God Light 2: A Wedding Gift

Sunday, January 16, 2022
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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John’s gospel tells the story of Jesus’ first “sign” (what we would call, a miracle): changing more than a hundred of gallons of water to wine, so as to save a wedding celebration. What does this sign tell us about the One who came among us? How does God’s light shine forth?

Join us this morning for another glimpse of the ways in which God light shines through the words and actions of Jesus. Worship with us in our sanctuary, or join us right here online if you are traveling or joining us from home. God’s light is for you, too. You are invited!

Online Bulletin

2nd Sunday After Epiphany

God-Light 2: A Wedding Gift

Union Presbyterian Church

January 16, 2022

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

Liturgist: Sue Troy Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude Chris Bartlette, organ

“Lord, Hear Us Pray,” Stephen Scott

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Call to Worship Sue Troy

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,

your judgments are like the great deep.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

All are welcome to take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Hymn #56 W & R

“Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”

(Public Domain)

Sing praise to God who reigns above,

The God of all creation,

The God of power, the God of love,

The God of our salvation.

My soul with comfort rich he fills,

And every grief he gently stills:

To God all praise and glory!

What God’s almighty power has made,

In mercy he is keeping;

By morning glow or evening shade

His eye is never sleeping.

And where he rules in kingly might,

There all is just and all is right:

To God all praise and glory!

We sought the Lord in our distress;

O God, in mercy hear us.

Our Savior saw our helplessness

And came with peace to cheer us.

For this we thank and praise the Lord,

Who is by one and all adored:

To God all praise and glory!

Let all who name Christ’s holy name

Give God the praise and glory.

Let all who know his power proclaim

Aloud the wondrous story.

Cast every idol from its throne;

The Lord is God, and he alone:

To God all praise and glory!

Call to New Life

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

God of all grace, sometimes we wonder whether we are enough. When we measure our worth by the to-do list left undone; when we judge ourselves harshly for our forgetfulness or our short temper; when we want to take a moment for ourselves, and then feel guilty. We are kind to everyone except ourselves. We think we will never get it right. We despair and call ourselves “hopeless.” And then you come into our hearts and remind us: You are my precious child. I call you “beloved.” You are mine. And you pour out the streams of living water and lovingkindness we can hardly believe are meant for us. But they are. Heal this disease of self-hate in us. Help us to love ourselves as you love us. Help us to believe in your love, to rest in it, and to send it out to a world so badly in need of it. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Assurance of God’s Love

Hear the Word of God, who declares:

Do not be afraid; I am with you!

Hear the reassurance of God, who cries out:

I delight in you!

Hear the love of God, who whispers:

I have called you by name, and you are mine.

God is with us; be at peace.

Thanks be to God!

Sharing of the Peace

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.

Scripture Isaiah 62:1-5 Sue Troy

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
    and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
    and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,
    and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
    that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
    and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
    and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
    and your land Married;
for the Lord delights in you,
    and your land shall be married.
For as a young man marries a young woman,
    so shall your builder marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
    so shall your God rejoice over you.

Children’s Message Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” Martin Shaw

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

Scripture John 2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Meditation Rev. Pat Raube

Anthem

“God of Still Waiting”

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

God of still waiting, God of deep longing,

God of the heart’s true rest:

Hold us in fathomless peace,

Guard us with unwaning love.

Spirit of promise, Spirit of purpose,

Spirit of ceaseless prayer:

Bathe us in life full and free,

Kindle our wonder and hope.

Word who comes to us, Word who lives with us,

Word who disturbs and heals:

Silence our chattering fears,

Waken our unconscious faith.

Word true and faithful, hope-bringing Spirit,

God of enfolding love:

Come in your fullness and grace;

Work through our lives for your praise.

Ordination and Installation of Deacons and Elders

To be Ordained and Installed: Laura Keibel and Cyndy Vosburgh, Ruling Elders

Brian Moore, Deacon

To be Installed: Doug Moore, Susan Troy, Ruling Elders

Carolyn Hale, Deacon

Sentences of Scripture

There are varieties of gifts, but it is the same Spirit who gives them.

There are different ways of serving God,

but it is the same Lord who is served.

God works through each person in a unique way,

but it is God’s purpose that is accomplished.

To each is given a gift of the Spirit to be used for the common good.

Together we are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.

Statement on Ordination

Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant

Pastor: …Let us make again the promises we made—or which were made for us—in baptism. All are invited to respond:

God is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. You are invited now to turn away from sin and to say “no” to evil, and its power in the world. Do you?

I do.

Jesus is God’s love made visible. You are invited now to turn towards him, trusting in his grace and love, and to call him “Lord,” “Master,” “Savior,” “Shepherd,” “Teacher,” and “Healer.” Do you?

I do.

You are invited now to follow Jesus, joyfully learning from him and showing his love. Will you?

I will, with God’s help.

Profession of Faith

With the whole church of Jesus Christ—universal, holy, and tracing its roots back to Jesus’ apostles— let us confess our faith:

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty?

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Thanksgiving for Baptism

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

…To you be the glory, now and forever. Amen.

Constitutional Questions

Clerk of Session Questions To the Congregation

Do we, the members of the church, accept Brian and Carolyn as deacons, and Laura, Cyndy, Doug, and Susan as ruling elders, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ?

We do.

Do we agree to pray for them, to encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ who alone is Head of the Church?

We do.

Laying on of Hands for Ordination

[The Congregation is invited to raise their hands in blessing.]

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

… Above all we praise you for Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life to set others free. Anointed by your Holy Spirit, he proclaimed your loving purposes on earth, and revealing your saving love in all he said and did.

Gracious God, pour out your Spirit upon your servants Brian, Laura, and Cyndy, whom you called by baptism as your own. Grant them the same mind that was in Jesus Christ.

Loving God, we also give you thanks for your servants, Carolyn, Doug, and Susan, as they continue in the ministry to which you have called them. Help them to rely on the gifts of your Spirit and to follow Christ faithfully in this calling.

In the walk of faith and for the work of ministry, give to all your servants gladness and strength, discipline and hope, humility, humor, and courage. Give us all an abiding sense of your presence.

Gracious God, sustain your church in ministry. Ground us in the gospel. Secure our hope in Christ, strengthen our service to the outcast and those in need, and increase our love for one another.

Declaration of Ordination and Installation

Welcome

Charge to the Newly Ordained and Installed

The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. ~ 1 Peter 4:7-11

Prayers of the People

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  #173 W & R

“Sing Out My Soul – Magnificat,” Jacques Berthier, Taizé

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

Sing out, my soul. Sing out, my soul.

Sing out and glorify the Lord who sets us free.

Sing out, my soul. Sing out, my soul.

Sing out and glorify the Lord God!

Call for Offering   

Doxology  

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Tune: Public Domain 

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; 

Praise God, all creatures high and low. 

Praise God, in Jesus fully known: 

Creator, Word, and Spirit one. 

Prayer of Dedication   

Hymn  #559 W & R

“Here I Am, Lord,” Dan Schutte

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin

My hand will save.

I who make the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them?

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,

I have borne my people’s pain.

I have wept for love of them,

They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone,

Give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my Word to them.

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame,

I will tend the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them,

My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide

Till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them.

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

Benediction  

Go out into the world in peace;

have courage;

hold onto what is good;

return no one evil for evil;

strengthen the fainthearted;

support the weak, help the suffering;

honor all people;

Let us love and serve the Lord,

rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Postlude  Chris Bartlette, piano

 “Now Thank We All Our God,” Lee Dengler

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   