Consider the Friends

Friday, August 9, 2024 12:00 PM 12:00
Sunday, August 11, 2024 10:30 AM 10:30

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

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This morning we circle back to early in the Gospel According to Mark to read one of its most famous healing stories: a paralyzed man is lowered through the ceiling of Peter’s house (because the crowds outside make it impossible to get to the door). Jesus miraculously heals him! But there’s more—much more to the story than that. Consider the friends who carried him there… what about them?

You can join us for worship in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service. You are invited! You are always welcome.

Consider the Friends

Psalm 41; Mark 2:1-12

Union Presbyterian Church

August 11, 2024

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

Liturgist: Barbara Lustgarten Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements Barbara Lustgarten

Prelude Barbara Gannon, flute

“Just As I Am,” Judy Nishimura

Used with permission.

* Call to Worship Barbara Lustgarten

From the rising of the sun till its setting in the west,

God’s holy name be praised.

On the lips of children, by babies at the breast,

God’s holy name be praised.

In the visions of the old and the dreaming of the young,

God’s holy name be praised.

In the banquet hall of heaven and the forgotten corners of our hearts,

God’s holy name be praised.

Let all that has life and breath praise the Lord.

Amen! We praise the Lord!

* Hymn  #30 W & R

“All Things Bright and Beautiful”

(Public Domain)

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
And made their tiny wings.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden:
God made them every one.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

God gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

* Call to New Life

O God our Creator, your kindness has brought us to the gift of a new morning. Help us to leave yesterday, and not to covet tomorrow, but to accept the uniqueness of today.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

By your love, O God, celebrated in your Word, seen in your Son, brought near by your Holy Spirit, take from us what we need to carry no longer, so that we may be free again to choose to serve you, and to be served by each other. Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy upon us. Amen.

* Words of Assurance

I believe that God forgives us and sets us free.

We believe that God forgives us and sets us free.

At the day’s beginning,

we commit ourselves to following where Christ calls

and to loving one another.

* Sharing of the Peace

God grants us wholeness and peace,

for God is love.

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 41 (Responsive)

A responsive reading from the Psalter, Psalm 41.

Happy are those who regard the poor!
    The Lord will deliver them in the time of trouble.

The Lord protects them and revives them,
    those blessed in the land,
    and does not hand them over to the power of their enemies.

The Lord sustains them on their sickbed,
    and ministers to them in their illness.

I said, “Lord, be merciful to me;
    heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

My enemies are saying wicked things about me,
    asking when I will die, and my name perish.

Even if they come to see me, they speak empty words;
    their heart collects false rumors;
    they go outside and spread them.

All my enemies whisper together about me
    and devise evil against me.

“A deadly thing,” they say, “has fastened on him;
    he has taken to his bed and will never get up again.”

Even my best friend, whom I trusted,
    who broke bread with me, has violently turned against me.

But you, O Lord, be merciful to me and raise me up,

and I shall repay them.

By this I know that you are pleased with me:
    that my enemy does not triumph over me.

In my integrity you hold me fast
    and shall set me before your face forever.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    from age to age. Amen. Amen.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

(Public Domain)

Anthem Barbara Gannon, flute

“How Great Thou Art,” Gary Lanier

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Scripture Mark 2:1-12 Rev. Pat Raube

A reading from the Gospel according to Mark, beginning at chapter 2, verse 1.

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door, and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves, and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, stand up, take your mat, and go to your home.” And he stood up and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Sermon “Consider the Friends” Rev. Pat Raube

* Statement of Faith from the Iona Community, Scotland

We believe in God above us, maker and sustainer of all life,

of sun and moon, of water and earth, of male and female.

We believe in God beside us, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh,

born of a woman’s womb, servant of the poor.

He was tortured and nailed to a tree.

A man of sorrows, he died forsaken.

He descended into the earth to the place of death.

On the third day he rose from the tomb.

He ascended into heaven to be everywhere present,

and his kingdom will come on earth.

We believe in God within us, the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire,

life-giving breath of the Church, Spirit of healing and forgiveness,

source of resurrection and life everlasting. Amen.

* Hymn #630 W & R

“Healer of Our Every Ill,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

Healer of our every ill,

Light of each tomorrow,

Give us peace beyond our fear,

And hope beyond all sorrow.

You who know our fears and sadness,

Grace us with your peace and gladness.

Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts.

Healer of our every ill,

Light of each tomorrow,

Give us peace beyond our fear,

And hope beyond all sorrow.

In the pain and joy beholding,

How your grace is still unfolding.

Give us all your vision, God of love.

Healer of our every ill,

Light of each tomorrow,

Give us peace beyond our fear,

And hope beyond all sorrow.

Give us strength to love each other,

Every sister, every brother.

Spirit of all kindness, be our guide.

Healer of our every ill,

Light of each tomorrow,

Give us peace beyond our fear,

And hope beyond all sorrow.

You who know each thought and feeling,

Teach us all your way of healing.

Spirit of compassion, fill each heart.

Healer of our every ill,

Light of each tomorrow,

Give us peace beyond our fear,

And hope beyond all sorrow.

Prayers of the People   

who taught us to pray together saying,

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 #444 W & R

“Rain Down,” Jaime Cortez

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.      

Rain down, rain down,

Rain down your love on your people.

Rain down, rain down,

Rain down your love, God of life.

Faithful and true is the word of our God.

All of God’s works are so worthy of trust.

God’s mercy falls on the just and the right;

Full of God’s love is the earth.

Rain down, rain down,

Rain down your love on your people.

Rain down, rain down,

Rain down your love, God of life.

We who revere and find hope in our God

Live in the kindness and joy of God’s wing.

God will protect us from darkness and death;

God will not leave us to starve.

Rain down, rain down,

Rain down your love on your people.

Rain down, rain down,

Rain down your love, God of life.

God of creation, we long for your truth;

You are the water of life that we thirst.

Grant that your love and your peace touch our hearts,

All of our hope lies in you.

Rain down, rain down,

Rain down your love on your people.

Rain down, rain down,

Rain down your love, God of life.

* Benediction

May God bless us. May God keep us in the Spirit’s care,

and lead our lives with love.

May Christ’s warm welcome shine from our hearts,

and Christ’s own peace prevail through this and every day,

till greater life shall call. Amen.

Postlude Barbara Gannon, flute

“God of Grace and God of Glory,” Michael Ware

Used with permission.

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

Liturgy taken and/ or adapted from A Wee Worship Book and The Iona Community Worship Book, Iona Community, Scotland.