Stewardship 1: World Communion Sunday-The Vine and Fig Tree

Sunday, October 6, 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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Each year on the first Sunday in October Union Presbyterian Church marks World Communion Sunday, a day when we recall our connection to Christians all over the world who are sitting at table to take part in the Lord’s Supper. This year we do so with a focus on one of the Bible’s most powerful images of the safety of home and hearth: the vine and the fig tree. We also take the opportunity to begin our Stewardship season by examining what does “living like a king” mean when we are seeking to be a part of the kingdom of God?

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.

World Communion Sunday

Stewardship 1: The Vine and Fig Tree

Micah 4:1-5; Mark 10:2-16

Union Presbyterian Church

October 6, 2024

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

Liturgist: Doug Moore Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements Doug Moore

Prelude

“O Worship The King,” Phillip Keveren.
©2018, Hal Leonard LLC.

Used by permission, CCLI license #CSPL068847

* Call to Worship From Psalm 8

O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have created that which silences the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;

what are humans that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?

O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

* Hymn # 23 W & R

“All Creatures of Our God and King”

(Public Domain)

All creatures of our God and King,

Lift up your voice and with us sing

Alleluia, Alleluia!

O burning sun with golden beam,

And silver moon with softer gleam,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

O rushing wind that art so strong,

You clouds that sail in heaven along,

O praise him, Alleluia!

O rising morn in praise rejoice,

O lights of evening, find a voice,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

O flowing water, pure and clear,

Make music for your Lord to hear,

Alleluia, Alleluia!

O fire so masterful and bright,

Providing us with warmth and light,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

All you who are of tender heart,

Forgiving others, take your part,

Sing praises, Alleluia!

All you who pain and sorrow bear,

Praise God and on him cast your care,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless,

And worship him in humbleness,

O praise him, Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

* Call to New Life

We want, but we are not wanting. How can we tame our desire for more? Let us turn to God, who knows our hearts and can give us wholeness and peace.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Abundant God, we say we believe in your provision, yet we too often operate from a spirit of scarcity. We lean on meritocracy—who is worthy or has earned what they get—rather than trusting that you have created enough for all of us. We demand equality rather than equity, because we don’t want anyone to have more than us, even if their need is greater.

Forgive us, God. Stir up within us the joy of sufficiency, and the delight that comes in witnessing an empty plate and a smile, because all have had their fill. We love you, Great Creator! We are grateful for your calling to live generously. 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

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

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

Scripture Micah 4:1-5 (Responsive) NRSVUE

A responsive reading from the book of the prophet Micah, beginning at chapter 4, verse 1.

In days to come
    the mountain of the Lord’s temple
shall be established as the highest of the mountains
    and shall be raised up above the hills.
Peoples shall stream to it,

    and many nations shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
    and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
    and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between many peoples
    and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares
    and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation;
    neither shall they learn war any more;

but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees,
    and no one shall make them afraid,
    for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

For all the peoples walk,
    each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
    forever and ever.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “To God Be The Glory”

Anthem Choir; Barbara Gannon, flute

“Celtic Laud,” Pamela Martin, Craig Courtney

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

For fruit of the vine, for harvest of wheat,

For bread and for wine, the gift of Your feast,

The cup of thanksgiving I gratefully raise,

O Lord of my living, my love and my praise.

For dove in the sky, for wind in the trees,

For coal in the fire, Your Spirit in me,

The cup of thanksgiving I gratefully raise,

O Lord of my living, my love and my praise.

For springtime’s green earth, for morning’s first light,

For every new birth, for grace and for life,

The cup of thanksgiving I gratefully raise,

O Lord of my living, my love and my praise.

Scripture Mark 10:2-16 NRSVUE

A reading from the Gospel according to Mark, beginning at chapter 10, verse 2.

Some, testing [Jesus], asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

People were bringing children to him in order that he might touch them, and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Sermon “The Vine and Fig Tree”

* Statement of Faith From “A Brief Statement of Faith,” Presbyterian Church (USA)

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.  

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.  

* Hymn #626 W & R (Sung to the tune of #284 W & R)

“O God of Every Nation,” William W. Reid, Jr.

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

O God of every nation,
Of every race and land,
Redeem your whole creation
With your almighty hand;
Where hate and fear divide us,
And bitter threats are hurled,
In love and mercy guide us,
And heal our strife-torn world.

From search for wealth and power
And scorn of truth and right,
From trust in bombs that shower
Destruction through the night,
From pride of race and station
And blindness to your way,
Deliver every nation,
Eternal God, we pray.

