Pentecost Sunday

Sunday, May 19, 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 the day of Pentecost the disciples are huddled together, not knowing what is coming. Who is coming, is the Spirit—and she comes as wind, and fire, and inspiration to share the words of faith.

Join us for this last Sunday in the Easter Season as Easter people are released into the world as the newborn church.. Join us in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service.

The Day of Pentecost

The Church is in Labor

Romans 8:22-27; Acts 2:1-8; 12-18

Union Presbyterian Church

May 19, 2024

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

Liturgist: Peg Corwin Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Announcements Peg Corwin

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“Spirit of the Living Lord,” Robert W. Thygerson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

*Call to Worship

Like an unexpected wind, the Spirit blows through our hearts and minds,

moving, refreshing, upsetting, agitating, stirring us to know: God is here.

Come, Holy Spirit!

Like water poured out, into a cup, over the head, into the soil,

quenching, refreshing, nourishing, the Spirit reminds us: God is here.

Come, Holy Spirit!

Like a flame dancing on a candle, crackling in the hearth, lighting up a room,

bringing warmth, bringing comfort, giving vision, the Spirit lets us see; God is here.

Come, Holy Spirit!

*Hymn # 333 W & R

“Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow,” Thomas H. Troeger

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Wind who makes all winds that blow—gusts that bend the saplings low,

Gales that heave the sea in waves, stirrings in the mind’s deep caves—

Aim your breath with steady power on your church this day, this hour.

Raise, renew the life we’ve lost, Spirit God of Pentecost.

Fire who fuels all fires that burn—suns around which planets turn,

Beacons marking reefs and shoals, shining truth to guide our souls—

Come to us as once you came: burst in tongues of sacred flame!

Light and Power, Might and Strength, fill your church, its breadth and length.

Holy Spirit, Wind and Flame, move within our mortal frame.

Make our hearts an altar pyre, kindle them with your own fire.

Breathe and blow upon that blaze till our lives, our deeds and ways,

Speak that tongue which every land by your grace shall understand.

*Call to New Life

The Spirit makes everything happen. From inspiring us to pray to opening our hearts to those in need, from grounding us in faith to spurring us to ask the hard questions, from giving us courage to taking us on the adventure of discipleship: the Spirit makes it all happen. When prayer becomes difficult—especially the kinds of prayers we pray right now—the Spirit is with us, helping us to breathe, helping us to hope, helping us to trust: God is here. Let us pray together.

*Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Holy Spirit, we tend to hold our breath when we think bad news is coming. Even a moment of confession—when we own up to the ways we have slipped, fallen, wandered in our journey of faith—may cause us to clench and fret, unsure of how to speak our truth. But you, Great Spirit, are with us. Held in your love, we can say that our love has not been deep enough—our love of God, love of neighbors, even our love of those we hold most dear. We have barely scratched the surface. We have turned inward rather than outward, forsaking your world and all its people. Spirit, help us to breathe in, knowing that we are breathing in your love. Help us to breathe out, knowing that we are letting go of old ways, useless habits, and selfish preoccupation. Fill us with your breath of life, and hope, and healing. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

*Words of Assurance 1 John 2-3, adapted

Friends, hear the Good News:

I am writing to you, my children,
    because you are healed and made whole on account of the holy name of Christ.
I am writing to you, my children,
    because you know God, who is from the beginning.
I write to you, my children,
    because you are strong
    and the word of God abides in you.

See what love our God has given us,

that we should be called children of God,

and that is what we are!

By the love of God, Creator, Christ, and Spirit,

we are healed, forgiven, and made whole. Alleluia! 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 Romans 8:22-27

We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Spirit of Gentleness,” James K. Manley

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Anthem Choir

“Renew Your Church,” Lloyd Larson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Renew Your church, our ministries restore:

Both to serve and adore.

Make us again as salt throughout the land,

And as light from a stand.

‘Mid somber shadows of the night,

Where greed and hatreds spread their blight,

O send us forth with power endued,

Help us, Lord, be renewed.

Teach us Your Word, reveal its truth divine,

On our path let it shine;

Tell of Your works, Your mighty acts of grace,

From each page show Your face.

As You have loved us sent Your Son

And our salvation now is won,

O let our hearts with love be stirred,

Help us, Lord, know Your Word.

Teach us to pray, for You are ever near,

Your still small voice, Lord, let us hear.

Our souls are restless till they rest in You,

This the goal we pursue.

Before Your presence keep us still

That we may find Your will.

We’ll seek Your guidance every day.

Lord, teach us how to pray.

Teach us to love, with strength of heart and mind,

Each and all, humankind;

Break down old walls of prejudice and hate,

Leave us not to our fate.

As You have loved and given Your life

To end hostility and strife,

O share Your grace from heaven above,

Teach us, Lord, teach us how to love.

Amen, amen!

Scripture Acts 2:1-8; 12-18

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Judeans from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?

All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Judeans, and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the

Morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit,
and they shall prophesy.’

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “The Church is in Labor”

Reception of New Members

Linda Bevilacqua Nancy Helgeson Sonja Lorraine Herrala

Words of Scripture

Hear these words from Holy Scripture:

As many of you as were baptized into Christ

have clothed yourselves with Christ.

There is no longer Jew or Greek,

there is no longer slave or free,

there is no longer male and female,

for all are one in Christ Jesus. ~Galatians 3:27-28

Presentation

Clerk of Session: On behalf of the Session, I present Linda Bevilacqua and Sonja Herrala, who are received into the membership of this congregation by reaffirmation of faith. I also present Nancy Helgeson, who is received into membership of this congregation by letter of transfer from Northminster Presbyterian Church.

Pastor: In baptism you were claimed by God,

marked as Christ’s own forever,

and joined to his body by the Holy Spirit.

You come to us, then, not as strangers,

but as friends in Christ and members of the household of God.

We rejoice that you now desire to join with this congregation

in the worship and mission of the church.

Clerk of Session: Please join me in these words from Holy Scripture:

There is one body and one Spirit,

just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,

one Lord, one faith, one baptism

one God and Father of all,

who is above all and through all and in all. ~Ephesians 4:4-6

Profession of Faith

Pastor: As members of the body of Christ, let us reaffirm the faith into which we were baptized.

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.

Pastor: Linda, Nancy, and Sonja,

we have professed our faith as one body.

Will you be a faithful member of this congregation,

share in its worship and mission through your prayers and gifts,

your study and service,

and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Christ?

Linda, Nancy, and Sonja: I will, with God’s help.

Clerk of Session (to the Congregation):

Do you, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to uphold Linda, Nancy, and Sonja in the promises they make this day, by word and deed, with love and prayer?

Congregation: We do.

Pastor: I invite the congregation to raise their hands in a gesture of blessing:

Gracious God, by water and the Spirit

you claimed us as your own,

cleansing us from sin and giving us new life.

You made us members of your body, the Church,

calling us to be your servants in the world.

By your Spirit we experienced the spark of divine life and love,

the mighty and refreshing winds of growth and change,

and the miracle of connection with your people all over the world.

Renew in Linda, Nancy, and Sonja the covenant you made in their baptism.

Continue the good work you have begun in them.

Send them forth by the power of your Spirit

to love and serve you with joy,

and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth,

in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Welcome

Pastor: Linda/ Nancy/ Sonja, remember your baptism, and be thankful, and know that the Holy Spirit is at work in you.

Linda, Nancy, and Sonja: Thanks be to God.

Pastor: Welcome to this ministry that we share in Jesus Christ.

The peace of Christ be with you.

Congregation: And also with you.

*Hymn #135 W & R

“Loving Spirit,” Shirley Erena Murray

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Loving Spirit, loving Spirit,
You have chosen me to be—
You have drawn me to your wonder,
You have set your sign on me.

Like a mother you enfold me,
Hold my life within your own,
Feed me with your very body,
Form me of your flesh and bone.

Like a father you protect me,
Teach me the discerning eye,
Hoist me up upon your shoulder,
Let me see the world from high.

Friend and lover, in your closeness
I am known and held and blessed:
In your promise is my comfort,
In your presence I may rest.

Loving Spirit, loving Spirit,
You have chosen me to be—
You have drawn me to your wonder,
You have set your sign on me.

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

“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 The Pentecost Offering

The Offering

Offertory Tower Ringers

“Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love,” Kevin McChesney

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

*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 of the Pentecost Offering

*Hymn #134 W & R

“Sweet, Sweet Spirit,” Doris Akers

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,

And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord;

There are sweet expressions on each face,

And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.

Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly Dove,

Stay right here with us, filling us with your love;

And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;

Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived

When we shall leave this place.

There are blessings you cannot receive
Till you know Him in His fullness and believe;
You can make it right if you will yield,
You'll enjoy the Holy Spirit that we feel.

Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly Dove,

Stay right here with us, filling us with your love;

And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;

Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived

When we shall leave this place.

*Benediction

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing,” Larry Shackley

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

Image: Kraut, Ronald. Pentecost, Our Lady of Pentecost Church, Quezon City, Philippines, 2003; from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56950 [retrieved April 4, 2024]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:0329jfOur_Lady_of_Pentecost_Parish_Church_Quezon_City_Loyola_Heightsfvf_25.jpg.