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

September 3, 2023 – Fourteenth 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) 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 Perplexing One, we do not always understand you or what you ask of us. But in your presence, there is something that entices us. That comforts us. That challenges us toward the world we desire. Though you inevitably call us toward the risky and unfamiliar, may we not let our fears deter us. May curiosity and openness be our practices of faith. Amen

* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit Announcements Prelude Communion Theodore Dubois 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: From the midst of our lives, vibrant and troubled All: God longs to connect with us One: They meet us with compassion and call us to courage All: God entices us all toward deeper relations One: With land and creature, neighbors and strangers All: We find our lives entangled and entwined For the sake of all life, God summons our attention *Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle *Hymn Lord, I Want To Be A Christian R. #403 Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart; Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart. In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart. Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart; Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart. In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart. Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart; Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart. In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart. Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart; Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart. In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.

*Invocation (in unison) Eternal God, when we search for you, we find you. When we seek you, we find you seeking us. Your presence among us changes our circumstances and our lives. We honor and worship you as an act of devotion and discipleship. Infuse us with your Spirit that our witness and ministry may be a testimony to your everlasting love. Amen Children’s Message Hebrew Scripture Psalm 26:1-8 Christian Scriptures Romans 12:9-21 and Matthew 16:21-28 Special Music Prayer Alexandre Guilmant Message Rev. TJ Mack *Hymn Here I Am, Lord I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain; I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart. I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide till their hearts are satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? Refrain: Prayer for Transformation and New Life Forgiving God, we acknowledge that repentance opens the door to forgiveness and transformation. We turn from our desire for comfort over compassion, easy solutions or challenging resolution, and avoidance over confrontation. We need your strength, fortitude, and conviction to overcome our fear of loss to make room for the gains of new life for ourselves and our neighbors through our generous and sacrificial living. Words of Grace God is faithful to forgive and to redeem. God will sustain us through the hard work of confronting truth about ourselves, our communities, and our world. Receive the companionship of the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us in all truth. 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 – When we consider the gifts we give and receive, we remember that Creator is also Source. Let us give generously of the abundance of our lives so that the world may be made better and God’s kin-dom may come nearer. Offertory Wondrous Love Sacred harp/ Wilbur Held *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) Generous God, thank you for the seeding and inspiring generosity in us. May these gifts be a blessing to the ministry of this church. Multiply them and make us fruitful and faithful steward of our time, talent, and treasure. *Communion Hymn Let Us Break Bread Together R. #311 Let us break bread together on our knees; Let us break bread together on our knees. When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me. Let us drink wine together on our knees; Let us drink wine together on our knees. When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me. Let us praise God together on our knees; Let us praise God together on our knees. When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me. Invitation to the Lord’s Supper Leader: Jesus said: I am the bread of life. You who come to me shall not hunger; you who believe in me shall never thirst. All: In company with all who hunger for spiritual food, we come to this table to know the risen Christ in the sharing of this life-giving bread. Communion Prayer Leader: This is the joyful feast of the people of God. Come to this table as you are. It is spread for us that we might again know that God comes to us, shares our common lot, dwells among us, and invites us to join the people of a new age, a new day, a new heaven, a new earth. All: We come to this table, not because we must, but because we may; not because of some special goodness we may possess or privilege we may have, but because of our need of assurance; not to express an opinion, but to seek a presence and to pray for a spirit. Breaking Bread and Pouring Wine Leader: Through the broken bread we participate in the body of Christ. Through the cup of blessing we participate in the new life Christ gives. Sharing the Elements Leader: The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready. Leader: The bread of life. All: Amen Leader: The cup of joy. All: Amen Prayer of Thanksgiving All: Bountiful God, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen *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 Postlude Gavotte in B Flat G.F. Handel (Please remain seated for the Postlude) 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 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 – Doug Kimmel, Sally Knapp, & Robin Long Liturgist – Peggy Karns Audio-Video Support – Patrice Alexander Office Secretary – Vicky Espling Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack The Body of Christ – You Resources enfleshed: liturgy that matters and Worship Ways @ ucc.org "Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Words and Music - ©1863 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd

Contributors: Joachim Neander, Catherine Winkworth

Lord, I want to be a Christian

Words and Music - ©1993 Chalice Press

Contributors: African-American spiritual, African-American spiritual; harm. Larry Sivis

Here I Am, Lord

Words and Music - © OCP Publications

Let Us Break Bread Together

Words and Music; Text: 10 10 with refrain; Spiritual. Music: LET US BREAK BREAD.

Contributors: LET US BREAK BREAD

.

Go with Us, Lord

Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey