Easter 7: Joyfully Steadfast

Sunday, May 21, 2023
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

We dip into the first letter of Peter, writing to followers of Jesus who are suffering. How does our faith strengthen us when life is hard?

Join us as the Easter season draws to a close. Next Sunday: Pentecost! We would love to see you in our beautiful sanctuary, or to have you join us right here online. You are invited!

Easter 7: “Joyfully Steadfast” 

Psalm 68:1-10; 32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

May 21, 2023   

Union Presbyterian Church   

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

Liturgist: Carlton Sackett Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube    

Announcements Carlton Sackett 

Prelude Tower Ringers

“Come, Christians, Join to Sing,” Douglas E. Wagner

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube 

*Call to Worship    Carlton Sackett 

Sing to God!

Sing praises to God’s name!

Sing to God,

the father of orphans, the defender of widows.

Sing to God!

Sing to the one who brings us strength and power.

Sing to God!

* Hymn #10 W & R “Sing a New Song,” Daniel Schutte

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Sing a new song unto the Lord;

Let your song be sung from mountains high.

Sing a new song unto the Lord,

Singing, “Alleluia.”

Yahweh’s people dance for joy;

O come before the Lord.

And play for him on glad tambourines,

And let your trumpet sound.

Sing a new song unto the Lord;

Let your song be sung from mountains high.

Sing a new song unto the Lord,

Singing, “Alleluia.”

Rise, O children, from your sleep;

Your Savior now has come.

He has turned your sorrow to joy,

And filled your soul with song.

Sing a new song unto the Lord;

Let your song be sung from mountains high.

Sing a new song unto the Lord,

Singing, “Alleluia.”

Glad my soul for I have seen

The glory of the Lord.

The trumpet sounds; the dead shall be raised.

I know my Savior lives.

Sing a new song unto the Lord;

Let your song be sung from mountains high.

Sing a new song unto the Lord,

Singing, “Alleluia.”

* Call to New Life   

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (unison)   

We confess, O God, that too often we have our head in the clouds. We are more comfortable with dreaming of the world as we wish it would be instead of working with you to bring that wish to reality. At times we find it difficult to claim the power you have given us. Surely you have others more capable to be your witnesses? And so, we continue to gaze heavenwards. Jolt us out of our complacency, O God. Remind us to get a move on. Remind us we have work to do with you. Give us your energy, courage, and vision to be your witnesses to the end of the earth. Spark our intelligence, imagination, and love, that we may love your people. 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 offer one another a sign of peace.  

Scripture Reading Psalm 68:1-10; 32-35

Let God rise up, and let God’s enemies be scattered;
    let those who hate God flee.
As smoke is driven away, so you should drive them away;
    as the wax melts before the fire,
    so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God;
    let them also be merry and joyful.

Sing to God; sing praises to God’s name;
    exalt the one who rides the clouds;
“I Am” is that name; rejoice before God!

In your holy habitation, O God,

you are a father to orphans, defender of widows.
You give the solitary a home
    and bring forth prisoners to freedom;
    but the rebels shall live in desert places.

O God, when you went forth before your people,
    when you marched through the wilderness,
the earth quaked, and the skies poured down rain,
    at the presence of God, the God of Sinai,
    at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

You sent a bountiful rain, O God;
    you restored your inheritance when it languished.
Your people found their home in it;
    in your goodness, O God,

you have made provision for the poor.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;
    sing praises to the Lord.
You ride in the heavens, O God, in the ancient heavens;
    You send forth your voice, your mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God,
    whose majesty is over Israel
    whose strength is in the skies.
How wonderful you are in your holy places,
    O God of Israel,
    giving strength and power to your people! Blessed be God!

Anthem “Holy Lord, We Glorify Thy Name,” Robert C. Clatterbuck Choir

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Holy Lord, we glorify Thy name;

We worship and adore Thee,

Love brings us here before Thee.

Holy Lord, from age go age the same;

The stars sang at creation;

We join their veneration.

In Thy presence, Lord,

We see ourselves bereft and lowly;

Help us, Father,

We would fix our minds upon Thee solely;

We would worship Thee most Holy Lord.

Holy, Holy.

Holy Lord, we magnify Thy name;

We reverence and adore Thee,

Lay all our possessions before Thee.

Holy Lord, eternally the same;

We love Thee, and we praise Thee,

O holy, omnipotent Lord.

Holy Lord, Holy Lord;

Holy Lord, Holy, Lord.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube  

Music: "Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” (Public Domain)

Scripture Reading 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

Response: This is the Good News we have received, in which we stand,

and by which we are saved.

Thanks be to God!   

Sermon ”Joyfully Steadfast” Rev. Pat Raube   

* Affirmation of Faith from the Belhar Confession

We believe that this unity of the people of God must be manifested and be active in a variety of ways: in that we love one another; that we experience, practice and pursue community with one another; that we are obligated to give ourselves willingly and joyfully to be of benefit and blessing to one another; that we share one faith, have one calling, are of one soul and one mind; have one God and Father, are filled with one Spirit, are baptized with one baptism, eat of one bread and drink of one cup, confess one name, are obedient to one Lord, work for one cause, and share one hope; together come to know the height and the breadth and the depth of the love of Christ; together are built up to the stature of Christ, to the new humanity; together know and bear one another's burdens, thereby fulfilling the law of Christ that we need one another and upbuild one another, admonishing and comforting one another; that we suffer with one another for the sake of righteousness; pray together; together serve God in this world; and together fight against all which may threaten or hinder this unity;

And we believe that this unity can be established only in freedom and not under constraint; that the variety of spiritual gifts, opportunities, backgrounds, convictions, as well as the various languages and cultures, are by virtue of the reconciliation in Christ, opportunities for mutual service and enrichment within the one visible people of God.

Handbell Anthem Tower Ringers

   “How Great Thou Art,” Douglas E. Wagner

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

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 #145 W & R “Glory Be to God, Creator,” Richard K. Carlson

Glory be to God, Creator,

Glory be to God the Son,

Glory be to God the Spirit,

Known as Three, yet God the One.

As it was in the beginning,

It is now and so shall be

In a world without an ending,

Glory through eternity.

Holy, holy God Almighty,

Holy, holy Prince of Peace,

Holy, holy Wind of Presence,

Holy, holy, holy. Amen.

* Benediction  

Postlude Chris Bartlette

 “God of Grace and God of Glory,” Douglas E. Wagner

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   

Portions of the liturgy are taken and adapted from the Rev. Sharon Core, provided for free distribution by Presbyterian Outlook.

Words of Assurance taken and adapted from the Iona Community Worship Book.