Investing in Life: Security Vs. Risk

Sunday, November 19, 2023
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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Once again, we welcome the Rev. Jeff Kellam to our pulpit. This morning Jeff preaches from the 25th chapter of the gospel of Matthew, an entire chapter devoted to the question of how we live our lives, and what impact that has on the world God has created. Today Jeff brings us the Parable of the Talents.

Join us for worship in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship videos are available here or on Youtube following the service. You are invited!

Investing in Life: Security Vs. Risk

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30

Union Presbyterian Church

November 19, 2023

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

Liturgist: Peg Corwin Preacher: Rev. Jeff Kellam

Welcome

Announcements Peg Corwin

Prelude Tower Ringers

“Thine Is the Glory”

Call to Worship (responsive) Peg Corwin

Leader: From the depths of our being, a song of thanks arises, and we pour out our praise for all of God's gifts:

Left: Bread to empower our bodies,

Right: Beauty to quicken our pulse,

Left: Hope to enlarge our vision,

Right: Love to link our lives,

Left: Laughter to soften our wounds,

Right: Passion to shape our maybes,

Left: Community to face our fears,

Leader: And for this awesome moment to become filled with joy and touched by grace.

Hymn #87 W & R

“Come, Christians, Join to Sing,” David Evans

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

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!
Christ 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 Peg Corwin

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Creator God, you have placed a treasure deep inside each of us—a moment of insight, a mountain of affirmation, a sense of Christ's love. Yet how often we treat one another with a harshness that bruises the soul, an indifference that wounds the spirit. We have been given the precious gift of caring for each other, guarding each other's light, proclaiming the gospel of love.

Forgive us for handling the gift with heavy hands and hardened hearts. Open our eyes to the wonder of each person and to your abundant grace that heals our brokenness and restores our faith. Amen.

Words of Assurance

While we are a people of incomplete love, a people with selective compassion,

Christ is always ready to take the fragments of our love and use them to make the world whole.

Christ does not call us to be perfect in our love, only willing—

willing to grow in love for God and others.

The message of the Gospel is that when we come to Christ with willing hearts,

light shines brightly, voices sing joyfully, and love abounds.

Sharing of the Peace

May the peace of God be with you. 

And also with you.

Let us share in words or gestures God’s peace with one another.

Scripture 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

A reading from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, beginning at chapter 5, verse 1.

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So, then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober, for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober and put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Jeff Kellam

Music: “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ,” Fred Kaan, Doreen Potter

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Anthem Choir

“Many Gifts, One Spirit,” Mary Lynn Lightfoot

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

All good gifts around us

Are sent from heav’n above;

We thank you God, we thank you God

For all your gifts, your wonderful deeds,

And for your love.

Many gifts, one Spirit,

In grateful song our voices raise.

Many gifts, one Spirit,

Our thankful hearts sing joyful praise.

All good gifts are simple gifts

Bestowed by God’s loving care.

And may we use these precious gifts

To help, inspire, reach out, and love.

So many gifts to share!

Many gifts, one Spirit,

In grateful song our voices raise.

Many gifts, one Spirit,

Our thankful hearts sing joyful praise.

God is the only Maker

Of all things near and far;

Painting the wayside flower

And lighting the evening star.

Blessing us with the sunshine

And soft, refreshing rain;

With heart and voice,

We sing and rejoice

For all good gifts, for all God’s love,

For simple gifts.

‘Tis the gift to be simple,

‘Tis the gift to be free,

‘Tis the gift to come down

Where we out to be,

And when we find ourselves

In the place just right,

‘Twill be in the valley

Of love and delight.

[Simultaneously:]

• ‘Tis the gift to be simple...

• Many gifts, one Spirit...

Oh, we thank you, God,

We thank you God, for simple gifts.

Scripture Matthew 25:14-30

A reading from the Gospel of Matthew, beginning at chapter 25, verse 14.

“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. At once the one who had received the five talents went off and traded with them and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Sermon “Investing in Life: Security Vs. Risk” Rev. Jeff Kellam

Affirmation of Faith (excerpt, The Confession of 1967)

Each member is the church in the world, endowed by the Spirit with some gift of ministry and is responsible for the integrity of his or her witness in each particular situation. Each member is entitled to the guidance and support of the Christian community and is subject to its advice and correction. In turn, each member, in her or his own competence, helps to guide the church.

Hymn #572 W & R

“God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending,” Robert L. Edwards

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

God, whose giving knows no ending,
From your rich and endless store:
Nature's wonder, Jesus' wisdom,
Costly cross, grave's shattered door,
Gifted by you, we turn to you,
Offering up ourselves in praise;
Thankful song shall rise forever,
Gracious donor of our days.

Skills and time are ours for pressing
Toward the goals of Christ, your Son:
All at peace in health and freedom,
Races joined, the Church made one.
Now direct our daily labor,
Lest we strive for self alone;
Born with talents, make us servants
Fit to answer at your throne.

Treasure, too, you have entrusted,
Gain through powers your grace conferred;
Ours to use for home and kindred,
And to spread the Gospel Word.
Open wide our hands in sharing,
As we heed Christ's ageless call,
Healing, teaching, and reclaiming,
Serving you by loving all.

Prayers of the People   

Prayer Response   #475 W & R     

“Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ,” Frank von Christierson 

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

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.   

Call for 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  #615 W & R

“Community of Christ,” Shirley Erena Murray

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Community of Christ,
Who make the cross your own,
Live out your creed and risk your life
For God alone:
The God who wears your face,
To whom all worlds belong,
Whose children are of every race
And every song.

Community of Christ,
Look past the Church's door
And see the refugee, the hungry,
And the poor.
Take hands with the oppressed,
The jobless in your street,
Take towel and water, that you wash
Your neighbor's feet.

Community of Christ,
Through whom the word must sound—
Cry out for justice and for peace
The whole world round:
Disarm the powers that war
And all that can destroy,
Turn bombs to bread, and tears of anguish
Into joy.

When menace melts away,
So shall God's will be done,
The climate of the world be peace
And Christ its sun;
Our currency be love
And kindliness our law,
Our food and faith be shared as one
For evermore.

Benediction

Postlude  Chris Bartlette

“Foundation,” Roger Summers

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

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