This morning we turn to Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth—a heartfelt appeal for overall better behavior among the Corinthians. The church, to put it bluntly, is a hot mess. Conflict reigns supreme, egos run amok, and the people are forgetting the essentials of their faith. In this morning’s passage Paul touches on the question of spiritual gifts, in hopes this congregation can learn to coexist with greater respect and less bickering.
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!
Epiphany 2: We Embrace Our Gifts
Installations and Ordination of Deacons and Ruling Elders
Psalm 36:5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Union Presbyterian Church
January 19, 2025
Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Liturgist: Carlton Sackett Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube
Welcome
Announcements Carlton Sackett
Prelude Chris Bartlette
“Just As I Am, Without One Plea,” Dale Wood
©1989, Lorenz Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
* Call to Worship
Our God, Holy One, you are the giver of all light.
Our God, Loving One, you call us by name.
Our God, Mighty One, you are the giver of all gifts.
Our God, Mysterious One, you are the Spirit who hovers close.
Our God, Beautiful One, you are the Morning Star that never fades.
Our God, Saving One, you offer your life to us.
Let us worship our Holy God.
* Hymn # 661 W & R
“All People That on Earth Do Dwell”
(Public Domain)
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with joy, his praise forth tell,
Come ye before him and rejoice.
Know that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid he did us make;
We are his folk, he doth us feed,
And for his sheep he doth us take.
O enter then his gates with praise,
Approach with joy his courts unto;
Praise, laud and bless his name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
For why? The Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
* Call to New Life
The season of Epiphany invites us to shine with the light of Christ. Sometimes, in order to do that, we must shine a light on the aspects of ourselves that are difficult to accept, and which create barriers between ourselves and others. Let us pray together for God’s grace and healing.
* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace
Merciful and Loving God, you have called us to be your people and claimed us for the service of Jesus Christ. We confess that we have not lived up to our calling to proclaim the good news in word and deed. We are quick to speak when we ought to listen and remain silent when it’s time to speak. We put too much faith in our own actions and fail to trust the strength of your Spirit.
[Silent Prayer]
And we pray,
O God, forgive our foolish ways. Strengthen us anew to follow Christ’s way in the world. By your Holy Spirit give us the grace we need to be healed of our hard-hearted ways, and to be faithful disciples and fulfill our common calling through Jesus our brother. Amen.
* Words of Assurance
It is by the Spirit’s power that we are able to turn towards God.
It is by the Spirit’s grace that we are given our gifts and abilities.
It is by the Spirit’s love that we are held, healed, and made whole.
It is by the Spirit’s care that we can rejoice, give thanks, and pray.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
* Sharing of the Peace
Jesus tells us that before we worship
we must make peace with one another.
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 36:5-10
A reading from the Psalter, Psalm 36, beginning at verse 5.
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains;
your judgments are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
O continue your steadfast love to those who know you
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube
Music: “A Charge to Keep I Have”
(Public Domain)
Anthem Choir
“Many Gifts, One Spirit,” Mary Lynn Lightfoot
©2001, Lorenz Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
All good gifts around us
Are sent from heav’n above;
We thank you God, we thank you God
For all your gifts, your wonderful deeds,
And for your love.
Many gifts, one Spirit,
In grateful song our voices raise.
Many gifts, one Spirit,
Our thankful hearts sing joyful praise.
All good gifts are simple gifts
Bestowed by God’s loving care.
And may we use these precious gifts
To help, inspire, reach out, and love.
So many gifts to share!
Many gifts, one Spirit,
In grateful song our voices raise.
Many gifts, one Spirit,
Our thankful hearts sing joyful praise.
God is the only Maker
Of all things near and far;
Painting the wayside flower
And lighting the evening star.
Blessing us with the sunshine
And soft, refreshing rain;
With heart and voice,
We sing and rejoice
For all good gifts, for all God’s love,
For simple gifts.
‘Tis the gift to be simple,
‘Tis the gift to be free,
‘Tis the gift to come down
Where we out to be,
And when we find ourselves
In the place just right,
‘Twill be in the valley
Of love and delight.
