Easter 3: Easter Gifts in the Presence of Jesus

Sunday, April 14, 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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On this third Sunday in the Easter Season, Jesus is once again appearing to his disciples, quickly, unexpectedly. But even the strangeness of the encounter does not prevent them from receiving the gifts of the resurrection Jesus has for them.

Join us throughout this Easter Season as we wonder together what it might mean to life be an Easter people. Join us in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service.

Easter 3

Easter Gifts in the Presence of Jesus

Psalm 4; Luke 24:36-48

Union Presbyterian Church

April 14, 2024

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

Liturgist: Peg Corwin Preacher: Rev. Jeff Kellam

Welcome

Announcements Peg Corwin

Prelude Choir

“God, Give Us Peace That Lasts,” John L. Bell, Lori True

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

God, give us peace that lasts not through the fear of might,

But through the force of love and love of life and right.

Where costly wars and weapons lure,

Show us our Lord among the poor.

God, give us love that lasts, which makes of strangers, guests;

Which startles hurt with hope and for the weak protests:

What hate or guiltiness emboss,

Confront with Jesus and the cross.

God, give us hope that lasts through passion and through pain,

Through danger, doubt, and death till life is raised again.

When dread and pessimism loom,

Direct us to the empty tomb.

And all these things we ask in knowledge of your grace,

Which gave the earth its birth and bore a human face;

And with our prayers we give our word

To serve and follow Christ our Lord.

* Call to Worship

One: Joyful is the sound we make this morning!

All: For this day liberates us from doubt and fear.

One: Gratitude is the song we sing!

All: For this day moves us past darkness and despair.

One: Hopeful is the prayer in our hearts!

All: For this day awakens in us long-awaited new life.

One: Christ lives here and now.

All: May his peace and presence be known to all.

* Hymn #299 W & R

“That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright”

(Public Domain)

That Easter day with joy was bright,
The sun shone out with fairer light,
When, to their longing eyes restored,
The glad apostles saw their Lord.

His risen flesh with radiance glowed;
His wounded hands and feet he showed;
Those scars their solemn witness gave
That Christ was risen from the grave.

O Jesus, strong in gentleness,
Come now yourself, our hearts possess,
That we may give thee all our days
The tribute of our grateful praise.

Come, risen Christ, with us abide
In this our joyful Eastertide;
Your own redeemed forever shield
From every weapon death can wield.

* Call to New Life

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Living God, you rolled the stone away and called Jesus from death to life. We confess that we have set stones before the entrance to ourselves– stones of skepticism that keep us from trust, stones of selfishness that prevent us from sharing, stones of preoccupation that trap us within ourselves. Behind those rock barriers we are dying from isolation, putting such distance between ourselves and your grace and love. Forgive us; summon us from the death of our own making to the life you offer through Christ.

* Words of Assurance

One: This is the good news– the grave is empty; Christ is risen.

All: Hallelujah!

One: This is the good news– the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never put it out.

All: Hallelujah!

One: This is the good news– once we were no people; now we are God’s people.

All: Hallelujah!

One: Christ is our peace, the indestructible peace we now share with each other.

All: Hallelujah!

* Sharing of the Peace

The Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

And also with you!

(Please pass the peace of Christ with words or gestures to one another.)

Scripture Psalm 4 (Common English Bible)

Answer me when I cry out, my righteous God!

Set me free from my troubles!

Have mercy on me!

Listen to my prayer!

How long, you people,
   will my reputation be insulted?
How long will you continue
   to love what is worthless
   and go after lies?

Know this: the Lord takes
personal care of the faithful.
The Lord will hear me
when I cry out to him.

So be afraid, and don’t sin!
Think hard about it in your bed
and weep over it!

Bring righteous offerings,
and trust the Lord!

Many people say,
“We can’t find goodness anywhere.
The light of your face has left us, Lord!”

But you have filled my heart with more joy
than when their wheat and wine are everywhere!

I will lie down and fall asleep in peace

because you alone, Lord, let me live in safety.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Jeff Kellam

Music: “Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!” David N. Johnson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Anthem Choir

“I Have Seen the Lord,” Robin Mann

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

“I have seen the Lord,” Mary told them all.

