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 5, 2024 - Sixth Sunday of Eastertide
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
You are steadfast in your love and ever present and merciful. Blessed be your name. You show us the Way with your acts of mercy. Blessed be your name. You show us how to be steadfast in love. Blessed are we. We always seek your Guidance and how to be your hands and feet. Blessed are we. Through our service to the world we are agents of love and grace.
Blessed is all creation.
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude
Welcome Reflection on Welch Hymn Hymn “Bryn Calfaria” R.V. Williams/ D Wagner
*Introit I Sing the Mighty Power of God (v. 3) B. #12
On earth there's not a plant or flower but makes your glories known.
The clouds arise and spread their showers by order from your throne.
All life is but a gift from you and ever in your care;
Wherever people gather, you, O God, are present there.
*Call to Worship
One: We gather with open and loving hearts to sing, praise and worship the One who abounds in love.
ALL: Our God is gracious and merciful!
One: We open ourselves fully to enhance our awareness of the constant presence of the Holy, who hears our prayers, and the silent longings of our hearts.
ALL: Our God is gracious and merciful!
One: We come, each of us, just as we are, with hope and need for the grace and acceptance that is offered freely and joyously from God.
ALL: Our God is gracious and merciful!
One: We gather with knowledge that God is with us, here and now.
ALL: Our God is gracious and merciful!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy B. #23
There's a wideness in God's mercy, like the wideness of the sea;
there's a kindness in God's justice, which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earthly sorrows are more felt than in God's heaven;
there's no place where earthly failings have such kindly judgment given.
For the love of God is broader than the measures of our minds;
and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God's Word,
and our lives would show thanksgiving for the goodness of our God.
*Invocation (in unison)
Merciful and gracious Redeemer, you are Love in action. You are generous and Your abounding love is shown to us in a myriad of ways. Help us act, and be Love, as you are Love. Help us be steadfast and compassionate examples of Your generosity and goodness as Your hands and feet. Help fulfill Your promises and bring the Kin-dom of Heaven to earth. Amen.
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture Psalm 145 Christian Scripture James 1:17-27 Contemporary Reading On Thy Wondrous Works I Will Meditate (Psalm 145) v. 5-8
Mary Oliver
Special Music Pastorale James Mansfield
Message Sarina Brooks
*Hymn God of Grace and God of Laughter R. #32
God of grace and God of laughter, singing worlds from nought to be–
sun and stars and all thereafter joined in cosmic harmony:
give us songs of joy and wonder, music making hearts rejoice;
let our praises swell like thunder, echoing our Maker's voice.
When our lives are torn by sadness, heal our wounds with tuneful balm;
when all seems discordant madness, help us find a measured calm.
Steady us with music's anchor when the storms of life increase:
in the midst of hurt and rancor, make us instruments of peace.
Turn our sighing into singing, music born of hope restored;
set our souls and voices ringing, tune our hearts in true accord:
till we form a mighty chorus joining angel choirs above,
with all those who went before us, in eternal hymns of love.
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 – Jesus has shown us over and over how to be Love and care for one another and all of creation. We have abundant grace and mercy because of His loving care and sacrifice. Let us join the Holy in giving freely what we can. Offering our help, with joyful abandon to all who are in need.
Offertory For the Bread Which You Have Broken arr. Anthony Giamanco
*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)
God of mercy and grace, help us use these gifts to offer help where there is need, hope to those who feel lost, and love and mercy where there is pain. We can be your hands and feet and accomplish the seemingly impossible because you are among us, alive and active in the world. Amen
*Communion Hymn Great Work Has God Begun in You B. #353
Great work has God begun in you, so let the Spirit follow through;
The mark of Christ upon your brow, baptismal touch remember now.
In love, God calls you to this day, and gives you strength, these vows to say;
Take up the faith that you were shown, and grow, assured you are God’s own.
Around God’s table celebrate, the end of bondage, sin and hate;
A feast of love and victory, the gift of Christ who sets us free.
Great work has God begun in you; take on God’s love in all you do,
And may that love in you increase– now, with God’s blessing, go in peace.
Holy Communion Liturgy
(We serve gluten and gluten-free bread. The fruit of the vine in our cup is grape juice.)
Invitation to the Table
One: Beloveds of God. Come. Come to this table of mercy and grace. Open to all without reservation.
