Easter 5: Tabitha's Funeral

Sunday, May 15, 2022
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

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

Google Calendar ICS

It is early days in the church, and Peter is traveling. He is invited to Joppa, to the funeral of a beloved woman who served her community with love and faithfulness. We are witnesses as the season of resurrection continues!

Join us on Sunday morning as we welcome the Rev. Michelle Wahila to our pulpit from her home in France, as well as the Rev. Jeff Kellam live in our sanctuary. Join us for worship in our sanctuary, or right here if you are worshiping from home or on the road. You can also find the live-stream on our YouTube page. All are welcome!

5th Sunday in Eastertide

Tabitha’s Funeral

Psalm 23, Acts 9:36-43

Union Presbyterian Church

May 15, 2022

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

Liturgist: Doug Moore Preacher: Rev. Michelle Wahila

Prelude Colin DeLap

 “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” Chris Rice

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Welcome Rev. Jeff Kellam

Call to Worship Doug Moore

Gather around,

You are welcome:

The wanderers and wonderers,

The dreamers and disillusioned,

The brokenhearted and the brave.

There is a place for you here;

God meets us all,

Exactly where we are

And exactly as we are.

Let us worship the God who gathers!

Hymn  #150 PH

“Come, Christians, Join to Sing”

(Public Domain)

Come, Christians, join to sing
Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King;
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
Before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice;
Alleluia! Amen!

Come, lift your hearts on high;
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our guide and friend;
To us He’ll condescend;
His love shall never end;
Alleluia! Amen!

Praise yet our Christ again;
Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain;
Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore
His goodness we’ll adore,
Singing forevermore,
“Alleluia! Amen!”

Call to New Life Doug Moore

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Our Easter astonishment fades too quickly in a bleak world. Resurrection joy is easily replaced by the day’s worries. The ordinary dampens the extraordinary. We are preoccupied, weary and out of wonder. Draw us back into your holy story, O God. Embrace us with an abundance that can hold our questions and our awe. Give us breath enough to be sustained in weariness and in vitality. Encourage us to remember that you hold both the hopelessness of this world and the gift of wholeness. Allow us to hold these tensions with just enough grace for this day, this hour, and this moment.

Assurance of God’s Grace  

Our God is the One who out of the depths of love, dared to become human – meeting us here, in our sorrow and in our joy. May the hope of this promise encourage you. May it permeate your heart, bringing you an abundance that will overflow into the work of love.

Alleluia! Amen.

Sharing of the Peace

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us share a sign of God’s peace.

Scripture Psalm 23 Doug Moore

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
    You make me lie down in green pastures,
and lead me beside still waters;
    you restore my soul.
You lead me in right paths
    for your name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil;
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff—
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Children’s Message Rev. Michelle Wahila

Scripture Acts 9:36-43 Rev. Michelle Wahila

Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Meditation “Tabitha’s Funeral” Rev. Michelle Wahila

Anthem (567 W&R)

“Gifts for Sharing,” Mary Nelson Keithahn

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE. 

The kind heart of a woman failed
And men were sent to plead,
"Dear Peter, come to Joppa now.
For Dorcas is in need.
Restore her to the charities
That we have come to know.
She has a gift for sewing that
Has helped the church to grow."

A clever merchant, Lydia,
In ancient Philippi,
Grew wealthy selling purple goods,
As Paul did testify,
"This woman shares her fortune to
Support us where we go.
She has a gift for business that
Has helped the church to grow."

Priscilla and Aquila worked
With Paul at making tents,
While teaching, preaching God in Christ
To Corinth residents.
Apollos said, "What I have learned
Has set my faith aglow.
They have a gift for teaching that
Has helped the church to grow."

No matter where we work or live
Or worship in this land,
You grace us with your presence, God,
And gift us by your hand
With talents, skills, abilities
More useful than we know.
We all have gifts for sharing that
Can help the church to grow.

Minute for Mission         Kristine Cunningham, Executive Director of Mom’s House 

Prayers of the People    Rev. Jeff Kellam

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 

“Be Still and Know,” Jack Schrader 

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE. 

Be still and know that I am God, 

Be still and know that I am God. 

Call for Offering   Rev. Jeff Kellam

Doxology  

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” 

Tune: Public Domain 

Text: Brian Wren  

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   Rev. Jeff Kellam

Hymn  #540 PH

“God Be With You Till We Meet Again”

(Public Domain)

God be with you till we meet again;
Loving counsels guide, uphold you,
With a Shepherd's care enfold you:
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
Unseen wings protecting hide you,
Daily manna still provide you:
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
When life’s perils thick confound you;
Put unfailing arms around you:
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
Keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
Strike death’s threatening wave before you:
God be with you till we meet again.

Benediction   Rev. Jeff Kellam

Postlude  Colin DeLap

“O For a Thousand Tongues,” Gail Smith

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847