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 lit in loving memory of
Ellen C. Little
By her family
Steeple lit in loving memory of
Bob, Lois & Gary Chase
Love, Lauren & Scott
December 9th Church Weekly Calendar
Monday |
7:00 P.M. |
Boy Scouts, Hadley Hall |
Tuesday |
6:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. |
45’s, Hadley Hall Alcoholics Anonymous, Davis Room |
Wednesday |
6:00 P.M. 6:30 P.M. 7:30 P.M. |
Daisy Girl Scouts, Hadley Hall Worship, 3CX Al-Anon, Davis Room |
Thursday |
10:00 A.M. 4:00 P.M. 7:30 P.M. |
Book Group, Davis Room Missions, Pastor’s Office Gamblers Anonymous, Hadley Hall |
Friday |
11:00 A.M. |
LifeShare, Hadley Hall |
Saturday |
7:00 P.M. |
Interfaith Choir Christmas Concert, Sanctuary |
Sunday |
10:00 A.M. |
Sunday Worship followed by Coffee Hour |