We Are the Body of Christ

Sunday, January 26, 2025
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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Last Sunday, the apostle Paul honed in on the key issues inn the church at Corinth: disdain for one another based on an internal kind of class system, revolving around spiritual gifts. Paul emphasized that all those gifts are from the Spirit, and given for the common good. Each of us has gifts that are needed by the community! Today, Paul continues, but takes a surprising path: We are one body, and Christ is its head. What does this mean? The metaphor of the Body of Christ become a main tenet of Christian theology and identity.

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 3: We Are the Body of Christ

Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12:12–31a

Union Presbyterian Church

January 26, 2025

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

Liturgist: Kathy Sullivan Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements Kathy Sullivan

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“Holy Gifts We Offer,” James Southbridge

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

* Call to Worship from Psalm 19

Look! The heavens tell of God’s glory.

O God, may our words do the same.

Creation’s voice is heard throughout the world.

May our hearts meditate on your goodness.

All that God has created is a reflection of God’s love.

May the words of our mouth and the meditations of our hearts

give you joy, O God, our Rock and our redeemer.

* Hymn # 462 PH

“Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies”

(Public Domain)

Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only Light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Triumph o’er the shades of night;
Dayspring from on high, be near;
Day-star, in my heart appear.

Dark and cheerless is the morn
Unaccompanied by Thee;
Joyless is the day’s return
Till Thy mercy’s beams I see,
Till they inward light impart,
Cheer my eyes and warm my heart.

Visit then this soul of mine;
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, Radiancy divine;
Scatter all my unbelief;
More and more Thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day.

* Call to New Life

Let us confess our need for God’s healing of our hearts and our lives.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Almighty God, you created and are creating still. In your presence, our limits lie stark before us. We confess our unkind lips, our cold hearts, our turning away from neighbors, our broken promises, and our careless ways. Forgive us, O Holy One. We confess that we have squandered the gifts you have given. We have neglected the land. We have grasped for goods. We have used each other. We have loved power more than people. Forgive us, Holy One.

[Silent Prayer]

And we pray,

Heal in us the illusion of innocence. Come into our hearts, and make us new again. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

* Words of Assurance

In Jesus, God has come among us in love and empathy.

In Jesus, God knows and receives us as we are.

In Jesus, God heals, forgives, and renews us.

In Jesus, we can rest restored.

Hear these words, and give thanks.

Great God, we will listen, give thanks, and live.

* Sharing of the Peace

When we are in conflict with one another, we are at war within ourselves,

because we are the Body of Christ.

Let us make peace with one another, and with ourselves.

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 19

A reading from the Psalter, Psalm 19.

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
    and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
    and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
    their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.

In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
    and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them;
    and nothing is hid from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
    making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
    enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
    and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
    and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
    Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
    do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “In Christ There is No East or West,” Michael Perry

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Anthem Choir

“We Are the Body of Christ,” Stephen DeCesare

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

We are the Body of Christ,

Redeemed by His merciful love.

We are called to be His hands.

We are called to be His feet;

To serve the Lord above.

We are the Body of Christ.

We gather here as one,

In faith we are united,

To share the Bread of Life,

The gift of love ignited.

Together we proclaim,

We are the Body of Christ.

We are the Body of Christ,

Redeemed by His merciful love.

We are called to be His hands.

We are called to be His feet;

To serve the Lord above.

We are the Body of Christ.

United in His love, we spread His peace and grace.

Together we will serve, in every time and place.

With open hearts we go, His mission to fulfill,

Called to do His will.

We are the Body of Christ,

Redeemed by His merciful love.

We are called to be His hands.

We are called to be His feet;

To serve the Lord above.

We are the Body of Christ.

As we receive this gift divine,

His presence is in our midst.

We vow to live in love,

As Christ Himself insists;

Reflecting Heaven’s light.

We are the Body of Christ,

Redeemed by His merciful love.

We are called to be His hands.

We are called to be His feet;

To serve the Lord above.

We are the Body of Christ.

Scripture 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a (NRSVUE)

A reading from the first letter of Paul to the church at Corinth, beginning at chapter 12, verse 12.

For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Sermon “We Are the Body of Christ”

Affirmation of Faith from the Iona Community, Scotland

We believe in God,

who has created and is creating,

who has come in Jesus,

the Word made flesh,

to reconcile and make new,

who works in us and others

by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be the church:

to Celebrate God’s presence,

to live with respect in creation,

to love and serve others,

to seek justice and resist evil,

to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,

our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,

God is with us.

We are not alone.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

* Hymn # 375 PH

“Lord of All Good,” Albert F. Bayly

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Lord of all good, our gifts we bring to You.

Use them Your holy purpose to fulfill;

Tokens of love and pledges brought anew,

That our whole life is offered to Your will.

We give our minds to understand Your ways,

Hands, eyes, and voice to serve Your great design,

Heart with the flame of Your own love ablaze,

Till for Your glory all our powers combine.

Father, whose bounty all creation shows;

Christ, by whose willing sacrifice we live;

Spirit, from whom all life in fullness flows;

To You with grateful hearts ourselves we give.

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 # 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 # 361 PH

“How Firm a Foundation”

(Public Domain)

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in God's excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake."

* Benediction

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Bind Us Together,” Joel Raney

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

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

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We Are the Body of Christ