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
July 7, 2024 - Communion Sunday
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 9:30 a.m. (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
Light within all light / Soul behind all souls / at the breaking of dawn / at the coming of day / we wait and watch. / Your Light within the morning light / Your soul within the human soul / Your presence beckoning to us from the heart of life. / In the dawning of this day /
let us know fresh shinings in our soul. John Philip Newell
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude
Welcome
*Introit Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (vs. 1) R. #7
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above.Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away;giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
*Call to Worship
One: Savvy God
All: Wily God
One: Audacious God
All: Determined God
One: God who yells back at the rising storm
All: God who guards Her Beloveds like a Mama Bear—
One: You do not ask politeness of your people but to rattle the cages of oppression.
All: Come, let us worship God, our Fierce Protector and our Steadfast Love
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn Allelu Pilgrim Lodge Songbook #12
Allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia!
Praise ye the Lord!
Allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia!
Praise ye the Lord!
Praise ye the Lord! Alleluia!
Praise ye the Lord! Alleluia!
Praise ye the Lord! Alleluia!
Praise ye the Lord!
*Invocation (in unison)
Nurturing God, you give life to all things and long to satisfy the needs of your children in their desire for healing and wholeness. Send your Spirit upon us this day, that as we hear your word we may meet Jesus, the one in whom all our hungers are fed. Amen
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scriptures Living Psalm 147 Greek Scriptures Luke 16:1-13
Special Music
Message Rev. TJ Mack
*Hymn There Is a Balm in Gilead B. #553
Refrain:
There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded wholethere is a balm in Gilead, to heal the sin-sick soul
Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my work’s in vain, But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.
Refrain:
Don’t ever feel discouraged, for Jesus is your friend,
who, if you ask for knowledge, will never fail to lend.
Refrain:
If you can-not preach like Peter, if you can-not pray like Paul,you can tell the love of Jesus, who died to save us all.
Refrain:
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 – As we prepare to gather our offerings, we consider what we owe each other—our compassion, our showing up, our doing better when we know better, and our shared resources when we have abundance. Let us collect what we have that we might be accountable to one another in relationship and care.
Offertory Serenade Jeremiah Clarke
*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)
Living Christ, we desire all people to be free—free from fear, free from punitive forms of punishment, free from soul-crushing debt, free from gender-based violence, free to make decisions about their own bodies, free to experience connection and belonging. We dedicate our offerings to collective freedom, spiritual and material. Amen
*Communion Hymn As We Gather at Your Table R. # 314
As we gather at your table, as we listen to your word,
help us know, O God, your presence; let our hearts and minds be stirred.
Nourish us with sacred story till we claim it as our own;
teach us through this holy banquet how to make Love's victory known.
Turn our worship into witness in the sacrament of life;
send us forth to love and serve you, bringing peace where there is strife.
Give us, Christ, your great compassion to forgive as you forgave;
may we still behold your image in the world you died to save.
Gracious Spirit, help us summon other guests to share that feast
where triumphant Love will welcome those who had been last and least.
There no more will envy blind us nor will pride our peace destroy,
as we join with saints and angels to repeat the sounding joy.
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: Friends, what we are about to do is to celebrate the Joyful Feast of the people of God.
All: When we are able, with the Holy One, to experience the vision of love for God’s Global Village here on earth – then all of creation will come as equal companions to sit at this table.
One: In the meantime, you and I are invited to eat and drink, to be nourished and renewed for the ongoing work of justice, embracing mercy and walking humbly with God.
All: This is an open table at which all are welcome.
Words of Remembering
All: On the night when Jesus was betrayed, he gathered with his disciples in the upper room, where an ordinary meal became an instrument of God. At this table, Jesus broke bread with those who would betray him. At this table, Jesus drank wine with the one who denied him. At this table, Jesus communed with those who would abandon him. At this table, Jesus gave a new commandment.
At this table, we learn to love one another as God loves us.
One: Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” When the supper was over, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks to God, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is the cup of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of our failings, and in hope for the new life to come. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Blessing the Bread and the Cup
One: Gracious God, pour out your Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine, that they might be for us the presence of the living Christ. Pour your Spirit upon us also, that we may be one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until we arrive at the heavenly banquet of God.
All: With this one loaf, we who are many, become one. With this one cup, what was before has been renewed.
One: Come, for all things are ready.
Sharing the Bread and the Cup
The bread of life, given for you. AmenThe cup of blessing, given for you. Amen
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Our Creator, our Redeemer, our Sustainer – In this holy mystery, you have given yourself to us. We are eternally grateful. Empower us, that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves to each other in the name of Jesus Christ who gave his life for all. Amen
*Benediction
*Sung Blessing Sent Forth by God’s Blessing B. #76
Sent forth by God's blessing, our true faith confessing,
the people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The service is ended, O now be extended
the fruits of our worship in all who believe.
The seed of the teaching, receptive hearts reaching,
shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God's grace did invite us, and love shall unite us
to work for God's realm and to answer the call.
Postlude
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary.
Our Monteux student musicians this morning are Ashley Wu, violin, and Evan Thornton, violin.
Ashley Wu is a graduate of the University of Florida with a B.M. in Music in Combination with an Outside Field, a B.S. in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, and a minor in Statistics. She began studying piano and violin at ages 5 and 7, respectively, and has performed with orchestras in the United States and Europe as a soloist and ensemble member. Ashley is a member of ensembles such as the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and UF Symphony Orchestra, led by conductors such as Dr. Mattew Wardell, Edward Leonard, and Dr. Tiffany Lu. She regularly pursues opportunities to perform new music and has premiered several chamber works by emerging composers at UF. This fall, she is beginning a Masters of Applied Data Science at Carnegie Mellon University.
Evan Thornton, a dedicated violinist at the University of Florida, has cultivated his passion for music since the age of 6. Currently pursuing a major in Music Performance and a minor in Event Management, Evan envisions merging his musical expertise with leadership skills by pursuing a Master of Science in Management at the same institution. Beyond his musical pursuits, Evan enjoys watching movies, going for runs, and exploring diverse music genres. With his blend of musical talent and keen interest in management, Evan hopes to create unforgettable experiences both on and off the stage, leaving a lasting impact wherever his journey takes him.
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
Deacons – Sally Knapp, Robin Long, David Wildes
Liturgist – Peggy Karns
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources:
enfleshed: liturgy that matters, adapted - Call to Worship, Offering Prayers
Feasting on the Word, Worship Companion - Invocation
UCC Worship Ways - Communion Liturgy
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Words and Music - ©2020 Stephen DeCesare / Exultet Music
Contributors: Henry Van Dyke, Ludwig Beethoven, Stephen DeCesare
There is a Balm in Gilead
Words and Music - ©2003 Alfred Sacred
Contributors: African American Spiritual, Mark Hayes
As We Gather at Your Table
Words - ©1989 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Carl P. Daw, Jr.
Sent Forth by God's Blessing
Words - ©1964 World Library Publications
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