Hampstead Congregational Church
November 23, 2025
Reign of Christ Sunday
No Matter Who You Are or Where You Are on Life’s
Journey,
You are Welcome Here!
Order of Worship
Prelude Herb Tardiff
Greetings and Announcements
Call to Worship (responsive) Rick Little
Blessed be the Lord God who looks with kindness on us.
We are the inheritors of the promises made long ago to our ancestors.
Blessed be the Lord God who gathers us here in this place.
From across the street, from halfway around the world, God brings us home to the heart of grace.
Blessed be the Lord God who has remembered us.
Scoffers and singers, watchers and wigglers, we are those redeemed by God.
Invocation (unison) Rick Little
Gracious God – our shepherd, our guide, our sovereign – you reach out to gather us to you in so many different ways, showing us over and over how your realm of grace and love differs from the powers and principalities of our age, which we witness in our daily lives. Open our eyes that we may see you more clearly. Amen.
Passing of the Peace of
Christ
(Feel free to pass the
peace by shaking hands, offering hugs or waves.
Those who would like to share peace without physical contact are invited
to place their hands over their hearts in greeting.)
*Opening Hymn:
Scripture Readings: Col 1: 11-20, Lk 1: 68-79 (NRSVUE) Rick Little
Col 1: 11-20
11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Lk 1: 68-79
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked favorably on his people and
redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us
in the house of his child David,
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets
from of old,
71 that we would be saved from
our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors
and has remembered his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
to grant us 74 that we,
being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and
righteousness
in his presence all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the
Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
79 to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the
shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Children’s Choir
Children’s Message
Sermon: “Ruling Images” Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
Special Music
Call for Concerns & Celebrations
Please share your prayers on sheets in pews passed to the center aisle.
(Responsive – when pastor says “Holy One”, congregational response is “Hear our Prayer)
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Call to Offering
*Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings
flow;
Praise
God, all creatures here below;
Praise
God above, you heavenly host:
One God, Triune whom
we adore.
*Prayer of Dedication Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
God of All
Time and Space,
You call us to transform the world through the extension of your grace to all
of creation. May we find new and creative ways to share our treasures, talents,
and time in order to create your Realm here on earth. May we work to create
paradise beginning here today. Amen.
*Hymn of Going Forth:
*Benediction Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
Though the days increase in their darkness, the Lord of light and love reigns supreme. May the power of God’s love be in your hearts and reflected in your lives now and always. Go in peace, and may God’s peace be with you. AMEN.
Music Usage permitted through OneLicense HCC License # A-730412 and CCLI License Number 2927783. All rights reserved.
Announcements:
Things we need:
• Baked goods & Soup (We have containers to divide it.)
• Raffle Items like gift cards, theme baskets, kids’ items and homemade crafts.
• Upscale gently used hidden gems. Leave items in the foyer at any time.
Let’s all contribute to overflow our congregation’s table!
Sincerely,
The Fund-Raising Team
Greens Workshop
To make items for the Christmas Fair
Wednesday, December 3 at 6:30pm
Get a few friends together and have a fun night of creating wreaths, swags and centerpieces with fresh evergreens, which we will then have for sale at the craft fair. Kari will guide provide guidance so even if you have never done it before, you will still have fun!
We will be looking for donations of cut evergreens. They can be left in the basement anytime up to a week before. Pine, arborvitae, holly, spruce, boxwood, mountain laurel, all make great arrangements. Pinecones are also great!
We hope you can join us!
Please bring pruners, scissors and/or wire cutters to use.
Also, if anyone would like a ride, Linda Tilden has graciously offered to pick up and drive home anyone who isn't comfortable driving at night. Call or text her
at 978-973-7681.
Steeple Lighting
Steeple Lit
November 22nd to November 30th
In loving Memory of
Steven Perry
Happy Birthday!
Forever Missed
