Epiphany 4: Servant Song

Sunday, February 1, 2026
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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Again we turn to Isaiah, one of his four “servant songs.” These are passages in which God speaks of having chosen a servant who will bring justice to the earth. The infinite love God has for God’s people is revealed in the tenderness of these lyrics.

Please join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM in our beautiful sanctuary at 200 East Main Street, Endicott. Or, you can join our livestream by clicking on the Youtube Video right here. We are grateful as you join us on this journey through the Epiphany season.

4 Epiphany

Called to Service

Psalm 22:23-31; Matthew 4:18-25

Union Presbyterian Church 

February 1, 2026 

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

Liturgist: Jeff Kellam Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube 

Welcome  

Announcements          Jeff Kellam

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“He Leadeth Me,” Jay Rouse

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!

Your love and mercy shall last forever,

Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise.

Great is your name, great is your love!

* Hymn # 10

“Sing Glory to the Name of God,” David Gambrell

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Sing glory to the name of God,

Whose holy splendor shines abroad.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Enthroned above the crashing waves,

The God of grace and glory saves.

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The name of God is full of might:

Resounding thunder, flashing light.

Alleluia, alleluia!

The wilderness cannot contain

The echoes of the great refrain:

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The name of God is wild and free,

A-whirl in holy mystery.

Alleluia, alleluia!

A secret wrapped in smoke and fire,

Still chanted by the temple choir:

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

May God forever be our peace;

May hymns of glory never cease:

Alleluia, alleluia!

Let all the faithful people come;

Sing praise to God, the Three-in-One:

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

* Call to New Life

In the morning, in the beautifully diverse 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.

Bring new love

where we have turned hard-hearted.

Bring forgiveness

where we feel hurt and where we have wounded others.

Bring the joy and freedom of your Holy Spirit

where we are prisoners of ourselves.

We pray in your holy name. Amen.

* Words of Assurance

To all and to each where regret is real,

God pronounces pardon.

To every one of us, for all God’s people

God grants us blessing to begin again.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

* Sharing of the Peace

The peace of the soul that is open to God’s love

is like no other.

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 Psalm 22:23-31 (responsive)

You who fear the Font of Life, praise her!
    All the offspring of Leah and Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah glorify her;
    stand in awe of her, all you of Rebekah’s line!
For she did not despise or abhor
    the affliction of the afflicted;
she did not hide her face from me
    and when I cried to her, she heard.

On your account is my praise in the great congregation;
    my vows I will pay before those who revere her.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
    those who seek her shall praise the Mother of All.
    May your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth shall remember
    and turn to the Wellspring of Life,
and all the families of the nations
    shall worship before her.
For sovereignty belongs to the She Who is Holy,
    and she rules over the nations.

They consume and they bow down, all the fat ones of the earth before her;
    they bend their knees all who go down to the dust,
    and cannot save their soul.
Later generations will serve her;
    future generations will be told about our God,
they will go and proclaim her deliverance to a people yet unborn,
    saying that she has done it.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord” (Hymn #432)

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Anthem Choir

“Consecrated, Lord, to Thee,” Lloyd Larson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Take my life and let it be

Consecrated, Lord to Thee.

Take my moments and my days;

Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move

At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet and let them be

Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing

Always, only for my King.

Take my lips and let them be

Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold;

Not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect and use

Every power as Thou shall choose.

Use my heart, my mind and will.

Through my life Thy plans fulfill.

Use my life: my talents, time, my all.

May I hear Thy holy sovereign call.

Lord, take my will, and make it Thine;

It shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart, it is Thine own;

It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour

At Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself and I will be

Ever, only, all for Thee.

Take my life and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, Lord, to Thee.

Scripture Matthew 4:18-25

As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fisherfolk. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people—women, children, and men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. As Jesus went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the reign of God and curing every disease and every malady among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and tormented by pain, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word.

Thanks be to God.

Sermon “Called to Service”

[MICS in center for people being installed and right front corner of pews for Cindy]

2026 Ordination and Installation of Deacons and Ruling Elders

For Ordination and Installation

Linda Bevilacqua and Bruce Wolff (Deacons)

Susie Chadwick and Kathy Sullivan (Ruling Elders)

For Installation

Larry Goetz and Ellie Rivera (Deacons)

Ruth Allstadt (Ruling Elder)

Sentences of Scripture

There are varieties of gifts, but it is the same Spirit who gives them.

There are different ways of serving God,

but it is the same Lord who is served.

God works through each person in a unique way,

but it is God’s purpose that is accomplished.

To each is given a gift of the Spirit

to be used for the common good.

Together we are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.

Statement on Ordination

We are all called into the church of Jesus Christ by baptism and marked as Christ’s own by the Holy Spirit. This is our common calling, to be disciples of Jesus Christ and servants of our servant Lord.

Within the community of the church, some are called to particular service as deacons, as ruling elders, and as ministers of Word and Sacrament. Ordination is Christ’s gift to the church, assuring that his ministry continues among us. Through ordination, God provides for acts of care and compassion to the world, for the ordering and governance of the church, and for the preaching of the Word and celebration of the Sacraments.

Presentation

Former Clerk of Session: Representing the one holy, catholic, and apostolic church, the session of Union Presbyterian Church now ordains Linda Bevilacqua and Bruce Wolff as deacons, and Susie Chadwick and Kathy Sullivan as ruling elders, and installs them to active service in this congregation.

The session also installs to active service those previously ordained, Deacons Larry Goetz and Ellie Rivera; and Ruling Elder Ruth Allstadt.

Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant

Pastor: As God calls some to particular forms of ministry, God calls us to bear gladly the yoke of Christ given in the covenant of Baptism. Let us, therefore, reaffirm our baptismal vows, renouncing all that opposes God and God’s rule, and affirming the faith of the Christ’s universal church. All are invited to respond:

Trusting in the gracious mercy of God,

do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?

I do.

Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love?

I do.

Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his word and showing his love?

I will, with God’s help.

Profession of Faith

With the whole church, let us confess our faith:

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.

Thanksgiving for Baptism

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Gracious and eternal God, with joy we give you thanks and praise. We praise you for leading your people Israel through the waters of the sea, out of bondage and into freedom in the land of your promise. We praise you for sending Jesus your Son, who was baptized in the waters of the Jordan and who was anointed as the Christ by your Holy Spirit. Through the baptism of his death and resurrection, you set us free from the bondage of sin and death, and give us cleansing and rebirth.

We praise you for pouring out your Holy Spirit, who teaches us and leads us into all truth, filling us with a variety of gifts, that we might proclaim the gospel to all nations and serve you as a royal priesthood.

We rejoice that you have claimed us in our baptism and anointed us for service in Christ’s name, and that by your grace we are born anew.

By your Holy Spirit renew us, that we may be empowered to do your will and continue forever in the risen life of Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Constitutional Questions

Linda, Bruce, Larry, Ellie, Susie, Kathy, and Ruth, in baptism you were claimed by the love of God, clothed in the grace of Jesus Christ, and anointed by the Holy Spirit to share Christ’s mission in the world. Now you are called by God through the voice of the church for new service and ministry in Jesus’ name.

In accordance with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), show your commitment to this calling by responding to these questions.

Do you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him to be Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Candidates: I do.

Do you accept the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church Universal, and God’s Word to you?

Candidates: I do.

Do you sincerely believe and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith, as expressed in the confessions of our church, and authentic and reliable expositions of what scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God?

Candidates: I do and I will.

Will you fulfill your ministry in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of scripture, and be continually guided by our confessions?

Candidates: I will.

Will you be governed by our church’s polity, and will you abide by its discipline? Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God’s will and Spirit?

Candidates: I will.

Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world?

Candidates: I will.

Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church?

Candidates: I do.

Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?

Candidates: I will.

For Deacons:

Will you be a faithful deacon, teaching charity, urging concern, and directing the people’s help to the friendless and those in need, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?

Deacons: I will.

For Ruling Elders:

Will you be a faithful ruling elder, watching over the people, watching over the people, providing for their nurture, worship, and service? Will you share in governance and discipline, serving in councils of the church; and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?

Ruling Elders: I will.

Clerk of Session Questions to the Congregation

Do we, the members of the church, accept Linda, Bruce, Larry, and Ellie as Deacons, and Susie, Kathy, and Ruth as Ruling Elders, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ?

We do.

Do we agree to pray for them, to encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ who alone is Head of the Church?

We do.

Laying on of Hands for Ordination

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Gracious and eternal God, with joy we give you all thanks and praise. Throughout the ages and in all times and places you have chosen servants from among your people to point the way to salvation by your grace.

We are grateful for our ancestors in the faith who followed without fear, placing their trust in you alone. We give you thanks for judges and monarchs who ruled in righteousness and peace. We praise you for prophets and apostles who spoke your bold words of mercy and truth. We thank you for men and women in every age who have nurtured your people in faith and faithfulness.

Above all we praise you for Jesus Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life to set others free. Anointed by your Holy Spirit, he proclaimed your reign on earth, revealing your saving love in all he said and did.

[The congregation is invited to raise their hands in blessing.]

Gracious God, pour out your Spirit upon your servants Linda, Bruce, Susie, and Kathy, whom you called by baptism as your own. Grant them the same mind that was in Jesus Christ.

Loving God, we also give you thanks for your servants, Larry, Ellie, and Ruth, as they continue in the ministry to which you have called them. Help them to rely on the gifts of your Spirit and to follow Christ faithfully in this calling.

In the walk of faith and for the work of ministry, give to all your servants a spirit of truthfulness, that they may show the compassion of Christ in the actions of daily living and rightly govern your people. Give them gladness and strength, discipline and hope, humility, humor, and courage. Give us all an abiding sense of your presence.

Gracious God, pour out your Spirit of power and truth upon the whole church, that we may be for you a holy people baptized to serve you in the world.

Sustain your church in ministry. Ground us in the gospel. Secure our hope in Christ, strengthen our service to the outcast and those in need, and increase our love for one another.

Show us the transforming power of your grace in our life together, that we may be effective servants of the gospel, offering a compelling witness in the world to the Good News of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Declaration of Ordination and Installation

Linda, Bruce, Larry, Ellie, Susie, Kathy, and Ruth, you are now deacons and ruling elders, ordained and installed to ministries of service and governance in the Church of Jesus Christ and for this congregation.

Welcome

Charge to the Newly Ordained and Installed

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.

~Romans 12:9-16

* Hymn # 170

“You Walk Along Our Shoreline,” Sylvia G. Dunstan

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

You walk along our shoreline

Where land meets unknown sea.

We hear your voice of power,

“Now come and follow me.

And if you still will follow

Through storm and wave and shoal,

Then I will make you fishers

But of the human soul.”

You call us, Christ, to gather

The people of the earth.

We cannot fish for only

Those lives we think have worth.

We spread your net of gospel

Across the water’s face,

Our boat a common shelter

For all found by your grace.

We cast our net, O Jesus;

We cry the kingdom’s name;

We work for love and justice;

We learn to hope through pain.

You call us, Lord, to gather

God’s daughters and God’s sons,

To let your judgment heal us

So that all may be one.

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 # 144 (verse 4) “In the Bleak Midwinter” (Public Domain)

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a wise man, I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

Call for Offering     

* Doxology # 584 “Glory, Glory, Glory”

Glory, glory, glory,

Glory be to God on high!

Glory, glory, glory,

Glory be to God on high!

And on earth peace to all people

In whom God is well pleased.

And on earth peace to all people

In whom God is well pleased.

* Dedication of Offering 

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Invitation

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.

The Great Thanksgiving

Holy, Holy, holy Lord—

we praise you for your love:

bringing order out of chaos,

breathing life into dust,

leading captives into freedom,

calling wandering children home,

giving bread to the hungry,

giving drink to the thirsty,

raising the dead to life.

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. 

Thank you, Lord—

we thank you for Jesus;

Word made flesh,

light of the world,

living water,

shepherd and gate,

way and truth,

bread of heaven,

cup of salvation,

resurrection and life.

The Words of Institution

We give you thanks that on the night of his arrest

Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks to you,

he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take. Eat. This is my body, given for you.

Do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way he took the cup, saying:

This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood,

shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.

Take this bread and cup, O God, a feast of grace;

take our hearts and lives—an offering of praise.

Memorial Acclamation

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

Dying, you destroyed our death.

Rising, you restored our life.

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

The Hovering Spirit

Spirit, come—

come and live in us:

in this bread,

in this cup,

in your people,

one in the body,

one in the blood;

one with Christ,

one in ministry,

in this place,

in every place,

in this world,

in the world to come.

Blessing and glory,

wisdom and thanksgiving,

honor and power,

forever and ever! Amen.

O taste and see that the Lord is good!

The gifts of God for the people of God.

Music During Communion: “Come to the Table” (Hymn #508) Used by permission.

Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion

* Hymn # 757

“Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples,” H. Kenn Carmichael

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Today we all are called to be

Disciples of the Lord,

To help to set the captive free,

Make plowshare out of sword,

To feed the hungry, quench their thirst,

Make love and peace our fast,

To serve the poor and homeless first,

Our ease and comfort last.

God made the world and at its birth

Ordained our human race

To live as stewards of the earth,

Responding to God’s grace.

But we are vain and sadly proud;

We sow not peace but strife.

Our discord spreads a deadly cloud

That threatens all of life.

Pray justice may come rolling down

As in a mighty stream,

With righteousness in field and town

To cleanse us and redeem.

For God is longing to restore

An earth where conflicts cease,

A world that was created for

A harmony of peace.

May we in service to our God

Act out the living word,

And walk the road the saints have trod

Till all have seen and heard.

As stewards of the earth may we

Give thanks in one accord

To God who calls us all to be

Disciples of the Lord.

* Benediction 

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Lead On, O King Eternal," Mark Hayes

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

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

Scripture Translations are from A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A, by Wilda C. Gafney, unless otherwise noted.

Worship With Us

Epiphany 4: Servant Song