Lent 5: Teach me...

Sunday, March 17, 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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Jesus is sharing wisdom with his disciples: a single question sets off a lengthy time of teaching. Jesus speaks about challenging those whose behavior is disruptive or hurtful to others in the church. Then, Peter asks a question about forgiveness. Jesus’ answer rocks out world.

Join us throughout the season of Lent as we participate in the Sanctified Art Series “Wandering Heart: Figuring out faith with Peter.” Join us in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service.

Wandering Heart

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Teach me…

Sacrament of Holy Baptism

Psalm 119:9-16

Matthew 18:15-22

Union Presbyterian Church

March 17, 2024

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

Liturgist: Doug Moore Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Announcements Doug Moore

Prelude Colin DeLap

“Be Thou My Vision,” Bethany K. Smith.

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Call to Worship (responsive) Doug Moore

Why are you here?

I am seeking God with my whole heart,

with my entire mind,

with a fire burning in my bones.

I see it! You’re in the right place!

This is God’s house. The door is open to you.

Why are you here?

I am seeking God with my whole heart,

with my entire mind,

with a fire burning in my bones.

We see that in you! You’re in the right place!

This is God’s house. The door is open to you.

Let us worship God.

Let us learn from the Spirit! Amen.

Hymn #27 W & R “God of Creation, All-Powerful”

Margaret Clarkson, Carlton R. Young

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

God of creation, all powerful, all wise,
Lord of the universe rich with surprise,
Maker, Sustainer, and Ruler of all,
We are your children—you hear when we call.

God of the ages, through time's troubled years
You are the One in whom history coheres;
Nations and empires your purpose fulfill,
Moving in freedom, yet working your will.

God of redemption, who wrought our rebirth,
Called out your church from the ends of the earth,
Still you are Savior, put darkness to flight;
Overcome sin by salvation's pure light!

God of your people, your Word still stands fast;
Do for us now as you've done in the past!
Yours is the kingdom, your triumph we claim,
Challenging evil in Jesus' strong name.

God of our now, all our trust is in you,
Covenant God, ever faithful and true;
Sovereign Creator, Redeemer, and Lord,
Now and forever your name be adored!

Call to New Life

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (responsive)

Holy God,

We long to be lifelong learners.

We long to approach you with curiosity and an open mind.

Instead, we often live as if we know best,

we forget that the disciples called you, “Rabbi, Teacher.”

Forgive us for the times when we fail to be curious.

Forgive us for the moments when we imagine that our learning is done

and that we have all the answers.

Like Peter—who was brave enough to ask, “How many times should we forgive”—make us brave. Spark a desire in us to learn, and may our curiosity carry our faith into deeper waters.

With hope and humility we pray. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Family of faith, When Peter asked Jesus, “How many times should I forgive”

Jesus responded with abundance.

That abundance exists for us as well.

No matter what we have done or left undone,

no matter what lessons we have learned or are still learning,

God’s abundant grace exists for us. God’s love will never run out.

So hear and rest in this good news:

We are forgiven. We are loved. We are invited to serve.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

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 119:9-16

How shall the young keep their way pure?
By keeping to your word.

With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not stray from your commandments.

I treasure your promise in my heart,
that I may not sin against you.

Blessed are you, O Lord;
instruct me in your statutes.

With my lips I recite
all the judgments of your mouth.

I take greater delight in the way of your decrees
than in all manner of riches.

I will meditate on your commandments
and give attention to your ways.

My delight is in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life”

Sacrament of Holy Baptism

Jude Donald Mattimore

son of John Mattimore and Leslie Rathfon Mattimore, brother of Hugo Mattimore

Words of Scripture

Hear these words from the gospel according to Mark:

People were bringing little children to Jesus 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 little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” ~Mark 10:13-14

Presentation

Elder Cyndy Vosburgh On behalf of the Session of Union Presbyterian Church, I present Jude Donald Mattimore to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

… Pastor (to the congregation): Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love, support and care to this child about to be baptized, as he lives and grows in Christ?

Congregation: We do.

Renunciation and Affirmation

… And now, let all God’s people affirm 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 Over the Water

… Glory to you, eternal God, the one who was, and is, and shall always be. Amen.

The Baptism

Welcome

And now, together, let the people of God welcome Jude into this larger church family.

With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you into Christ’s church, to share with us in his ministry, for we are all one in Christ.

Hymn #678 W & R “In Water We Grow” by Brian Wren

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

In water we grow, secure in the womb,
And speechlessly know love's safety and room.
Baptizing and blessing, we publish for good
The freeing, caressing safekeeping of God.

In water we wash: the dirt of each day,
Its trouble and rush are carried away.
In Christ recreated by love's cleansing art,
Self will and self hatred dissolve and depart.

In water we dive, and cannot draw breath,
Then surface alive, rebounding from death.
Our old self goes under, in Christ dead and drowned.
We rise, washed in wonder, by love clad and crowned.

In water we dwell, for by its deep flow
Through bloodstream and cell, we live, think, and grow.
Praise God, love outflowing, whose well of new birth
Baptizes our knowing, and waters the earth.

Scripture Matthew 18:15-22

If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If you are listened to, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If that person refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “Teach me…”

Statement of Faith Wandering Heart, Week 5

We believe that questions are a building block of faith.

“How many times should I forgive?”

“Jesus, where are you going?”

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

We believe that humble curiosity can open our eyes.

“Where does it hurt?”

“What do you need?”

“How can I help?”

We believe that God is a teacher.

“Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”

“Here I am.”

“Send me.”

We believe that faith invites our whole being to engage,

with all our heart,

with all our mind,

with all our strength.

We believe. Help our unbelief.

In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Anthem “Help Us Accept Each Other,” Fred Kaan, John Ness Beck Choir

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Help us accept each other

As Christ accepted us;

Teach us, as sister, brother,

Each person to embrace.

Be present, Lord, among us

And bring us to believe

We are ourselves accepted

And meant to love and live.

Teach us, O Lord, your lessons,

As in our daily life

We struggle to be human

And search for hope and faith.

Teach us to care for people,

For all—not just for some,

To love them as we find them

Or as they may become.

Lord, for today’s encounters

With all who are in need,

Who hunger for acceptance,

For righteousness and bread,

We need new eyes for seeing,

New hands for holding on:

Renew us with your Spirit;
Lord, free us, make us one!

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

“Jesus, Remember Me,” Jacques Berthier

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.

Call for Offering

Doxology

“Lenten Doxology,” R.G. Huff, Pat Raube

Used with permission.

Lord, we are wand’ring through these forty days,

Walking with Peter as he walks with you.

We tune our hearts, lift them to you in praise:

Come now, our fount of all that’s good and true.

We praise the Father, we praise you the Son,

We praise the Spirit, our God, Three in One.

Prayer of Dedication

Hymn # 172 PH “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” by Dale Grotenhuis

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

My Shepherd will supply my need;
Jehovah is His Name:
In pastures fresh He makes me feed,
Beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back
When I forsake His ways,
And leads me, for His mercy’s sake,
In paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death
Thy presence is my stay;
One word of Your supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.
Your hand, in sight of all my foes,
Does still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows,
Your oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may Your house be my abode,
And all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, or a guest,
But like a child at home.

Benediction

…Go trusting that good news.

Amen.

Postlude Colin DeLap

“Come, Thou Fount,” Cindy Berry.

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

“Words for Worship” by the Rev. Sarah Are Speed (some adapted) |A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org.

Image: “Seventy-Seven Times,” by the Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman | A Sanctified Art| sanctifiedart.org