All: We come to remember and to seek, as God calls us back time after time. With loving whispers, to Come, just as we are.
One: This is the table Christ prepares for us. God opens Her hands and gives us this food. Food that satisfies the desires of every living thing.
All: Let love and compassion teach us and show us the way, as we partake of this holy meal. With limitless mercy and grace, all are welcome at this table.
Words of Remembering
All: On the night Jesus was to be betrayed, he showed unbounding mercy and love to those gathered with him for a final meal. Jesus knew those around him would betray and deny him, abandon him and turn away.
And yet-Jesus showed them compassion as he broke bread with them.
And yet-Jesus showed mercy as he poured the wine.
And yet-Jesus gave grace, with his new commandment, “Love and care for one another as God loves and cares for you.”
One: We remember that on the night of his desertion and betrayal, Jesus gathered his disciples for a final meal. He broke the bread, giving thanks to God, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you and for all people. Do this in remembrance of me.” After the supper had ended, Jesus took the cup and after giving thanks gave it to those gathered with him, saying, “This is the cup of the new covenant poured out for you and for all people. Do this, in remembrance of me.”
Blessing the Bread and the Cup
One: Gracious and merciful God, abounding in steadfast love. Bring forth your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and juice. Let them be for us the presence of Christ so that we may nurture love and compassion in each other and the world. Bless us, so that we may be one in Christ and continue to grow in love and grace and nurture that in this needy world.
All: With this bread and with this cup we are united. We are made whole through God’s goodness and care. Compassion and mercy are ours to share.
One: Come Beloveds, for all things are ready.
Sharing the Bread and the Cup
The bread of life, given for you. Amen The cup of blessing, given for you. Amen
Prayer of Thanksgiving
All: Merciful and Holy God-Our eyes look to you. Our hearts hunger in need and longing and you give us your food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing. We praise you for upholding us when we are falling and raising us up when we are bowed down. We seek always to turn our hearts and minds to the work of the Spirit, which is to be compassionate, caring, merciful and kind. We seek, with grateful hearts, to follow you, and in that following, we will help transform the world. Amen
*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
Beloveds, go in peace, and go be Love! Receive the grace of the Holy One, and go out and be the hands and feet of Christ in the world! Amen
Postlude Gavotte G.F. Handel
(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.
Guest Preacher – Sarina Brooks
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Choir – Mary Angela Davis, Nick Davis, Jeanne Edwards, Peggy Emigh, Jane Lennon,
David Mack, Pat Summerer,
Deacons – Doug Kimmel & Robin Long & Vicky Espling
Liturgist – Tamara Crowley
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Sarina Brooks is a student in the Pathways Theological Education Program working toward a Certificate in Ministry and is a Member in Discernment in the Sunrise Association of the Maine Conference. She is a licensed mental health therapist and works in a community mental health center as well as in a private therapy practice in Machias. Sarina has a master’s degree in social work and has had the honor of working with a wide variety of people across the lifespan. Sarina usually attends Centre Street Congregational Church in Machias and wears many hats within that congregation. She is the Licensed Director of Pastoral Care at CSCC and guides the work of Centre Street's Care Team. She has worked with congregants in times of crisis, grief, or difficult life changes, presided over weddings and funerals in the congregation and community. Sarina enjoys gardening, decorating and other creative projects, construction projects (Ask her about the tiny house she lives in and built!), cooking, being outside in God’s wondrous natural world, spending time with her cute kitties, family and friends and reading. Laughter and joy are a part of her everyday language, and she believes both can heal a world of woes. Sarina is passionate about being of service and serving others on behalf of the Holy.
Resources:
Sarina L. Brooks – Silent Prayer, Call to Worship, Invocation, Offering Prayers,
Prayers of the People, Communion Liturgy
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved
I Sing The Mighty Power Of God
Words and Music - ©2021 Stephen DeCesare / Exultet Music
Contributors: Isaac Watts, Traditional, Stephen DeCesare
There's a Wideness in God's Mercy
Words and Music - © OCP
Contributors: IN BABILONE, Fredrick Faber
God of Grace and God of Laughter
Words - ©1989 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Carl P. Daw, Jr.
Great Work Has God Begun in You
Music - ©1995 Selah Publishing Co., Inc.
Contributors: Carol Birkland, William P. Rowan
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - Public Domain
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