January 25, 2026

Worshipping with Hummelstown UCC

Worship online: Streamed weekly on YouTube    Worship in person: Settle in and engage the spirit. 
Bold Type indicates you are invited to read, in unison aloud.
Hymns numbers are included here for the hymnals in the pews. If the music is from another source, it should be included at the end of the bulletin below.
Offerings & Gifts are always welcome, for your use a plate is placed at either entrance to the sanctuary.  A link is included here if you prefer to give online.
Prayer requests and communication cards are available on the clipboards in the pews.  Please place in the offering plates.  If you would like your prayer spoken in service, please give to the pastor before worship begins.
Children & Youth Jesus loved kids and loves yours, so we invite kids to be kids, whether they are wiggly, giggly or quiet. A rocking chair and changing table are available for your use at the back of the sanctuary to the left. Activity bags, crayons and paper are located at the back of the sanctuary. Move, groove and be part of the spirit!

Help us support our ministry - Give here

                                                                                  Third Sunday after Epiphany 1/25/2025
                                                                                          Building Community…
 
WELCOME
OPENING MEDITATION                                                                                                                                                               Winston Churchill 
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
 
PRELUDE & PASSING OF THE PEACE 
 
CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                                             Based On Poem By Tina Datsko De Sanchez    One: When fear is being lost in a fog of delusion,
Many: courage is standing on the solid ground of truth.
One: When the sunlight of the Friend’s love burns away the fog, 
Many: we can suddenly see we are not alone, 
One: but surrounded by sisters and brothers,
Many: all safely held in the palm of God’s hand.
 
HYMN                                                                                        “Sweet Hour of Prayer”                                                                                         #505
 
PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION                                                                                                                         Vanderbilt Divinity Library
One: Courage is neither armor or protection. 
Many: God of Blazing light, you shattered our darkness, scattering the fears that bind us and setting us free to live as your children. Give us courage and conviction that we may joyfully turn and follow you into new adventures of faithful service, led by the light that shines through Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
One: Enflame us with your Spirit, that we may be united in ministry in every place. Send us, in your marvelous light, into the world, ready to serve others and work for peace. We pray in the triune name of God. Amen.
 
HYMN                                                                                                   “Star Child” v. 1                                             Sing! Prayer and Praise #174
Star child, earth child go between of God
Love child, Christ child, heaven’s lightning rod.
This year, this year, let the day arrive, when
Christ’s love comes for everyone, everyone alive!
 
MESSAGE FOR YOUNGER DISCIPLES
All families, kids or those young at heart are welcome to come forward for a moment of connection at the altar
 
HYMN                                                                                                  “Star Child” v. 5                                              Sing! Prayer and Praise #174
Hope for peace Child, God’s stupendous sign,
Down to earth Child, Star of stars that shine.
This year, this year, let the day arrive when
Christ’s love comes for everyone, everyone alive!
 
                                                                                         Opening to the Spirit’s call…
 
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
We seek health and healing with… John Hoover; Bill Severns-health issue; Randy Whitman-fell, broke hip & arm; Linda Turc-health issues; Chuck K-hydrocephalus; -surgery;
We continue to pray with…Those navigating life transitions and those making big decisions, Nancy Bingaman; Hunter; Daulton Snowden; Yvonne; Mary Lohr; Bob Brandis; Bryce and family; Debbie Husser-kidney failure; Those with cancer: Carol Ann Simpson; Jan Mindish; Peggy Anderson; Tom Ordille; Sue Mannello; Bruce and Cindy; Dan Brouse; Becki; Pam; Deb; Kate H.; Vicki D.; Ana; Gary Wert; Linda Gemberling;
We grieve with… The Kreis family at sudden the loss of Sherry. (cousin to the Landvater family)
 
LORD'S PRAYER
Many: Our Creator/Mother/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.
 
ANNOUNCING MISSIONS & MINISTRY
 
CENTERING ON OUR GENEROSITY                                                                                                                                     Kristen Collins
We give to remind ourselves how many gifts we have to offer. We give to remember that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We give because we believe in music and sacred space. We give with the faith that, together, we have enough.                                                                                           
 
MUSICAL REFLECTION ON OUR GIFTS
 
SUNG RESPONSE       (Tune #780)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.
 
PRAYER OF DEDICATION                                                                           
Many: Gracious God, We come together to draw on your ancient wisdom, your timeless love for us. We pray that the world would know the courage  that comes from faith, the peace that comes from centering our lives in your holy ways. Grant us this day the boldness that comes from trusting in your holy love for all the earth. Strengthen our hearts this day, Amen.
 
HYMN                                                                              “God’s Eye is on the Sparrow”                                                                                  #475
 
                                                                                               Discerning through Story…
Contemporary Reading                                                                                 #7 from Thirty Poem of Courage, Tina Datsko Sánchez
Courage is neither armor nor protection.
Courage is not an impermeable cloak
we wrap tightly about ourselves to keep out fear.
Courage is a hole in our chests,
a great spaciousness where, like
Huge Bright Wings, God Can Unfurl.            
 
HEBREW SCRIPTURE                                                                                                                                                                     Genesis 33:1-11 
                                                                      The Story Of Jacob And Esau Meeting Again
Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids. He put the maids with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on ahead of them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near his brother. But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” Then the maids drew near, they and their children, and bowed down; Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down; and finally Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor with my lord.” But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” Jacob said, “No, please; if I find favor with you, then accept my present from my hand, for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me with such favor. Please accept my gift that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have everything I want.” So he urged him, and he took it. 
                                                                                                                                            
SERMON                                                                      Hearts Afire: The Courage to Repair                                            Pastor Beth Rogers

                                                                                     Going Forth with God’s Love!

CLOSING HYMN                                  “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life”  v. 1,4,5,6                                                             #543                                                           
BENEDICTION                                                                                                                                                                                 Rebekah Savage
We have come to the end of our service but not our calling in the world: We close our time together with the humble reminder that Justice and Equity are our spiritual practices to embrace. Each day, every day, we are blessed to be the embodiment of what is possible, when Justice and Equity ground us in all that we do. May we go forth with the light and warmth of our courageous community in our hearts, until we are together again.
 
POSTLUDE
 
Today in worship:
Liturgist: Joan Spire                          Tech: Jess Fredlund     Acolyte: Tylah Peterson
Greeters/Ushers: Wendy Whitehaus Cole                             Musician: Kristen Miller

The altar flowers are in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Keller.


Would YOU like to try out leadership in worship?
Sign yourself up at this link, talk with Pastor Beth today or contact Joanie in the office to be included on the list!  https://signup.com/go/BrWtajM
 
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KEYSTONE CONFERENCE OPEN AND AFFIRMING WINTER GATHERING
A day of education for all our churches who are part of the ONA ministry and those who are considering! 
Hybrid event with in person and Zoom opportunities!
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2026
Immanuel United Church of Christ
99 South Waverly Street, Shillington (Reading), PA 19607
Easy access from PA routes 10 and 222
8:30 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M.
                                                  “God is doing a new thing” and “Nothing will separate us from the love of God”  
                                                                              Isaiah 43:19-21 and Romans 8:38-39.
 There will be a speaker presentation with the same three workshops scheduled in the morning and afternoon.
 Breakfast and Lunch will be provided.
Please look for hotel suggestions, speaker, workshop and reservation information soon.
Questions may be directed to Steve Roush at: [email protected]
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