Easter 3: Back to the Beginning

Sunday, May 4, 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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In a somewhat strange resurrection story, seven disciples decide to return to Galilee and go fishing. They meet a stranger on the beach (guess who?) and after a miraculous catch, their eyes are opened.

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 3: Back to the Beginning

Psalm 30; John 21:1-19

Union Presbyterian Church

May 4, 2025

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

Liturgist: Cathie Makowka Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prayer Joys and Concerns Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements Cathie Makowka

Prelude (piano) Chris Bartlette

“Risen,” Roger Summers

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

* Call to Worship

Do you remember when it all started?

The first Sunday School class, the open church door…

Do you remember what it felt like in those days?

The stories of Jesus, the thrill of newfound faith…

Do you remember when your heart first swelled, and said:

Yes. This is true. This is good. This is God.

Today, as then, God is calling us.

Today, as then, God loves us still.

Today, as then, God’s voice sends the invitation:

Come, let us worship!

* Hymn # 308 W & R (organ)

“This Joyful Eastertide”

(Public Domain)

This joyful Eastertide,
Away with sin and sadness!
Our Lord, the crucified,
Has filled our hearts with gladness.
Had Christ, who once was slain,
Not burst his three-day prison,
Our faith would be in vain.
But now has Christ arisen,
Arisen, arisen,
But now has Christ arisen!

My being shall rejoice secure
Within God's keeping,
Until the trumpet voice shall wake us
From our sleeping.

Had Christ, who once was slain,
Not burst his three-day prison,
Our faith would be in vain.
But now has Christ arisen,
Arisen, arisen,
But now has Christ arisen!

Death's waters lost their chill
When Jesus crossed the river.
His love shall reach me still;
His mercy is forever.

Had Christ, who once was slain,
Not burst his three-day prison,
Our faith would be in vain.
But now has Christ arisen,
Arisen, arisen,
But now has Christ arisen!

* Call to New Life

Weeks, now, after the resurrection, the glow of Easter is fading… or is it? God’s power is still in effect. God’s love still reigns supreme. God brings life out of death. Let us open our hearts to God’s resurrection healing, for you, for me, for all of us.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death. We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death. We overlook the poor and the hungry and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed, and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak and abuse the earth you made.

[Silence]

And we pray,

Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.

* Assurance of God’s Love

Jesus says, I am the resurrection and the life.

Scripture tells us, God is love.

The hovering Spirit gathers us together, to remind us.

Yes, Lord, we believe that you are the Christ,

the Son of God, who has come into the world.

The love of God is from everlasting to everlasting.

God is kind and merciful, abounding with steadfast love.

We are forgiven, healed, and restored to new life.

* Sharing of the Peace

Do you remember a time of perfect peace?

A quiet house, a gurgling river, a breeze ruffling the flowers,

A heart filled with the love of God.

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 Psalm 30 (NRSVUE) Responsive

Psalm 30 is described as a psalm of thanksgiving for recovery from a grave illness. It describes the kind of whipsaw of emotions we can have when something terrible has been followed by something wonderful.

A responsive reading from the Psalter, Psalm 30

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
and did not let my foes rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.

O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment;
his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I shall never be moved.”

By your favor, O Lord,
you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.

To you, O Lord, I cried,
and to the Lord I made supplication:

“What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?

Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
O Lord, be my helper!”

You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,

so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Jesus Calls Us o’er the Tumult” (Public Domain)

Anthem Choir

“All That is Hidden,” Bernadette Farrell

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

If you would follow me, follow where life will lead:

Do not look for me among the dead,

For I am hidden in pain, risen in love;

There is no harvest without sowing of grain.

All that is hidden will be made clear.

All that is dark now will be revealed.

What you have heard in the dark proclaim in the light;

What you hear in whispers proclaim from the housetops.

If you would honor me, honor the least of these:

You will not find me dressed in finery.

My Word cries out to be heard; breaks through the world:

My Word is on your lips and lives in your heart.

All that is hidden will be made clear.

All that is dark now will be revealed.

What you have heard in the dark proclaim in the light;

What you hear in whispers proclaim from the housetops.

If you would speak of me, live all your life in me:

My ways are not the ways that you would choose;

My thoughts are far beyond yours, as heaven from earth:

If you believe in me my voice will be heard.

