Easter 2: "The Heart of the Matter"

Sunday, April 16, 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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On the second Sunday in the Easter season we read a story about the evening of Easter, and the following Sunday as well. Jesus shows himself to his friends, and gives them instructions as to the their ministry and purpose going forward.

Join us as we continue in our celebration of the Easter season. We would love to see you in our beautiful sanctuary, or to have you join us right here online. You are invited!

Easter 2: “The Heart of the Matter”

1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31

April 16, 2023  

Union Presbyterian Church  

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

Liturgist: Trish Nilsen Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube   

Announcements Trish Nilsen

Prelude Raeleen Bichler, Cello

 “Easter Alleluia Medley,” Gary Lanier Colin DeLap, Piano

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

*Call to Worship    Trish Nilsen

This is the good news we have received,

in which we stand, and by which we have been saved.

Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

That Christ died, and was buried,

and rose again on the third day.

Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

He appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve,

and to many faithful witnesses.

Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

At last he came to us, that we might come to believe,

and proclaim this good news to the world.

Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed!

* Hymn #289 W & R

“Alleluia! Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven,” Christopher Wordsworth

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.      

Alleluia, alleluia!
Hearts to heaven and voices raise:
Sing to God a hymn of gladness,
Sing to God a hymn of praise;
He who on the cross a victim
For the world's salvation bled--
Jesus Christ, the King of glory,
Now is risen from the dead.

Alleluia, Christ is risen!
Death at last has met defeat:
See the ancient powers of evil
In confusion and retreat;
Once he died, and once was buried:
Now he lives forevermore,
Jesus Christ, the world's Redeemer,
Whom we worship and adore.

Christ is risen, we are risen!
Set your hearts on things above;
There in all the Father's glory
Lives and reigns our King of love;
Hear the word of peace he brings us,
See his wounded hands and side!
Now let every wrong be ended,
Every sin be crucified.

Alleluia, alleluia!
Glory be to God on high:
Alleluia to the Savior
Who has gained the victory;
Alleluia to the Spirit,
Fount of love and sanctity!
Alleluia, alleluia
to the Triune Majesty!

* Call to New Life  

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (unison)  

God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death you raise us with him, and renew your gift of life within us. Increase in our hearts and minds the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you. We pray in the name of Jesus, our risen Lord. 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 offer one another a sign of peace. 

Scripture Reading 1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him, and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube 

Music: “That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright” (Public Domain)

Scripture Reading John 20:19-31 

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

This is the Good News we have received, on which we stand,

and by which we are saved.

Thanks be to God!  

Sermon ”The Heart of the Matter” Rev. Pat Raube  

* Affirmation of Faith from “A Brief Statement of Faith”

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. 

We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children; healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted; eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. 

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Anthem Raeleen Bichler, Cello

“Easter Celebration Medley,” Gary Lanier Colin DeLap, Piano

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Prayers of the People 

The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional Version) 

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  #489 W & R  

“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying,” Ken Medema 

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.       

Lord, listen to your children praying, 

Lord, send your Spirit in this place; 

Lord, listen to you children praying, 

Send us love, send us power, send us grace. 

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 #306 W & R

“Alleluia! Jesus is Risen!” Herbert Brokering, David Johnson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Alleluia! Jesus is risen!

Trumpets resounding in glorious light!

Splendor, the Lamb, heaven forever!

Oh, what a miracle God has in sight!