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

Mural of Christ ascending to heaven on a graffiti wall in Bristol, England, 2003. Seventh Sunday of Easter – May 21, 2023 - Mental Health Sunday 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 Mysterious Compassion, we long to honor each other’s differences, to make room for the many ways to live a life. We want to protect each other’s right to self-determination. At the same time, we desire to be united in purpose. We desire soulful relationships across differences. Guide us in wisdom as we ebb and flow between the personal and the collective. Unite our individual longing with the longings of Interdependent Love. Amen * Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit Announcements Prelude Pastorale Norman Gilbert 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: Surely the dead go on living— All: The dust of their DNA clings to our clothes. One: Time turns them to soil, out of soil blooms a wild meadow. And still… All: we long for the dead in the form that we knew them— One: a laugh recognizable, an embrace familiar. All: The power of the Holy Spirit is her longing for intimacy— One: to know and to be known. To love and to be loved. All: And so it is with us— One: We long, we cherish, we embrace, we yearn. All: We miss the dead & we, courageously, go on living. *Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle *Hymn Come By Here, My Lord music and lyrics on back page of bulletin *Invocation (spoken in unison) Come Holy Spirit, open our minds to see the power of Scripture to give life; enlighten our hearts that we might see Christ in all whom we meet; in the name of the one, holy, and living God, to whom we give all glory. Amen Children’s Message Christian Scriptures John 17:1-11 and Acts 1:6-14 Poem “Morning Walk” Mary Oliver Special Music Canon Louis Couperin Message Rev. TJ Mack *Hymn Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race R. #372 Diverse in culture, nation, race, we come together by your grace. God, let us be a meeting ground where hope and healing love are found. God let us be a bridge of care connecting people ev'rywhere. Help us confront all fear and hate and lust for pow'r that separate. When chasms widen, storms arise, O Holy Spirit, make us wise. Let our resolve, like steel, be strong to stand with those who suffer wrong. God, let us be a table spread with gifts of love and broken bread, where all find welcome, grace attends, and enemies arise as friends.

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 – We bring forth our offerings and gifts today—intermingling what we have for the sake of generous abundance. Offertory To a Wild Rose Edward Mac Dowell *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) Orient us towards new life, Oh Navigating God. Pry the ways of power-over from our hands and give us instead the tools of compassion, solidarity, and imagination. Bless our offerings to way-making towards life. Amen *Hymn Many Are the Lightbeams R. #389 Many are the light-beams from the one light. Our one light is Jesus. Many are the light-beams from the one light; we are one in Christ. Many are the branches of the one tree. Our one tree is Jesus. Many are the branches of the one tree; we are one in Christ. Many are the gifts given, love is all one. Love’s the gift of Jesus. Many are the gifts given, love is all one; we are one in Christ. Many ways to serve God, the Spirit is one, servant spirit of Jesus. Many ways to serve God, the Spirit is one; we are one in Christ. Many are the members, the body is one, members all of Jesus. Many are the members, the body is one; we are one in Christ. *Sung Blessing 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. *Benediction Go forth into the world in peace. Serve the Lord God, and love your neighbor. Love the Lord God, and serve your neighbor. May the Holy Spirit’s guidance, Jesus Christ’s grace, and God’s love, be with you now and always. Amen Postlude Let All Things Their Creator Bless Arr. Alfred Fedak (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 & Kathy McGlinchey 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 Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion and Enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters "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

Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race / De Raza, Cuna, de Nación Words - ©1992, 2012 GIA Publications, Inc. Contributors: Ruth Duck, Georgina Pando-Connolly Many Are the Lightbeams Words and Music - ©1974 GIA Publications, Inc. Contributors: Olle Widestrand, David Lewis Go, My Children, with My Blessing Words - ©1983 Concordia Publishing House Contributors: Jaroslav J Vajda, Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams