Open and Affirming of ALL God’s Children
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 4, 2022
This service will be in the Sanctuary and on Zoom at 9:00 a.m.
Join us for Zoom Coffee Hour beginning shortly after the service ends.
(Find the link below and in your email in-box.)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 882 8024 5071
Passcode: 402851
Silent Prayer
Extravagant God, you pour out blessings upon us and lead us on the path of true life.
Help us to choose your way again and again, that we might revel in your love
and reflect it to all we meet. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Pastorale on “Messiah” Herold/Portman
Welcome
*Introit Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us B. #267
Come, O Spirit, dwell among us; come with Pentecostal power;
Give the church a stronger vision; help us face each crucial hour.
Built upon a firm foundation, Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone,
still the church is called to mission that God’s love shall be made known.
*Call to Worship
One: Like clay, we arrive at this time of worship: Shapeless and full of potential. All: Like clay, we prepare for this time of worship: Stretched and twisted into formation. One: Like clay, we enter this time of worship:Formed and ready for warmth.
All: Loving Creator, maker of everything good, we are in your hands. Be with us now as we gather ourselves to seek your wisdom and strive to become the people you would have us be.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) – Lighting of the Peace Candle & Prayer for Peace & Justice
*Hymn O Holy Dove of God Descending (vs. 1, 2, 3) B. #285
O holy Dove of God descending, you are the love that knows no ending, All of our shattered dreams you’re mending: Spirit, now live in me.
O holy Wind of God now blowing, you are the seed that God is sowing, You are the life that starts us growing: Spirit, now live in me.
O holy Rain of God now falling, you make the Word of God enthralling, You are that inner voice now calling: Spirit, now live in me.
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
Holy and merciful God, we have come to hear your word. Help us to bear it. Break down in us all that resists your will and plant in us a willingness to turn toward you and live as your disciples. By your Spirit, come to us, now, in ancient texts, in everyday visions, in the need of our neighbor; we pray in the name of Jesus, our light. Amen
Children’s Message
New Testament Reading (Christian Scriptures) Luke 14:25-33
Excerpt from “The Prophet” © 1923 Kahlil Gibran
Special Music A Quiet Reflection K.Boesiger
Message Rev. TJ MackBe thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me save that thou art. Thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord; thou my Redeemer, my love thou hast won; thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise, thou mine inheritance, now and always; thou and thou only, first in my heart, Ruler of heaven, my treasure thou art.
Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns
Lead Me Lord
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.
Offering – All that we are points back to our Creator. With grateful hearts, let us bring our tithes and offerings to the God from whom they came.
Offertory Greet the Rising Sun Chinese melody/Thompson
*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)
God of all creation, your claim on us is total; your desire for us, complete. We cannot follow Christ from a comfortable distance. Yet we ask that you would receive us this day
and use what we bring.
*Communion Hymn Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether R.#318
Draw us in the Spirit's tether, For when humbly in your name,
Two or three are met together, You are in the midst of them;
Alleluia! Alleluia! Touch we now your garment's hem.
As disciples used to gather, In the name of Christ to sup,
Then with thanks to God the Father, Break the bread and bless the cup,
Alleluia! Alleluia! So now bind our friendship up.
All our meals and all our living, Make as sacraments of you,
That by caring, helping, giving, We may be disciples true.
Alleluia! Alleluia! We will serve with faith anew.
The Lord’s Supper
Invitation to Holy Communion
One: 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.
We come to this table, not because we must, but because we may.
All: This is an open table at which all are welcome.
Words of Institution
All: On the night when Jesus was betrayed, Jesus gathered with his disciples in the upper room where an ordinary meal became an instrument of God.
At this table, Jesus broke bread with those who would betray him.
At this table, Jesus drank wine with the one who denied him.
At this table, Jesus communed with those who would abandon him.
At this table, Jesus gave a new commandment.
At this table, we learn to love one another as God loves us.
Breaking Bread and Pouring Wine
One: Through the broken bread we participate in the body of Christ.
Through the cup of blessing we participate in the new life Christ gives.
The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready.
Sharing the Elements
One: The bread of life.
All: Amen
One: The cup of joy.
All: Amen
*Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table. We are eternally grateful that in this holy mystery, you have given yourself to us. Empower us, that we may go into the world in courage and peace, to give ourselves to each other in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
*Blessing
*Sung Benediction Go With Us, Lord R. #336
That in your Spirit strong and true our lives may be our gift to you.
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our webpage www.hancockucc.org
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)
207.422.3100 207.323.6743
Many thanks to those who helped make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons –Doug Kimmel, Robin Long, & Sally Knapp
Liturgist – Peggy Karns
Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer & Mike Summerer
(Mike Summerer is happy to teach others this simple task. Please inquire…)
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
To view the service on Facebook after it has been uploaded
(type this into your web browserà) Hancock UCC Maine @ Facebook or click below
You may also click on this link to find the service on our YouTube page.
Resources:
enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters and
Worship Ways @ ucc.org and Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.”
O Holy Dove of God Descending - Bryan Jeffery Leech
Words and Music - ©1976 Fred Bock Music Company
Be Thou My Vision - Craig Courtney, Public Domain
Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether
Text: Percy Dearmer, 1867-1936, alt., © Oxford University Press
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
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