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
Guest Preacher - Rev. Dr. Alison Boden
August 11, 2024
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
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name. Amen.
~ Gregorian Sacramentary (6th century), adapted
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Prelude in A minor Francis W. Snow
Welcome
*Introit Awake, Awake to Love and Work R. #259
Awake, awake to love and work! The lark is in the sky;
the fields are wet with diamond dew; the worlds awake to cry
their blessings on the Lord of life as he goes meekly by.
*Call to Worship
One: Come, gather in this peaceful place,
All: The table here is long and wide,
One: There is room for all, side by side,
All: To share in the feast of God's endless grace!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn God Reigns o'er All the Earth B. #21
God reigns o’er all the earth! Green hills and valleys low,
the farms and towns in golds and browns God’s grace and beauty show.
God reigns o’er all the earth! Stone banks and spreading plains,
in rainbow hues— reds, yellows, blues— of streams and country lanes.
God reigns o’er human life! Through youth and aging years,
in death, in birth, in grief, in mirth, in all our hopes and fears.
God reigns o’er human life! Our inspiration still.
Through all our schemes, in all our dreams, we see God’s reigning will.
God reigns o’er time and space! In history’s by-gone days,
Christ’s faithful folk in reverence spoke to bring God earnest praise.
God reigns o’er time and space! O’er galaxy and sun,
through timeless years the cosmos hears the heavenly music run.
God reigns! Emmanuel! God with us every day,
in all our past, and to the last, our comfort and our stay.
God reigns! Emmanuel! Let praise to Christ be sung!
God’s presence here makes all things dear. Let joyful bells be rung!
*Invocation (in unison)
O God of the ages, send your Spirit to join us in power this morning and always, that we may be the messengers of your love and peace that we so deeply want to be. In a community, country and world that is starving for love and peace, fill us with your holy wisdom and help us to inhabit your grace in every moment. We pray this in the name of Jesus our Savior, amen.
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture Isaiah 52:7-9 Greek Scripture Luke 24:36b-48
Special Music Chant de Paix Craig A. Penfield
Song of Peace
Message “It Starts with Peace“ Rev. Dr. Alison Boden
*Hymn Come, Teach Us, Spirit of Our God R. #226
Come, teach us, Spirit of our God, the language of your way,
the lessons that we need to live, the faith for every day.
Excite our minds to follow you, to trace new truths in store,
new flight paths for our spirit space, new marvels to explore:
Engage our wits to dance with you, to leap from logic's base,
to capture insight on the wing, to sense your cosmic grace.
Inspire our spark to light from you, to catch creation's flair,
new artistry to celebrate, new harmonies to dare.
Delight our hearts to worship you, to learn compassion's code,
to live in context of your love, great teacher who is God!
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 – If we have something to give it is because we have already received from the gracious hand of our God. Let us give back through our offering so that others thus may recognize God's grace as well.
Offertory Contemplation on “Davis” arr. Nancy Hill Cobb
O Thou, in Whose Presence, My Soul Takes Delight
*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
God of endless generosity, we dedicate these gifts to your glory through the ministries of this church and with love for all whom it serves. Amen.
*Hymn Come to Tend God's Garden B. #586
Come to tend God’s garden, seeds of hope to sow,planting fields of justice, watching mercy grow!In an arid wasteland, spread a verdant heath!In a land of tumult, cultivate God’s peace!
As we tend God’s garden, from its furrows risestems of fresh beginnings, stretching toward the skies!Graciousness, our meadow, joyfulness, our root,Unity, our foliage, righteousness, our fruit!
May God’s garden flourish, may our toil succeed,may God bless our actions, every word and deed!Serving Christ each season, with God’s diagram,Charted by the Spirit, for the task at hand!
*Benediction
*Sung Blessing 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 Intrada on”Sicilian Mariners” David Lasky
Sicilian melody
(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
Our guest minister is Rev. Dr. Alison Boden. Alison, a member of our congregation, is a UCC minister who has just concluded a 33-year career as a college chaplain and professor at Bucknell University, the University of Chicago, and Princeton University. Alison and her family have had a home in Hancock for 25 years, and she is thrilled that it is now her full-time residence. This fall Alison will begin working with two faith-based organizations, The Rose Castle Foundation, which does training in reconciliation skills, and the World Student Christian Federation, a global organization that supports Christian university students.
The rose on the altar this morning celebrates the birth of Roran Leo Wildes, son of Hannah and Ben Wildes, brother of big sister Naomi, and grandson of Cynthia Wood and David Wildes.
Many thanks to those who make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Guest Preacher – Rev. Dr. Alison Boden
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Sally Knapp and Everett Espling
Liturgist – Vicky Espling
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Student Ministry Intern – Sarina Brooks
Resources:
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,
License #A-738532. All rights reserved
Awake, Awake To Love And Work
Words and Music - ©2005 Lorenz Publishing Corporation, The
Contributors: Christopher Gale, Geoffrey Anketell Studdert-Kennedy
God Reigns O'er All the Earth
Words - ©1987 Presbyterian Publishing/Westminster John Knox/Geneva Press
Contributors: Jane Parker Huber
Come, Teach Us, Spirit of Our God
Words - ©1992 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Shirley Erena Murray
Come to Tend God's Garden
Words and Music - ©1992 Oxford University Press
Contributors: John A Dalles
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
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