The Faith of a Stranger: Guest Preacher Rev. Rachel Helgeson

Sunday, October 12, 2025
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

We have two powerful scripture passages this morning that disclose something powerful about the faith of the outsider, the refugee, the stranger.

Please join us as we welcome the Rev. Rachel Helgeson, Broome County Council of Churches’ Hospital Ministry at both UHS Wilson and General Hospitals. Rachel has served as a pastor and is a frequent (and beloved) guest preacher at Union Presbyterian Church!

You can join us on Sunday mornings in our beautiful sanctuary at 200 East Main Street, Endicott, NY. Or, you can join here, by clicking on the Youtube screen in this event. You are always welcome!

Faith of a Stranger

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7; Luke 17:11-19

Union Presbyterian Church

October 12, 2025

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

Liturgist: Doug Moore Preacher: Rev. Rachel Helgeson

Welcome

Announcements Doug Moore

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus,” Douglas E. Wagner

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

* Call to Worship by Rev. Stephanie Sorge based on Psalm 66

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth!

Sing to the glory of God’s name.

All of creation worships, singing praise to God.

Sing to the glory of God’s name.

Let us give glory to God.

* Hymn #649 W & R

“Gather Us In,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Here in this place, the new light is streaming;

Shadows of doubt are vanished away.

See in this space our fears and our dreamings,

Brought here to you in the light of this day.

Gather us in, the lost and forsaken;

Gather us in, our spirits inflame.

Call to us now, and we shall awaken;

We shall arise at the sound of our name.

We are the young, our lives are a mystery;

We are the old, who yearn for your face.

We have been sung throughout all of history,

Called to be light to the whole human race.

Gather us in, the rich and the haughty;

Gather us in, the proud and the strong;

Give us a heart so meek and so lowly;

Give us the courage to enter the song.

Here we receive new life in the waters;

Here we receive the bread of new birth;

Here you shall call your sons and your daughters,

Call us anew to be salt for the earth.

Give us to drink the wine of compassion;

Give us to eat the bread that is you;

Nourish us well, and teach us to fashion

Lives that are holy and hearts that are true.

Not just in buildings, small and confining,

Not in some heaven, light years away,

Here in this place the new light is shining;

Now is God present, and now is the day.

Gather us in and hold us forever;

Gather us in and make us your own;

Gather us in, all peoples together,

Fire of love in our flesh and our bone.

* Call to New Life  

Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful. Assured of God’s grace, let us confess our sin together:

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Holy God, When we are in need, we cry out for your mercy and healing. Yet, we confess that too often, we are confident in our own strength. We take the blessings to which we feel entitled and continue on our way, rather than returning to you in worship and praise. Jesus, have mercy on us! It is easy to take for granted the ease of life we so often experience, while failing to question why others are pushed to the margins and excluded. It is tempting to take pride in our health and strength rather than confronting ableism in all its forms. Jesus, have mercy on us! Help us to grow in compassion for all people. Redirect our paths so that we return to you, offering our praise and gratitude, now and always. Amen.

* Assurance of God’s Love

The saying is sure: If we have died with Christ, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. We are clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Our sin is forgiven! Thanks be to God.

* Sharing of the Peace

The peace of God is available to you right now.

May the peace of our loving God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.

Scripture Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Rachel Helgeson

Music: “O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come” (Public Domain)

Anthem Choir

“I Know the Lord’s Laid His Hands on Me,” Lloyd Larson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Oh, I know the Lord, I know the Lord,

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me.

Oh, I know the Lord, I know the Lord,

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me.

Oh, I know the Lord, I know the Lord,

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me.

Did ever you see the like before,

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me.

King Jesus preaching to the poor?

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me.

Oh, I know the Lord, I know the Lord,

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me.

Oh, I know the Lord, I know the Lord,

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me,

The Lord’s laid His Hands on me.

Wasn’t that a happy day,

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me,

When Jesus washed my sins away?

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me.

My Lord’s done just what He said,

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me,

He’s healed the sick and raised the dead!

I know the Lord, I know the Lord,

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me.

Oh, I know the Lord, I know the Lord,

I know the Lord’s laid His hands on me.

Scripture Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “Faith of a Stranger” Rev. Rachel Helgeson

* Affirmation of Faith from a Brief Statement of faith

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

* Hymn #628 W & R

“We Cannot Measure How You Heal,” John Bell

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

We cannot measure how you heal

Or answer every sufferer’s prayer,

Yet we believe your grace responds

Where faith and doubt unite to care.

Your hands, though bloodied on the cross,

Survive to hold and heal and warn,

To carry all through death to life

And cradle children yet unborn.

The pain that will not go away,

The guilt that clings from things long past,

The fear of what the future holds,

Are present as if meant to last.

But present too is love which tends

The hurt we never hoped to find,

The private agonies inside,

The memories that haunt the mind.

So some have come who need your help

And some have come to make amends,

As hands which shaped and saved the world

Are present in the touch of friends.

Lord, let your Spirit meet us here

To mend the body, mind, and soul,

To disentangle peace from pain,

And make your broken people whole.

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  # 352 W & R (verse 2)      

“Spirit Song,” John Wimber     

O come and sing this song with gladness     

As your hearts are filled with joy.    

Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name.    

O give him all your tears and sadness;     

Give him all your years of pain,     

And you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name.   

Call for Offering     

* Doxology # 145 W & R (verse 1)    

“Glory Be to God, Creator,” Richard K. Carlson   

Used by Permission.  CCLI License #CSPL068847

Glory Be to God, Creator,    
Glory be to God the Son,    
Glory be to God the Spirit,    
Known as three, yet God the One.   

* Dedication of Offering 

* Hymn #96 W & R

“O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

(Public Domain)

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread thro' all the earth abroad
The honors of your name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease,
'Tis music in the sinner's ears,
'Tis life and health and peace.

He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

To God all glory, praise, and love
Be now and ever given
By saints below and saints above,
The Church in earth and heaven.

* Benediction

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing,” John Turner

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

Worship With Us

The Faith of a Stranger: Guest Preacher Rev. Rachel Helgeson