Jesus, still preaching on the mountainside, comes to an issue facing the vast majority of the people who are listening: What to do when you are bullied? In Jesus’ day, Judah was under Roman occupation, and that brutal regime did not hesitate to insert it’s power and domination into the everyday lives of people who were just trying to get along. What does Jesus suggest? Retaliatory generosisty.

You can join us for worship Sunday at 10:30 AM in our beautiful sanctuary at 200 East Main Street in Endicott, NY. Or, you can click on the video link below and join us from your home or wherever you might be. You are invited! And you are always welcome.

  29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Retaliatory Generosity

Welcome New Members Linda and Rick Corey

Romans 12:9-21; Psalm 25; Matthew 5:38-42

October 18, 2026

Union Presbyterian Church, Endicott, NY

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

Liturgist: Doug Moore Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube 

Welcome

This is the day that the Lord has made!

Let us rejoice and be glad in it! ~Psalm 118:24

Announcements          Doug Moore

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace,” Jane Holstein

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

* Call to Worship

O God, you summon the day to dawn;

You teach the morning to waken the earth.

Great is your name. Great is your love.

For you the valleys shall sing for joy,

the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Great is your name. Great is your love.

For you the monarchs of the earth shall bow,

the poor and the persecuted shall shout for joy.

Great is your name. Great is your love.

Your love and your mercy shall live forever,

fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise.

Great is your name. Great is your love.

* Hymn # 389

“Come and Sing the Praise of the Lord”

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

(Sing 2x:)

Come and sing the praise of the Lord: sing hallelujah!
Come and sing the praise of the Lord: sing hallelujah!
Let all that lives, all that has breath,
Sing the praise of God, hallelujah!
Let all that lives, all that has breath,
Sing the praise of God.

* Call to New Life

Holy Christ, early in the morning, in the multicolored company of your Church on earth and in heaven, we celebrate your creation, your life, your death and resurrection, your interest in us. So, to you, we pray:

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (unison)

Lord, bring new life where we are worn and tired,

new love where we have turned hard-hearted,

forgiveness where we feel hurt

and where we have wounded,

and the joy and freedom of your Holy Spirit

where we are prisoners of ourselves. Amen.

* Words of Assurance

To all and to each, where regret is real, 

God pronounces pardon and grants us the right to begin again. 
For all and for each, the Lord is kind and merciful, 

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Let us give thanks to God, whose love is from everlasting to everlasting.

Thanks be to you, O God! Thanks be to you.

* Sharing of the Peace

Christ’s warm welcome shines in our hearts.

Christ’s own peace will prevail through this and every day.

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

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

Scripture Romans 12:9-21

Let love be sincere. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Love one another as family; lead the way in showing honor to one another. In zeal not idle, fervent in spirit, serving the Messiah. In hope rejoice, in suffering endure, in prayer persevere. Take part in meeting the needs of the saints; practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not think highly of yourself, sit with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but contemplate what is good in the sight of all persons. If possible for you, live peaceably with all. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, rather leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the holy one.” On the contrary, if your enemies hunger, feed them; if they thirst, give them drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads. Be not overcome by evil, rather overcome evil with good.

Psalter Psalm 25

Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are everlasting.

Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are everlasting.

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

My Lord and God, I trust in you;

Let me not be put to shame,

Nor let my enemies triumph over me.

Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are everlasting.

No one who hopes in you will be put to shame,

But shame will come on those who are treacherous.

Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths.

Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are everlasting.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, O Lord,

For you are God my Savior.

All day long, I put my hope in you.

Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are everlasting.

Remember not the sins of my youth;

Remember not my transgressions.

According to your love, remember me,

For you, Lord, are good.

Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are everlasting.

The Lord is good and does what is right;

He shows the proper path to those

Who go astray, teaching them his way.

Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are everlasting.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Give Us Light” (Hymn #467)

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Anthem Chancel Choir

“To Leave the Stones Unthrown,” Carl P. Daw, Jr.

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

To leave the stones unthrown, to turn the other cheek,

To bear a load an extra mile, to listen more than speak:

Such are the marks of love, the testaments of grace,

The daily glimpses of the cross Christ calls us to embrace.

Not only in extremes, in moments stark and clear,

In dark-night wrestling long and hard or agony severe,

But in some faithful act, some scarcely conscious choice,

We find the grace to hear and heed the bidding of Christ’s voice.

New crosses wait each day, new challenges to meet,

New signposts for the way of life, new marks of death’s defeat:

Yet, be they great or small, unique or commonplace,

They help us look beyond ourselves to see and know Christ’s face.

Scripture Matthew 5:38-42

[Jesus said,] “You all have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye’ and ‘a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you: Do not set yourself against the wicked. But when someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to them also. And when someone wants you to be judged and take your coat, let your other clothing go as well. And when someone forces you to go one mile, go the second mile too. Give to those who ask from you, and those who want to borrow from you, do not refuse.”

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word.

Thanks be to God.

Sermon “Retaliatory Generosity” Rev. Pat Raube

Reception of New Members Linda and Rick Corey

Opening Sentences

Jesus says, ‘I am the Way for you.’

And so we come to follow Christ.

Jesus says, ‘I am the Truth for you.’

And so we come to dwell in the light.

Jesus says, ‘I am the Life for you.’

And so we come, leaving behind all else to which we cling.

Words of Scripture

Hear these words from Holy Scripture:

As many of you as were baptized into Christ

have clothed yourselves with Christ.

There is no longer Jew or Greek,

there is no longer slave or free,

there is no longer male and female,

for all are one in Christ Jesus. ~Galatians 3:27-28

Presentation

Clerk of Session: On behalf of the Session, I present Linda Corey and Rick Corey, who this day are received into the membership of this congregation by reaffirmation of faith.

Pastor: In baptism you were claimed by God,

marked as Christ’s own forever,

and joined to his body by the Holy Spirit.

You come to us, then, not as strangers,

but as friends in Christ and members of the household of God.

We rejoice that you now desire to join with this congregation

in the worship and mission of the church.

Clerk of Session: Please join me in these words from Holy Scripture:

There is one body and one Spirit,

just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,

one Lord, one faith, one baptism

one God and Father of all,

who is above all and through all and in all. ~Ephesians 4:4-6

Profession of Faith

Pastor: As members of the body of Christ, let us reaffirm the faith into which we were baptized.

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty?

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

Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

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.

Pastor: Linda and Rick,

we have professed our faith as one body.

Will you be a faithful member of this congregation,

share in its worship and mission through your prayers and gifts,

your study and service,

and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Christ?

Linda and Rick: I will, with God’s help.

Clerk of Session (to the Congregation):

Do you, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to uphold Linda and Rick in the promises they make this day, by word and deed, with love and prayer?

Congregation: We do.

Pastor: I invite the congregation to raise their hands in a gesture of blessing:

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 Linda and Rick 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.

Welcome

Pastor (one at a time, to Linda and Rick): Name, remember your baptism, and be thankful, and know that the Holy Spirit is at work in you.

Linda and Rick (one at a time, reply): Thanks be to God.

Pastor: Welcome to this ministry that we share in Jesus Christ.

The peace of Christ be with you.

Congregation: And also with you.

* Hymn # 691

“Lord, When I Came into This Life”

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Lord, when I came into this life
You called me by my name;
Today I come, commit myself,
Responding to your claim.

Within the circle of the faith,
As member of your cast,
I take my place with all the saints
Of future, present, past.

In all the tensions of my life,
Between my faith and doubt,
Let your great Spirit give me hope,
Sustain me, lead me out.

So help me in my unbelief
And let my life be true:
Feet firmly planted on the earth,
My sights set high on you.

Minute for Mission Stewardship 2

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.

Call for Offering     

* Doxology # 605 "Praise to God the Father"

Praise to God the Father; praise to God the Son;

Praise to God the Spirit: praise to the Three-in-One.

Sing praise, sing praise to the Lord on high.

Praise to God Almighty; praise to the Holy One.

* Dedication of Offering 

* Hymn # 683

(sung to the tune of Hymn #450, “Be Thou My Vision”)

“Lord of All Hopefulness,” Jan Struther

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,

Whose trust, every childlike, no cares could destroy:

Be there at our waking and give us, we pray,

Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,

Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe:

Be there are our labors and give us, we pray,

Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,

Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace:

Be there at our homing and give us, we pray,

Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,

Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm:

Be there at our sleeping and give us, we pray,

Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

* Benediction 

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Take Time to Be Holy,” John Turner

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.     

All spoken scripture translated by the Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney unless otherwise indicated. A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church Year A. Kindle Edition.

Liturgy courtesy of “A Wee Worship Book,” from the Wild Goose Worship Group, from the Iona Community, Scotland.

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Retaliatory Generosity