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

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service April 9, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. Riverside Cemetery, Hancock In person and posted for later viewing on YouTube Silent Prayer Living Christ, we have seen the ways of death—codified into law, pumped into air, leaked into soil, invested in weapons used against us. And oh! We ache for ways of life. Awaken within us the ways of care set before us for this day. When despair seems more accessible than hope, surprise us with the consolation of friendship. Amen Announcements & Welcome Hymn Morning Has Broken Hymns of Truth & Light #258 Morning has broken like the first morning. Blackbird has spoken like the first bird Praise for the singing. Praise for the morning Praise for them springing fresh from the word Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven. Like the first dew fall, on the first grass. Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden. Sprung in completeness where his feet pass. Mine is the sunlight. Mine is the morning. Born of the one light Eden saw play. Praise with elation, praise every morning. God's recreation of the new day. Morning has broken like the first morning. Blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing. Praise for the morning. Praise for them springing, fresh from the word. Call to Worship One: Christ is Living! Magdalene saw the stone rolled away herself! All: Even in despair the Holy Spirit surprises us with a jolt of Hope! One: Can you feel it? Wild possibility—brimming and unfurling? All: Alleluja, the Ways of Life expand beyond systems of evil! One: Resurrected Christ—inspire our compassion for the world. All: We will shake off our grave clothes and dance towards New Life. CHRIST IS RISEN! CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA! Sabbath Poem IV, 2003 “The Little Stream Sings” Wendell Berry Passing of the Peace Prayer for Transformation and New Life Amazing God, we know there is nothing you cannot overcome. We confess to our profound need of your love, strength, and mercy. Too often, we come toward the tomb resigned to the status quo. We anticipate the worst even when you are the provider of every good and perfect thing. We allow despair over the condition of our world to overwhelm us when you call us to follow you. Fortify us to live abundantly in your kin-dom on earth. Transform us and breathe new life into us. Words of Grace The One who transformed death can and will certainly transform our lives. Jesus welcomes us on the journey to new life. No matter how many times our steps stray, we hide from hard things, or we betray the good news, God’s grace meets us with an unfailing love to guide us on the path of life abundant and everlasting. Receive the resurrection power of the One who was and is and is to come. Amen *Hymn Christ the Lord is Risen Today Hymns of Truth & Light #205 Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Mortal tongues and angels say: Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply: Alleluia! Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Dying once, he all doth save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia! Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia! Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! Hail the Lord of earth and heaven! Alleluia! Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia! Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! Hail, the Resurrection thou! Alleluia! Invocation (in unison) Resurrected God, you are the God of new beginnings, of new dawns and new mercies. Enter into our presence again. When we move toward the tomb, remind us that you come with life. When we despair at the world unfolding around us, assure us of your redemptive power. When we long for your voice, speak a word of hope, encouragement, and peace. May we reflect your image as resurrection people in covenant with you. Amen Christian Scripture John 20:1-18 Sabbath Poem I, 2009 “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” Wendell Berry Easter Morning Reflection Rev. TJ Mack *Hymn The Day of Resurrection Hymns of Truth & Light #216 The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad; the Passover of gladness, the Passover of God. From death to life eternal, from sin’s dominion free, our Christ has brought us over with hymns of victory. Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright our Christ in rays eternal of resurrection light; And listening to his accents, may hear so calm and plain his own “All hail,” and, hearing, may raise the victor strain. Now let the heavens be joyful, let earth her song begin, the world resound in triumph, and all that is therein; Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend, for Christ the Lord is risen, our joy that has no end. Benediction Go forth surprised by the Wily Ways of New Life—seeking stones rolled away, telling your neighbor about paths of possibility. Go with God. Alleluia! 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 – Liturgist – Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood Audio-Video Support – (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 UCC Worship Ways 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.” Morning Has Broken Words and Music - ©1957 AGEHR Publishing - Handbell Musicians of America Contributors: Eleanor Farjeon

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Words and Music - ©1965 Shawnee Press

Contributors: Charles Wesley, Lyra Davidica

Day of Resurrection

Words - ©1941 Concordia Publishing House

Contributors: John Neale