Sermon Series 2: The Lord Helps Those Who Help Themselves

Sunday, June 27, 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 the saying, “The Lord helps those who help themselves.” Sounds biblical, right? But a closer look reveals a fascinating origin story!

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 the next four weeks as we continue to 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!

Join us in the Sanctuary, or here as worship is live-streamed at 10:30 AM; afterwords, the worship video will be available here and on Youtube.

Bulletin is below:

Sermon Series: Is That In the Bible?

2: The Lord Helps Those Who Help Themselves

Union Presbyterian Church

June 27, 2021

God’s Story and Our Story: Who Does God Help?

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

Liturgist: Peg Williams Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude (In Sanctuary only) Chris Bartlette, Piano

“Open Our Eyes / Be Thou My Vision,” Mark Hayes

Announcements (In Sanctuary only) Peg Williams

Livestream Begins at 10:30

Prelude Chris Bartlette, Piano

“Amazing Grace,” Robert D. Vandall

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Call to Worship Peg Williams

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 # 347 W & R “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”
©1987, Cesário Gabaraín, All rights reserved.  

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

Soloists: Ellie Rivera and Pat Raube

Tú has venido a la orilla,

(You have come to the lakeshore,)

No has buscado ni a sabios ni a ricos,

(Looking neither for wise nor wealthy,)

Tan sólo quieres que yo te siga.

(You only want me to follow you.)

O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,

And while smiling have spoken my name;

Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;

By your side I will seek other seas.

Tú sabes bien lo que tengo:

(You know so well what I have:)

En mi barca no hay oro ni espadas,

(My boat carries no gold nor swords,)

Tan sólo redes y mi trabajo.

(Just my nets and labor.)

O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,

And while smiling have spoken my name;

Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;

By your side I will seek other seas.

Tú necesitas mis manos,

(You need my hands,)

Mi cansancio que a otros descanse,

(My exhaustion that gives others rest,)

Amor que quiera seguir amando.

(Love that keeps on loving.)

O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,

And while smiling have spoken my name;

Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;

By your side I will seek other seas.

Tú, pescador de otros mares,

(You, who have fished other seas,)

Ansia eterna de almas que esperan,

(Ever longed for by souls who are waiting,)

Amigo bueno, que así me llamas.

(Good friend, that’s what you call me.)

O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,

And while smiling have spoken my name;

Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;

By your side I will seek other seas.

Call to New Life Peg Williams

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Dear God, we come to you for help…

And you send us to the aid of others.

Dear God, we call out your name…

And you send us to answer that call in your name.

Dear God, what about us?

Where is the One who stilled the storm?

Can you still the storms in our lives, too?

~ silence ~

Nothing…

Nothing…

Nothing can separate us…

Nothing can separate us from your love.

Nothing…

Nothing…

Nothing: neither death nor life…

Neither angels nor rulers…

Neither things present nor things to come…

Neither powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen!

Assurance of God’s Grace Peg Williams

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, and empowers us to help one another.

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

Sharing of the Peace

Scripture Mark 4:35-41 Peg Williams

A reading from the Gospel according to Mark, beginning at chapter 4, verse 35

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Children’s Message Rev. Pat Raube

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ~John 13:34

Dear God,

We hear you.

We know this commandment is the most important one,

because that’s how we learn to love you:

by loving one another.

We learn to heal the world.

Thank you for your great love.

We pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Scripture Deuteronomy 15:7-11

A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy, beginning at chapter 15, verse 7.

If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be. Be careful that you do not entertain a mean thought, thinking, “The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,” and therefore view your needy neighbor with hostility and give nothing; your neighbor might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt. Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.”

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Meditation Is That in the Bible?

“The Lord Helps Those Who Help Themselves” Rev. Pat Raube

Anthem “Storm Comin’” by Ruth Moody of The Wailin’ Jennys.

Used with the composer’s permission.

Trio: Brianna Attey, Pat Raube, and Heather Ingraham.

Percussion: Colin DeLap

Prayers of the People

…Teach us, good Lord,

to serve you as you deserve;

to give and not count the cost;

to fight and not heed the wounds;

to toil and not seek for rest;

to labor and not to ask for any reward,

save that of knowing that we do your will.

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.

Claire Bombard, Bell Tree

Call for Offering

We are held in a great love that cares for each hair on our heads, in the heart of one whose eye is on the sparrow. We offer what we can so that more and more people can know this love. Let us bring our tithes and offerings.

Doxology

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” Chris Bartlette, Piano

(Public Domain)

Prayer of Dedication

Take, Lord, and receive all we have to offer. Take our liberty, our memory, our understanding, and our will, that they might be shaped by your grace and lovingkindness. Take our time, our talents, and our treasure, that they may be used in service of your wide mercy. We pray in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving for Faithful Service of Kay and Sheldon McDonald

Sheldon and Kay were clothed with Christ in baptism,

and called by God through the voice of the church to their service

during Holy Worship, by the ministries of liturgy and song.

They were called through their baptism to the offices of deacon and elder,

and served in ministries of education and hospitality.

We remember with joy our common calling to serve Christ

and celebrate God’s call to all who minister among us.

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Gracious God, we send Kay and Sheldon forth

to a new place, filled with their family and also with yours.

We commend them to your care,

that, surrounded by those they love,

they may find their new home

to be a place of joy and peace,

and we pray this blessing upon them:

Sheldon and Kay:

The Light of God surrounds you.

The Love of God enfolds you.

The power of God protects you.

The Presence of God watches over you.

The Mind of God guides you.

The Life of God flows through you.

The Laws of God direct you.

The Peace of God abides within you.

The Joy of God uplifts you.

The Strength of God renews you.

The Beauty of God inspires you.

The Heart of God warms and comforts you.

Wherever you are, God is!

And all is well. Amen.

Hymn #345 W & R “Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult” (Public Domain)

Singers: Kay McDonald, Pat Raube, Judy Marsh, Peg Williams, Chris Bartlette, Colin DeLap

Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea;

Day by day his sweet voice soundeth, saying, “Christian, follow me.”

Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store,

From each idol that would keep us, saying, “Christian, love me more.”

In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,

Still he calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”

Jesus calls us—by thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call,

Give our hearts to thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.

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 Chris Bartlette, Piano

What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” Jack Schrader

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  