Hampstead Congregational Church
March 16, 2025
Second Sunday of Lent
No Matter Who You Are or Where You Are on Life’s Journey,
You are Welcome Here!
Order of Worship
Greetings and Announcements
Call to Worship Barry Sargent
One: When the world around me is disturbing, where do I turn?
Many: A psalmist says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”
One: When I am afraid, what can I count on?
Many: “The Lord is a fortress protecting my life.”
One: We gather in the light of God’s protection.
Many: We come to pray, praise and sing. Let us worship God together!
Gathering Prayer: (unison) Barry Sargent
Gracious God, prepare us to receive you. May our eyes behold you in those around us. May our ears receive your word. May our hearts be open to your teaching and leading. In this precious moment, may we know you in new ways. 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:
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (unison)
Merciful God, you have made us citizens of heaven, but we confess that we have set our minds on earthly things. We have let our desire for security restrain our commitment to serve the poor. We have let our fear of danger curb our obligation to love our enemies. We have let our love things dull our generosity to the needy. Yet you know the desires of our heart and nothing is hidden from you. By the power of the Holy Spirit, transform us that we might be part of your love for the world. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Congregational Response:
Scripture Readings: Lk 13: 31-35 (NSRVUE) Barry Sargent
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”
Children’s Message
Sermon: "The Mother Hen" 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:
Prayer of Dedication Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
Generous God, as we travel this Lenten journey, allow us to walk beside Jesus as he makes his journey into Jerusalem. As we offer our gifts this morning, may it be our way of saying we won’t turn away from the problems and conflicts of this world; but like Jesus, we will walk toward them. All we take for the journey is the compassion, mercy, and sacrifice that he carried—moving toward what waited in the Holy City. We journey in Christ’s steps and pray in Christ’s holy name. Amen.
Hymn of Going Forth:
Benediction Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
May your days be many and your troubles be few.
May all God’s blessings descend upon you.
May peace be within you, may your heart be strong.
May you find what you’re seeking wherever you roam.
May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us.
May the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. May thy Salvation, O Lord, be always ours this day and for evermore.
Amen.
Credited to St. Patrick
Music Usage permitted through OneLicense HCC License # A-730412 and CCLI License Number 2927783. All rights reserved.
Announcements…
Loaf & Ladle Today After Worship!
Please join us today after worship for Loaf & Ladle in Hadley Hall. Several soups, homemade bread and brownies will be served. All donations will benefit the UCC Disaster Relief Fund. Hope to see you there!
Join Our Fundraising Team! The Fundraising Team is looking for new volunteers to help plan and execute the many fundraising events we have each year at HCC.
Their next meeting will be held after Worship on Sunday, April 6th. If you're interested in joining this amazing group, come to the meeting. We would love for you to join our team!
March 17th Church Weekly Calendar
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Monday |
6:00 P.M. |
Boy Scouts |
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Tuesday |
6:00 P.M. 6:30 P.M. 7:00 P.M. |
45’s, Hadley Hall Operations, Library Alcoholics Anonymous, Davis Room |
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Wednesday |
12:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M. 6:30 P.M. 7:30 P.M. |
Lunch Devotions on ZOOM Daisy Girl Scouts, Hadley Hall Worship, ZOOM Al-Anon, Davis Room |
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Thursday |
10:00 A.M. 6:30 P.M. 7:30 P.M. |
Book Group, Davis Room Staff Relations, Pastor’s Office Gamblers Anonymous, Hadley Hall |
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Friday |
11:00 A.M. |
Life Share, Hadley Hall |
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Sunday |
10:00 A.M.
2:00 P.M. |
Sunday Worship followed Transition Team: Asset Mapping Girl Scouts |
Save the Dates! Upcoming Events
Feb 9 to March 16 - Health Kit collection for Disaster Victims
March 16 - Loaf & Ladle Mission Meal
March 23 – Asset Mapping after Worship
March 30 – Chicken Around the World Supper at 2pm
April 12 - Easter Egg Hunt at 9am
April 17 - Maundy Thursday Supper & Worship at 6:30pm
April 20 - Easter Potluck Breakfast following Sunrise Worship around 7am