Keep bright in us the vision
Of days when war shall cease,
When hatred and division
Give way to love and peace,
Till dawns the morning glorious
When truth and justice reign,
And Christ shall rule victorious
O'er all the world's domain.

Minute for Mission: Stewardship Kevin Kelley

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

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

The Invitation

Jesus invites us to this holy meal with a spirit of abundance and hospitality. He doesn’t want anyone going away satisfied, still feeling a gnawing emptiness. Jesus wants us to have our fill. It was out of this generous love that Jesus gathered with his followers on that Passover night, long ago.

Imagine that there were more than 12 in the room that night. It’s possible! Imagine it filled with women and children and others seeking to know more about Jesus. Even those that didn’t believe, hanging around, lurking. Jesus, being who he was, would not have excluded anyone, not even his betrayer. Jesus, knowing God’s promise, knew that there would be more than enough for all.

Imagine the bread being passed, not only around the table, but also to those standing against the wall, sitting on the floor, gathered in the doorway. The cup quenching every thirst. No questions asked.

Imagine.

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Holiest of hosts, we give you thanks for your love and grace,

greater than we can hope for or imagine.

We thank you for your just and generous spirit

as we seek to embody it on this day as your church, your people.

We gather in thanksgiving, God of provision and justice.

We gather in continual praise and worship,

We gather in joy and deliciousness, and we tell the old, old story,

But first, we sing your praises.

Sanctus

“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Holy, holy, holy Lord, 

God of power, God of might, 

Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest. 

Blessed is He who comes  

In the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest, 

Hosanna in the highest. 

The Words of Institution

On the night he was betrayed by one of his own,

before facing unlawful arrest and torture,

before being executed by the state,

Jesus gathered with his disciples and the many that had followed him.

He took the bread, and though his heart was breaking,

he gave thanks to God.

He broke the bread and told them,

This is my body given for you, because I love you.

By the breaking of this bread,

may you find wholeness, healing, and fullness of life.

As often as you eat of this bread, re-member me.

Don’t hold back. Tell the story.

Share my love. Feed my people. Be healed.

Then after supper, Jesus took the cup and said,

This is the cup of the new covenant.

A new promise, poured out freely for the forgiveness of sins,

and the restoring of our relationship with all creation.

As often as you drink this cup, re-member me.

Feel God’s love course through your body

and allow it to flow out from you into a world

thirsty for love, kindness, forgiveness, and transformation.

Let us proclaim the mystery of our faith:

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

The Generous Spirit

Spirit of God, we are grateful for these elements, bread and cup,

signs of your love, justice, and grace.

As we partake in this feast today,

may we be transformed into this very love, justice, and grace made flesh

for the good of all creation.

Keep us ever thankful for your bountiful, steadfast care for us all.

The Communion

Beloved, God invites you all by name.

We are all welcome to come and feast at Jesus’ table

and to share in the joy of a common meal promising to fill us to overflowing.

Come and be transformed by the bread of new life and the cup of the covenant.

There is enough for us all, and more.

Come, all things are ready.

Music for Communion:

“Beautiful Is Your Love,” Blakesly, Hart, Byrd.

Used by permission, CCLI license #CSPL068847

Prayer After Communion

* Hymn “Love Lays a Splendid Table”

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Love lays a splendid table

Love cannot be restrained

Love empties out its treasure

Love nothing has retained

Love lays a splendid table

Love feeds us every day

Love fashioned earth and heaven

Love gives it all away

Love lays a splendid table

Love nothing can withhold

Love serves the guests it gathers

Love doesn’t need control

Love lays a splendid table

Love feeds us every day

Love fashioned earth and heaven

Love gives it all away

Love lays a splendid table

Love only wants to bless

Love casts aside its power

Love seeks to dispossess

Love lays a splendid table

Love feeds us every day

Love fashioned earth and heaven

Love gives it all away

Love lays a splendid table

Love lays down bread and bliss

Lay down yourself in loving

Love nothing asks but this

Love lays a splendid table

Love feeds us every day

Love fashioned earth and heaven

Love gives it all away

* 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 Colin DeLap

“I Sing the Mighty Power of God,” Phillip Keveren.

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

Prayer of Wholeness and Peace and Communion prayers adapted from “No One Unsatisfied” by Marilyn Pagán-Banks, found in Do This: Communion for Just and Courageous Living, Mary Luti, ed.