Lent 2: Rescue me from danger

Sunday, February 25, 2024
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

Today we find Peter where he is usually at his most comfortable: in a boat. However, in the midst of a storm—one of those wild storms that can arise on the Sea of Galilee—Peter sees Jesus walking toward the boat on the water, and then makes a decision to step out of the boat—onto the crashing waves.

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

Second Sunday in Lent

Rescue Me From Danger

Psalm 22:23-31; Matthew 14:22-33

Union Presbyterian Church

February 25, 2024

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

Liturgist: Becky Conklin Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Announcements Becky Conklin

Prelude Chris Bartlette, piano

* Call to Worship (responsive) Becky Conklin

God welcomes the dreamers and the doubters,

the courageous and the fearful,

the hungry and the hopeful,

the impatient and the reserved.

God welcomes the young and the old,

the poets and the prophets,

the faithful and the tired,

the curious and the convicted.

Wherever you are on your journey,

wherever your boat is at sea,

there is room for all to gather here.

This is God’s house.

Let us worship the one whom even the seas obey.

* Hymn # 368 PH “I’ve Got Peace Like a River” (Public Domain)

I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in-a my soul.

I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in-a my soul.

I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in-a my soul.

* Call to New Life

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Gracious God,

There are days that threaten to swallow us,

days when the storms of life feel too big.

In those moments, we often cling to the sides of our ships in fear,

spending more energy hiding from storms than looking for you.

Forgive us for doubting ourselves.

Forgive us for doubting you.

Rescue us from the storms of today and from the fears that trap us.

With hope in our hearts we pray,

Amen.

* Words of Assurance

Family of faith, you could get out of the boat and walk on water like Peter,

or fall to your knees and stay in one place. No matter what you do,

Christ’s love for you is unchanging.

Fearful or brave, faithful or doubting, Christ is always walking toward you.

So hear and proclaim and believe this good news:

God’s love is stronger than any storms.

On our best days,

and on our worst days,

we are seen, forgiven, and loved.

God is always walking toward us.

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 22:23-31

You who fear the Lord, give praise!
All you of Jacob’s line, give glory.
stand in awe of the Lord, all you offspring of Israel!

For Lord does not despise or abhor
the poor in their poverty;
neither is the Lord’s face hidden from them;
but when they cry out the Lord hears them.

From you comes my praise in the great assembly;
I will perform my vows in the sight of those who fear the Lord.

The poor shall eat and be satisfied.
Let those who seek the Lord give praise!
May your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord;
all the families of the nations shall bow before God.

For dominion belongs to the Lord,
who rules over the nations.

Indeed, all who sleep in the earth shall bow down in worship;
all who go down to the dust, though they be dead,
shall kneel before the Lord.

Their descendants shall serve the Lord,

whom they shall proclaim to generations to come.

They shall proclaim God’s deliverance to a people yet unborn,
saying to them, “The Lord has acted.”

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

(Public Domain)

Anthem Choir

“Walking ‘Cross the Sea,” Pepper Choplin

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

I saw Jesus walking ‘cross the sea,

Oh, I saw Jesus walking ‘cross the sea.

I said “Help me walk on the water,

That’s where I want to be.”

He said, “Go where your faith will take you.

Now come on out to me.”

He said, “Come on out to me.”

So I stepped out on the water,

But I was sinking down.

I stepped out on the water,

But I was sinking down.

But the winds, the waves, the waters

Were stirring all around.

I said, “Help me, Lord, I’m sinking,

Surely I will drown.”

Then I felt Jesus,

He was holding onto my hand.

Then I felt Jesus,

He was holding onto my hand.

He said, “O what little faith you have,

You poor and doubtful man.

Rise up, put your faith in me

And surely you will stand,

Now rise and stand.”

I held onto Jesus,

We were walking ‘cross the sea.

Oh, I held onto Jesus,

We were walking ‘cross the sea.

And when I stepped back in the boat

I fell upon my knees.

I said, “Surely You’re the Son of God,

Surely You’re the Son of God,

You are the Son of God,

Have mercy, have mercy on me.”

He is calling, Jesus still is calling,

“Come and walk with me.”

Now Jesus still is calling,

“Come and walk with me.

Wherever faith will take you,

I promise I will be.

Wherever you are walking,

Even when you’re sinking,

Go where faith will take you,

Rise up and walk with Me.”

Scripture Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “Rescue Me from Danger”

* Statement of Faith From the Confession of 1967

God has created humanity in a personal relation with Godself that we may respond to the love of the Creator. God has created all humanity and given us a life which proceeds from birth to death in a succession of generations and in a wide complex of social relations. God has endowed humanity with capacities to make the world serve our needs and to enjoy its good things. Life is a gift to be received with gratitude and a task to be pursued with courage. Human beings are free to seek life within the purpose of God: to develop and protect the resources of nature for the common welfare, to work for justice and peace in society, and in other ways to use our creative powers for the fulfillment of human life.

* Hymn #562 PH “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” (Public Domain)

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm has bound the restless wave,
Who bade the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep:
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea.

O Savior, whose almighty word
The wind and waves submissive heard,
Who walked upon the foaming deep,
And calm amid its rage did sleep:
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea.

O Holy Spirit, who did brood
Upon the chaos wild and rude,
And bade its angry tumult cease,
And gave, for fierce confusion, peace:
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power,
All travelers guard in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad praise from air and land and sea.

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 #354 PH “Guide My Feet” Public Domain)

Guide my feet while I run this race,
Guide my feet while I run this race,
Guide my feet while I run this race,
For I don't want to run this race in vain!

Hold my hand while I run this race,
Hold my hand while I run this race,
Hold my hand while I run this race,
For I don't want to run this race in vain!

Stand by me while I run this race,
Stand by me while I run this race,
Stand by me while I run this race,
For I don't want to run this race in vain!

I'm Your child while I run this race,
I'm Your child while I run this race,
I'm Your child while I run this race,
For I don't want to run this race in vain!

Search my heart while I run this race,
Search my heart while I run this race,
Search my heart while I run this race,
For I don't want to run this race in vain!

Guide my feet while I run this race,
Guide my feet while I run this race,
Guide my feet while I run this race,
For I don't want to run this race in vain!

* Benediction

… Go trusting that good news.

Amen.

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Blessed Assurance,” Joel Raney

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

“Words for Worship” adapted from resources provided by the Rev. Sarah Are Speed |A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org.