Easter 2: Thomas!

Sunday, April 27, 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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Poor Thomas. Forever known as “doubting,” just because he wasn’t there when all his friends got to see Jesus. What can Thomas’ story teach us about faith—and doubt? How can we see ourselves in him, and even see him as a model for discipleship?

We invite you to join us for worship on the second Sunday in Easter, traditional Thomas’ day! Join us in our beautiful sanctuary, by watching our livestream, or by watching the video of the service that is posted later. It is the Easter season, a season of joy, and all are welcome!

Easter 2: Blessed!

Psalm 150; John 20:19-31

Union Presbyterian Church

April 27, 2025

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

Liturgist: Barbara Ann Dailey Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” Lloyd Larson

Prayer Joys and Concerns Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements Barbara Ann Dailey

Prelude Mary

“A Grateful Heart,” Mary Plumstead

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Thou that hast given so much to me

Give me one thing more, a grateful heart.

Not thankful when it pleaseth me,

As if Thy blessings had spare days

But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.

Thou that hast given so much to me

Give me one thing more, a grateful heart.

* Call to Worship

Peace be with you. Jesus stands among us.

Peace be with you. The risen Lord is here.

Blessed are you who have seen and believed.

Blessed are you who have not seen, and yet, have believed.

Peace be with us all, with faith as small as a mustard seed.

Peace be with us all, doubters and believers alike.

* Hymn # 295 W & R

“Jesus Christ is Risen Today”

(Public Domain)

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured: Alleluia!
Now above the sky he's King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love: Alleluia!
Praise him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!

* Call to New Life  

We call him “doubting Thomas,” as if that were a bad thing. Doubt is on the pathway to faith. Doubt is a place to which we may circle back throughout the years, as we check in with ourselves. Doubt does not mean the end of faith. It means a deeper engagement with our faith, once we have come to the other side. Let us pray to our God, lover of both the doubters and the faith-filled.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Almighty and eternal God, you are the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt. We come into your presence, honest about our faith, or lack thereof. Sometimes we are not able to hear these stories without questioning. How? Why? We want to know. We place our questions in your hands and ask for your healing presence. Take, we pray, all our doubts and uncertainties, and fill us with such faith that we may be confident of your love and loyal in the service of him who died and yet lives for us. Amen.

* Assurance of God’s Love

O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good;
God’s steadfast love endures forever!

Believe the gospel!

In Jesus Christ we are healed, forgiven, and made whole.

Alleluia! Amen!

* Sharing of the Peace

Let us be kind to one another, and tenderhearted.

Let us forgive one another as God in Christ has forgiven us.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.

And also with you.

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

Scripture Psalm 150 (NRSVUE)

A responsive reading from the Psalter, Psalm 150.

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise God in his mighty firmament!

Praise God for his mighty deeds;
    praise God according to his surpassing greatness!

Praise God with trumpet sound;
    praise God with lute and harp!

Praise God with tambourine and dance;
    praise God with strings and pipe!

Praise God with clanging cymbals;
    praise God with loud clashing cymbals!

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “These Things Did Thomas Count as Real,” Thomas H. Troeger

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Anthem

“We Walk By Faith,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

We walk by faith and not by sight:

No gracious words we hear

Of him who spoke as none e’er spoke,

But we believe him near.

We may not touch his hands and side,

Nor follow where he trod;

Yet in his promise we rejoice,

And cry “My Lord and God!”

Help then, O Lord, our unbelief,

And may our faith abound;

To call on you when you are near,

And seek where you are found:

That when our life of faith is done

In realms of clearer light

We may behold you as you are

In full and endless sight.

We walk by faith and not by sight:

No gracious words we hear

Of him who spoke as none e’er spoke,

But we believe him near.

Scripture John 20:19-31 (NRSVUE)

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon Rev. Pat Raube

* Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed, Ecumenical Version

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, 
creator of heaven and earth. 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, 
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, 
born of the Virgin Mary, 
suffered under Pontius Pilate, 
was crucified, died, and was buried; 
he descended to the dead. 
On the third day he rose again; 
he ascended into heaven, 
is seated at the right hand of the Father, 
and will come again to judge the living and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, 
the holy catholic church, 
the communion of saints, 
the forgiveness of sins, 
the resurrection of the body, 
and the life everlasting. Amen. 

* Hymn # 313 W & R

“O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing”

(Public Domain)

O sons and daughters, let us sing!
The King of heaven, the glorious King,
O'er death and hell rose triumphing.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

That night the apostles met in fear;
Amidst them came their Lord most dear
And said, "My peace be on all here."
Alleluia! Alleluia!

When Thomas first the tidings heard,
How they had seen the risen Lord,
He doubted the disciples' word.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

"My piercèd side, O Thomas, see;
My hands, my feet, I show to thee;
Not faithless, but believing be."
Alleluia! Alleluia!

No longer Thomas then denied,
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
"Thou art my Lord and God," he cried.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

How blest are they who have not seen,
And yet whose faith has constant been,
For they eternal life shall win.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

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  # 299 W & R (verse 3)

(Public Domain)

O Jesus, strong in gentleness,
Come now yourself, our hearts possess,
That we may give thee all our days
The tribute of our grateful praise.

Call for Offering    

* Doxology # 23 W & R (verse 5)

(Public Domain)

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!

* Dedication of Offering

* Hymn # 315 W & R (piano)

“This is the Feast of Victory,” John W. Arthur, Richard Hillert

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     