Being Human Toolbox 2: Second Chances!

Wednesday, March 19, 2025
6:30 PM 7:15 PM 18:30 19:15

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

Google Calendar ICS

Being human means we will definitely mess up, do the wrong thing, maybe try to hide it, and feel wretched about it. At least a few times. Jesus looks to the natural world—the world of tending what is growing—to talk about second chances.

Our Lenten Evening Prayer services take place at 6:30 PM in our sanctuary. You are invited! If you can’t come in person, please consider joining us by livestream here or at the link below. Videos are available after the service. You are welcome!

Being Human Toolbox 2: Second Chances!

Luke 13:6-9

Union Presbyterian Church

March 19, 2025

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

Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude

“There is a Balm in Gilead,” Lloyd Larson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Opening Sentences

Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening,

And the day is almost over.

Tell us a story, Jesus—

One of your parables from of old.

From the fullness of Jesus Christ,

We have all received, grace upon grace.

Hymn # 179 PH (verses 1, 2, 4)

“God Is My Strong Salvation”

(Public Domain)

God is my strong Salvation:
What foe have I to fear?
In peril and temptation
My light, my help is near.

Though hosts encamp around me,
Firm to the fight I stand;
What terror can confound me,
With God at my right hand?

God's might thy heart shall strengthen,
God's love thy joy increase;
Mercy thy days shall lengthen;
The Lord will give thee peace.

Prayer of the Evening

Scripture Reading Luke 13:6-9 (NRSVUE)

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

Response We live, not by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from God.

Thanks be to God!

Meditation Being Human Toolbox 2: Second Chances!

Psalm 141

“Holden Evening Prayer: Psalm 141,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

O God, I call to you, come to me now;

O hear my voice when I cry to you.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

Keep watch within me, God: deep in my heart

May the light of your love be burning bright.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

All praise to the God of all, Creator of life;

All praise be to Christ and the Spirit of love.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

Prayers of the People

“Holden Evening Prayer: Litany and Prayers,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Response: God of mercy, hold us in love.

Final response:

One: Help us, comfort us, all of our days:

All: Keep us, hold us, gracious God.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our father in heaven,

Hallowed by your name,

Your kingdom come, your will be done,

On earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive our sins

As we forgive those

Who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

And deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

And the glory are yours,

Now and forever. Amen.

Hymn  #303 PH (verses 1, 2, 4)

“Jesus, Lover of My Soul”

(Public Domain)

Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last!

Other refuge have I none;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart;
Rise to all eternity.

Benediction

“Holden Evening Prayer: Final Blessing,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

One: Let us bless our God:

All: Praise and thanks to you.

One: ... be our guide and path for all of our days.

All: Amen.

Postlude

“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” Molly Ijames

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

Some Words About Lent

Welcome to Lent, the season focused on Jesus’ journey to the cross and resurrection. Almost since the church was birthed, people have set this season aside as a time to prepare for the great mystery of Easter, as well as a time to deepen our faith using certain practices. The gospels tell us that Jesus fasted in the wilderness for forty days, and this formed the bases of practice in the early church. By the fourth century there was a strong practice of fasting, associated with prayer and with giving food and alms to the poor and hungry. It was also the time when newcomers to the faith prayed and prepared themselves for baptism. Welcome. Breathe deeply. God is love, and our journey this season will be a re-discovery of that love.

Worship With Us

Being Human Toolbox 2: Second Chances!