Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for September 8, 2024
Forth in your name, O Lord, I go,
my daily labor to pursue;
God, only you, resolved to know
in all I think or speak or do.
At our special congregational meeting on September 1, 2024, the vote was overwhelmingly in support of resuming our Sunday worship services at 10:00 a.m. year round.
The change takes effect this week, Sunday, September 8.
The choir gathered after church and decided to start choir practice on September 15th at 9:15.
All are welcome and we look forward to making a joyful noise.
The Friday morning Hancock Point Chapel meditation group will continue to meet at 9:00 a.m. through Sept. 20th (three more weeks).
During the month of September we will be receiving Our Church’s Wider Mission offering. This is one of the 5 for 5 offerings received by the Maine Conference throughout the year. OCWM provides funding from congregations for Conferences and the national ministries of the United Church of Christ (wider and local church ministries, justice and witness ministries, general ministries, and pension boards). Envelopes are available in the back of the Sanctuary or notate your desired donation on the memo line of your check. Every little bit helps!
Our meetings are open to all. If you would like to attend a meeting, please let TJ or Vicky know and they will provide the Zoom link, or you are welcome to attend in person.
The Budget Committee will meet Friday, September 6th at 11:30 pm.
Church Council will meet Friday, September 6th at 12:30 am.
Deacons will meet Friday, September 13th at 3:00 pm
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
Prayers for Everett’s brother, Darrell; Sandra & Susan; Orrick; Judith C.;
Don and Heather; Graham and Joey and Morgan; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Sally’s friend, Sue Barger; Dr. John; Yvonne; Herbie Lounder; Ira; Cathy C. and for Cynthia’s Aunt Barbara receiving Hospice Care. Prayers for Jane; Ruth; Marie; Joyce; Doris; Ron & Kathy; Jim Snyder; Jonathan Holmes; Brandon Perry-Hudson; John Wood; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport; Liz & Jim; Austin’s cousin Danny; Kenny Stratton; Joy & David & Lori; Debbie & Lincoln & son-in-law Aaron, daughter Ashley, and granddaughter Brielle; Sandy Phippen; Betty & her step-daughter Mollie; Debbie & Hollis & Holly and Debbie’s Aunt Linda Reed; Amy Nickerson; Tom & Judy’s son Andrew & family; Kevin and Vanessa & family. Prayers of strength and healing for all awaiting diagnoses and for all recovering from surgeries & procedures. Prayers for all that are unsafe, unhoused, hungry & in need of care & compassion. Prayers for the people of our nation and of our world experiencing escalating wars, conflicts, and disasters. Prayers for all individuals estranged from family members; prayers for all individuals and families experiencing addictions; prayers for all caregivers; and prayers for all that is in your heart…
Upcoming September Birthdays and Anniversaries
08: Tamara Crowley 08: Jane Coffin 11: Kenny Stratton
14: Roger & Denise Chandler 15: Nancy Cooledge 15: Priscilla Hirschenhofer 16: Jaimie & Gina Tansey 19: Tony Burkart 19: Joey & Morgan Espling
20: Dianne Eckhardt 20: Cliff Manchester 20: Jim Singletary
Pilgrim Lodge August 30 - September 2, 2024
From Our Maine Conference
It is with sadness and gratitude that we let you know of the passing of
Reverend John Ellis
We hold the family and friends of the Reverend John Ellis in God’s love as they grieve his death. John was a longtime volunteer at our Food Pantry and a beloved pastor in several UCC churches in our area.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7th at 1 pm at the Second Congregational Church of Norway.
2025 Budget Hearing Opportunities for all Clergy and Laity of our conference
The Maine Conference UCC Board of Directors will be holding the
2025 Budget Hearings via Zoom!
There are two opportunities scheduled to help in trying to accommodate everyone's
busy schedules.
Monday, September 9th, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday, September 11th, 3 PM - 5 PM
Below you can find the registration link to the hearings. Once registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to join the meeting.
Preliminary Budget will be available soon!
Maine Conference United Church of Christ
ANNUAL MEETING 2024
Our theme for our Annual Meeting this year is “Linked By Love.” The Annual Meeting Planning Team is fashioning a two-day gathering that, we trust, will foster a deepening experience of the covenant that binds us in discipleship.
The Planning Team invites all congregations in the Maine Conference to participate in our Annual Meeting theme at some point before Annual Meeting, October 18 and 19, by engaging in the theme during one of your regular worship services.
A Note from our Associate Conference Minister
Rev. John Fiscus
I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me.
– C.S. Lewis
My favorite question of late is “How may I pray for you?” I tend to ask it on zoom calls, at in person gatherings, over family chats and directly to connections with friends. My reasoning for this is that, I firmly believe we all stand in the need of prayer. I don’t believe prayer provides quick fixes and immediate actions, although nothing is impossible with God. I don’t pray for winning lotto numbers or for the Patriots to beat the spread. Recently, I have prayed for my mother’s memory, my health, and my relationships with others. I have prayed for strength and wisdom in my new role here in the Maine conference. I have prayed for churches seeking pastors and pastors seeking churches. I believe prayer open us up to the possibility of God being present in the places we make open to God.
Having attended several churches already in Maine, I am struck by the robust responses to the calls for prayers in worship. We are praying for peace in war torn places, grief in the hearts touched by gun violence near and far, guidance and wisdom for health in mind, body and spirit. We are opening ourselves, our families and our world to be available for God to find our connection and guide us forward. Prayer ultimately is about a language of connection to God, our concerns and ourselves.
C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors. Theologically we are different but his words always stir my thoughts and in turn my prayers. From the whimsy of fawns and Lions (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), conspiring demons (The Screwtape Letters), or his own deep battle with grief (A Grief Observed) he makes me think and draw closer to listening for a divine whisper or seeing a divine spark. His words that prayer changes the individual praying makes clear sense to me.
As the election approaches, days shorten, the air becomes chilly, and we face yet unknown challenges we can do so with robust prayers for ourselves and each other. Whether you tell me directly or not, know that I am holding the churches, pastors, and friends of the Maine conference in my prayers. I might not know how I might directly pray for you but know I am lifting prayers already. “I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me.” CS Lewis’ words are my Amen!
Rev. John Fiscus
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