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Worship This Week
Please join us
in the Sanctuary
or online at 9am for
World Communion Sunday
Neighbors in Need
Coffee hour will be held
after the service.
The service will be live streamed
on Facebook Live here
or on 3CX here
Readers: David Chin
Coffee Hour Hosts: Janet Kliska & Bernie & Sam Longbook
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Celebration of the New Covenant
It was a blessed celebration on Sunday when we were joined by members of Atkinson Congregational to worship and celebrate our new covenant. Worship was filled with beautiful music from the flute ensemble and the joint HCC and ACC Choir. The lunch reception afterwards was filled with good food and fellowship as both congregations mingled and got to know each other.
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Rev Paige’s Corner:
World Communion Sunday
World Communion Sunday is among my favorite special days in the church. As a youth, I first learned about it and I always imagined Christians all around the world coming to the table together in a wonderful celebration.
World Communion Sunday began in 1933 at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, founded by Rev. Hugh Thompson Kerr to emphasize the unity of all Christians worldwide through the sacrament of Holy Communion. The event grew, gaining adoption by the Federal Council of Churches in 1940 and becoming an international observance to highlight interconnectedness and celebrate Christian unity, particularly during World War II.
Rev. Hugh Thompson Kerr sought to foster a sense of global Christian unity, seeing Holy Communion as a symbol that connects all believers. He desired to move beyond denominational differences to celebrate the "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" of all Christians.
The global conflicts of World War II provided a backdrop for the observance, with many churches adopting it to emphasize spiritual unity and connection in the face of division.
Today, World Communion Sunday is observed on the first Sunday of October by Christians across many cultures, offering a day to celebrate the global Christian family.
I am thankful that we can be part of it!
Blessings!
Rev Paige Besse-Rankin
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Neighbors in Need Offering
This Sunday October 5, 2025
Rarely have I seen a church without some form of ministry that helps feed people. From community meals to food pantries, churches across the country make sure people have enough to eat. But I always wondered, wouldn’t it be better if none of these services had to exist. What if everyone simply had enough to eat?
Our churches share compassion by not only providing for the basic needs of our neighbors but also asking deeper questions of why these inequalities exist in the first place. Our immediate call to alleviate the suffering of those around us is paired with a prophetic witness calling for systemic reform.
All congregations in the United Church of Christ are invited to take part in the Neighbors in Need offering to address just this. Two thirds of the offering support justice and witness ministries of the United Church of Christ with one third of the offering given to the Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM). Your gifts directly fund the Neighbors in Need grant program. This grant, for UCC congregations and partners, offers funding for both direct service and advocacy projects.
Thank you for your generosity!
The Rev. Rachel McDonald works for the National Ministries of the UCC as Generosity Officer, OCWM and Special Mission Offerings.
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Delegates Needed!
The NH Conference Annual Meeting is combined this year with the newly formed Granite State Association Meeting.
When: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Where: Hybrid Meeting to be held at the Geneva Point Center (108 Geneva Point Road, Moultonborough, NH) and via Zoom Webinar, YouTube Livestream
access information to be provided upon registration.
The theme for the meeting is “Another Way” and the keynote speaker is Rev Derek Terry.
If you would be willing to serve as a delegate, please contact the moderator, the pastor or the main office for more information.
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Scams in the name of the pastor
It is a frustrating reality about which little can be done that people are using technology to get hold of pastor information, church directory information and more and to use that information to contact folks pretending to the be the pastor by email or text. The scam goes something like the person pretending to be the pastor asks for help. They are too busy to get to the store but need gift cards to help a needy person. If you could get the gift cards and send the codes from the card, that would be great.
So I will never ask for gift cards by email or text and I will never ask for card access numbers remotely. If you get one of these emails, please use the “report spam” button before deleting it. If in doubt, send an email or give a call for confirmation.
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Peace & Justice
I recently read an article from earthday.org about how bamboo can be used to replace plastic. (Scroll down to “Plastic is not fantastic” followed by “Spoiler”). Bamboo has had an incredible impact on human civilization and now could be an answer to our plastic problems. Plus, its rapid growth sequesters a high level of CO2 which is good for climate mitigation
Bamboo is being used for alternatives to plastic in construction materials such as laminated wood. It is also being used for food packaging and utensils as well as textiles instead of polyester. Read the full article for more about this amazing plant.
Blessings, Debra
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The Music Corner
by Herb Tardiff
Al Jolson was known in the industry as "The World's Greatest Entertainer," for well over 40 years. After his death his influence continued unabated with such performers as Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Jackie Wilson and Jerry Lee Lewis all mentioning him as an inspiration.
In 1927 Jolson starred in the New York-shot The Jazz Singer (1927) and the rest is film history. But just before it was theatrically released, producer, Warner' His appearance in that film, nowadays considered a somewhat creaky, stodgy and primitive museum piece, electrified audiences and caused a sensation. Jolson was bigger than ever, and Hollywood came a-calling. However, Jolson on film was a pale version of Jolson on stage. His screen appearances, with some exceptions, are stiff and wooden. Though he continued into the 1930s to star on radio, he was no longer quite the star he had been.
During World War II, Jolson entertained troops in Africa and Sicily but was cut short by a bout of malaria and pneumonia. Always a favorite with audiences, he continued to entertain in the United States.
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Saint Anne's Food Pantry
Thank you all who continue to donate food for St. Anne’s Food Pantry!
They have updated their needs list: Ensure, Coffee/Tea, Tuna Fish, Mayo, Jelly/Jam, Hamburger Helper, Protein Soups, Saltines/Ritz/Triscuits, Rice Pilaf, Spices, Salad Dressing, English Muffins, Brownie/Muffin/Cake Mixes, Nutrigrain Bars, Maple Syrup, Canned Chef Boyardee Items, Spam, Lunchbox Snacks.
St. Anne’s Food Pantry has also updated their
Amazon Wish List
in addition to listing items here.
Please no expired items. Non-perishable items only.
Drop off is in the foyer of Hadley Hall.
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New Hampshire Conference UCC
Weekly News
We thought you might enjoy reading the NH Conference UCC weekly newsletter. You can read it with this link.
9/30/2025 Newsletter
Each week, we will update this section of our Weekly Word with the new link
for the current newsletter.
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Are you on Facebook? Do you follow Hampstead Congregational Church? Please like our page to know about all the great events in the church. Liking also supports our church when people check us out. If you are already connected, share our good news!
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| Help Us Continue Our Mission at HCC | |
Want to get the word out about what’s happening at HCC? If you want to publicize your event or remind the congregation about something, please email the office (hcc1752@gmail.com) by Wednesday at noon so that your information can be included in that week’s Weekly Word. Feel free to send in information up to three weeks in advance of an upcoming event. We want all of the congregation (not just the Team leaders) to be empowered to get the word out about all the activities that are happening at Hampstead Congregational Church!
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Our Mailing address:
61 Main Street
Hampstead, NH 03841
Church Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:00am to 3pm
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Hampstead Congregational Church Website
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