Hampstead Congregational Church
June 22, 2025
Confirmation
Sunday
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) Joann Klawitter
L: Come, let us worship the Lord our God, whose love quenches our thirst.
P: We are parched and thirsty for God’s healing word.
L: Let us praise God who is with us always.
P: We seek the one who will not desert us.
L: Let us open our hearts to God who calls us by name.
P: We come, taking another step on our journey of faith – choosing to turn to God this day and every day.
Invocation (unison) Joann Klawitter
God, on this day of celebration, we remember the promises that we have made to you along the way of our life and listen for your voice calling us forward. God, on this day, we give thanks for those who have taught us and inspired us and guided us in our faith. Make your presence known to us in our time together and send us forth empowered to live in your way. 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:
Scripture Readings: John 1: 1-5 (NSRVUE) Joey Siwacki
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
1 Thessalonians 5: 12-18 (NSRVUE) Julian Malcolm
12 But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; 13 esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. 15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Children’s Message
Sermon: "Choosing Faith" Rev. Paige
Besse-Rankin
Special Music
ORDER FOR CONFIRMATION: AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM
For Julian Robert Malcolm and Joseph David Siwacki
Invitation
Questions of the Candidates
United Church of Christ Statement of Faith (found at NC #885)
Prayer of Baptism for Julian
Prayers of the Congregation
PASTOR: Let us pray together.
ALL
Almighty God, who in baptism received these your servants into the church, forgave their sins, and promised them eternal life, increase in them the gifts of your Holy Spirit. Grant love for others, joy in serving you, peace in disagreement, patience in suffering, kindness toward all people, goodness in evil times, faithfulness in temptation, gentleness in the face of opposition, self-control in all things. Thereby strengthen them for their ministry in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
ACT OF CONFIRMATION
Confirmand Prayer
Pastor’s Prayer
Prayer of Confirmation
Address & Welcome
PASTOR: Let us, the members of local church, express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ.
PEOPLE
We promise you our continuing friendship and prayers as we share the hopes
and labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit may
we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love and be witnesses
of our risen Savior.
Prayer
Greeting of Christian Love
*Hymn:
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 from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, you heavenly host:
One God, Triune whom we adore.
Prayer of Dedication Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
All good gifts around us come from you, O God. You have given us life, and new life in Christ. As you have given us gifts, so we offer our gifts that we may be gifts to one another, even as Jesus so taught and lived. Amen.
Hymn of Going Forth: NC #526 We Are Marching in the Light of God
(Marching…
praying… working…living)
Benediction Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
Go now, for you are chosen and sent in the Spirit.
Pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances.
Keep what is good, avoid every kind of evil.
To all in need bear witness that the time has come
when the Sovereign Lord will save his people.
And may God who gives peace make you holy in every
way;
May Christ Jesus clothe you with salvation and victory;
And may the Holy Spirit speak through you with the good news of hope. Amen.
Music Usage permitted through OneLicense HCC License # A-730412 and CCLI License Number 2927783. All rights reserved.
Announcements…
Office Closed June 30th-July 4th -- The office will be closed from 6/30 to 7/4. Maria will be attending her daughter's wedding and Pastor Paige will be at the Horton Center for the week. Rev. Carolyn Keilig will preside at worship on June 29th.
June 23rd Church Weekly Calendar
Tuesday |
7:00 P.M. |
Alcoholics Anonymous, Davis Room |
Wednesday |
7:30 P.M. |
Al-Anon, Davis Room |
Thursday |
7:30 P.M. |
Gamblers Anonymous, Hadley Hall |
Sunday |
10:00 A.M. |
Worship followed by Coffee Hour |