Easter 5: Guest Preacher Rev. Gary Neal Hansen

Sunday, May 18, 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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This morning we welcome the Rev. Gary Neal Hansen to our pulpit. Rev. Hansen writes, “I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples.” Explore his writings and find information about his books here.

You are invited to worship with us in our beautiful sanctuary at 200 East Main Street in Endicott, NY, or to join us by watching our livestream (or the video of the livestream, later). We worship at 10:30 AM Sunday mornings…you are always welcome!

Easter 5: Getting Close, Staying Close

Acts 8:26-40; John 15:1-8

Union Presbyterian Church

May 18, 2025

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

Liturgist: Peg Corwin Preacher: Rev. Gary Neal Hansen

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“You Are My Hiding Place,” Mark Hayes

Prayer Joys and Concerns Rev. Gary Neal Hansen

Welcome

Announcements Peg Corwin

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown,” Larry Shackley

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

* Call to Worship (Adapted from Psalm 22:25-31 NRSV)

One: From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear God.

Many: The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek God shall praise the LORD. May your hearts live forever!

One: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before God.

Many: For dominion belongs to the LORD, and God rules over the nations.

One: Come, let us worship our God!

* Hymn # 311 W & R (piano)

“Now the Green Blade Rises,” J.M.C. Crum

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,

Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;

Love lives again that with the dead has been;

Love is come again like wheat arising green.

In the grave they laid him, love by hatred slain,

Thinking that he would never wake again,

Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen;

Love is come again like wheat arising green.

Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,

He that for three days in the grave had lain;

Raised from the dead, my living Lord is seen;

Love is come again like wheat arising green.

When our hearts are wintery, grieving, or in pain,

Your touch can call us back to life again,

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been;

Love is come again like wheat arising green.

* Call to New Life  

Friends, the Apostle teaches us that “God … reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” So that we may walk in this peace with God and each other, let us come near to God, telling the truth about our lives, and seeking God’s help.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Loving God, we admit that we have gone our own way, pleasing ourselves at the expense of your will and the wellbeing of our neighbors. The result has been broken relationships, and broken lives. By the mercy of Christ, forgive us of our wrongs. Heal us and make us whole. Where we are in conflict with you and with others, fill us with your peace and make us your peacemakers. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

* Assurance of God’s Love

One: If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation!

All: Everything old has passed away! See, everything has become new!

* Sharing of the Peace

In this joyful Eastertide,

we can find the peace that passes all understanding.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

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

Scripture Acts 8:26-40 (NRSV)

Please note: Gary has asked that we use the NRSV.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles, beginning at chapter 8, verse 26.

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,

and like a lamb silent before its shearer,

so he does not open his mouth.

In his humiliation justice was denied him.

Who can describe his generation?

For his life is taken away from the earth.”

The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Gary Neal Hansen

Music: “O Come to Me, the Master Said” (Public Domain)

Anthem

“In My Father’s House,” Craig Courtney

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

In my Father’s house, you will find a place

In the warm embrace of an open door.

In my Father’s house, leave the past behind,

Come inside and find what you’re longing for.

In my Father’s house, solace can be found,

Comfort will surround the bruised and broken.

In my Father’s house, children live in peace,

War and hatred cease and love is spoken,

In my Father’s house.

In my Father’s house, you will find a place

In the warm embrace of an open door.

In my Father’s house, leave the past behind,

Come inside and find what you’re longing for.

In my Father’s house, pardoned from all sin,

Free from what has been, life can start again.

In my Father’s house, prodigals come home,

No one walks alone, come and enter in,

In my Father’s house.

Scripture John 15:1-8 (NRSV)

Please note: Gary has asked that we use the NRSV.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “Getting Close, Staying Close” Rev. Gary Neal Hansen

* 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 # 483 W & R (organ)

“Take Time to Be Holy”

(Public Domain)

Take time to be holy,
Speak oft with your Lord;
Abide in him always,
And feed on his Word.
Make friends of God's children;
Help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing
His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy,
The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret
With Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus,
Like him you shall be;
Your friends in your conduct
His likeness will see.

Take time to be holy,
Let him be your guide,
And run not before him,
Whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow,
Still follow your Lord,
And looking to Jesus,
Still trust in his Word.

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)

“That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright”

(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)

“All Creatures of Our God and King”

(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 # 418 PH (organ)

“God, Bless Your Church with Strength!” John A. Dalles

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

God, bless Your church with strength!

Wherever we may be,

Upbuild Your servants as we work

In common ministry.

Urge us from fledgling faith

To venture and to soar

Through open skies, to sing the praise

Of Christ whom we adore.

God, bless Your church with life!

May all our branches thrive,

Unblemished, wholesome, bearing fruit,

Abundantly alive.

From You, one holy vine,

In freedom may we grow.

Sustain us in our mission, Lord,

Your love and peace to show.

God, bless your church with hope!

Despite chaotic days,

May we in chaos shine to light

A pathway through life’s maze.

May justice be our aim,

And kindness ours to share,

In humbleness O may we walk,

Assured our God is there!

* Benediction

Postlude (piano) Chris Bartlette

“Morning on the Milkweed,” Jeanne Cotter

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

Easter 5: Guest Preacher Rev. Gary Neal Hansen