Easter 6: When I'm Gone

Sunday, May 25, 2025
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

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

Google Calendar ICS

As we grow closer to marking the day when Jesus disappeared bodily from earth, we hear his words of consolation and encouragement to his disciples.

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 6: When I’m Gone

Revelation 21:10, 22; 22:1-5; John 14:22-39; 20:19-23

Union Presbyterian Church

May 25, 2025

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

Liturgist: Kathy Sullivan Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude (organ) Chris Bartlette

“Come Down, O Love Divine,” Michael Helman

Prayer Joys and Concerns Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements Kathy Sullivan

Prelude (organ) Chris Bartlette

Meditation on “Veni Creator Spiritus,” Douglas E. Wagner

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

* Call to Worship

Jesus has passed through the door of death

and opened the way to the blessing of life.

Still today, his presence can penetrate the barrier of our fears

and give us peace.

Now we may proclaim the beauty of forgiveness

and the strength that community supplies.

Christ is risen; Christ is here.

Let us worship God, who blesses us with life.

* Hymn # 522 W & R (piano)

“Shall We Gather at the River?”

(Public Domain)

Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.

Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

Soon we'll reach the shining river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.

Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

* Call to New Life  

In that first encounter with his disciples after his resurrection, Jesus entrusted them with the mission of forgiveness. He empowered them to share forgiveness as the central focus of their work, and, eventually, the church. We can approach God with confidence, because we know that God longs for each of us to be free of the old life and ready to put on the new.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

God of majesty, we thank you for your kindness and your steadfast love. Sometimes, even in the face of such love, we shrink back, still convinced that what we have done, who we are, how we live, is condemned by you. But your command is simple: to Love you, and to love one another. How can we begin to love ourselves as well? How can we trust that your Spirit is ever with us?

[Silence]

And we pray,

Heal us, God of love, that we may walk the path of Jesus in peace and confidence. Help us to offer healing to one another in the form of forgiveness, kindness, and mutual blessing. We pray in the name of the Risen One, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

* Assurance of God’s Love from Psalm 103 and 1 John 4

The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God;

everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Bless the Lord, each soul, and do not forget all God’s benefits—

God is the one who forgives all your sinfulness,
It is God who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.

Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Beloved, let us love one another!

* Sharing of the Peace

Our Lord is near; there is no need to be afraid.

Our Lord is here; God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting.

May the peace of our loving God be with you.

And also with you.

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

Scripture Revelation 21:10, 22; 22:1-5 (NRSVUE)

A reading from the Revelation to John, selected verses

And in the spirit, [an angel] carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God… I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb…

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “I Believe in Jesus,” Marc Nelson

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

Anthem Choir

“Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song,” Robert Lau

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

Like the murmur of the dove’s song,

Like the challenge of her flight,

Like the vigor of the wind’s rush,

Like the new flame’s eager might:

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

To the members of Christ’s body,

To the branches of the Vine.

To the church in faith assembled,

To her midst as gift and sign:

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

With the healing of division,

With the ceaseless voice of prayer,

With the power to love and witness,

With the peace beyond compare:

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Scripture John 14:22-29; (NRSVUE)

Judas (not Iscariot) said to Jesus, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, and the word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur you may believe.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “After I’m Gone” 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 # 133 W & R (organ)

“There’s a Spirit in the Air,” Brian Wren, John W. Wilson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

There's a spirit in the air,
Telling Christians everywhere:
"Praise the love that Christ revealed,
Living, working, in our world."

Lose your shyness, find your tongue,
Tell the world what God has done:
God in Christ has come to stay.
Live tomorrow's life today.

When believers break the bread,
When a hungry child is fed,
Praise the love that Christ revealed,
Living, working, in our world.

Still the Spirit gives us light,
Seeing wrong and setting right:
God in Christ has come to stay.
Live tomorrow's life today.

When a stranger's not alone,
Where the homeless find a home,
Praise the love that Christ revealed,
Living, working, in our world.

May the Spirit fill our praise,
Guide our thoughts and change our ways.
God in Christ has come to stay.
Live tomorrow's life today.

There's a Spirit in the air,
Calling people everywhere:
Praise the love that Christ revealed,
Living, working, in our world.

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 # 307 W & R

“Good Christians All, Rejoice,” Cyril A. Alington

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

Good Christians all, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

The Lord of life is risen today;
Death's mighty stone is rolled away:
Let every tongue rejoice and say:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

We praise in songs of victory
That love, that life, which cannot die,
And sing with hearts uplifted high:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

Your name we bless, O risen Lord,
And sing today with one accord
The life laid down, the life restored:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

Benediction

Postlude (piano) Chris Bartlette

"I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing,” 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

Call to Worship taken from “Life in Liturgy, Easter 5C,” United Church of Christ. https://lifeinliturgy.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/easter-6c-2/. Other prayers written by the pastor.

Worship With Us

Easter 6: When I'm Gone