3rd Sunday After Epiphany: Leaving Your Nets

Sunday, January 21, 2024
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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The season of Epiphany is a time of beginnings—the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, and then the beginning of his disciples’ ministries, too. This morning Jesus happens upon the brothers Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew, and beckons them to leave everything behind and follow him.

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!

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Leaving Your Nets

Psalm 62:5-12; Mark 1:14-20

Union Presbyterian Church

January 21, 2024

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

Liturgist: Cathie Makowka Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Announcements Cathie Makowka

Prelude Angel DeLap

“The Power of Your Love,” Bryce Inman.

Used by permission, CCLI license #CSPL068847

Call to Worship (responsive) Cathie Makowka

Through the words of the prophet, the Lord said:

When you pass through the raging waters, I will be with you.

Do not fear, says the Lord; I am with you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

When Jesus spoke to Simon Peter and his brother Andrew,

throwing out their nets for a catch, he said,
Follow me, and I make you fishers of people.

And they left their nets and followed him.

Hymn #111 W & R

“When Morning Gilds the Skies”

(Public Domain)

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer
To Jesus I repair,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind?
A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss?
My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day,
When from the heart we say,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear
When this sweet chant they hear,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine,
My canticle divine,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th'eternal song
Through all the ages long,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Call to New Life

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Merciful and loving God, you have called us to be your people and claimed us for service in Jesus Christ. We know that we have not fully lived into our calling to proclaim the good news in word and deed. We are quick to speak when we ought to listen and remain silent when it is time to speak. We put too much faith in our own actions and fail to trust the strength of your Spirit. O God, forgive our foolish, limited ways. Strengthen and heal us anew to follow Christ’s way in the world. By your Holy Spirit, give us the grace we need to be faithful disciples and fulfill our common calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Words of Assurance

By grace we have been saved by faith.

This is not our doing! It is the work of our gracious God.

Let us lead a life worthy of our calling—

with humility, gentleness, and patience.

Let us bear with one another in love.

In Jesus Christ we are healed and made whole!

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 62:5-12

For God alone I wait in silence,
    truly, my hope is in God.
God alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my stronghold, so that I shall never be shaken.
In God is my deliverance and my honor;
    God is my strong rock and my refuge.

Put your trust in God always, O people;
    pour out your heart before the One
    who is our refuge.

Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath,
    those of low estate cannot be trusted;
Placed on the scales together,

They weigh even less than a breath.
Put no trust in extortion;
    in robbery take no empty pride;
    though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.

God has spoken once, twice have I heard it,
that power belongs to God.
Steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.

For you repay to all
    according to their deeds.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Arise, Your Light Is Come!”

Scripture Mark 1:14-20

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea, for they were fishers. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “Leave Your Nets”

Ordination and Installation of Deacons and Ruling Elders

For Ordination and Installation as Deacons: Becky Conklin, Jan Rea

For Installation as Deacons: Cindy Surrena, Keith Surrena

For Ordination and Installation as Ruling Elder: Don Sommerville

For Installation as Ruling Elder: Barbara Ann Dailey

Sentences of Scripture

There are varieties of gifts, but it is the same Spirit who gives them.

There are different ways of serving God,

but it is the same Lord who is served.

God works through each person in a unique way,

but it is God’s purpose that is accomplished.

To each is given a gift of the Spirit to be used for the common good.

Together we are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.

Statement on Ordination

Presentation: Clerk of Session, Cyndy Vosburg

Representing the one holy, catholic, and apostolic church, the session of Union Presbyterian Church now ordains Becky Conklin and Jan Rea as deacons, and Don Sommerville as ruling elder, and installs them to active service in this congregation.

The session also installs to active service those previously ordained, Deacons Cindy Surrena and Keith Surrena; and Ruling Elder Barbara Ann Dailey.

Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant

Pastor: As God calls some to particular forms of ministry, God calls us to bear gladly the yoke of Christ given in the covenant of Baptism. Let us, therefore, reaffirm our baptismal vows, renouncing all that opposes God and God’s rule, and affirming the faith of the Christ’s universal church. All are invited to respond:

Trusting in the gracious mercy of God,

do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?

I do.

Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love?

I do.

Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his word and showing his love?

I will, with God’s help.

Profession of Faith

With the whole church, let us confess our faith:

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty?

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Thanksgiving for Baptism

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

… By your Holy Spirit renew us, that we may be empowered to do your will and continue forever in the risen life of Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Constitutional Questions: Pastor to the Candidates

Clerk of Session Questions to the Congregation

Do we, the members of the church, accept Becky, Jan, Cindy, and Keith as deacons and Barbara Ann and Don as ruling elders, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ?

We do.

Do we agree to pray for them, to encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ who alone is Head of the Church?

We do.

Laying on of Hands for Ordination

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

[The congregation is invited to raise their hands in blessing.]

Gracious God, pour out your Spirit upon your servants Becky, Jan, and Don, whom you called by baptism as your own. Grant them the same mind that was in Jesus Christ.

Loving God, we also give you thanks for your servants, Cindy, Keith, and Barbara Ann, as they continue in the ministry to which you have called them. Help them to rely on the gifts of your Spirit and to follow Christ faithfully in this calling.

In the walk of faith and for the work of ministry, give to all your servants a spirit of truthfulness, that they may show the compassion of Christ in the actions of daily living and rightly govern your people. Give them gladness and strength, discipline and hope, humility, humor, and courage. Give us all an abiding sense of your presence.

…Show us the transforming power of your grace in our life together, that we may be effective servants of the gospel, offering a compelling witness in the world to the Good News of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Declaration of Ordination and Installation

Welcome

Charge to the Newly Ordained and Installed

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

~Colossians 3:12-17

Hymn #350 W & R

“The Summons,” John L. Bell

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,

Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?

Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen,

And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

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 #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 #72 W & R

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

(Public Domain)

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not;
As thou has been thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided--
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided--
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided--
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Benediction

Postlude Angel DeLap

“Shout to the North,” Bryce Inman.

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

“Call to New Life” adapted from a prayer written by the Rev. Stephanie Sorge for the Presbyterian Outlook.

“Prayer for Wholeness and Peace” and “Words of Assurance” adapted from prayers in the Book of Common Worship (BCW, 2018).