All that is hidden will be made clear.

All that is dark now will be revealed.

What you have heard in the dark proclaim in the light;

What you hear in whispers proclaim from the housetops.

If you would rise with me, rise through your destiny:

Do not refuse the death which brings you life,

For as the grain in the earth must die for rebirth,

So I have planted your life deep within mine.

All that is hidden will be made clear.

All that is dark now will be revealed.

What you have heard in the dark proclaim in the light;

What you hear in whispers proclaim from the housetops.

Scripture John 21:1-19 (NRSVUE)

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them, and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon Back to the Beginning 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 # 350 W & R (piano)

“The Summons,” John L. Bell

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,

Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?

Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen,

And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

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

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

The Invitation to the Lord’s Table

According to the prophet Isaiah, the day is coming

when the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples

a feast of rich food and well-aged wines.

On that day, the Lord will destroy the shroud of death

that is cast over the whole earth;

God will take away the disgrace of the people

and wipe away the tears from all faces.

God will swallow up death forever.

This is the season of resurrection!

This is the day for which we have waited,

Let us be glad and rejoice in our salvation!

Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God.

By your wisdom, you created the world and everything in it.

By your power, you deliver us from evil in every age.

By your mercy, you have promised never to forsake us.

Therefore we praise you, joining the song

of the universal Church and the heavenly chorus.

Sanctus

“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Holy, holy, holy Lord, 

God of power, God of might, 

Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest. 

Blessed is He who comes  

In the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest, 

Hosanna in the highest. 

Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Before the rising of the sun on the first day of the week,

Jesus rose from the dead! With the first believers

we bear witness to this good news of great joy.

Words of Institution

On the night before he met with death,

Jesus came to table with those he loved.

He took bread and praised you, God of all creation.

He broke the bread among his disciples and said:

Take this, all of you, and eat it.

This is my body, given for you.

When the supper was ended,

he took the cup and gave thanks to you, God of all creation.

He passed the cup among his disciples and said,

Take this, all of you, and drink from it.

This is the cup of the new covenant sealed in my blood

for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this in remembrance of me.

Remembering your goodness and grace,

we offer ourselves to you with gratitude

as we share this joyful feast.

Memorial Acclamation

According to Christ’s commandment,

We remember his death,

we proclaim his resurrection,

we await his coming in glory.

Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit

upon us and upon this bread and cup.

Make us one in the body and blood

of Jesus Christ our Lord.

As we have been buried with Christ by baptism into death,

raise us up by the power of your Spirit, to walk in new life.

Let us be dead to sin and alive to you in Christ Jesus.

As grains of wheat are gathered from the land

to become the one bread we share,

gather up your church from the ends of the earth

into the glory of your new creation.

Through the Lord Jesus,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

we bless you, God of glory,

now and forever. Amen.

The Communion of the People

Jesus said, I am the bread of life.

Jesus said, I am the vine; you are the branches.

Jesus said, come to me, and never be hungry;

believe in me, and never thirst.

The gifts of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

Music during Communion: “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus” (Public Domain)

Prayer After Communion

Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. We have remembered your mighty acts in holy history. We have seen your power in sending light to conquer darkness, water to give us life, and the bread of heaven to nourish us in love. Send us out now with the good news of salvation and a message of joy for all the world, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

* Hymn # 293 W & R (piano)

“Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!” Brian Wren

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna!

Celebrate this day of days!

Christ is risen! Hush in wonder:

All creation is amazed.

In the desert all surrounding,

See, a spreading tree has grown.

Healing leaves of grace abounding

Bring a taste of love unknown.

Christ is risen! Raise your spirits

From the caverns of despair.

Walk with gladness in the morning.

See what love can do and dare.

Drink the wine of resurrection,

Not a servant, but a friend.

Jesus is our strong companion.

Joy and peace shall never end.

Christ is risen! Earth and heaven

Nevermore shall be the same.

Break the bread of new creation

Where the world is still in pain.

Tell its grim, demonic chorus:

“Christ is risen! Get you gone!”

God the First and Last is with us.

Sing Hosanna, everyone!

* Benediction

Postlude (organ) Chris Bartlette

“Alleluia! Christ is Risen,” Craig A. Penfield

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

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Easter 3: Back to the Beginning