Then she told them what the Lord had said.

She was overjoyed when he spoke her name.

Jesus Christ is living though he once was dead.

Everything has changed – death is overwhelmed!

She was overjoyed when he spoke her name.

Jesus Christ is living though he once was dead.

We have seen the Lord, we have heard his voice –

Recognized him when he broke the bread.

Opened up our eyes, set our hearts on fire.

Jesus Christ is living though he once was dead.

Everything has changed – death is overwhelmed!

Opened up our eyes, set our hearts on fire.

Jesus Christ is living though he once was dead.

Scripture Luke 24:36b-48

Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Sermon “Easter Gifts in the Presence of Jesus” Rev. Jeff Kellam

* Statement of Faith (Excerpt, “A Declaration of Faith”)

We are certain that Jesus lives.

He lives as God with us,

touching all of human life with the presence of God.

He lives as one of us with God.

Because he shares our humanity

and has bound us to himself in love,

we have an advocate in the innermost life of God.

We declare that Jesus is Lord.

His resurrection is a decisive victory

over the powers that deform and destroy human life.

His lordship is hidden.

The world appears to be dominated by people and systems

that do not acknowledge his rule.

But his lordship is real.

It demands our loyalty and sets us free

from the fear of all lesser lords who threaten us.

We maintain that ultimate sovereignty

now belongs to Jesus Christ

in every sphere of life.

Jesus is Lord!

He has been Lord from the beginning.

He will be Lord at the end.

Even now he is Lord.

* Hymn #304 W & R

“Shout for Joy, Loud and Long,” David Mowbray

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Shout for joy, loud and long,
God be praised with a song!
To the Lord we belong–
Children of our Maker,
God the great life giver!

Shout for joy, joy, joy!
Shout for joy, joy, joy!
God is love, God is light,
God is everlasting!

By God's Word all was made,
Heaven and earth, light and shade,
Nature's wonders displayed,
We to rule creation
From its first foundation.

Shout for joy, joy, joy!
Shout for joy, joy, joy!
God is love, God is light,
God is everlasting!

Yet our pride makes us fall!
So Christ came for us all–
Not the righteous to call–
By his cross and passion,
Bringing us salvation!

Shout for joy, joy, joy!
Shout for joy, joy, joy!
God is love, God is light,
God is everlasting!

Now has Christ truly risen
And his Spirit is given
To all those under heaven
Who will walk beside him,
Though they once denied him!

Shout for joy, joy, joy!
Shout for joy, joy, joy!
God is love, God is light,
God is everlasting!

Prayers of the People   

The Lord’s Prayer    (Contemporary Version)

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.

Prayer Response 

“Glory Be to God, Creator,” Richard K. Carlson

Glory be to God, Creator,

Glory be to God the Son,

Glory be to God the Spirit,

Known as Three, yet God the One.

Call for Offering

Offertory

* Doxology

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”

(Public Domain)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

* Prayer of Dedication

* Hymn #293 W & R

“Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!” Brian Wren, A. E. Rusbridge

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna!
Celebrate this day of days!
Christ is risen! Hush in wonder:
All creation is amazed.
In the desert all-surrounding,
See, a spreading tree has grown.
Healing leaves of grace abounding
Bring a taste of love unknown.

Christ is risen! Raise your spirits
From the caverns of despair.
Walk with gladness in the morning.
See what love can do and dare.
Drink the wine of resurrection,
Not a servant, but a friend.
Jesus is our strong companion.
Joy and peace shall never end.

Christ is risen! Earth and heaven
Nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation
Where the world is still in pain.
Tell its grim, demonic chorus:
"Christ is risen! Get you gone!"
God the First and Last is with us.
Sing Hosanna, everyone!

* Benediction

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Alleluia! Alleluia!” Edward Broughton

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

"A Declaration of Faith" was adopted by the former Presbyterian Church US, just before that denomination merged into our Presbyterian Church USA. While commended to churches for study and liturgical use, the document was never added to our "Book of Confessions."