr. Kate Winters
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Everett Espling and Vicky Espling
Liturgist – Gerry Mehl
Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
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.
For the Healing of the Nations
Words - ©1968 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Fred Kaan
Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days
Words and Music - ©2003 MorningStar Music Publishers / Birnamwood Publications
Contributors: Claudia F. Hernaman, Kenneth T Kosche
Peace, My Friends
Words and Music - ©1967, 1994 Oregon Catholic Press
Contributors: Ray Repp
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