Sermon Series 1: Did Paul Fall Off His Horse?

Sunday, June 20, 2021
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

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Have you ever noticed that there are things we think are in the Bible, but which might not actually be there? Take Paul falling off his horse. Personally, I grew up absolutely positive that Paul fell off a horse on the road to Damascus, but a closer look at the text tells me, that information came from somewhere else.

There are all sorts of sayings that we like to quote, in all sorts of situations. Some of these can be found in scripture—but some of them have other origin stories. Join us for our six-week sermon series as we explore things we may think are in the Bible— and seek to find the Good News, and a deeper connection with God’s Word. Worship in our sanctuary or watch our live stream. You are invited!

Bulletin is below…

Sermon Series: Is That In the Bible?

1: Did Paul Fall Off His Horse?

Union Presbyterian Church

June 20, 2021

God’s Story and Our Story: Did Paul Fall Off His Horse? And other questions.

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Liturgist: Sheldon McDonald Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude Here I Am, Lord...arr. Lloyd Larson Colin DeLap, Piano

Announcements Sheldon McDonald

Prelude Colin DeLap, Piano

“Good, Good Father.” Pat Barrett and Anthony Brown.

Reprinted with permission under CCLI.

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Call to Worship Sheldon McDonald

People of God, hope in the Lord:

For with God, there is steadfast love.

People of God, trust in the Lord:

For with God, there is forgiveness, another chance, a new road.

People of God, praise the Lord:

For with God, we are always welcomed home.

Hymn # 480 W & R “Open My Eyes, That I May See” (Public Domain)

Call to New Life Sheldon McDonald

God seeks us out, and find us, and calls our name, inviting us to new life. Let us turn towards that voice and answer that call.

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

God of lovingkindness, you call each of us to be your people. You call us to love you with heart and soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Simple, but not easy. We forget to love you, if loving you means putting you first. We neglect to love our neighbors, if loving them means prioritizing them over what is convenient or comfortable for us at any given moment. We forget what it is to open our eyes to what is truly precious in your sight. Help us, God. Help us to remember. Help us to get our priorities in order. Help us to expand our notion of love to include those whom you include. Help us, and make us your own. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

~ silence ~

Assurance of God’s Grace Sheldon McDonald

The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting.

God is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

God gives us what we need, to change our hearts and open our eyes.

By the gracious lovingkindness of God, we are healed and made whole. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Sharing of the Peace

Scripture Psalm 138 Sheldon McDonald

A reading from the Book of Psalms, Psalm 138

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your name
    because of your steadfast love and faithfulness;
    for you have glorified your name and your word
    above all things.
When I called, you answered me,
    you increased my strength within me.

All the rulers of the earth will praise you, O Lord,
    when they have heard the words of your mouth.
They will sing of the ways of the Lord,
    that great is the glory of the Lord.
The Lord is high, yet cares for the lowly,
    perceiving the haughty from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe;
    you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
    your right hand shall save me.
You will make good your purpose for me;
    O Lord, your steadfast love endures forever;
    Do not abandon the works of your hands.

Children’s Message Rev. Pat Raube

“This is the Day”

Public Domain

Scripture Acts 9:1-12, 17-19

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles, beginning at chapter 9, verse 1.

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Meditation “Did Paul Fall Off His Horse?” Rev. Pat Raube

Anthem “A New Heart for a New World,” Trisha Watts, Monica O’Brian

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

In-person (soloist)

Create a new heart, Holy Lord, beckon our lives through you word,

Open our eyes to your call, united as one for your world.

Heighten our minds to your thoughts, heal us of pride and of hurt,

May we go forth in your name we pray our hearts change.

The heart of the cross, lowly and poor calls us on.

Lord, it is you promising hope, promising truth.

Create a new heart, Holy Lord, beckon our lives through you word,

Open our eyes to your call, united as one for your world.

Heighten our minds to your thoughts, heal us of pride and of hurt,

May we go forth in your name we pray our hearts change.

Restless, the hearts who yearn for your peace in this land.

Deepen the dream justice brings life, justice redeems.

Create a new heart, Holy Lord, beckon our lives through you word,

Open our eyes to your call, united as one for your world.

Heighten our minds to your thoughts, heal us of pride and of hurt,

May we go forth in your name we pray our hearts change.

Prayers of the People

God of new life, Hear our prayer.

Great and wondrous God:

As the wind is your symbol, so forward our goings.

As the dove, so launch us heavenwards.

As water, so purify our spirits.

As a cloud, so abate our temptations.

As dew, so revive our languor.

As fire, so purge out our dross.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

who taught us to pray,

debtors, trespassers, and sinners together:

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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Prayer Response #450 W & R (verse 1)

“Be Still and Know,” Jack Schrader

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Be still and know that I am God.

Call for Offering

God, you find us wherever we are, and you call our names. We respond to your call now, opening our hearts and our pockets, giving of our lives for the work of your church, here and around the world.

Doxology

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”

(Public Domain)

Prayer of Dedication

Your mercy, O God, is from everlasting to everlasting, and you seek to bring us all into the fold of your love. We offer here, now, our lives in service to that love. Let our gifts—of heart and soul, mind and strength, time and talent and treasure—let them all move out into your world, opening our eyes to the lost and the lonely in our midst, so that we might show your welcome. We pray in your holy name. Amen.

Hymn #569 W & R “God of Grace and God of Glory”

(Public Domain)

God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power;

Crown your ancient Church’s story, bring its bud to glorious flower.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the facing of this hour,

For the facing of this hour.

Lo! the hosts of evil round us scorn your Christ, assail his ways!

Fears and doubts too long have bound us—free our hearts to work and praise.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days,

For the living of these days.

Heal your children’s warring madness, bend our pride to your control;

Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things are poor in soul.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage lest we miss your kingdom’s goal,

Lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.

Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore;

Let the gift of your salvation be our glory evermore.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving you whom we adore,

Serving you whom we adore.

Benediction

Go into the world in peace. Have courage!

Hold fast to what is good. Return no one evil for evil.

Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering.

Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord your God,

rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God,

and the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit,

be with each and all of us,

This day and forevermore.

God is with us, so go in peace.

Thanks be to God. Amen

Postlude (Colin and Angel DeLap, Piano)
“Open The Eyes Of My Heart”, Paul Baloche
©1997, Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted with permission under CCLI.
License # 2298355. All Rights Reserved.

[i] Rachel Held Evans, Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church (Nashville, TN: Nelson Books, 2015), 126.