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
May 12, 2024 - Seventh Sunday of Eastertide - New Member Sunday - Mother’s Day
The altar flowers on this Mother’s Day are donated by Mary Beth, Sarah, Peg, and Rich
in honor and loving memory of their mother Betty Lewis.
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10:00 (Recorded for Facebook and YouTube)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 822 2425 2518
Passcode: 755650
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 Prayer
Our beginnings are in Eden, O God; our genesis is in you. Open to us the gateways of your presence in life and the doors that lead us further into your mystery. Awaken our memory of the garden of our beginnings that we may find ourselves again in you. Amen ~ J. Philip Newell
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought Matt Limbaugh
Welcome
*Introit Morning Has Broken (vs. 1) R. #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!
*Call to Worship
One: Morning has broken. Let us give thanks for the gift of life and for the presence of the Holy One among us. Let us worship God together.
All: Thanks be to God!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (vs. 1,3,4) B. #1
*Invocation (in unison)
Almighty and merciful God, you created and are creating still. In your presence we humbly abide. Come into our hearts, we pray, and make us new again this day. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen
Children’s Message
New Membership & Affirmation of Baptism
Blessing the Water
Blessing Jane and Brian
Reception of New Members into the Church
Pastor: Friends in Christ, we are all received into the church through the beckoning of the Holy Spirit. Jane Lennon and Brian Simpson have found nurture and support in the midst of this family of Christ. They have been led by the Holy Spirit to affirm their covenantal relationship with the members of this community of faith, using their gifts for service to God’s children.
Do you, Jane and Brian, declare before God and this congregation your intention to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing in the worship of God and the work of this church as it serves this community and the world? If so, would you respond, I do.
Senior Deacon: Will you, Jane and Brian, join with us as we follow the model of Jesus, to bring love and justice to all of God’s creation; to love both the powerless and the powerful; and to seek to bring wholeness to all of humanity?
New Members: I will.
Pastor: Beloveds, do you make Jesus Christ your example, and take for your rule of life his words: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. And … thy neighbor as thyself?
New Members: I do
Senior Deacon: Will you join with us and the United Church of Christ to explore questions of Christian faith combining the Good News of the Gospel and social justice?
New Members: I will.
Pastor: Will you join with us in support of this community of faith through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness, so that together we may grow stronger in expressing God’s love for all creation?
New Members: I will, with the help of God.
Senior Deacon: Will you join with us in support of this church by accepting the by-laws of this church?
New Members: I will.
Senior Deacon: Members of Union Congregational Church: Do you now receive Jane and Brian into the membership of our church? Do you promise before God and in their presence to offer to them your love and encouragement, that we all may grow together in God’s grace and service? If so, please say, I do.
Members and Friends: I do.
*The Congregation: We then as members of this church, gladly welcome you among us to be part of us in the hopes, the labors, and the joys of the United Church of Christ. We promise to walk with you in Christian love and sympathy, and to promote, as we are able, your growth in the Christian life.
The right hand of fellowship to be extended by the pastor and deacons
Pastor: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19-21) Let us pray…
Hebrew Scripture Deuteronomy 29:10-15
Christian Scripture Acts 18:24-27
Special Music Awake, Awake To Love and Work Morning Song, arr. Tom Mitchell
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn Be Thou My Vision (vs. 1-3) R. #445
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 – Let everyone give, not grudgingly or of necessity, but from the fullness of our gratitude to God.
Offertory Early in the Morning, Our Song Shall Rise to Thee arr. Douglas Wagner
*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)
O God, most merciful and gracious, of whose bounty we have all received: accept, we pray, this offering of your people. Remember in your love those who have brought it and those for whom it is given; and so follow it with your blessing that it may promote peace and goodwill among all people. Amen
*Hymn Called as Partners in Christ’s Service B. 495
*Sung Blessing Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing (vs. 1) R. #333
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace:
oh, refresh us, oh, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
*Benediction
The blessing of the God of Sarah and Abraham; the blessing of Jesus Christ, born of Mary; the blessing of the Holy Spirit, who broods over us as a mother over her children; be with you all. Amen
Postlude Grand Choeur Craig A. Penfield
(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 new 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.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Choir – Mary Angela Davis, Nick Davis, Jeanne Edwards, Peggy Emigh, Jane Lennon,
David Mack, Carol Skinner, Pat Summerer
Deacons – Robin Long & Pat Summerer
Liturgist – Vicky Espling
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources:
The New Century Hymnal: Service of the Word I
United Church of Christ Book of Worship
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved
Morning Has Broken
Words: Eleanor Farjeon ©1957 Harold Ober Associates, Inc.
Music: Traditional Gaelic melody, harm. David Evans © 1927 Oxford University Press.
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Music - ©2019 OCP Publications
Contributors: Robert Farrell, Walter Smith
Be Thou My Vision - Craig Courtney
Contributors: Public Domain
Called as Partners in Christ's Service - Jane Parker Huber
Words - ©1981 Presbyterian Publishing/Westminster John Knox/Geneva Press
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - Public Domain
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