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

Sunday April 16, 2023 This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) (Posted for later viewing on Facebook and YouTube) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88327467219?pwd=Mis3ME4waGE1RmRBNzFXK3VUaDJXdz09 Meeting ID: 883 2746 7219 Passcode: 131738 Silent Prayer Holy One, as our spirits huddle together with grief and fear entangled, let your presence be upon us. Keep us from closing off our hearts to the world in pain. Wherever we encounter wounds, still tender from trauma or despair, may we be a healing presence, a community of compassion and solidarity. Amen * Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit Announcements Prelude O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing! Trad. French melody/ Lani Smith Welcome *Introit Spirit of the Living God R. #281 Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me, Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Call to Worship One: When our words and actions cause harm, may we seek repair. All: When loss brims over the walls of our hearts, may we seek mourning. One: When despair looms large in lives, may we seek even a sliver of hope. All: When we distract ourselves from the present moment, may we begin again. One: Like a springtime garden, may we begin again. All: Like stories of resurrection, may we begin again. God of Love, may we begin with you again and again. Amen *Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle *Hymn Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day R. #215 Joy dawned again on Easter Day, the sun shone out with fair array, when to their longing eyes restored, the apostles saw their risen Lord. O Jesus, source of gentleness, come now yourself our hearts possess that we may give you all our days - the willing tribute of our praise. O Savior, now with us abide in this our joyful Eastertide; from every weapon death can wield your own redeemed forever shield. *Invocation (spoken in unison) One: In the pink glow of the morning— All: Reveal your love to us, oh God. One: In the sun and rain of our ordinary days— All: Reveal your love to us, Oh God. One: In the blanket of deep blue night— All: Reveal your love to us, Oh God. One: When living is harsh and hard like hurricane, when living is warm and hopeful like a spring breeze— All: Reveal your love to us, oh God. One: In all seasons and through all things, All: Open our eyes, our hearts, our minds, oh God, to your love revealed to us. Children’s Message Christian Scripture John 20:19-31 Special Music - Choir Christ Rose Up from the Dead Trad. African/ American B. #239 Message Rev. TJ Mack *Hymn We Live by Faith and Not by Sight B. #256 We live by faith and not by sight; no gracious words we hear From Christ who spoke as none e’er spoke, who still we know is near. We may not touch Christ’s hands and side, nor follow where Christ trod; But in confessing we rejoice; our Savior and our God! Help then, O Christ, our unbelief; and may our faith abound To call on you when you are near and seek where you are found: That when our life of faith is done, in realms of clearer light We may behold you as you are, with full and endless sight. 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 – All good gifts come from you, O God. We humbly offer back a portion of what has been gifted to us. Offertory Now the Green Blade Riseth French melody/ Anna Laura Page *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) Most gracious God, accept this offering of your people, for your people. Bless with your love those who have brought it to share and those for whom it is given. *Hymn My Life Flows on in Endless Song R. 427 My life flows on in endless song; above earth's lamentation, I hear the sweet, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging. Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing? Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing. It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing? No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging. Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing? What though my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior’s living. What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he’s giving. No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging. Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing? The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing! All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing? No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging. Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing? *Blessing *Sung Benediction Go, My Children, with My Blessing (v.1) B. #82 Go my children with my blessing, never alone; Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own; In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever, Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own. Postlude Now Winter Fades From Sight J. S. Bach/ Homer Whitford (Please remain seated for the Postlude) Support our Church Financially Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our new webpage www.hancockucc.com (please note that www.hancockucc.org still exists as an archival site) 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 hancockmaineucc@gmail.com treasurer@hancockucc.com revtjmack@gmail.com 207.422.3100 207.323.6743 Many thanks to those who make this service possible – in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Music Minister – Debbie Riley Deacons – Vicky Espling and David Wildes Liturgist – Myrna Coffin Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander (Mike Summerer is happy to teach others this important task. Please inquire…) Office Secretary – Vicky Espling Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack The Body of Christ – You Resources Enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters and Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion "Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.”

Spirit of the Living God Words and Music - ©1963 Jubilate Music Contributors: Daniel Iverson and Michale Baughen, Daniel Iverson

Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day Music - ©2021 Choristers Guild Contributors: Karen Lakey Buckwalter My Life Flows On in Endless Song Robert Lowry, Jean Anne Shafferman Words and Music - ©2019 Jubilate Music Go, My Children, with My Blessing Words - ©1983 Concordia Publishing House Contributors: Jaroslav J Vajda, Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams