Hampstead Congregational Church UCC

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Hampstead Congregational Church

April 20, 2025

Easter Sunday

No Matter Who You Are or Where You Are on Life’s Journey,

You are Welcome Here!

Order of Worship

Prelude                                                                                                          Herb Tardiff  

Easter Proclamation

One: The dawn has broken,
All: Hallelujah.
One: The tomb is empty,
All: Hallelujah.
One: The stone has rolled,
All: Hallelujah.
One: The women have witnessed,
All: Hallelujah.
One: The grave clothes are folded,
All: Hallelujah.
One: Christ has risen,
All: Hallelujah.

*Processional Hymn:  Ch #216  Christ the Lord Has Risen Today!

Greetings and Announcements

Passing of the Peace of Christ 

Invocation   (unison)                                                                           Judy Dobson

     O God of all our days, we come this morning with eager anticipation.  We seek to know you, to see you, to touch you.  Open our hearts, that we might experience you anew. Open our lives, that we may be faithful witnesses to your resurrection.  May we, with shouts of joy, proclaim your steadfast, liberating love to all people, everywhere. Amen.

Scripture Readings:  Luke 24: 1-12       NSRVUE                              Judy Dobson        

     But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they went in they did not find the body. ⁴ While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. ⁵ The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. ⁶ Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.” ⁸ Then they remembered his words, ⁹ and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. ¹⁰ Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. ¹¹ But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. ¹² But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened

Children’s Message

Sermon:  “Idle Tales”                                                                              Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

GREENING THE CROSS & OFFERING 

This morning as part of our Easter celebration, we will be “greening the cross.”  This is a liturgical act about the transformation of the cross from a symbol of death, suffering, and injustice to a symbol of resurrection, new life, and beauty.  It is an expression of our Easter joy and our wonder in what God has done and what God continues to do.  We invite you to come forward this morning and to place a flower or two on the cross.  As you do this, you might consider a place where you have seen God’s resurrection power at work in your life or you might consider a place of brokenness where you would ask for God’s Easter power to enter in. 

      We invite you to make your offerings at this time as well.  And we have some Easter moving music.  We would ask that you come forward along the right-hand aisle and return back to your seats along the left aisle.

Special Music 

Prayer of Dedication

To the witness of new life emerging, God open us.
To the work of new world building, God commit us.
To the power of love persisting, God dedicate us.
For the calling of faith rising up, God equip us. 
Amen. 

Call for Concerns & Celebrations

Pastoral Prayer                                                                     Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

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, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Hymn of Going Forth:   CH # 222 Christ is Risen, Shout Hosanna!    

Benediction                                                                             Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

     As Christ burst forth from the tomb, may new life burst forth from us and show itself in acts of love and healing to a hurting world. And may the same Christ, who lives forever and is the source of our new life, keep your hearts rejoicing and grant you peace this day and always. Amen.

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

Cover artwork “Do Not Be Afraid” by He Qi.   www.heqiart.com  Used with permission.

Announcements…

Next Sunday continue the celebration of the Easter Season with us!  Bring a bell to ring as we continue to proclaim our “Alleluias!”

Spring Clean-Up, May 10th, 9am-12pm -- The Operation Team requests your help to do some Spring cleaning, both inside and outside the church. Bring work gloves and tools, and your favorite cleaning supplies. Share some fellowship with fellow members and other volunteers.  A list of specific tasks in addition to general clean-up is being prepared.  All are welcome to assist. Many hands make short work. Thank you!

April 21^st Church Weekly Calendar