Easter 7: Spirit Sunday/ Youth Sunday/ Confirmation Sunday

Sunday, June 1, 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

On this wonderful Sunday we anticipate the celebration of Pentecost in the Confirmation of our wonderful young people! They have been working hard since last December to grow in their faith and deepen their relationships with God. Today we welcome them, not only as baptized members of the church, but as those ready to take on the mission and ministry of Jesus.

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!

Spirit Sunday-Youth Sunday-Confirmation Sunday

Spirit-Filled Youth

Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:14-18

Union Presbyterian Church

June 1, 2025

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

Liturgists: Youth of UPC Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements

Prelude Channel Rivera

(with recorded accompaniment, in front of table with handheld mic)

“You Say,” Lauren Daigle

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

I keep fighting voices in my mind

That say I'm not enough

Every single lie that tells me

I will never measure up

Am I more than just the sum of

Every high and every low

Remind me once again just who I am

Because I need to know

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

You say I am held when I am falling short

And when I don't belong oh You say I am Yours

And I believe oh I believe

What You say of me I believe

The only thing that matters now

Is everything You think of me

In You I find my worth

In You I find my identity

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

You say I am held when I am falling short

And when I don't belong oh You say I am Yours

And I believe oh I believe

What You say of me I believe

Taking all I have and now I'm laying it at Your feet

You have every failure God

You have every victory

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

You say I am held when I am falling short

And when I don't belong oh You say I am Yours

And I believe oh I believe

What You say of me I believe

Oh I believe yes I believe

What You say of me I believe

* Call to Worship from Luke 4 Channel Rivera

The Spirit of the Lord is upon us!

God is calling us to bring good news to the poor.

God is calling us to set the captives free!

God is calling us to open our eyes!

God is calling us to stand with the oppressed!

God is calling us to make this the best year ever!

Let us follow Jesus and worship God!

* Hymn  # 80 W & R (piano)

“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” Eugene Thomas

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

He’s got the whole world in his hands,

He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got the wind and the rain in his hands,

He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got the tiny little baby in his hands,

He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got you and me, brother, in his hands,

He’s got you and me, sister, in his hands,

He’s got all of us together in his hands,

He’s got the whole world in his hands.

* Call to New Life Kiara Neal

God loves us and wants the best for us—God wants us to be our best in caring for and helping each other. It isn’t always easy, and it isn’t always popular. But we can ask God for help, so let’s do that now.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace Kiara Neal

God, you created the whole world and called it good. You created everything that is beautiful—the trees and the flowers, the sunsets and the moonrises, the sea and the mountains, the rivers and the meadows. You created us, in every shape and size—short and tall, dark skin and light, curly hair and straight, athletes and artists, musicians and math geniuses. We see that you love every kind of person. But we can turn against each other. We can decide we are better than someone. We can decide to push someone out, pick on them, refuse to be their friend. God, help us to be better than that. Help us to see the beauty in everyone, because we are all beautiful to you. Help us to love one another as you love us. We pray in your holy name. Amen.

* Assurance of God’s Love Sophie Helgeson-Roode

The love of God is from everlasting to everlasting.

God is love!

God sees us, God loves us, God forgives us and helps us to do better.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Amen!

* Sharing of the Peace Xavier Rivera

Love gives us joy. Love gives us peace.

Love reminds us that God is always with us.

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

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

Scripture Genesis 11:1-9 (NRSVUE)

Arianna Neal:

A reading from the Book of Genesis, beginning at Chapter 11, verse 1.

The Tower of Babel

Arianna Neal Jay Rivera Channel Rivera

Xavier Rivera Carmen Rivera Ari Rivera The LORD

Arianna Neal:

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as the people migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another,

Youth:

Come, let us make bricks and fire them thoroughly.

Arianna Neal:

And they had brick for stone and bitumen for mortar. Then they said,

Youth:

Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Arianna Neal:

The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. And the Lord said,

THE LORD:

Look, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.

Arianna Neal:

So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth, and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Holy Wisdom, Holy Word

Thanks be to God.

Youth:

— But what if God had another plan?

— What if God thought that different languages were beautiful?

— And different skin colors were beautiful?

— And different cultures and traditions were beautiful?

— What if God’s plan was diversity all along?

— Look at the trees!

— Look at the flowers!

— Look at the sunsets!

— Look at the different places—the mountains, the sea, the deserts, the plains. So many colors, textures, so many differences!

— What if God’s plan was diversity all along?

Arianna Neal:

From the beginning, God’s creation was intended to be diverse. Look at the Honey Locust tree outside the church office, and the pine trees that line the highways. Look at the cornflowers, roses, peonies, and marigolds in our gardens. Look at the sunsets every night for a year. Look at the Susquehanna River that flows through Endicott and the Atlantic Ocean that laps at the shores of the east coast. Look at the hills that surround the southern tier, and the beaches of some coasts and the rocks of others. Look around this sanctuary. Look at us. God’s plan all along was to create a big, beautiful world, filled with more diversity than we can imagine. Thanks be to God!

Interlude “This is My Father’s World” Chris Bartlette

(Public Domain)

Anthem Youth dancing in front of table

“City of God,” Dan Schutte

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!
A new day is dawning for all those who weep.
The people in darkness have seen a great light.
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.

Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
Has turned the night into day!

