Hampstead Congregational Church UCC

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Hampstead Congregational Church

November 30, 2025

First Sunday of Advent

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)                                                                            Brad Robie

Beloved, once again, we embark on the Advent path that points us to the coming of Jesus.

We journey together toward the day that all the earth awaits.

We remember the signs and the times that heralded the arrival of the baby Jesus, God Incarnate.

We journey together toward the day that all the earth awaits.

We tell the stories once again as we learn how to discern the signs and the times, watching for glimpses of God’s here-and-not-yet kingdom among us.

We journey together toward the day that all the earth awaits.

Come, let us worship God who shines a light to guide us on the path to peace and flourishing for all creation.

Come, let us worship as we journey together toward the day that all the earth awaits.

Invocation   (unison)                                                                                         Brad Robie

      Emmanuel, we come here today to renew ourselves in the generosity of God’s hope. We will climb the mountain hand in hand that we may learn again of God’s promise to be with us, both in the valley and on the peaks. Let us set down our despair and rest in the light of God until we are renewed!  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:  

Lighting the Advent Candles                                                                       Brad Robie                                            

      Congregational Response:  Ch #132 When God is a Child (Verse 1)

Hope is a star that shines in the night;

Leading us on till the morning is bright;

When God is a child there’s joy in our song;

The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong;

And none shall be afraid.

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 2: 1-5, Romans 13: 11-14  (NRSVUE)             Brad Robie

Isaiah 2: 1-5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

² In days to come
    the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains
    and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
³     Many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
    and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction
    and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
⁴ He shall judge between the nations
    and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares
    and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation;
    neither shall they learn war any more.
⁵ O house of Jacob,
    come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord!

Romans 13: 11-14

¹¹ Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; ¹² the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; ¹³ let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit sex and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Children’s Message

Sermon: "Waging Peace"                                              Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

Special Music

Call for Concerns & Celebrations

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 for gifts of hope and peace;
                           Praise God for gifts of joy and love;
                           Praise God for sending Christ to dwell: 
                           On earth for us – Emmanuel.  Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication                                                          Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

      Beloved Creator, we offer these gifts to you in the spirit of Hope. We place our trust in you and in those who faithfully care for your people, that these gifts will be used to protect and uplift those who are in need. Help us to remember our role to act as agents of your grace each and every day.
Amen

*Hymn of Going Forth: 

*Benediction                                                                     Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

May God give us courage,

give us vision,

and give us unending peace –

the kind of peace that God knows is possible.

May God guide our journeys

that we may bear Jesus’ gifts of love and life and hope.

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you,

from here to the top of Mount Zion.

May God look on every one of us with kindness,

and give us sweet, perfect peace.

Amen

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

Announcements:

What We Still Need for the Craft Fair

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.

  December 1^st Church Weekly Calendar