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Hampstead Congregational Church

February 1, 2026

Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

with Communion


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)                                                                         Linda Tilden  

Leader:  When we seek justice for the other, when we love kindness more than ever,

People:  we live as God asks us to live.

Leader:  When we walk humbly through life, when we offer mercy to those who hurt us,

People:  we are the blessing God hopes we will be.

Leader:  When we are willing to look foolish by following Jesus, when we choose weakness rather than power,

People:  we reflect the One who is in our midst.

 

Invocation   (unison)                                                                                        Linda Tilden

      Loving God,  we come this morning seeking to abide in your presence.
Open our minds to your spirit of wisdom, that we may know how to live as your people.  Open our hearts to your spirit of truth, that we may love all your people with a love that speaks of justice, kindness, and radical grace.  May this time of worship be authentic and pleasing 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:  

1

Scripture Readings: Mic 6: 1-8, Matt 5: 1-12   (NRSVUE)                             Linda Tilden

 

Micah 6: 1-8

6 Hear what the Lord says:
    Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
    and let the hills hear your voice.
2 Hear, you mountains, the case of the Lord,
    and you enduring foundations of the earth,
for the Lord has a case against his people,
    and he will contend with Israel.

3 “O my people, what have I done to you?
    In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt
    and redeemed you from the house of slavery,
and I sent before you Moses,
    Aaron, and Miriam.
5 O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,
    what Balaam son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
    that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.”

6 “With what shall I come before the Lord
    and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good,
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice and to love kindness
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Matt 5: 1-12 

5 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he began to speak and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


Children’s Message

 

Sermon:  “Living as those Blessed”                               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

     May we always be foolish enough to offer our gifts to you, Generous God, for you use them to bring justice to the oppressed, to bring laughter to those who mourn, and to offer wonder to little children.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Communion Hymn:  Ch #419 All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly

2

Invitation to Communion

Communion Prayer
Words of Institution
Prayer of Consecration

Sharing of the Elements—All are welcome to the table always
Sharing of the Bread (please come forward and eat once you receive)
Sharing the Cup  (served in the pew.  Please hold so we can take together.)

Prayer of Thanksgiving

     We give thanks almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ.  Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our savior.  Amen.

*Hymn of Going Forth: 

3

 

*Benediction                                                                              Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin

May the holy wisdom of God
Guard your ways and guide your paths
May the living truth of God
Enlighten your hearts and open your minds
And may the living Spirit of God
Give you life, and life to the full!
Amen!

 

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

 


Announcements:

 

HCC Annual Meeting - Sunday, February 8th, 10am

 

Our 273rd Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, February 8, 2026 in Hadley Hall following worship. Please attend this vital gathering, as we look back at this past year’s accomplishments and look ahead to God’s call in our congregational life this year. A quorum of members is needed.

 

The annual report will be e-mailed/mailed to each member family once it's completed.

 

Please take some time to read the reports and familiarize yourself with the proposed budget for 2026.


2

 

 

Joint Worship on February 8 at Hampstead at 9 am

 

    Hampstead Congregational is having their Annual Meeting following worship on February 8. Since our pastor can’t be at 2 places at once, it has been decided that Atkinson Congregational will join HCC for worship at 9 am. 

 

The service will be followed by a short fellowship time for both churches and then Hampstead will have their Annual Meeting.  

 

New Member Classes

 

   Are you interested in becoming a member of our church or learning more about what church membership is all about? A 3-part New Members class is being organized now. Classes will discuss our faith journeys, the United Church of Christ, and our own local church history and mission. 

 

Use this link to sign up for more information:

https://hampsteadcongregationalchurch.breezechms.com/form/d8583d