Hampstead Congregational Church UCC

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Hampstead Congregational Church

February 15, 2026

Transfiguration 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)                                                                         Brad Robie                      

It is good to be here in this sacred space,
in the shelter of God’s love and hope.
It is good to be here with folks we know well, as well as with new friends,
joining with all of God’s beloved, siblings of Jesus.
It is good to be here, where we can hear God’s voice,
calling us to be eyewitnesses to the Spirit’s presence.

Invocation   (unison)                                                                                       Brad Robie

      Radiant God, we come to you on the mountaintop to experience your glory. You come to us in the valleys. We meet you in gladness in a place where heaven and earth collide. May our worship of you encourage us on the journey and make us aspire to reflect your kindom in the world. Transform us and keep us near to you. 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:  Matthew 17: 1-9, 2 Peter 1: 16-21  (NRSVUE)       Brad Robie

Matthew 17: 1-9

17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. ² And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. ³ Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. ⁴ Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁵ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” ⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” ⁸ And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

2 Peter 1: 16-21 

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” ¹⁸ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

¹⁹ So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰ First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, ²¹ because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Children’s Choir   “This Little Light of Mine”

Children’s Message

Sermon: "The Dance of the Mystical and the Ordinary”           Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

Special Music

Call for Concerns & Celebrations

     (Please write joys and concerns on the papers in the baskets in the pews and pass them to an usher.  The Congregational Response is: “Hear Our Prayers”)

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 Christ, all creatures here below;
                        Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
                        One God, triune, whom we adore!  Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication                                                          Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

Loving God, as part of our listening to Jesus, we offer you these gifts that they might enhance Christ’s message in our world, and call others ever closer to you. Amen.

*Hymn of Going Forth: 

*Benediction       Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

Come down from the mountain with mountain-like faith.

Walk on God's paths as bright, shining lights.

Live in God's ways with faith, hope, and love.

Go into the world transformed and renewed!

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

Announcements:

Ashes to Go & Ash Wednesday Worship

Ashes to Go will be held at Atkinson Congregational on Wednesday, February 18th at the following times:

Shared Ash Wednesday worship will be held on Wednesday, February 18th at 6:30pm at Hampstead Congregational.  

Steeple Lighting

Steeple Lit

In Loving Memory of

George T. Brenza

We miss you!

  February 16^th Church Weekly Calendar