Hampstead Congregational Church UCC

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Hampstead Congregational Church

December 8, 2024

Second Sunday of Advent

No Matter Who You Are or Where You Are on Life’s Journey,

You are Welcome Here!

Greetings and Announcements

Call to Worship

L: Welcome today to this time of preparation.

P: Although we have been preparing for celebrations, we come seeking to prepare our hearts to receive God's Good News.

L: Get ready! The Lord is bringing to us Hope and Peace.

P: How wonderful it is that the Lord is showering us with Peace.

L: Open your hearts and let your spirits be quieted. Be at peace with the Lord.

P: Lord, prepare our lives and bring us peace.                                                    

Gathering Prayer:   (unison)                                                                         Brad Robie

     Holy One, through your Holy Spirit instruct us by the light of your prophets. Illumine our hearts, that we may hear your call to become your path into the world. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. 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                                        Laurie Psarris & Dave Daniels

      Congregational Response:  One Candle Is Lit (verse 2)               Ch #128

Come quickly, shalom, teach us how to prepare

For a gift that compels us with justice to care

Our spirits are restless till sin and war cease

One candle is lit for the reign of God’s peace

Scripture Readings:  Malachi 3: 1-4   (NSRVUE)                                     Brad Robie 

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. ² But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like washers’ soap; ³ he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. ⁴ Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord, as in the days of old and as in former years.

Luke 1: 68-79

“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 Message

Sermon:  "Finding Our Voice                            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

*Advent 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

     God of All Joy, We give thanks each time we remember your gifts in our lives. Our gratitude extends to the ways we can use our gifts of time, talent, and treasures. May your boundless wisdom compel us to use our energies in ways that will share the most love in our world. Amen.

Hymn of Going Forth: 

Benediction                                                                             Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

May the Spirit of Light,
The Christ of Love,
And the God of Joy
Infuse our souls with peace and a song of thanksgiving
As we seek the presence of God in our world.

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

Announcements…

Need 2025 Offering Envelopes? -- If you would like Offering Envelopes for 2025, please let Maria know in the office by either calling 603-329-6985 or email at HCC1752@gmail.com.  Please specify if you would like weekly or monthly envelopes, or something else. We can print to order.

Steeple Lightings

Steeple lit in loving memory of

Ellen C. Little

By her family

Steeple Lighting

Steeple lit in loving memory of

Bob, Lois & Gary Chase

Love, Lauren & Scott

December 9^th Church Weekly Calendar