Hampstead Congregational Church UCC

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Hampstead Congregational Church

March 30, 2025

Fourth Sunday of Lent

One Great Hour of Sharing

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                                                                                  Debra Sawyer

One: Be the light, bearing it to all the world

All: No hiding.

One:  Be the light, sharing it with all you encounter.

All:  No stalling.

One:  Be the light, so that our neighbors can find their way.

All:  No holding back.

One:  Be the light, so that the world will know there is a path forward.

All:  No hiding. No stalling. No holding.  We move forward to be the light.                                                            

Gathering Prayer:   (unison)                                                              Debra Sawyer

      Holy One, we come into your presence and the presence of this fellowship. We are seeking a little light, some hope, healing. Open us to know you, to receive you and find here your transforming love. 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:  N

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession  (unison)

     Loving God, it was said of the Prodigal Son that he “came to himself.”  Help us to wake up to ourselves, and to You.  Set us free from the illusion of trying to be perfect so that we might be more fully human.  Help us not to chase after an imaginary life, and to find satisfaction in our real lives.  And turn us away from our self-rejection so that we might notice Your arms open in welcome. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Congregational Response:  Ch # 305  Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying

     Lord, listen to your children praying, Lord, send your spirit in this place;

    Lord, listen to your children praying, send us love, send us power, send us grace.

Scripture Readings:  Lk 15: 1-3, 11b-32 (NSRVUE)                       Debra Sawyer

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. ² And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  ³ So he told them this parable: 

¹¹ Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the wealth that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets between them. ¹³ A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant region, and there he squandered his wealth in dissolute living. ¹⁴ When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that region, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that region, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. ¹⁶ He would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one gave him anything. ¹⁷ But when he came to his senses he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! ¹⁸ I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ ²⁰ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. ²¹ Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, ²⁴ for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. ²⁷ He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ ³¹ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”

Children’s Message

Sermon:  "When the Story Reads Us"                         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 & One Great Hour of Sharing

*Doxology:    

Prayer of Dedication                                                           Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

     Generous God, we offer these gifts in the spirit of light and with a heart full of gratitude for what we’ve been given. These offerings show our commitment to sharing with those in need, neighbors near and far, whom we are unlikely to meet. As we share, we shine the light of our faith with brothers and sisters we may never meet.  Bless the gifts, just as you have us, with an extra measure of your grace. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Hymn of Going Forth:    

Benediction                                                               Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

May God’s grace go ahead of you, trail behind you, and encircle you
each and every moment, that with every move you make
you would know with absolute assurance that God’s steadfast love will never leave you alone. Amen.

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

Announcements…

Sunday Dinner - Chicken from Around the World is TODAY!

We hope you will join us today at 2pm in Hadley Hall for this community event!  Suggested free will donation of $15.00.  All proceeds go to Isaiah’s Place.

Invitation to join us on a Mission Trip

Our Confirmation Class is planning a summer mission trip to volunteer to serve the hungry and to help the unhoused. This trip is open to anyone aged 14 and older who would like to go. Dates are being settled and plans finalized. We will likely sleep on a church floor, cook our meals together, spend our days doing volunteer work, have fun, and learn together. If you are interested in participating in such an adventure, please email or speak to the pastor.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Join us on Saturday, April 12 at 9am for our annual Easter Egg Hunt.  Face painting, chocolate bunny raffle and a visit from the Easter Bunny!  All are welcome.

  March 31^st Church Weekly Calendar