UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HANCOCK
Open and Affirming of ALL God’s Children
Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 22, 2023
This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)
(Posted for later viewing on Facebook and YouTube)
Meeting ID: 883 2746 7219
Passcode: 131738
Silent Prayer
Lord, you call me to be a faithful disciple.
Enable me to hear your voice above the distractions of this day,
to see each challenge as an opportunity for faithful witness,
and to offer myself in obedient service in all that I do. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Noel Theodore Dubois
Welcome
Introit We Gather Together (v.3) B. #421
All praise to the Spir-it, pro-vid-er, de-fend-er.
You of-fer us free-dom, to fol-low or stray.
Em-pow-er-ing all by the hope you en-gen-der.
Grant wis-dom and cour-age to fol-low your way.
*Call to Worship
One: Our ever-present God dwells in the sanctuary and in homes, in public spaces and our interior lives.
Many: Behold the greatness of the Holy One in the expansiveness of these sacred spaces.
One: We seek God’s face on Sunday mornings and evenings…and throughout the week.
Many: Live in the presence of the Holy One all the days of our lives.
One: We call out for God’s grace, strength, and guidance.
Many: Seek the face of the Holy One. Recognize God’s greatness.
*Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle
*Hymn This Is the Day B. #84
This is the day, this is the day that our God has made, that our God has made;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that our God has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it;
This is the day, this is the day that our God has made.
This is the day, this is the day Jesus rose again; Jesus rose again;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day Jesus rose again, we will rejoice and be glad in it;
This is the day, this is the day Jesus rose again.
This is the day, this is the day when the Spirit came, when the Spirit came;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day when the Spirit came, we will rejoice and be glad in it;
This is the day, this is the day, when the Spirit came.
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
Great God, we acknowledge your presence among us and the ways you connect us as a community. Make us receptive to your voice and instruments of your love in the world. Thrill us with your majesty and inspire us with your humility. We rejoice in this gathering as we bless your Holy Name in the assembly, gathered across time and space as your people. We seek you. We’re grateful to find you. Amen
Children’s Message
Old Testament Reading (Hebrew Scriptures) Psalm 27:1, 4-9
New Testament Reading (Christian Scriptures) 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Special Music Wondrous Love Southern Harmony/ Kidwell
Message
*Hymn My Life Flows On in Endless Song R. #427
My life flows on in endless song; above earth's lamentation,
I hear the sweet, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior’s living.
What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he’s giving.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
Prayer for Transformation and New Life (spoken in unison)
Sovereign God, how often do we turn toward ourselves or others for validation, salvation, and deliverance rather than seek your wisdom, will, and way? How often have we sought our own measure of greatness apart from the realm of your kin-dom? How long have you waited for us to seek you? Forgive us, O God, and call us back to your presence, plan, and purpose.
Words of Grace
The One who creates us in the divine image knows how tempted we may be to consider ourselves more highly than we ought or more lowly than we should. The One who knows us continually reaches toward us with the promise of grace and the hope of mercy, faithfulness, and love. Receive God’s forgiveness and restorative embrace.
Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns
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 – God, the source of all good things, has given us what we need. In joyful response, let us offer our gifts, the fruit of our labors, and the dedication of our hearts for loving service in the name of Christ.
Offertory Scherzino on a French Carol arr. David Paxton
*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 our salvation, receive these gifts we offer and bless them for the work of your kingdom, through Christ, our Lord. Amen
*Hymn In Christ There Is No East or West R. #381
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north;
but one community of love throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord close binding humankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith, whate'er your race may be;
all children of the living God are surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west, in him meet south and north;
all Christly souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.
*Blessing
*Sung Benediction Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing (v. 1) R. #333
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace:
oh, refresh us, oh, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.
Postlude Joy in the Morning Robert Swift
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
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
Liturgist – Barbara Reeve
Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood
Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer
(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
Support our Church Financially
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)
Contact Us
hancockmaineucc@gmail.com treasurer@hancockucc.com revtjmack@gmail.com
207.422.3100 207.323.6743
Resources
Worship Ways and Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
Living Psalm – Maren Tirabassi
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.”
We Gather Together
Words - ©1992 Pilgrim Press, The
Contributors: Lavon Bayler
My Life Flows On in Endless Song
Robert Lowry, Jean Anne Shafferman
Words and Music - ©2019 Jubilate Music
In Christ There Is No East or West
Words and Music - © OCP
Contributors: McKEE, John Oxenham
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Words and Music - ©pd Public Domain
Contributors: Public Domain
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