Love Your Enemies

Sunday, February 23, 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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Sometimes Jesus asks us to do hard things. This is one of those times. It is difficult to imagine loving someone who behaves towards us as if we are an enemy. It is difficult to imagine loving someone who has deeply hurt us, or whom we have deeply hurt. How do we do this thing?

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 7: Love Your Enemies

Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40; Luke 6:27-38

Union Presbyterian Church

February 23, 2025

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

Liturgist: Barbara Ann Dailey Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements Barbara Ann Dailey

Prelude Chris Bartlette

"O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” Roger C. Wilson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.       

* Call to Worship

People of God, the Lord has called us to this place.

Friends, siblings in Christ, it is good to be here.

Children of God, the one who is Love has called us here.

The Lord is kind and merciful,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Body of Christ, we are One in the love of God.

They will know we are Christians by our love.

* Hymn # 382 PH

“Somebody’s Knocking at Your Door,” Joy F. Patterson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Somebody’s knocking at your door;
Somebody’s knocking at your door;
O sinner, why don’t you answer?
Somebody’s knocking at your door.

Knocks like Jesus,
Somebody’s knocking at your door;
Knocks like Jesus,
Somebody’s knocking at your door;
O sinner, why don’t you answer?
Somebody’s knocking at your door.

Can’t you hear Him?
Somebody’s knocking at your door;
Can’t you hear Him?
Somebody’s knocking at your door;
O sinner, why don’t you answer?
Somebody’s knocking at your door.

Answer Jesus,
Somebody’s knocking at your door;
Answer Jesus,
Somebody’s knocking at your door;
O sinner, why don’t you answer?
Somebody’s knocking at your door.

* Call to New Life

On this, our last Sunday of Black History month, we will use a prayer from a book called “Black Liturgies” as a prayer of confession for the many transgressions against our siblings of color over the past four centuries as well as those who continue to this day. We say this on behalf of our nation, our community, and ourselves, and pray both for forgiveness and for changed hearts and lives.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (Responsive)

Grieved God, we are ashamed.

We confess that we have not loved the way this world deserves.

Lord, have mercy.

We have allowed children to starve.

Lord, have mercy.

We have cast away generations of Black people behind bars, often for “crimes” that were necessary for their survival.

Lord, have mercy.

We have been spineless in holding law enforcement accountable for their actions.

Lord, have mercy.

We’ve been more concerned with performative activism and online diatribes than looking our own neighbor in the eye, than demanding more for the marginalized in our own communities.

Lord, have mercy.

We have not voted at all.

Lord, have mercy.

We have changed our very benches to keep the homeless from their rest.

Lord, have mercy.

We have exploited land and sea, allowing our own filth to colonize the deepest beauties of the world.

Lord, have mercy.

As we contend with all the ways we have perverted the glory of the world, we hardly feel worthy of forgiveness. But we humbly ask that you would forgive us. Have mercy on us, all our heartlessness, that we would be filled again with the fullness of our humanity. We pray in the name of our Suffering Servant Lord.

Amen.

* Words of Assurance

Let your soul receive this rest:

The God who sends thunder and lightning seeks to obliterate every system

that threatens the dignity and shalom of the cosmos.

We too seek a world that sees justice

for those who have so long been relegated to the margins.

We too pray for the dignity and shalom of all God’s creation.

Our God forgives, heals, and makes whole.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

* Sharing of the Peace

Let your soul be at rest;

Let your heart remain open to God’s wisdom.

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 37:1-11, 39-40

A responsive reading from the Psalter, Psalm 37, selected verses.

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.

Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
    though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land
    and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
    he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and rescues them;
    he rescues them from the wicked and saves them
    because they take refuge in him.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Beauty for Brokenness,” Graham Kendrick

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

Anthem Choir

“I Wonder,” Heather Sorenson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

I wonder as I ponder if peace will ever come

To all the children everywhere who pray for peace each night.

I wonder, I wonder.

I wonder as I ponder if peace will touch their lives,

And pray that they will know the One who listens to their cries.

I wonder, I wonder.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace,

A messenger of hope for all to hear.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is darkness, let me be light.

Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.

I wonder as I ponder if God’s amazing grace

Will be the hope and joy to those who need his warm embrace.

I wonder, I wonder.

May your kingdom come to earth.

And grant your children sleep in peace.

Scripture Luke 6:27-38 (NRSVUE)

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke, beginning at chapter 6, verse 27.

“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Sermon “Love Your Enemies”

Affirmation of Faith From the Confession of 1967 (Section 9.17)

God has created humanity [so] that we may respond to God’s love… God has endowed humanity with capacities to make the world serve our needs and to enjoy its good things. Life is a gift to be received with gratitude and a task to be pursued with courage. Human beings are free to seek life within the purpose of God: to develop and protect the resources of nature for the common welfare, to work for justice and peace in society, and in other ways to use our creative powers for the fulfillment of human life.

* Hymn # 362 PH

“I Love the Lord Who Heard My Cry”

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

I love the Lord, who heard my cry
And pitied every groan.
Long as I live and troubles rise,
I’ll hasten to God's throne.

I love the Lord, who heard my cry
And chased my griefs away.
O let my heart no more despair
While I have breath to pray.

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 # 315 PH

“Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” Melva W. Costen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.       

Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray.
Yes, every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray.

Upon the mountain, when my Lord spoke,
Out of God's mouth came fire and smoke.
Looked all around me, it looked so fine,
Till I asked my Lord if all was mine.

Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray.
Yes, every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray.

Jordan river, chilly and cold,
It chills the body but not the soul.
There is but one train upon this track;
It runs to heaven and then right back.

Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray.
Yes, every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray.

* Benediction

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Noble March,” Mark Hayes

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

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace adapted from a prayer by Cole Arthur Riley, Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human (New York, NY: Convergent Books, 2024), 145. Words of Assurance adapted from “Forgiveness,” Op. Cit., 146.

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Love Your Enemies