Atkinson & Hampstead Congregational Churches
February 8, 2026
Fifth Sunday
After Epiphany
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) Debra Sawyer
We are called to bring a new understanding of God: that God so loves the world.
We are the salt of the earth.
We are called to bring a new hope in God: that God gives us new life.
We are the light of the world.
We are called to follow the commandments and the law.
The Law of God is to love God and to love one another.
Come, let us be the salt of the earth, the light of the world.
Come, let us love one another with the love of God. Let us join together in our love of God to worship and follow Jesus.
Invocation (unison) Debra Sawyer
Light of the world, be our light this day. Creator of life, preserve our life this day. Holy God, pour out your righteousness on us this day. Light of the world, we gather to praise you on this day, with our hearts, song, and minds. 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.)
Scripture Readings: Matt 5: 13-20, 1 Cor 2: 1-12 (NRSVUE) Debra Sawyer
Matt 5: 13-20
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
1 Cor 2: 1-12
2 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the testimony of God to you with superior speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were made not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
6 Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are being destroyed. 7 But we speak God’s wisdom, a hidden mystery, which God decreed before the ages for our glory 8 and which none of the rulers of this age understood, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 God has revealed to us through the Spirit, for the
Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For
what human knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So
also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. 12 Now
we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God,
so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.
Children’s Message
Sermon: “Daring to be Salty” Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
Special Music
Call for Concerns & Celebrations
(Please write joys and concerns on the papers in the baskets in the pews and pass them to an usher. The Congregational Response is: “Hear Our Prayers”)
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 Christ, all creatures here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
One God, triune, whom we adore! Amen.
*Prayer of
Dedication Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
God of every good gift, we stand before you, bathed in your brilliance and warmed by your love, so grateful for the blessings you have generously given us. Receive our tithes and offerings, to help bring about your reign – where your light cannot be hidden and where our good works will give you glory. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen
*Hymn of Going Forth:
*Benediction Rev. Paige
Besse-Rankin
The Spirit of God is upon you and has anointed you.
You are the salt of the earth and you bring light to the world.
You are not too young or too old,
you are not too rich or too needy
to bring good news to the impoverished,
to give a hand to the broken-hearted,
and to live out freedom and pardon
through the gifts you have been given.
So remember to pack peace in your toolbox,
hope in your briefcase,
love in your lunch box,
and may integrity, honesty, and joy be your designer wear of choice.
Do not be frightened, for you are never alone.
The God in whose image you are made
will walk with you and guide you today, tomorrow, and every day.
Music Usage permitted through OneLicense HCC License # A-730412 and CCLI License Number 2927783. All rights reserved.
Announcements:
HCC Annual Meeting - TODAY February 8th, 10am
Our 273rd Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, February 8, 2026 in Hadley Hall following worship. Please attend this vital gathering, as we look back at this past year’s accomplishments and look ahead to God’s call in our congregational life this year. A quorum of members is needed.
New Member Classes
Are you interested in becoming a member of our church or learning more about what church membership is all about? A 3-part New Members class is being organized now. Classes will discuss our faith journeys, the United Church of Christ, and our own local church history and mission.
Use this link to sign up for more information:
https://hampsteadcongregationalchurch.breezechms.com/form/d8583d