Sunday July 14: The Rev. Rachel Helgeson, Guest Preacher

Sunday, July 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)

Google Calendar ICS

Join us this Sunday as the Rev. Rachel Helgeson steps into our pulpit as guest preacher. The Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the day are:

2 Samuel 6:1-5; 12b-19
Psalm 24
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:14-29

Join us in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service.

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Our Love

Psalm 89:46-52; Ephesians 2:14-22

Union Presbyterian Church

July 14, 2024

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

Liturgist: Peg Williams Preacher: Rev. Rachel Helgeson

Welcome

Announcements Peg Williams

PRELUDE Colin DeLap

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” Bryce Inman

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

*Call to Worship (responsive adapted from St Patrick) Peg Williams

One: The Holy One is the God of all,
All: The God of heaven and earth,
One: Of the sea and of the rivers;
All: The God of the sun

One: and of the moon

All: and of all the stars;
One: The God of the lofty mountains
All: and of the lowly valleys.

One: The Holy One inspires all,
All: gives life to all, and supports all.

One: As we draw into this place let us reflect on God’s love for us.

All: Amen.

*Hymn #1 W & R

“God is Here,” Fred Pratt Green, Cyril V. Taylor

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

God is here! As we your people

Meet to offer praise and prayer,
May we find in fuller measure
What it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us,
All our varied skills and arts
Wait the coming of the Spirit
Into open minds and hearts.

Here are symbols to remind us
Of our lifelong need of grace;
Here are table, font, and pulpit;
Here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching,
Here in silence, as in speech,
Here, in newness and renewal,
God the Spirit comes to each.

Here our children find a welcome
In the Shepherd's flock and fold;
Here as bread and wine are taken,
Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant
Seek in worship to explore
What it means in daily living
To believe and to adore.

Lord of all, of church and kingdom,

In an age of change and doubt,
Keep us faithful to the Gospel;
Help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day's dedication,
All we have to give, receive;
We, who cannot live without you,
We adore you! We believe!

*Call to New Life

The Holy One calls us in to New Life. Reminding us that God is here in all that we are and all that we are about. The world may circle around us, hemming us in. But God’s love is forever. Let us rest in Christ’s mercy, love, and grace. Amen.

*Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (unison)

Holy One, be with us this day,
Within us to purify us; when we feel broken
Above us to draw us up; when we feel set apart
Beneath us to sustain us; when we just can’t
Before us to lead us; when we are unable to take a step.
Behind us to restrain us; when we need to be silent
Around us to protect us in all that we are and all that we do.

*Words of Assurance (responsive)

One: Here the Good news in Jesus Christ we are forgiven of what we have done and what we have left undone for God’s grace abounds. 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 Psalm 89:46-52 Peg Williams

How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire? Remember how short my time is—for what vanity you have created all mortals! Who can live and never see death? Who can escape the power of Sheol?

Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David? Remember, O Lord, how your servant is taunted; how I bear in my bosom the insults of the peoples, with which your enemies taunt, O Lord, with which they taunted the footsteps of your anointed. Blessed be the Lord forever. Amen and Amen.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Rachel Helgeson

Music: “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian”

(Public Domain)

PIANO ANTHEM Colin DeLap

“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less,” Pamela M. Robertson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Scripture Ephesians 2:14-22 Rev. Rachel Helgeson

For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

RESPONSE Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “By Our Love” Rev. Rachel Helgeson

*Statement of Faith (unison) from the Belhar Confession

We Believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ; that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker, that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells. That God’s lifegiving Word and Spirit has conquered the powers of sin and death, and therefore also of irreconciliation and hatred, bitterness and enmity, that God’s lifegiving Word and Spirit will enable the church to live in a new obedience which can open new possibilities of life for society and the world.

* HYMN #595 W & R

“They’ll Know We Are Christians,” Peter Scholtes

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord.

And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand.

And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other; we will work side by side.

And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come.

And all praise to Christ Jesus, his only Son.

And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

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

* Hymn #40 W & R

“For the Beauty of the Earth”

(Public Domain)

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,