Hampstead Congregational Church
November 16, 2025
Twenty Third
Sunday After Pentecost
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) Barry Sargent
This day! This day we will give thanks to God, who cradles us in the waters of baptism.
This day! This day we will trust in the One who has saved us, who strengthens us.
This day! This day we dance to the fountain of life, drinking deeply of salvation's goodness.
This day! This day we praise our God for every blessing; telling everyone of God's amazing grace in our lives and in our world.
This day! This day we sing God's praises; testifying to all creation of our God.
This day! This day our songs are filled with joy, for God is with us, this day and in all the days to come!
Invocation (unison) Barry Sargent
God, you are creating a new heaven and a new earth, and you call us to be part of that re-creation. So here we gather to hear again your good news for this world and for ourselves. Open our eyes to see what you are doing, open our ears to hear your words that create this new thing, and open our hearts to the re-creation that begins for us, here in this community. Bless us in hearing your promises today as we offer ourselves in worship and trust in your good news here among us. 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: Is 65: 17-25, Is 12: 1-6 (NRSVUE) Barry Sargent
Is 65: 17-25
17For I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I am creating,
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy
and its people as a delight.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it
or the cry of distress.
20 No more shall there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days
or an old person who does not live out a lifetime,
for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth,
and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered
accursed.
21 They shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat,
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labor in vain
or bear children for calamity,
for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord—
and their descendants as well.
24 Before they call I will answer,
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together;
the lion shall eat straw like the ox,
but the serpent—its food shall be dust!
They shall not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain,
says
the Lord.
Is 12: 1-6
You will say on that day:
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
and you comforted me.
2 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and will not be afraid,
for the Lord is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 And you will say on that day:
“Give
thanks to the Lord;
call on his name;
make known his deeds among the nations;
proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing praises to the Lord, for he
has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
Children’s Message
Sermon: “Being Part of God’s New Thing” Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
Special Music
Celebration of our Veterans
On this day, we remember those who have served in our armed forces
Pause for silent reflection and sharing of names.
Prince of Peace, even as we pray for an end to war,
We give thanks for our soldiers’ courage, for their love of country, and for their work to bring peace to our world.
Healer of All, bind up the wounds of all who have served
Show us how to comfort those who are hurting.
Merciful God, all suffer the cost of war.
We remember widows and widowers, orphans, and all those separated from those they love.
We pray, Gracious God, that swords will be turned into plowshares and that peace will reign.
We give thanks for all who have served. Shield from danger those who bravely protect us. With them, may we glory not in war, but in your love and righteousness. Strengthen us to be your peacemakers in the world. Amen.
Call for Concerns & Celebrations
Please share your prayers on sheets in pews passed to the center aisle.
(Responsive – when pastor says “Holy One”, congregational response is “Hear our Prayer)
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
Creator
God, Source of All Energy,
We see how your gifts transform the hearts, minds, and souls of this world. May
your wisdom continue to strengthen our spirits. Through our gifts of treasures,
talents, and time, we can serve your children, ensuring no one goes hungry and
all are thriving. Through our endurance and compassion, may we build God’s
Realm here on earth. Amen.
*Hymn of Going Forth: 
*Benediction Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin
As we work to
faithfully follow God’s call,
May the Christ illuminate the road ahead,
May the Spirit invigorate us throughout each day,
May our Creator soothe us and instill hope.
Beloved siblings, even as waves of fear crash over us, God never leaves nor
forsakes us and brings us courage as we journey together.
Amen!
Music Usage permitted through OneLicense HCC License # A-730412 and CCLI License Number 2927783. All rights reserved.
Announcements:
A Mission Opportunity Challenge
We are well aware that the number of individuals and families facing food insecurity is increasing.
Our challenge to the congregation is to meet this demand by helping restock the shelves in the pantry at Saint Anne's Charitable Outreach.
Every Sunday through November 23rd, please bring a canned good or other non-perishable food item to the church. Place these items on the alter as we watch our congregation meet this significant challenge of food insecurity.
Help is Needed for the Craft Fair December 6th
Volunteer to man our tables. Shifts are for only two hours. Sign-up sheets are available in Hadley Hall or call HCC at 603-329-6985.
Things we need:
• Baked goods & Soup (We have containers to divide it.)
• Raffle Items like gift cards, theme baskets, kids’ items and homemade crafts.
• Upscale gently used hidden gems. Leave items in the foyer at any time.
As always, we are so grateful for your support whatever form it takes.
Sincerely,
The Fund-Raising Team
Greens Workshop
To make items for the Christmas Fair
Wednesday, December 3 at 6:30pm
Get a few friends together and have a fun night of creating wreaths, swags and centerpieces with fresh evergreens, which we will then have for sale at the craft fair. Kari will guide provide guidance so even if you have never done it before, you will still have fun!
We will be looking for donations of cut evergreens. They can be left in the basement anytime up to a week before. Pine, arborvitae, holly, spruce, boxwood, mountain laurel,
all make great arrangements. Pinecones are also great!
We hope you can join us!
Please bring pruners, scissors and/or wire cutters to use.
Also, if anyone would like a ride, Linda Tilden has graciously offered to pick up and drive home anyone who isn't comfortable driving at night. Call or text her at 978-973-7681.
