PDF BULLETIN

Hampstead Congregational Church
March 1, 2026
Second Sunday of Lent
with Communion


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)                                                                        Linda Tilden

Leader:  Christ of the comfortable, you would call us from our security and sameness, down that unknown path which leads to God's heart:

People:  with trust, we would place our hands in yours, and follow.

Leader:  Companion of our sleepless nights, you would beckon us out of the shadows of our fears, calling us to bring our doubts and questioning hearts along:

People:  with humility, we would listen to those answers we do not expect, or even understand.

Leader:  Word which creates out of nothingness, you would fill us with life
where we see only emptiness, you would keep your promises when all ours lie littered on the ground:

People:  we would let your grace transform us into faithful disciples.

 

Invocation   (unison)                                                                                   Linda Tilden

     Spirit, you lead us into the night. Sometimes the darkness is scary; sometimes it brings peace. In the stillness of the night, help us come to you. Let us experience you in ways we have not before. As we wrestle with the questions of our lives, help us know what really matters. 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:  

1

 

The Gospel Shared Dramatically: John 3: 1-17 (NRSVUE) 

          Shared by Rob and Joanne Reeves    

 

3 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

 

11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

 

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

 

17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.

 

Children’s Message


Sermon: "Questions in the Night"                               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.

 

Mission Moment:  One Great Hour of Sharing

 

Call to Offering

6

*Doxology:     “  Praise God throughout these 40 days,
                            Praise Christ, our Lord, whom God did raise,
                            And praise the Spirit who imparts
                            God’s love in Christ into our hearts”

*Prayer of Dedication                                                          Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

      You trust us enough to place your blessings in us, so may we be as faithful in offering them back to you, so others might be kept in their loneliness, might be fed in their emptiness, might receive hope in their despair.  This we ask in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Communion Hymn:  

 2

Celebration of Holy Communion

Invitation to Communion

Communion Prayer
Words of Institution
Prayer of Consecration
Sharing of the Elements—All are welcome to the table always
Sharing of the Bread (please come forward and eat once you receive)

Prayer of Thanksgiving

     We give thanks almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ.  Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our savior.  Amen.

*Hymn of Going Forth: 

 
3

*Benediction                                                                              Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

Let us rejoice: God so loves the world!

May God your Maker send you back into the world with creative energies refreshed.

May Christ the Light illuminate your darkest moments.

And may the Holy Spirit of steadfast love guide you until we worship together again.

Amen

 

 

Music Usage permitted through OneLicense HCC License # A-730412 and CCLI License Number 2927783. All rights reserved.


3

4  Special Fuel Offering

We all know that it’s been an extremely frigid winter.   The church heating bills for HCC have been very high. Therefore, we are asking you, our members and friends to consider a special fuel offering next Sunday, March 1st to offset our heating costs.

 

Special envelopes will be included in the bulletins. If you mail your donation, please indicate with a note or on the memo line that it’s for the fuel offering.

 

In appreciation,

 

Operations Team

4

One Great Hour of Sharing will be taken March 15.  One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is a vital special mission offering of the United Church of Christ. It connects you to disaster relief, refugee assistance, and development efforts around the globe. When disasters strike, or when individuals are displaced due to violence or poverty, OGHS ensures immediate response and ongoing recovery.

Through your support, OGHS funds comprehensive development programs in areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture, food security, microfinancing, and women's empowerment. By partnering with Global Ministries and international response networks, OGHS maximizes its impact. Your contributions help meet urgent needs while addressing the root causes of vulnerability, ensuring long-term, sustainable solutions for affected communities.

Thank you for your gifts!


5