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 8, 2024
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10 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
Holy Spirit, the cruelness of oppressive forces enrages us. We know it doesn’t have to be this way. May we follow in the legacy of our teacher, Jesus, who, amidst empire, lived creatively and compassionately. In our heartbreak, comfort us and open us to your expansive ways. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Brethren, We Have Met to Worship William Moore/ Kidwell
Holy manna
Welcome
*Introit Spirit of the Living God (v. 1) Hymns of Truth & Light #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: We gather in the presence of a nonbinary God.
All: Our many dimensions are held by the God of Multifacets.
One: The Divine is not the enforcer of a linear life,
All: But Love who expands as the Cosmos.
One; The Spirit delights in all our permutations,
All: Let us gather in the midst of God Unfolding.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and Lighting of Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn Great Is Your Faithfulness The New Century Hymnal #423
Great is your faithfulness, O God, Creator
with you no shadow of turning we see.
You do not change, your compassions they fail not;
all of your goodness forever will be.
Refrain:
Great is your faithfulness! Great is your faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed your hand has provided,
Great is your faithfulness, God, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
to your great faithfulness, mercy, and love
Refrain:
Great is your faithfulness! Great is your faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed your hand has provided,
Great is your faithfulness, God, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace so enduring,
your own dear presence to cheer and to guide.
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.
Refrain:
*Invocation
Creator of lights, there is no variation or shadow due to change in you. Let your Spirit illumine our hearts through your holy Word, turning us from the emptiness of our human traditions to the fullness of life in the Beloved One, Jesus Christ. Amen
Children’s Message
Greek Scripture James 2:8-13 and Mark 7:14-23
Special Music Lead, Kindly Light J.B.Dykes/ M. Kim
Message
*Hymn Keep Our Faith Alive and Thriving
Keep our faith alive and thriving, help us be your servants true.Stir our hearts to break with grief when hurting people cry for you.May our works reflect our preaching, may your worship change our ways.Make our mission full and fruitful, serving you with all our days.
What good is it, Gospel children, if you pray but fail to act?Is not faith a concrete practice, never only in abstract?May we live your Gospel fully; hearing, yes, but doing, too!May our lives reflect your calling, not just when we’re in our pew.
What good is it, God’s beloved, if the Church is naught but talk?Who are we to shut the door when those who weep and suffer knock?Far too often have we faltered when we’re called to take a stand.Free our hearts to serve you boldly, feeding people from your hand.
Faith that’s free from works is deadly, keeping us from serving true.Make us, mold us, steer us clearly to the truth we should pursue.All your children need your mercy, help us serve the ones in need.Seal us in your Holy Spirit, preaching love in word and deed.
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
We desire nourishing food, bodily safety, and access to resources for all beloveds because we know that our flourishing is bound up with one another’s. In the spirit of mutual wellbeing, let us bring forth our offerings.
Offertory Siciliana on “ The Call” R.V. Williams/ Wagner
*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
Spirit of the Living Christ, we dedicate these offerings to the protection and the flourishing of the beloved community. Equip us for creative and sustainable relationship-tending in your compassionate and radical name. Amen
*Hymn Now Thank We All Our God Hymns of Truth & Light #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 waywith 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.
*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 Give Thanks Unto God Ashford/ Ryan
(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
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 & Sally Knapp
Liturgist – Peggy Karns
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
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
Great Is Your Faithfulness
Words - ©1923, 1951 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Thomas O Chisholm
Keep Our Faith Alive and Thriving
Text - © 2018 Stephen M. Fearing
Now thank We All Our God
Words and Music - ©1586 Willow Publishing Pty Ltd
Contributors: Martin Rinkart, Johann Cruger
Go Now In Peace
Words and Music - ©1976 Hinshaw Music, Inc.
Contributors: Natalie Sleeth
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