Union Presbyterian Church of Endicott, NY

Our Mission

As members of Union Presbyterian Church, we live to serve our Lord, our congregation, our community, and our world. We unite our spirits in faithful, loving commitment to this calling in Jesus Christ and, as a church family, we celebrate the Kingdom of God. 

From the Pastor: Easter Season

Jesus said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea.

~John 21:4-7

Dear Friends,

The days of Lent are behind us, but that does not mean there is a sharp divide between the season of preparation and the season of celebration. We walked Peter’s path—which was, really, Jesus’ path—with intention and hope. And on Easter morning, hope won the day—our hope was well-founded, and we were able to shout/ sing/ proclaim:

Hallelujah! The Lord is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

Now what? Now is the time to notice Easter all around us.

Now is the time to see Easter in the trees that are budding and the flowers that are blooming. Winter is so convincing—we can imagine how ancient peoples could live in trepidation year after year that, one year, the warmth would not return. But it did, and it does.

O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever!

What about the world? Is war still raging in Ukraine? In Israel and Palestine? In Cameroon? And yet, we have hope. We know that all over the world countless activists and members of government inner circles and members of the United Nations are waging peace in every way they can. Easter hope lives, even when the forces that thrive on war and chaos push back.

O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever!

What about your heart? What is budding there? What is blooming there? It is my hope that the Lenten path we all walked together has created space in you for the hope that lasts—hope in the steadfast love of God, that you will continue to walk a path of love, justice and peace; hope in new habits of prayer and connection with God, as well as with others; hope in the restorative power of God that means we are a resurrection people, trusting and knowing that God brings new life out of certain death and senseless destruction.

O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever!

May this fifty-day-long Easter season confirm in you the hope that has been budding and growing all throughout this past beautiful season of preparation. May you be able to truly know that, together, we are an Easter people!

O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever!

Grace and Peace, Rev. Pat Raube

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