Being Fed

Sunday, August 22, 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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Jesus concludes his teachings on the meaning of the shared meal in the gospel of John, and his message is both startling and incredibly hopeful.

Join us as we welcome the Rev. Janet Abel to our pulpit! We worship together at 10:30 AM in our sanctuary, live-streaming the service for those at home or on the road right here. You are invited!

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Union Presbyterian Church 
August 22, 2021 
Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Liturgist: Claire Bombard Guest Preacher: Rev. Janet Abel

Prelude Colin DeLap, piano

"Oh My Soul,” Bernie Herms, Mark Hall, Nichole Nordeman

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

Welcome Rev. Janet Abel

Call to Worship (responsive) Claire Bombard

Come to the One who grants us eternal life;

gather in the name of Christ who offers bread.

God has made with us an everlasting covenant

and prospered us in all the works of our hands.

Let us praise God, all people of faith,

for God has richly blessed us in all things.

God’s ways are known in all the earth,

God’s saving power among all nations.

God dawns on us like the morning light,

like sun flowing forth on a cloudless morning.

God sends the rain that waters the earth;

God rules justly over all creation.

Amen.

Hymn #501 W & R

“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

(Public Domain)

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak, but thou art mighty—hold me with thy powerful hand:

Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more,

Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow;

Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through;

Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield,

Be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside;

Bear me through the swelling current, land me safe on Canaan’s side:

Songs of praises, songs of praises I will ever give to thee,

I will ever give to thee.

Call to New Life Claire Bombard

Let all who love God pause to consider their covenant with the Creator and their relationship with persons God has given us to love. We’re called to rule justly, share generously, and serve cheerfully. Let us recognize together how we’ve been unsuccessful in our attempts to live by God’s intent.

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (unison)

Covenanting God, we confess that we’ve failed to speak and act according to your purposes. We’ve bristled with thorns that keep others at a distance. We provoke our children to anger and fail to honor our parents. We accept your bread as our due, even as we distance ourselves from true discipleship. Forgive us we pray,

Amen.

Assurance of God’s Grace   Claire Bombard

God’s saving power come to us and by God’s grace we’re forgiven. The Holy One offers eternal life to all who believe. Let us partake of the bread from heaven, offered for our continued nourishment. Those who eat and drink what Christ offers will know that God abides in their midst and within each one.

Amen.

Sharing of the Peace Claire Bombard

Scripture Ephesians 6:10-20 Claire Bombard

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

Children’s Message “French Fries” Rev. Janet Abel

Music: #473 W & R “What a Friend We Have In Jesus"

(Public Domain)

Scripture John 6: 55-69 Rev. Janet Abel

For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Meditation “Being Fed” Rev. Janet Abel

Anthem #703 W & R

“I Am the Bread of Life,” Suzanne Toolan

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

I am the bread of life; you who come to me shall not hunger;

You who believe in me shall not thirst.

No one can come to me unless the Father beckons.

And I will raise you up, and I will raise you up,

And I will raise you up on the last day.

I am the resurrection, I am the life.

If you believe in me, even though you die, you shall live forever.

And I will raise you up, and I will raise you up,

And I will raise you up on the last day.

Yes, Lord, we believe that you are the Christ,

The Son of God who has come into the world.

And I will raise you up, and I will raise you up,

And I will raise you up on the last day.

Prayers of the People    Rev. Janet Abel

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   #492 W & R Claire Bombard, bell tree

“Spirit of the Living God,” Daniel Iverson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

  Call for Offering   Rev. Janet Abel

Doxology   Colin DeLap, piano

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”

(Public Domain)

Prayer of Dedication   Rev. Janet Abel

Hymn #709 W & R Angel DeLap, piano; Colin DeLap, percussion

“Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises,” Anders Nyberg

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

Hallelujah! We sing your praises, all our hearts are filled with gladness.

(sing twice:)

Christ the Lord to us said: I am wine, I am bread,

I am wine, I am bread, give to all who thirst and hunger.

Hallelujah! We sing your praises, all our hearts are filled with gladness.

(sing twice:)

Now he sends us all out, strong in faith, free of doubt,

Strong in faith, free of doubt. Tell to all the joyful Gospel.

Hallelujah! We sing your praises, all our hearts are filled with gladness.

Benediction   Rev. Janet Abel

Postlude  Angel DeLap, piano; Colin DeLap, percussion

"Your Grace Is Enough”, Matt Maher

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

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Being Fed