Hampstead Congregational Church
April 26, 2026
Fourth Sunday of Easter
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) Rob Reeves
Leader: We are different people; each one of us unique. We look different, sound different, think different thoughts, hold different opinions, feel different emotions.
People: God gathers us all together – with all our differences, quirks, all our gifts and challenges – to break bread, sing songs, open our hearts to prayer and share in devotion to the One who unites and transforms us.
Leader: Let us worship together!
Invocation (unison) Rob Reeves
God who is Shepherd, Gate, and Way, we join together as a community in your presence and in your protection. Shield us from apathy and isolation. Fortify us against resignation and despair. Nudge us toward justice and righteousness in your name. As we gather to worship you, may we be transformed by your love, strengthened in grace, and rooted in faith for your glory and your kindom come. 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: Acts 2: 42-47; John 10: 1-10 (NRSVUE) Rob Reeves
John 10: 1-10
10 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Acts 2: 42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43 Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Children’s
Message
Sermon: "Being Church Together 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: NC #17 To You, O God, All Creatures Sing (vs 1)
To you, O God, all creatures sing, and all creation, everything sings your praises, Alleluia! Your burning sun with golden beam, your silver moon with softer gleam Sing your paise, Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
*Prayer of Dedication Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
As we offer our gifts this day, may we join Mercy and Goodness in being in the lives of all who long for rest, who hunger for hope, who thirst for living waters, and who ache to be part of your community of grace and peace. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
*Hymn of Going Forth: 
*Benediction Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
God, the creator, births and nurtures you.
God, the life-giver, sustains you on life’s journey and will never abandon you.
Go from this place with the assurance of God’s love.
Model the grace of God in our world so that others will know
they want to be a part of what we have as God’s people. Amen.
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