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
Long Term Member Recognition Sunday – August 18, 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 borrow something that suits you, and return it after the service.
Silent Prayer
Spirit of Truth, come and search our hearts. What attention might our souls need?
Where there is resentment building, pain unaddressed, or unresolved conflict still weighing heavy, tend to our needs. Guide us in your wisdom as we seek healing and repair.
Help us to support one another in the sacred labors of nurturing love from within. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Pastorale Domenico Zipoli
Welcome
*Introit Spirit of the Living God (v. 1) 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: Holy Wisdom gathers us together with tenderness and care.
All: With gentleness, She calls us into the dwelling place of God.
One: Our pain, our fears, and all our unmet longings - they are safe in Her embrace.
All: In the company of God, we tend honestly to the state of our souls.
One: In the depths of our being, She dwells with Her healing love.
All: In due time, God mends the broken heart.
One: The Beloved One says, “come.”
All: Let all who long for restoration bring every ache and ill.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn For the Fruit of All Creation B. #425
For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God. For God’s gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping,
Future needs in earth's safe-keeping, thanks be to God.
In the just reward of labor, God's will is done.
In the help we give our neighbor, God's will is done.
In our world-wide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing, God's will is done.
For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God. For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us,
Most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God.
*Invocation (in unison)
Loving God, anoint us with your Holy Spirit, as we hear your Word this day.
Fill us with your truth that we may walk in the ways of Jesus to the glory of your realm. Amen
Recognition of Long-Term Members – All present are invited to stand as acknowledged
Pastor TJ - Roll Call and acknowledgment of all being recognized today
All those being recognized today: (in unison)
O God, giver of all good, who continually pours your benefits upon us, of your faithfulness there is no end and your care is unfailing. We praise you that the mystery of our life is a mystery of infinite goodness. We praise you for the order and constancy of nature; for the beauty and bounty of the earth; for day and night, summer and winter, seedtime and harvest; for the varied gifts of loveliness and use which every season brings. We remain one with Christ, committed to the life and work of this church.
Congregation: (in unison)
O God, we are made glad by the good news of your love for these, your humble servants. We thank you for creating them and giving them all that is necessary for life in Christ. Help us to remember the gifts received through the heart, mind, hands, and feet of these faithful so that we may continually learn, grow, and praise you with lives of joy and service; through Jesus Christ. Amen
Children’s Message
Hebrew Scripture Psalm 47:1-2, 5-9 Greek Scripture Matthew 5:33-37
Special Music Woodland Sketch Edward Mac Dowell
Message
*Hymn Thank Our God for Sisters, Brothers B. #397
Thank our God for sisters, brothers, one by grace, in harmony.
Joining heart to heart with others, making strong community.
With the cross of Christ our standard, let us sing as with one voice.
Glory, glory, yours the promise: we who are the church rejoice.
Praise to God for congregations, keeping faith with Christ as guide;
Many tongues of many nations, song and service unified.
Sweet the psalm and sweet the carol, when our song is raised as one.
Glory, glory, yours the power, as in heaven your will be done.
Holy is your name forever! Heal divisions that remain;
Bless the church’s new endeavors; make our witness one again.
One in Christ and in Christ’s gospel, make us one we now implore.
Glory, glory, yours the glory, then and now and evermore.
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 – There is no end to the possibilities of God among us. If we endeavor to grow in love... If we open ourselves to creativity and imagination... If we dare to dream with hope... God will guide us on paths that heal and transform. With thanks for the Holy work of Love in this place, let us bring our offerings.
Offertory Andante Religioso Felix Mendelssohn
*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
Holy Wonder, the gift of your wisdom is balm to our souls. You illuminate the possibilities of radical love within and around us. You turn us from patterns that replicate pain and violence and point us in directions that free and uplift. For the power of Christ that lives in us, enabling the way of integrity, we bring our gifts with thanks. Amen
*Hymn Called as Partners in Christ’s Service B. #495
Called as partners in Christ's service Called to ministries of graceWe respond with deep commitment Fresh new lines of faith to traceMay we learn the art of sharing Side by side and friend with friend
Equal partners in our caring To fulfil God's chosen end
Christ's example Christ's inspiring Christ's clear call to work and worth
Let us follow never faltering Reconciling folk on earthMen and women richer poorer All God's people young and oldBlending human skills together Gracious gifts from God unfold
Thus new patterns for Christ's mission In a small or global senseHelp us bear each other's burdens Breaking down each wall or fenceWords of comfort words of vision Words of challenge said with careBring new power and strength for action Make us colleagues free and fair
So God grant us for tomorrow Ways to order human lifeThat surround each person's sorrow With a calm that conquers strifeMake us partners in our living Our compassion to increaseMessengers of faith thus giving Hope and confidence and peace
*Benediction
*Sung Blessing Go Now in Peace R. #347
Go now in peace, go now in peace, may the love of God surround you
everywhere, everywhere, you may go.
Postlude Faith Eternal Edward Broughton
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary.
The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, United Church of Christ will hold a special congregational meeting on Sunday, September 1st, 2024 immediately following the 9:30 morning worship service for the following purposes:
1. To vote on a permanent time for the worship service on Sunday mornings, (A) year round at 9:30 a.m. or (B) 9:00 a.m. on the Sundays between Memorial Day and Labor Day and 10:00 a.m. the rest of the year.
2. Any other business to come before the congregation.
Jeanne Edwards, Clerk
August 15, 2024
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 – Robin Long & Pat Summerer
Liturgist – Jeanne Edwards
Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander
Office Administrator – Vicky Espling
Student Ministry Intern – Sarina Brooks
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Resources:
enfleshed: liturgy that matters - Silent Prayer, Call to Worship, Offertory Prayers
Feasting on the Word - Invocation
"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
For the Fruit of All Creation
Words - ©1970 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Fred Pratt Green
Called as Partners in Christ's Service - Jane Parker Huber
Words - ©1981 Presbyterian Publishing/Westminster John Knox/Geneva Press
Go Now In Peace
Words and Music - ©1976 Hinshaw Music, Inc.
Contributors: Natalie Sleeth
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