UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HANCOCK
Open and Affirming of ALL God’s Children
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
July 17, 2022
Rev. Dr. Alison Boden – Guest Minister
Welcome Monteux musicians – Juan Hernandez & Linda Jenkins, Flutes
This service will be in the Sanctuary and on Zoom at 9:00 a.m.
Join us for Zoom Coffee Hour beginning shortly after the service ends.
(Find the link below and in your email in-box.)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 882 8024 5071
Passcode: 402851
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You may also click on this link to find the service on our YouTube page.
Silent Prayer
O God, let my thoughts rest in you,
let my emotions rest in you,
let my worries rest in you,
let my loves rest in you,
let my life rest in the grace of your embrace.
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Juan Hernandez & Linda Jenkins, Flutes
Welcome
*Introit Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior (v. 1) B. 551
Pass me not, O gentle Savior, hear my humble cry; While on others you are calling, do not pass me by.
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry; While on others you are calling, do not pass me by.
*Call to Worship (paraphrasing Psalm 8)
One: What are human beings that God is mindful of us and cares for us?
All: God has made us a little lower than the angels.
One: God has crowned all humanity with glory and honor.
All: Let us worship God with wonder and joy!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) - Lighting of the Peace Candle & Prayer for Peace & Justice
*Hymn When the Morning Stars Together R. # 34
When the morning stars together their creator's glory sang,
and the angel host all shouted till with joy the heavens rang,
then your wisdom and your greatness their exultant music told,
all the beauty and the splendor which your mighty works unfold.
When in synagogue and temple voices raised the psalmists' songs, offering up the adoration which alone to you belongs, when the singers, trumpets, cymbals all combined, your praise to share, then the people saw your glory fill the sacred house of prayer.
Voice and instrument in union through the ages spoke your praise;
Plain-song, tuneful hymns, and anthems told your faithful, gracious ways.
choir and orchestra and organ each a sacred off’ring brought,
while, inspired by your own Spirit, poet and composer wrought.
God, we bring our gift of music; touch our lips and fire our heart, teach our minds and train our senses, fit us for this sacred art. Then with skill and consecration we would serve you, God, and give
all our pow’rs to glorify you, and in serving fully live.
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
God of the ages, send your Spirit to infuse our worship this morning. Remind us of the glory and honor that you have placed within us, and grant us the courage and the faith to manifest these things boldly wherever our journeys lead us, that we may teach others how wondrously and lovingly they, too, have been made. Amen.
Children’s Message
Old Testament Reading (Hebrew Scriptures) Job 1:1, 2:1-10
New Testament Reading (Christian Scriptures) Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
Special Music Juan Hernandez & Linda Jenkins, Flutes
Message Rev. Dr. Alison Boden*Hymn I’m Pressing on the Upward Way B. #442
I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I’m onward bound, “O, plant me, God, on higher ground.”
Refrain:
O lift me up, and I shall be by faith in heaven eternally, A higher plane than I have found, O plant me, God, on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound, my prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
Refrain:
I want to live beyond the world, though Satan’s darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught a joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground.
Refrain:
I want to scale the utmost height, and catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found, “God, lead me on to higher ground.”
Refrain:
Prayer for Transformation and New Life (in unison) Everlasting God, forgive the many ways that we deny or ignore the sacredness of other people. We express it in racism, homophobia, sexism, nationalism, and many other sins. We do not change the civic systems that leave people without enough to eat, secure housing, medical care, and addiction treatment. We do not see the image of you, our God, in people experiencing famine or waiting desperately at our country’s borders. We blame people for their own suffering. Help us to see every person as an embodiment of your light and infinitely loved by Christ. Amen.
Words of Grace Hear this good news: there is more love in God than sin in us. Our worst shortcomings and our failures are no match for the power of God’s mercy. God’s mercy and love free us constantly to live anew and redeemed. Thanks be to God!
Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns
Lead Me Lord
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.
Offering – Welcoming our Tithes and Offerings –
Friends, let us understand the gifts we now give to be not a burden or bother but a joyful act of returning bounty to the One who has given us all that we have!
Offertory To A Wild Rose MacDowell arr. Anthea Smith
*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)
Our gracious God, may these gifts bear witness to your love amongst all who need to know it, amongst all who feel alone or despised, amidst all who hunger for a sign of your grace. Amen
*Hymn The Sun Is on the Sea and Shore R. #261 The sun is on the land and sea, a new day has begun; with morning hymns we will adore the blessed Three in One; and we shall praise you ever more until the day is done.
Your love is ever in our view, like shining stars by night; your gifts are every morning new, O God of love and light; your mercy, like the heavens' blue, fills all our dazzled sight.
We do not know what grief and care each coming day may bring: the heart shall find some gladness there, trust you in ev’rything; the life that serves you ev’rywhere will never cease to sing.
*Blessing
Life is short, and we have so little time to gladden the hearts of those who walk the way with us. So let us be swift to love, and make haste to be kind, and the blessing of God be upon us all. Amen
*Sung Benediction Go With Us, Lord R. #336
Go with us, Lord, and guide the way through this and every coming day,
That in your Spirit strong and true our lives may be our gift to you.
Postlude Juan Hernandez & Linda Jenkins, Flutes
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook
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)
207.422.3100 207.323.6743
Many thanks to those who helped make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Guest Minister – Rev. Dr. Alison Boden
Monteux Guest Musicians – Juan Hernandez & Linda Jenkins, Flutes
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Everett Espling & Sally Knapp
Liturgist – Tamara Crowley
Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources:
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.”
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior
Words and Music - ©2012 Public Domain
When the Morning Stars Together
Words - ©1988 Oxford University Press
Contributors: Albert F Bayly
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
Monteux Guest Musicians Bios
Juan Hernandez (1st year) recently graduated from Lawrence University - Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance, where he studied with Erin Lesser. He has played with the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, Bands, Flute Ensemble, and New Music Ensemble. He has played in masterclasses for Marco Granados, Walfrid Kujala, Bonita Boyd, Luke Fitzpatrick, Marie Tachouet, and Jennie Oh Brown. Juan was the winner of the 2020 Lawrence Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition, and was recently a finalist in the 2022 Wisconsin Flute Festival Collegiate Artist Competition. Juan was also selected to perform at the 2022 National Flute Association Convention!
Linda Jenkins (1st year) is an avid collaborative musician and educator based in Denton, TX. Specializing in contemporary music, Linda frequently collaborates with local composers as a soloist and chamber musician. Recently, she was a prize-winner and finalist for the Oklahoma Flute Society’s Collegiate Artist Competition, Rochester Flute Association’s Piccolo Artist competition, COFA Young Artist, and the Carl D. Hall piccolo competition. Linda has been a guest performer at the MidAtlantic Flute Festival, Oregon Bach Festival’s Composer Symposium, SEAMUS, University of Oregon’s Musicking conference, and National Flute Association. Linda has a B.M. from Bowling Green State University and a M.M. from the University of Oregon, where she studied with Dr. Conor Nelson and Professor Molly Barth respectively. Currently, Linda attends the University of North Texas and studies with Professor Terri Sundberg.
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