We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day.
The One who has loved us has brightened our way.

The Lord of all kindness has called us to be

A light for his people to set their hearts free.

Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
Has turned the night into day!

God is light; in him there is no darkness.
Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all.

O comfort my people; make gentle your words.

Proclaim to my city the day of her birth.

Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
Has turned the night into day!

O city of gladness, now lift up your voice!

Proclaim the good tidings that all may rejoice!

Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
Has turned the night into day!

Scripture Acts 2:14, 16-18 (NRSVUE) Rev. Pat Raube

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Judeans, and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say…This is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my servants, both men and women,
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit,
        and they shall prophesy.’

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Meditation “Spirit-Filled Youth” Rev. Pat Raube

Microphone in front of table placed in front of confirmands

Confirmation of

Sophie Helgeson-Roode, Kiara Neal, Channel Rivera, and Xavier Rivera

Mentors: Barbara Lustgarten, Rev. Pat Raube, Cindy Surrena, and Sara Wokan

Presentation

Clerk of Session:

Sophie Helgeson-Roode, Kiara Neal, Channel Rivera, and Xavier Rivera are presented by the Session for the reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant.

They now desire to profess their faith publicly

and to accept greater responsibility

in the life of the church and God’s mission in the world.

Pastor:

We rejoice that you now desire to declare your faith

and to share with us in our common ministry.

In Baptism you were joined to Christ

and made members of his body.

In the community of the people of God

you have learned of God’s

purpose for you and for all creation.

You have been nurtured at the table of our Lord

and called to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

You are citizens with the saints

and members of the household of God,

built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets,

with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. ~Eph. 2:19–20

Profession of Faith

Pastor:

Trusting in the gracious mercy of God,

do you turn from the ways of sin

and renounce evil and its power in the world?

Sophie, Kiara, Channel, and Xavier: I do.

Who is your Lord and Savior?

Sophie, Kiara, Channel, and Xavier: Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple,

obeying his word and showing his love?

Sophie, Kiara, Channel, and Xavier: I will, with God’s help.

Will you devote yourself

to the church’s teaching and fellowship,

to the breaking of bread and the prayers?

Sophie, Kiara, Channel, and Xavier: I will, with God’s help.

The Apostles’ Creed

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

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Pastor:

Gracious God, by water and the Spirit

you claimed us as your own,

cleansing us from sin, and giving us new life.

You made us members of your body, the church,

calling us to be your servants in the world.

Renew in Sophie, Channel, Xavier, and Kiara the covenant you made in their baptism.

Continue the good work you have begun in them.

Send them forth by the power of your Spirit

to love and serve you with joy,

and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth,

in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Laying On of Hands

All present may be asked to extend their hands in a gesture of blessing while sponsors place their hands on the candidates’ heads. The presider prays the following prayer:

O Lord, uphold Sophie, Channel, Xavier, and Kiara by your Holy Spirit.

Daily increase in them your gifts of grace:

the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and might,

the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord,

the spirit of joy in your presence,

both now and forever. Amen.

The presider may make the sign of the cross on the forehead of each candidate.

Pastor: Sophie, remember your baptism and be thankful,

and know that the Holy Spirit is at work within you.

Sophie: Thanks be to God.

Pastor: Kiara, remember your baptism and be thankful,

and know that the Holy Spirit is at work within you.

Kiara: Thanks be to God.

Pastor: Channel, remember your baptism and be thankful,

and know that the Holy Spirit is at work within you.

Channel: Thanks be to God.

Pastor: Xavier, remember your baptism and be thankful,

and know that the Holy Spirit is at work within you.

Xavier: Thanks be to God.

Welcome

Sophie, Kiara, Channel, and Xavier, by professing your faith publicly,

you have expressed your intention

to grow in the covenant God made with you in your baptism.

May the Spirit continue to strengthen and sustain you

in the worship and mission of the church. Amen. Alleluia!

The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

* Hymn # 129 PH (organ)

“Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us,” Janie Alford

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

We would raise our alleluias
For the grace of yesteryears;
For tomorrow's unknown pathway,
Hear, O Lord, our humble prayers.
In the church's pilgrim journey
You have led us all the way,
Still in presence move before us,
Fire by night and cloud by day.

Come, O Spirit, dwell among us;
Give us words of fire and flame.
Help our feeble lips to praise You,
Glorify Your holy name.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Three in one: what mystery!
We would sing our loud hosannas
Now and through eternity.

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  #595 W & R (piano)

“They’ll Know We Are Christians,” Peter Scholtes

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.  

We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord.

And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand.

And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other; we will work side by side.

And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come.

And all praise to Christ Jesus, his only Son.

And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

* Benediction

Postlude (piano) Chris Bartlette

“Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,” Heather Sorenson

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

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

Image: Hand of God, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Pickerington, OH, 20th c. Courtesy of Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56818 [retrieved April 24, 2025]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_Elizabeth_Ann_Seton_Parish_(Pickerington,_Ohio)_-_stained_glass,_The_Father.jpg.

God's Hands and the Holy Spirit, 20th c., from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56826 [retrieved May 28, 2025]. Original source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/basta-cosi/1547659026/ - Jean Bean.

Worship With Us

Easter 7: Spirit Sunday/ Youth Sunday/ Confirmation Sunday