[Simultaneously:]
• ‘Tis the gift to be simple...
• Many gifts, one Spirit...
Oh, we thank you, God,
We thank you God, for simple gifts.
Scripture 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (NRSVUE)
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the church at Corinth, beginning at chapter 12, verse 1.
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were gentiles you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Let Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.
Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of powerful deeds, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:
Thanks be to God!
Sermon “We Embrace Our Gifts”
Ordinations and Installations and of Deacons and Ruling Elders
For Ordination and Installation as a Ruling Elder: Andrew Tunison
For Installation: Ruling Elders Laura Keibel, Susan Troy, and Cynthia Vosburgh,
and Deacons Brian Moore and Jan Rea
Sentences of Scripture
There are varieties of gifts, but it is the same Spirit who gives them.
There are different ways of serving God,
but it is the same Lord who is served.
God works through each person in a unique way,
but it is God’s purpose that is accomplished.
To each is given a gift of the Spirit
to be used for the common good.
Together we are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.
Statement on Ordination
Presentation
Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant
Pastor: As God calls some to particular forms of ministry, God calls us to bear gladly the yoke of Christ given in the covenant of Baptism. Let us, therefore, reaffirm our baptismal vows, renouncing all that opposes God and God’s rule, and affirming the faith of the Christ’s universal church. All are invited to respond:
Trusting in the gracious mercy of God,
do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?
I do.
Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love?
I do.
Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his word and showing his love?
I will, with God’s help.
Profession of Faith
With the whole church, let us confess our faith:
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.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
…By your Holy Spirit renew us, that we may be empowered to do your will and continue forever in the risen life of Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
Constitutional Questions
Clerk Emeritus Questions to the Congregation
Clerk Emeritus: Do we, the members of the church, accept Brian and Jan as deacons and Andrew, Laura, Susan, and Cynthia as ruling elders, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ?
We do.
Clerk Emeritus: Do we agree to pray for them, to encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ who alone is Head of the Church?
We do.
Laying on of Hands for Ordination
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
... Above all we praise you for Jesus Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life to set others free. Anointed by your Holy Spirit, he proclaimed your reign on earth, revealing your saving love in all he said and did.
[The congregation is invited to raise their hands in blessing.]
Gracious God, pour out your Spirit upon your servant Andrew, whom you called by baptism as your own. Grant him the same mind that was in Jesus Christ.
Loving God, we also give you thanks for your servants, Laura, Susan, Cynthia, Brian, and Jan, as they continue in the ministry to which you have called them. Help them to rely on the gifts of your Spirit and to follow Christ faithfully in this calling.
In the walk of faith and for the work of ministry, give to all your servants a spirit of truthfulness, that they may show the compassion of Christ in the actions of daily living and rightly govern your people. Give them gladness and strength, discipline and hope, humility, humor, and courage. Give us all an abiding sense of your presence.
… Show us the transforming power of your grace in our life together, that we may be effective servants of the gospel, offering a compelling witness in the world to the Good News of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Declaration of Ordination and Installation
Welcome
Charge to the Newly Ordained and Installed
Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
~Colossians 3:12-17
* Hymn # 559 W & R
“Here I Am, Lord,” Dan Schutte
©1981, OCP, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I who make the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them,
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my Word to them.
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
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
©1973, Hope Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
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 # 48 W & R (verse 1)
“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
(Public Domain)
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
* Prayer of Dedication
* Hymn # 574 W & R
“I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me”
(Public Domain)
I'm gonna live so God can use me
Anytime and anywhere.
I'm gonna live so God can use me anywhere,
Any time and anywhere.
I'm gonna work so God can use me
Anytime and anywhere.
I'm gonna work so God can use me anywhere,
Any time and anywhere.
I'm gonna pray so God can use me
Anytime and anywhere.
I'm gonna pray so God can use me anywhere,
Any time and anywhere.
I'm gonna sing so God can use me
Anytime and anywhere.
I'm gonna sing so God can use me anywhere,
Any time and anywhere.
* Benediction
Postlude Chris Bartlette
“To God Be the Glory,” Mark Hayes
©2020, Lorenz Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
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