Hampstead Congregational Church
July 28, 2024
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
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
Passing of the Peace of Christ
Call to Worship
L: Turn your hearts to
God.
P: What shall we do when we are worried?
L: Place your trust in God’s love and mercy.
P: What shall we do when our lives seem too
crowded and busy?
L: Take time for the refreshing words of God’s
love for you.
P: Open our hearts, O Lord, and make us ready for
your words to us.
Gathering Prayer: (unison) Brad Robie
Loving God, what a privilege it is to be your people, to be party to the mystery and power of the spirit, to be at home in the community of Christ, to be fed by your generosity, and to feel grounded in your love. We come with gladness and joy to honor you. Amen.
Opening Hymn: Where Is Bread? ABBOT'S LEIGH 8.7.8.7 D
("God Is Here!") Words
by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
"Where is bread?" the great crowd murmured —
Thousands strong, yet all in need.
"Where is bread?" your people wondered,
Faced with such a crowd to feed.
Who, Lord Jesus, could have guessed it?
One small boy brought food to share.
Taking what he gave, you blessed it;
All were fed, with much to spare.
Where is bread? We know their yearning;
Every day, we wish for more.
God, in time, we're slowly learning:
All we own can make us poor.
Our possessions can possess us,
Leaving hunger deep inside.
Christ our Bread, come now and bless us;
At your feast, we're satisfied.
"Where is bread?" the call is rising;
Millions cry who must be fed.
God, your answer seems surprising:
"You, my Church, you give them bread."
Bread to fill each hungry spirit,
Bread for hungry stomachs, too!
Give us bread and help us share it.
Richly blest, may we serve you.
Scripture Readings: John 6: 1-14 (The Voice) Brad Robie
Narrator: Once this had transpired, Jesus made His way to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (which some these days call the Sea of Tiberias). 2 As Jesus walked, a large crowd pursued Him hoping to see new signs and miracles; His healings of the sick and lame were garnering great attention. 3 Jesus went up a mountain and found a place to sit down and teach. His disciples gathered around. 4 The celebration of the Passover, one of the principal Jewish feasts, would take place soon. 5 But when Jesus looked up, He could see an immense crowd coming toward Him. Jesus approached Philip.
Jesus (to Philip): Where is a place to buy bread so these people may eat?
6 Jesus knew what He was planning to do, but He asked Philip nonetheless. He had something to teach, and it started with a test.
Philip: 7 I could work for more than half of a year[a] and still not have the money to buy enough bread to give each person a very small piece.
8 Andrew, the disciple who was Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up.
Andrew: 9 I met a young boy in the crowd carrying five barley loaves and two fish, but that is practically useless in feeding a crowd this large.
Jesus: 10 Tell the people to sit down.
They all sat together on a large grassy area. Those counting the people reported approximately 5,000 men—not including the women and children—sitting in the crowd. 11 Jesus picked up the bread, gave thanks to God, and passed it to everyone. He repeated this ritual with the fish. Men, women, and children all ate until their hearts were content. 12 When the people had all they could eat, He told the disciples to gather the leftovers.
Jesus: Go and collect the leftovers, so we are not wasteful.
13 They filled 12 baskets with fragments of the five barley loaves. 14 After witnessing this sign that Jesus did, the people stirred in conversation.
Crowd: This man must be the Prophet God said was coming into the world.
Special Music
Message for All Ages including Mama Panya’s Pancakes – A Village Tale from Kenya by Mary and Rich Chamberlin
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
Prayer of Dedication Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
Sustaining God, receive our offerings and magnify them beyond our imagination for the benefit of your kindom, this ministry, and your creation. Cultivate a heart of generosity within us and enable us to witness the abundance that can be found in the fragments that remain as testimony to your power at work in us. Amen.
Hymn of Going Forth: Spiritual Medley
I’m gonna sing, sing, sing I’m gonna shout, shout, shout I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna shout Praise the Lord! When those gates are opened wide I’m gonna sit by Jesus’ side, I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna shout Praise the Lord!
Swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home
Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints go marching in, Oh, Lord I want to be in that number When the Saints go marching in
Benediction
Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
You have been given every good gift for proclaiming God’s presence and God’s love. The world is thirsting for this good news. People struggle for words of hope and peace. As you have been blessed, now go to be a blessing in God’s Name. AMEN.
Music Usage permitted through OneLicense HCC License # A-730412 and CCLI License Number 2927783. All rights reserved.
Announcements…
Summer Spiritual Adventures Horton Center Picnic August 28th – Come join us as we travel to Pine Mountain the UCC camp in Gorham. We will take a picnic lunch, enjoy time on the camp porch, hike to Chapel Rock and Pinkham Ledge. We will stop for supper in Lincoln and return to Hampstead early evening. Sign up in Hadley Hall or email Pastor Paige at pastorpaigebr@gmail.com.
New Upper Room Devotionals Available -- We have copies of the July/August Upper Room devotional available in the foyer to Hadley Hall. If you need a copy mailed to you, please contact the main office.
July 29th Church Weekly Calendar
|
Tuesday |
7:00 P.M. |
Alcoholics Anonymous, Hadley Hall |
|
Wednesday |
7:30 P.M. |
Al-Anon, Davis Room |
|
Thursday |
1:00 P.M. 7:30 P.M. |
Transition Team, Library Gamblers Anonymous, Hadley Hall |
|
Friday |
11:00 A.M. |
LifeShare, Hadley Hall |
|
Sunday |
10:00 A.M. |
Worship Service with Communion followed by Coffee Hour |
Steeple Lighting
Steeple lit July 22nd – July 30th
Steeple lit
In memory of
David R. Copeland
One Year Anniversary
We Miss You Every Day
Love, Diane & Family
Steeple Lighting
Steeple lit July 22nd – July 28th
Steeple Lit
in loving memory of
Ginny Duston