Fruit of the Spirit

Sunday, August 21, 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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Paul, in his letter to the church at Galatia, writes of the freedom we find in Christ. He sums it up by identifying the fruit—the delightful results—of being in the Spirit.

Join us this morning as UPC welcomes guest preacher the Rev. Jeff Kellam to our pulpit. Rev. Kellam has woven these “fruits” throughout the worship service, and will offer a message both uplifting and delicious.

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. Worship videos are available Sunday after 1 PM. Come along for this adventure—all are welcome!

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23; John 15:1-11

Union Presbyterian Church

August 21, 2022

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

Liturgist: Peg Corwin Minister: Rev. Jeff Kellam

Welcome Rev. Jeff Kellam

Prelude Colin DeLap

“Your Grace Is Enough,” Victor Labenske

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Call to Worship (responsive) Peg Corwin

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:

Love, that leads to joy and peace,

as well as patience, kindness, and goodness.

Faithfulness, gentleness, and patience are in the list too.

Let’s begin by singing of joy!

Hymn #706 W & R (verses 1, 3, 4, 5)

“I Come With Joy,” Brian Wren, Austin C. Lovelace

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

I come with joy, a child of God,
Forgiven, loved and free,
The life of Jesus to recall,
In love laid down for me,
In love laid down for me.

As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share,
Each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
And strangers now are friends,
And strangers now are friends.

The Spirit of the risen Christ,
Unseen, but ever near,
Is in such friendship better known,
Alive among us here,
Alive among us here.

Together met, together bound
By all that God has done,
We'll go with joy, to give the world
The love that makes us one,
The love that makes us one.

Scripture (unison) Galatians 5:22-23 (CEB) Peg Corwin

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.

Invitation to Wholeness (unison) Peg Corwin

Giver of Peace, you spread out your radiance in every landscape. You unfold your love in all the twists and turns of our lives. Yet, we miss the signs of your Presence and see only the bends and wrinkles of living. How we yearn to dwell in your blanket of peace and how we long for justice and peace to flow in every corner of the world.

Forgive us for letting fear build walls of separation. Forgive us for hesitating to speak when our words could right a wrong. Forgive our halfhearted commitments and our full-blown excuses.

Set a reminder in our midst to call us to be peacemakers. Send your Spirit to wrap us in courage and dissolve our fears. Pour out your love so we may be filled with compassion and persistence. Let us live in the way Christ taught that all may enjoy the life of Shalom, your peace for all. Amen.

Sharing of the Peace

Peg Corwin: The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Let us pass that peace to one another.

Rev. Jeff Kellam: This time, actually look your neighbor in the eyes, and say, verbally, “The peace of Christ be with you now and always.”

Children’s Message “Cutting Through Mrs. Dewer’s Yard” Rev. Jeff Kellam

Music: "Halle, Halle, Hallelujah” (Public Domain)

Scripture John 15:1-11 (CEB) Rev. Jeff Kellam

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.

“As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete.”

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Meditation Rev. Jeff Kellam

Hymn #477 W & R

“Come and Find the Quiet Center,” Shirley Erena Murray

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Come and find the quiet center
In the crowded life we lead,
Find the room for hope to enter,
Find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter,
Clear our eyes, that we can see
All the things that really matter,
Be at peace, and simply be.

Silence is a friend who claims us,
Cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
Knows our being, touches base,
Making space within our thinking,
Lifting shades to show the sun,
Raising courage when we're shrinking,
Finding scope for faith begun.

In the Spirit let us travel,
Open to each other's pain,
Let our loves and fears unravel,
Celebrate the space we gain:
There's a place for deepest dreaming,
There's a time for heart to care,
In the Spirit's lively scheming
There is always room to spare!

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 #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.

The Offering

Doxology

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” 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

Hymn #595 W & R

“They’ll Know We Are Christians,” Peter Scholtes

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord.

And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand.

And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other; we will work side by side.

And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come.

And all praise to Christ Jesus, his only Son.

And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Benediction

Postlude Colin DeLap

“Everlasting God,” Lloyd Larson

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.

“W & R” ~ the red Worship and Rejoice hymnal.

“PH” ~ the blue Presbyterian Hymnal