The Perfect Prayer

Sunday, September 4, 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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One day when Jesus was praying, one of his disciples piped up: “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples!” And so Jesus offered the prayer most Christians intone at least every week, if not every day. What about this prayer makes it so special (aside from the fact that Jesus gave it to us) ?

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The Perfect Prayer

Luke 11:1-13

Union Presbyterian Church

September 4, 2022

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

Liturgist: Carlton Sackett Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude Jerry Natoli, Euphonium

 “The Prayer,” Teena Chinn

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Call to Worship Carlton Sackett

God, you are our loving Creator:

Hallowed be your name!

God, you dwell within us, and live beyond us in an eternity we can’t imagine:

Hallowed be your name!

God, yours is the Way, the Truth, and the Life:

Hallowed be your name!

Hymn #27 W & R “God of Creation, All-Powerful,”

Margaret Clarkson, Carlton Young

©1964, Abingdon Press, All rights reserved.
©1987, Hope Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE. 
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.   

God of creation, all powerful, all wise,
Lord of the universe rich with surprise,
Maker, Sustainer, and Ruler of all,
We are your children—you hear when we call.

God of the ages, through time's troubled years
You are the One in whom history coheres;
Nations and empires your purpose fulfill,
Moving in freedom, yet working your will.

God of redemption, who wrought our rebirth,
Called out your church from the ends of the earth,
Still you are Savior, put darkness to flight;
Overcome sin by salvation's pure light!

God of your people, your Word still stands fast;
Do for us now as you've done in the past!
Yours is the kingdom, your triumph we claim,
Challenging evil in Jesus' strong name.

God of our now, all our trust is in you,
Covenant God, ever faithful and true;
Sovereign Creator, Redeemer, and Lord,
Now and forever your name be adored!

Call to New Life Carlton Sackett

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Merciful God of might, you have created us in your image and called us to be your people. You call us to love you with all our heart and soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We struggle to do these things. We respond to your love with casual indifference. We respond to our neighbors with hearts closed to the unknown and the different-from-us. We beseech you, God, to open our hearts to your grace. Teach us what love is. Teach us how to follow in your way. Teach us to see your image in every person, so that our lives may show the world your beauty and grace. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Words of Assurance

With the whole church:

We affirm that we are made in God’s image,

befriended by Christ, and empowered by the Spirit.

With people everywhere:

We affirm God’s goodness at the heart of humanity,

planted more deeply than all that is wrong.

With all creation:

We celebrate the miracle and wonder of life and the unfolding purposes of God, forever at work in ourselves and the world. Thanks be to God. 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 with one another.

Scripture Psalm 138

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your name
because of your steadfast love and faithfulness;
    for you have glorified your name and your word
    above all things.
When I called, you answered me,
    you increased my strength within me.

All the rulers of the earth will praise you, O Lord,
    when they have heard the words of your mouth.
They will sing of the ways of the Lord,
    that great is the glory of the Lord.
The Lord is high, yet cares for the lowly,
    perceiving the haughty from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe;
    you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
    your right hand shall save me.
You will make good your purpose for me;
    O Lord, your steadfast love endures forever;
    Do not abandon the works of your hands.

Children’s Message Rev. Pat Raube

Music: "Refiner’s Fire” (Public Domain)

Scripture Luke 11:1-13

[Jesus] was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” So he said to them, “When you pray, say:

Father, may your name be revered as holy.
    May your kingdom come.
    Give us each day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our sins,
        for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
    And do not bring us to the time of trial.”

And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything out of friendship, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for a fish, would give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asked for an egg, would give a scorpion? If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Meditation Rev. Pat Raube

Anthem Jerry Natoli, Euphonium

“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone),” Joel Raney

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Prayers of the People Rev. Pat Raube

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. Pat Raube

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. Pat Raube

Hymn # 475 W & R “Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ,”

Eternal Spirit of the living Christ,
I know not how to ask or what to say;
I only know my need, as deep as life,
And only you can teach me how to pray.

Come, pray in me the prayer I need this day;
Help me to see your purpose and your will,
Where I have failed, what I have done amiss;
Held in forgiving love, let me be still.

Come with the vision and the strength I need
To serve my God, and all humanity;
Fulfillment of my life in love outpoured--
My life in you, O Christ, your love in me.

Benediction Rev. Pat Raube

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.

The Spirit is among us, so go in peace.

Thanks be to God. Amen

Postlude Jerry Natoli, Euphonium
“It Is Well with My Soul,” Lloyd Larson.
©2011, Lorenz Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.