Hummelstown UCC Podcast

Psalm 34: 1-18; Matthew 3: 13-17: The Baptism of Jesus

Hearts Afire: The Courage to Say Yes
What does it mean for us to live courageously as God’s people in the midst of the 
daily grind of life? How do we claim our courage with an abiding hope as we 
worship through such a time as this? The latin root “cor” reminds us that the word 
courage means “to speak from one’s heart.” Courage is a matter of the heart, of the 
soul, of that which makes us come alive and live into our most authentic self.

Matthew 2:1–15

Leader: Beloved of God, Epiphany is the season of revealing— the holy momentwhen what is hidden becomes known. We light these candles to proclaim the truthwe know— to make visible the God’s Presence already among us. Four travelerscome forward: three stargazers and a shepherd. Each carries a taper to light fromthe Christ Candle— each bears a gift that God desires of us: Justice, Joy,Compassion, and Peace.Justice Stargazer: I bring gold, the finest of what I have, the gift God asks of us: to dojustice. (Lights and places a candle on the table)Many: Look! God’s dwelling is now among us. The end of God’s justice is joy.Joy Stargazer: I bring frankincense, the fragrance of prayer and praise, the gift Godasks of us: to delight in what is good. (Lights and places a candle on the table)Many: Look! God’s dwelling is now among us. The end of God’s justice is joy.Compassion Stargazer: I bring myrrh, balm for the broken and mercy for the world,the gift God asks of us: to love compassion. (Lights and places a candle on thetable)Many: Look! God’s dwelling is now among us. The end of God’s justice is joy.Peace Shepherd: I bring light for the journey and bread for the road, the gift Godasks of us: to walk humbly and live in peace. (Lights and places a candle on thetable)Many: Look! God’s dwelling is now among us. The end of God’s justice is joy.Leader: The gifts are given, the desires of God made visible— Justice, Joy,Compassion, and Peace now shine among us. People of God—lift your eyes up, liftyour hearts up. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord!

Matthew 3:1-12; Malachi 3:1-6

In the second week of Advent, we turn our hearts toward peace—not a fragile quiet, but the deep, steady peace God plants within us and calls us to share with the world. In this episode, we explore what it means to be people of peace in turbulent times: peace that heals, peace that resists injustice, peace that welcomes every neighbor just as they are.

Grounded in the United Church of Christ’s commitment to extravagant welcome, we reflect on scripture, lift up voices from our community, and create space to breathe, listen, and rest in God’s presence. Wherever you are on life’s journey, may this week draw you closer to the peace that passes all understanding—and empowers us to become instruments of peace for one another.

Mark 13:24-37; Isaiah 2:1-5

Vigilant Hope
As we enter the first week of Advent, we lean into vigilant hope—the kind of hope that keeps watch, pays attention, and believes that God is doing a new thing even when the world feels weary. In this episode, we explore how hope is not passive waiting but active, courageous expectancy.Rooted in the inclusive love of the United Church of Christ, we reflect on scripture, share stories from our community, and invite you to open your heart to the light already dawning. Wherever you are on life’s journey, this Advent season begins with a promise: hope is alive, hope is resilient, and hope is for all of us.

Psalm 100; Philippians 4:4-9; Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Building Community... What too will you use?

Ruth 1: 14-22; Acts 10: 34-47

“Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best islove correcting everything that stands against love.” -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Job 2:11-13; 2 Timothy 4:9-18

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most inthe world.” Philip Pullman

Psalm 149: Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel; Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-31

Today we are celebrating All Saints Day. We recognize that we have saints in ourown lives who have formed our faith in some way and who have passed on from thislife. So on All Saints Day, we celebrate, honor, and remember these forebearers ofthe faith. Today in worship we will read aloud the names of the saints in ourcommunity who have passed in the last year. You will also have the opportunity tolight a candle in memory of the saints in your life, whether they passed just recentlyor long ago. We pray that their memory will continue to be a beacon of faith, hope,and love for us all

1 Samuel 1:1-18; Mark 5:21-43

“Tears shed for another person are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of a pureheart.” -José N. Harris

Genesis 2:4-15; John 1:35-51

Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.
-Brené Brown