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

August 13, 2023 – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost This service will be in-person and on Facebook Live at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) (Posted for later viewing on Facebook and YouTube) Silent Prayer Divine Companion, systems of corruption are wreaking havoc on your people and the planet. Those who profit wish to turn our ire on each other. We pray for strength to resist temptation. Do not let us be deceived by slander against our neighbors. Do not let us be deterred by distractions of small consequence. May your compassion be our compass as we pursue a more faithful way. Amen

* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit Announcements Prelude In Heavenly Love Abiding Finnish folk tune, G. Martin Welcome *Introit Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (vs. 1) R. #26 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the God of creation! Sing, my soul, praising the source of thy health and salvation! All ye who hear; now to God’s temple draw near; Join me in glad adoration! *Call to Worship One: The Wisdom of God yearns for our attention All: In chaos and in quiet, She reaches for us One: She reveals the true sources of our hope All: And makes known the cause of our struggles One: Though evil works to fool and sway us All: We are rooted in care for each other One: Grounded in a promise of love All: Made capable of brave and bold acts One: May God renew our faith *Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle *Hymn Now Thank We All Our God R. #27 Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices; who, from our mothers' arms hath blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us, to keep us in all grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills of this world in the next. All praise and thanks to God almighty now be given; to God, the three in one, who reign in highest heaven, the one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore; for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore. *Invocation (in unison) God of our present trouble and promised triumph, open our eyes to see you in the midst of our struggles. Open our ears to hear your words of invitation and assurance. Open our minds to recall your wonderful works and miracles. Open our hearts to glory in your name and seek strength in your Word; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Children’s Message Christian Scriptures Matthew 14:22-33 Special Music In This Holy Hour Hugh Livingston Message *Hymn Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (Hymns for the Family of God) What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms; What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Chorus: Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarm; Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms. O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms; O how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Chorus: What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Chorus: 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 was a witness to what’s possible when we cast our loyalty with God and each other: Healing and nourishment. Compassion and belonging. Deliverance and joy. This is the Kin-dom, always close at hand. With faith, let us bring our offerings together and nurture a world of flourishing. Offertory Folk Prelude on “Azmon” arr. Carson Cooman *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) Holy One, since the beginning of time we have struggled with how to manage our fear and pain. We turn on those already struggling. We wield privilege over others. We betray our beloveds and neighbors alike. Bless these offerings to the work of repair. Direct our righteous anger toward the systems that steal, kill, and destroy, that we may all have life and have it abundantly. Amen *Hymn Eternal Father, Strong to Save R. #535 Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm has bound the restless wave, who bid the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea. O Savior, whose almighty word the wind and waves submissive heard, who walked upon the foaming deep, and calm amid its rage did sleep: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea. O Holy Spirit, who did brood upon the chaos wild and rude, and bid its angry tumult cease, and gave, for fierce confusion peace: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea. O Trinity of love and power, all trav’lers guard in danger’s hour; from rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect them where-so-e'er they go; thus evermore shall rise to thee glad hymns of praise from land and sea. *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. *Benediction Beloveds, as Jesus taught, let us be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. May we not be naive to evil’s plans. Nor give up on what God can still do among us. Let us live with clarity and conviction. Our faith will not be in vain. Amen Postlude March VonGluck (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 & David Wildes Liturgist – Carol Skinner Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer Office Secretary – Vicky Espling Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack The Body of Christ – You Resources enfleshed: liturgy that matters "Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.

Praise To the Lord

Words and Music - ©1863 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd

Contributors: Joachim Neander, Catherine Winkworth

Now thank We All Our God

Words and Music - ©1586 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd

Contributors: Martin Rinkart, Johann Cruger

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Words and Music - ©2006 Jubilate Music

Contributors: Hoffman/Showalter, Mark Hayes

Eternal Father, Strong To Save

Words and Music - ©2022 Stephen DeCesare / Exultet Music

Contributors: John Dykes, William Whiting, Stephen DeCesare

Go with Us, Lord

Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company

Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey