Stewardship 3: The Faith that Makes You Well

Sunday, October 27, 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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This morning Jesus encounters a man who was born blind, but who is absolutely sure that Jesus can give him sight. How do we find healing in our faith?

You can join us for worship in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service. You are invited! You are always welcome.

Reformation Sunday

Music and Media Celebration Sunday

Stewardship 3

The Faith that Makes Us Well

Psalm 34:1-8, 19-22; Mark 10:46-52

Union Presbyterian Church

October 27, 2024

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

Liturgist: Kevin Kelley Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements Kevin Kelley

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation,” Jason W. Krug

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

* Call to Worship Adapted from Psalm 147

Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
for God is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
The Lord builds up the people.
    God gathers the outcasts from every corner of the earth.
The Lord heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
God determines the number of the stars,
    and gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord and abundant in power,
    whose understanding is beyond measure.

The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
    Our God is our great healer.

* Hymn # 264 PH

“When in Our Music God is Glorified,” Fred Pratt Green

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

When in our music God is glorified,
And adoration leaves no room for pride,
It is as though the whole creation cried:
Alleluia!

How often, making music, we have found
A new dimension in the world of sound,
As worship moved us to a more profound
Alleluia!

So has the church, in liturgy and song,
In faith and love, through centuries of wrong,
Borne witness to the truth in every tongue:
Alleluia!

Let every instrument be tuned for praise!
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to sing always:
Alleluia! Amen.

* Call to New Life

The grace of God overflows for us through Christ Jesus, who came into the world to make us new. Let us open our hearts to this precious grace.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our failure to be what you created us to be. You alone know how often we have wandered from your ways, wasted your gifts, and forgotten your love. In your loving mercy, help us to live in your light and abide in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

* Words of Assurance

The Lord is kind and merciful.

God overflows with steadfast love.

By the love and mercy of God, we are forgiven and made whole!

Thanks be to God! Amen!

* Sharing of the Peace

For some of us, peace can come in a song.

Peace is a gentle tune that enters our hearts, slows its beating,

and assures us: God is here. All is well.

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.

Scripture Psalm 34:1-8 (NRSVUE)

A responsive reading from the Psalter, Psalm 34, beginning at verse 1.

I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.

Look to him, and be radiant,
    so your faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor soul cried and was heard by the Lord
    and was saved from every trouble.

The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him and delivers them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good;
    happy are those who take refuge in him.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Amen,” Nelsie T. Johnson

(Public Domain)

Anthem Choir

“Forevermore,” Dan Forrest

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Word of God, the Cornerstone,

Yesterday, today, forever,

Seated on His heavenly throne.

In this world that God created,

Broken by the fall of man,

God remains the sure foundation,

Steadfast and unshakable, forevermore.

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast,

And our eternal home.

God will not forget His promise

Ever faithful to remain,

Never to forsake or leave us,

By our side both night and day.

Our tomorrows hold no secrets

That the Father does not know;

We can trust Him, ever working

For His glory and our good, forevermore.

Under the shadow of Thy throne

Thy saints have dwelt secure;

Sufficient is Thine arm alone,

And our defense is sure.

Praise the Author of creation,

Of the world and all it holds;

Praise the Word eternal, standing firm

Our God is God forevermore.

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Be Thou our guard while life shall last,

And our eternal home.

Forevermore, forevermore!

Scripture Mark 10:46-52 (NRSVUE)

A reading from the Gospel according to Mark, beginning at chapter 10, verse 46.

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Sermon “The Faith that Makes Us Well”

Statement of Faith Adapted from the Shorter Westminster Catechism

Q. 1. What is the chief end of humanity?

A. Humanity’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Q. 2. What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy God?

A. The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy God.

Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

A. The Scriptures principally teach what human beings are to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of us.

Q. 4. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable, in being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.

Q. 5. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but one only, the living and true God.

Q. 6. How many Persons are there in the Godhead?

A. There are three Persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son,

and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in substance,

equal in power and glory.

* Hymn # 422 PH

“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.

Minute for Mission: Stewardship

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 #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 your 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 # 577 W & R

“Sing a New Church,” Delores Dufner

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Summoned by the God who made us

Rich in our diversity,

Gathered in the name of Jesus,

Richer still in unity;

Let us bring the gifts that differ

And, in splendid, varied ways,

Sing a new church into being,

One in faith and love and praise.

Radiant risen from the water;

Robed in holiness and light,

Male and female in God’s image,

Male and female, God’s delight.

Let us bring the gifts that differ

And, in splendid, varied ways,

Sing a new church into being,

One in faith and love and praise.

Trust the goodness of creation;

Trust the Spirit strong within.

Dare to dream the vision promised

Sprung from seed of what has been.

Let us bring the gifts that differ

And, in splendid, varied ways,

Sing a new church into being,

One in faith and love and praise.

Bring the hopes of every nation;

Bring the art of every race.

Weave a song of peace and justice;

Let is sound through time and space.

Let us bring the gifts that differ

And, in splendid, varied ways,

Sing a new church into being,

One in faith and love and praise.

Draw together at one table

All the human family;

Shape a circle ever wider

And a people ever free.

Let us bring the gifts that differ

And, in splendid, varied ways,

Sing a new church into being,

One in faith and love and praise.

* Benediction

May God bless us. May God keep us in the Spirit’s care,

and lead our lives with love.

May Christ’s warm welcome shine from our hearts,

and Christ’s own peace prevail through this and every day,

till greater life shall call. Amen.

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” Mark Hayes

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

Call to New Life and Prayer for Wholeness and Peace adapted from prayers found in the Book of Common Worship (PCUSA), 2018. Prayer of Dedication adapted from a prayer of John Calvin.