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
Blessing of the Animals
September 29, 2024
This is an outdoor service at the Hancock Town Monument Lot on Rt. 1 near the Town Office (Recorded for Facebook and YouTube)
Silent Prayer
In the making of creatures, O God, you called the senses into being and named them as good. In our tasting and touching, in our smelling, hearing and seeing may we be alive to the mystery of life and alert to finding you in all things. ~ J. Philip Newell
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude The Gift to Be Simple Trad. American/ Dale Wood
Welcome
*Introit
Come and sit together in a circle of friends,
be at home, be at peace, be at rest.
Come and sit together in a circle of friends
Sitting in a circle is best.
*Call to Worship ~ J. Philip Newell One: Give us peace in our days, O God.
All: Let us live in harmony with one another.
One: Let us care for the earth and its creatures.
All: Let us be true as nations.
One: Let us guard one another’s dignity.
All: And let us protect the peace that belongs to the whole of creation. Amen
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle ~ Blessing the Animals - Jan Richardson
*Hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful from Hymns of Truth & Light #63
Refrain:
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings,God made their glowing colors, and made their tiny wings.
Refrain:
The purple headed mountains, the rivers running by,the sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky.
Refrain:
The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,the ripe fruits in the garden, God made them every one.
Refrain:
*Invocation
You have taught us, O Christ, to love the world. You have shown us the light that is within us and within all things. May we learn to love you more and in loving you more learn to love the earth and all its human and more-than-human forms more, for you are the light of all life. Amen
Scripture from Genesis 1 On the fifth day God said, ‘Let the waters bring forth living creatures.’ So the wind awakened the waters into life. Great sea-monsters were born. Gleaming fish swarmed the seas. Winged birds of every kind rose out of the waters. Creeping things crawled from the sea. Wild animals ran free. And cattle roamed the grasslands. God saw that it was good. Earth was alive with its creatures. And there was evening and morning, creation’s fifth day. ~ J. Philip Newell
Special Music The Way of Peace Anthony Giamanco
Message Pastor TJ Blessing the Animals with help from many…
*Hymn Place in the Choir from Pilgrim Lodge songbook #50
Chorus:
All God's critters got a place in the choir.Some sing low, some sing higher,Some sing out loud on the telephone wire,And some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they got now.
Listen to the bass, it's the one on the bottom,Where the bullfrog croaks and the hippopotamusMoans and groans with a big t’doAnd the old cow just goes, 'moo'
Dogs and the cats they take up the middle,Where the honeybee hums and the crickets fiddleThe donkey brays and the pony neighsThe old coyote howls (oowww!)
Chorus
Listen to the top where the little birds singOn the melody with the high notes ringin’The hoot owl hollers over everything
The jaybird disagrees.
Singin’ in the night time, singin’ in the dayThe little duck quacks and he's on his wayThe 'possum ain’t got much to sayThe porcupine talks to herself.
Chorus:
It’s a simple song of living sung everywhere
By the ox and the fox and the grizzly bear,
The grumpy alligator and the hawk above
The sly raccoon and the turtle dove.
Chorus:
Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns
Excerpt: Canticle of the Sun (or Praise of the Creatures) Saint Francis of Assisi (1182 - 1226) Invitation to Offering All loose offerings will be donated to the SPCA of Hancock County Offertory Sweet Hour of Prayer Bradbury/ King
*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
*Hymn Let There Be Peace on Earth from Pilgrim Lodge songbook #72
Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with meLet there be peace on earth, The peace that was meant to be
With God as our maker, All one family,Let me walk with my neighbor In perfect harmony,
Let peace begin with me, Let this be the moment nowWith every step I take, Let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me.
*Benediction
*Sung Blessing Go Now in Peace (sing twice) Hymns of Truth & Light #347
Go now in peace, go now in peace, may the love of God surround you
everywhere, everywhere, you may go.
Postlude Postlude on “ La Morisque” Tielman Susato/ A. North
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, United Church of Christ will hold an emergency special congregational meeting on Sunday, October 6, 2024 immediately following the 10 am morning worship service for the following purposes:
1. To vote on the expenditure of up to $25,000 to replace the Fellowship Hall and Educational Wing roof with metal roofing.
2. Any other business to come before the congregation.
Jeanne Edwards, Clerk
September 16, 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 – Mary Angela & Nick Davis
Liturgist – Mary Angela Davis
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:
Celtic Treasure: Daily Scripture & Prayer - J. Philip Newell
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Words and Music - © OCP Publications
Contributors: ROYAL OAK, Cecil Alexander
Go Now In Peace
Words and Music - ©1976 Hinshaw Music, Inc.
Contributors: Natalie Sleeth
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