Sunday October 5 is World Communion Sunday, a day when churches of many denominations recognize and celebrate the fact that there is just one universal church of Jesus Christ, and even in our differences, we are all one in Jesus Christ. This morning’s passage has Jesus doing some truth-telling to his disciples, on the topic of: who serves? And who is served? We will serve the Lord’s Supper as a part of this celebration. In addition, we will receive our Peacemaking and Global Witness Offering.

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!

World Communion Sunday

Who Serves and Who is Served

The Lord’s Supper

Psalm 37:1-9; Luke 17:5-10

Union Presbyterian Church  

October 5, 2025  

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

Liturgist: Jim Mica Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube   

Welcome   

Announcements Jim Mica

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“This Is My Father’s World,” J. B. Taylor

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Call to Worship by Rev. Taisaku Obata, United Church of Christ in Japan.

In a world that remains divided and in conflict, God is inviting us, to make us one.
Today we gather around one table, in answer to God’s will.
What do we find at today’s table?
God’s love, which endures all things and connects all things.
What is not at today’s table?
The many powers of the world, which seek to stand over others.
Let us give thanks to God’s power to bring salvation to all.
Thanks be to God!  Make us witnesses of Your love.
Let us worship together the true God, who makes us one.

* Hymn #23 W & R Words: Italy Music: Germany

“All Creatures of Our God and King”

(Public Domain)

All creatures of our God and King,

Lift up your voice and with us sing

Alleluia, Alleluia!

O burning sun with golden beam,

And silver moon with softer gleam,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

O rushing wind that art so strong,

You clouds that sail in heaven along,

O praise him, Alleluia!

O rising morn in praise rejoice,

O lights of evening, find a voice,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

O flowing water, pure and clear,

Make music for your Lord to hear,

Alleluia, Alleluia!

O fire so masterful and bright,

Providing us with warmth and light,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

All you who are of tender heart,

Forgiving others, take your part,

Sing praises, Alleluia!

All you who pain and sorrow bear,

Praise God and on him cast your care,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless,

And worship him in humbleness,

O praise him, Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One,

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

* Call to New Life    

On this day in which we receive the Global Witness and Peacemaking offering, we pray an ancient prayer for peace.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace   attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, Italy

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

* Assurance of God’s Love from Romans 8

What then are we to say about these things?

If God is for us, who is against us?

Who will separate us from the love of Christ?

Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? 

We are convinced that nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

* Sharing of the Peace  

We pray that God will make us the instruments of holy peace.

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us share Christ’s peace.

Scripture Psalm 37:1-9 (NRSVUE)  (Responsive) 

Do not fret because of the wicked;

do not be envious of wrongdoers,

for they will soon fade like the grass

and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord and do good;

live in the land and enjoy security.

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him, and he will act.

He will make your vindication shine like the light

and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;

do not fret over those who prosper in their way,

over those who carry out evil devices.

Refrain from anger and forsake wrath.

Do not fret—it leads only to evil.

For the wicked shall be cut off,

but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube  

Music: “We Walk By Faith,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Anthem Choir; Stephany Marilley, flute

“We Are One in the Lord,” Joseph M. Martin

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

We are one in the spirit of the Lord!

One in the water, one in the Word,

We are one in the spirit of Christ, the Lord!

We are one in the spirit of the Lord!

We are one at the table of the Lord!

Come to the feast and be restored,

We are one at the table of Christ, the Lord!

We are one at the table of the Lord!

In Christ there is no east or west

In him no south or north,

But one great fellowship of love

Throughout the whole wide earth.

In him shall true hearts everywhere

Their high communion find;

His service is the golden cord

Close binding humankind,

Close binding humankind.

We are one by the miracle of grace!

One in our worship, one in our praise,

Let us sing of his glory for all our days!

We are one by the miracle of grace!

We are one in the spirit of the Lord!

One in the water, one in the Word,

We are one in the spirit of Christ, the Lord!

We are one in the spirit of the Lord!

Yes, we are one in the Lord!

We are one in the spirit of the Lord!

Scripture Luke 17:5-10 (NRSVUE)  

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me; put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’ ”

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:  

Thanks be to God!  

Sermon “Who Serves and Who is Served”

*Affirmation of Faith Confession of Belhar, South Africa (10:3a)

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.

* Hymn # 698 W & R Jamaican Folk Tune

“Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ,” Fred Kaan, Doreen Porter

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

Let us talents and tongues employ,

Reaching out with a shout of joy:

Bread is broken, the wine is poured,

Christ is spoken and seen and heard.

Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Christ is able to make us one,

At the table he set the tone,

Teaching people to live to bless,

Love in word and in deed express.

Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Jesus calls us in, send us out

Bearing fruit in a world of doubt,

Gives us love to tell, bread to share:

God (Immanuel) everywhere!

Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

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   

© 1979 Mercy/ Vineyard Publishing 
Used by Permission.  CCLI License #CSPL068847

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  

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

The Invitation

Today we join Christians around the world who gather at Christ’s table in many languages, cultures, and traditions. On this World Communion Sunday, we remember that thought we come from many places, we are one body, sharing in the bread and the cup of Christ.

The Great Thanksgiving

Like a sower, God scatters, and God will give growth.

God scatters life across the earth.

God scatters people in every land and nation.

God scatters disciples far and wide.

Like a shepherd, God gathers.

God gathers people into families of faith.

God gathers people into communities of love.

God gathers people into the body of Christ.

On this World Communion Sunday, God gathers us at one table with disciples of every language, culture, and tradition. From cathedrals and chapels, from huts and houses, from fields and cities, God gathers us from many places and makes us one in Christ. At this table, we remember the cost of discipleship and rejoice in the riches of Christ’s gifts poured out for the whole world.

The Lord be with you.

And also with you

Lift up your hearts

We lift them up to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise

Creator of the universe, maker of mountains and rivers, deserts and seas, vineyards and wheat fields, we praise you for the life you have given us and for all the living things around us! From the seeds you scattered, you gathered your people, giving them your covenant and your promise. In the fullness of time you came to us in Jesus of Nazareth, Child of Mary and the promised Messiah. We honor his teachings, we weep at his sufferings, and we rejoice in his risen life.

With angels and archangels, with our ancestors in faith, and with our siblings in faith who gather at your table across every continent and island, we lift our voices in praise.

Sanctus

“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Holy, holy, holy Lord, 

God of power, God of might, 

Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest. 

Blessed is He who comes  

In the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest, 

Hosanna in the highest. 

The Story of the Supper

We thank you for Jesus, on the night of his arrest:

he took bread, gave thanks to you,

he broke it, and he shared it, saying,

Take and eat. This is my body, given for you.

We thank you for Jesus, after the supper:

he took the cup, saying, this is the new covenant, sealed in my blood,

shed for you, for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, he said, and remember me.

And now, let us proclaim the mystery of our faith:

Dying you destroyed our death.

Rising you restored our life.

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

With angels and archangels, with our ancestors in faith, and with our siblings in faith who gather at your table across every continent and island, we ask your blessing on this bread and this cup. May these gifts of Christ’s body and blood strengthen us to be the gathered and scattered church in the world:

Many in culture and expression, yet one in Spirit, one in truth, one in faith, one in love.

Gather your scattered seeds into your home of grace and peace where all creation is renewed in you.

For it is through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, that all glory and honor is yours, mighty God, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Communion of the People 

These are the gifts of God for the people of God.

Music During Communion:

“One Bread, One Body,” Joel Raney

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Prayer of Thanksgiving After Communion

We thank you, generous God, for the nourishment of this table and the living presence of Christ among us. We thank you for the gift of growth and grace in this life-renewing feast. We thank you for the company of your great cloud of witnesses, here in this place, in every land, and throughout the generations. Take your gathered people and scatter us again into the world—renewed, invigorated, and committed—that so nourished we may take root and bear life-giving fruit to feed, heal, clothe, and comfort, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

* Hymn  # 674 W & R African Folk Song

“What a Mighty God We Serve,” Jack Schrader

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

What a mighty God we serve,
What a mighty God we serve;
What a mighty God we serve,
What a mighty God we serve!

Let us sing and praise the Lord,
Let us sing and praise the Lord;
Let us sing and praise the Lord,
Let us sing and praise the Lord!

Let us shout and praise his name,
Let us shout and praise his name;
Let us shout and praise his name,
Let us shout and praise his name!

What a mighty God we serve,
What a mighty God we serve;
What a mighty God we serve,
What a mighty God we serve!

* Benediction  

Postlude Chris Bartlette 

“Brethren, We Have Met to Worship,” Brian Büda

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  

Call to Worship and Communion Prayers courtesy of Global Ministries, a joint endeavor of the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the Disciples of Christ.

Worship With Us

World Communion Sunday: Who Serves, and Who is Served