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

Fifth Sunday of Easter – May 7, 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 Beloved One, in times of uncertainty, you are the ground that steadies us. When nothing feels stable or secure, the knowledge of your abiding presence is our strength and our comfort. Remind us, O God, that we need not look far for you. As close as our breath, our neighbor, and every creaturely thing – you reach for us. Thanks be to you. Amen * Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit Announcements Prelude The Lord’s My Shepherd Brother James’ Air / Sedio 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: Almighty God, in Christ you have shown us the way. All: Through Christ you have revealed to us your truth, and offered us everlasting life. One: May we see your path clearly, know your truth fully, and receive life abundantly; All: through Jesus Christ who dwells with you and the Holy Spirit in eternal glory. Amen *Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle *Hymn Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation B. #400 Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone, chosen of our God and precious, binding all the church in one; holy Zion's help forever, and our confidence alone. To this temple, where we call you, come, O God of Hosts, today! With your constant, loving kindnesshear your people as they pray. Give your fullest benediction: grace to follow Christ the Way. Here renew your servants’ vision, that by faith they may attain peace and hope, renewed compassion, strength to comfort those in pain, Tears and grief transformed to gladness in your everlasting reign. *Invocation (spoken in unison) Lord, as we listen to your holy Word, open our hearts to the power of your Spirit, and lead us into your way, your truth, and your light. Amen Children’s Message Christian Scripture John 14:1-17 Special Music - Choir A Gaelic Easter Celebration Praetorious/ Arr. Drennan Message Rev. TJ Mack *Song The Long and Winding Road Lennon and McCartney Soloist Pat Summerer The long and winding road that leads to your door, Will never disappear, I've seen that road before It always leads me here, leads me to your door. The wild and windy night that the rain washed away, Has left a pool of tears crying for the day. Why leave me standing here, let me know the way. Many times I've been alone and many times I've cried Anyway, you'll never know the many ways I've tried. And still they lead me back to the long winding road You left me standing here a long, long time ago Don't leave me waiting here lead me to your door But still they lead me back to the long winding road You left me standing here a long, long time ago Don't keep me waiting here, lead me to your door. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

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 – In hopes of doing our part to embody the Kin-dom among us in the here and now, let us offer what we have to God and to one another. Offertory Our Heart’s Sweet Joy Trad. German/ Moeller *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) May our gifts be a sign of our gratitude for every holy encounter – the ones recognized and the ones still unnoticed. Amen *Communion Hymn Let Us Break Bread Together R. #311 Let us break bread together on our knees; let us break bread together on our knees. When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, My God, have mercy on me. Let us drink wine together on our knees; let us drink wine together on our knees. When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, My God, have mercy on me. Let us praise God together on our knees; let us praise God together on our knees. When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, My God, have mercy on me. Invitation to Holy Communion Jesus gathered his followers together round a table and they ate the Passover meal as a family, not related by blood but by faith. Each person there brought to the gathering their talents and growing edges. They had hopes and dreams, disappointments, and fears. Sometimes they all got along, and sometimes they didn’t, but they were bound together by their love and belief in Jesus. Look around you…today we are the family Jesus has gathered together for this meal. We are the people who bring all that we are, and all that we hope to be, to the table. We are siblings by faith, the Body of Christ, children of God. We have all received Jesus’ invitation to share the bread and cup so Come! Eat! and know that we have found a common home and family in Jesus Christ. Communion Prayer All: Jesus came as teacher, full of stories and lessons meant to change our ways. Jesus came as prophet, to testify to the truth of God’s love and presence in our lives. Jesus came as a revolutionary, eager to challenge the thinking and practices of the leaders. Jesus came as a human: a man who ate and drank with the outcasts, who loved and forgave his enemies, and who suffered and died an excruciating death on a cross. Leader: But Jesus left us gifts to help us through the ordinary and the extraordinary. His spirit lives within us, guiding, comforting, challenging, forgiving, and loving us each moment of every day. All: His life example inspires us to live the life he lived even when it seems difficult and sometimes impossible. And he gave us this meal we are about to eat: a reminder of his love, his faithfulness, his hope for our salvation, and his wish that we serve each other the bread and cup as a covenant to the community that binds us to him. Breaking Bread and Pouring Wine All: Through the broken bread we participate in the body of Christ. Through the cup of blessing we participate in the new life Christ gives. Sharing the Elements Leader: The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready. Leader: The bread of life. All: Amen Leader: The cup of joy. All: Amen Prayer of Thanksgiving All: Bountiful God, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen *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 Postlude in D Minor J. S. Bach (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, Doug Kimmel, Robin Long Liturgist – Doug Kimmel Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer (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

Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation Words - ©1982 Jubilate Group, The Contributors: J.M. Neale The Long and Winding Road Written by: Lennon-McCartney, Recorded: 26, 31 January 1969; 1 April 1970 Producers: George Martin, Phil Spector, Engineers: Glyn Johns, Peter Bown Let Us Break Bread Together Words and Music - © OCP Go, My Children, with My Blessing Words - ©1983 Concordia Publishing House Contributors: Jaroslav J Vajda, Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams