Epiphany 5: A Healing Touch

Sunday, February 8, 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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Today we experience the stories of a girl and a woman, both badly in need of healing. Matthew enfolds the stories together: their need and their healer connect them. What does Jesus’ healing look like for us? How can we, too, experience that healing touch?

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 to walk this Epiphany season journey together

5 Epiphany

A Healing Touch

Psalm 30:1-12; Matthew 9:18-26

Union Presbyterian Church 

February 8, 2026 

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

Liturgist: Joan Kellam Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube 

Welcome  

Announcements          Joan Kellam

Prelude Nancy Helgeson, Judy March, Doug Moore, Pat Raube

“O God of Love, This Is a Time of Turning,” Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

Used by permission.

O God of love, this is a time of turning —
A time of change, with conflict in the news.
For in our land, some mighty winds are churning;
There's much at stake that we could gain or lose.
Love sings out strong, yet fires of hate are burning;
O God of all, you call us all to choose.

O God of peace, we hear your gracious promise:
Your love can heal the hearts of humankind.
May we stand firm for truth and peace and justice;
May we leave fear and hatred far behind.
May we sing out, and — singing — be a witness,
And show resolve to work for what is kind.

O God of all, of immigrant and neighbor,
Of those in power — and of the refugee,
You give us all our common life and labor —
Our common hope, the peace we long to see.
God, may we turn and be made strong together.
May we seek justice, love and unity.

O God of love, have mercy on your churches;
Take from our hearts our paralyzing fear.
Give us new faith! Make us courageous workers.
Help us to labor on from year to year
When other voices call out to distract us,
May we choose well and seek your kingdom here.

* Call to Worship

I will exalt you, O God, because I cried out to you, and you healed me.

From everlasting to everlasting, you are our God.

I praise you, God, for your faithfulness;

I give thanks, Generous One, for your holiness.

From everlasting to everlasting, you are our God.

You have turned my wailing into dancing;

You have clothed me with joy!

From everlasting to everlasting, you are our God.

* Hymn # 403

“Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”

(Public Domain)

Open now thy gates of beauty,
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for God who answers prayer;
O how blessed is this place,
Filled with solace, light, and grace.

Gracious God, I come before thee;
Come thou also unto me;
Where we find thee and adore thee,
There a heaven on earth must be;
To my heart O enter thou;
Let it be thy temple now.

Speak, O Lord, and I will hear thee;
Let thy will be done indeed;
May I undisturbed draw near thee,
While thou dost thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows;
Here is balm for all our woes.

* Call to New Life

We all find moments when we pray for God to heal us—not just our bodies, but our hearts, our souls, the parts of us that feel fragmented and broken. Let us open ourselves to the balm of God’s love and mercy.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (unison)

God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in the shadows. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted Good News to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little and hoping for less.

~ Silent Prayer~

And we pray,

Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.

* Words of Assurance

The same God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness”

now shines in our hearts.

Your love, O God, is from everlasting to everlasting.

You give us knowledge of the glory of God in your grace and mercy.

Our God is filled with lovingkindness and mercy,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

Thanks be to God, we are healed and made whole!

* Sharing of the Peace

The possibility of a fresh start brings a sense of God’s peace.

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 30:1-12

I will exalt you, Ark of Safety, because you have pulled me up

and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.

Healing One, my God, I cried to you for help,

and you healed me.

Ever-Living God, you brought my soul up from Sheol;

you preserved my life from descent to the Pit.

Sing praises to the Faithful God, you her faithful;

give thanks remembering her holiness.

For her fury is a moment, her favor a lifetime.

Weeping may pass the night, yet in the morning, joy.

Now I, I said in my prosperity,

“I shall never be shaken.”

Majestic One by your favor you established me as a mighty mountain;

you hid your face, I was terrified.

To you Most High I call,

and to you my sovereign I appeal:

“What profit is there in my [shed] blood, in my descent to the Pit?

Will the dust praise you, declare your faithfulness?

Hear, Holy One, and have mercy upon me;

Holy One of Old, be my help.

You have turned my wailing into dancing;

from me you have taken my sackcloth and you have clothed me with joy.

So that my glory might praise you and not keep silent;

Glorious One, my God, forever will I praise you.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Woman in the Night” (Hymn #161)

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Anthem Choir

“Hem of Your Robe,” Pepper Choplin

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

When our worship moves higher, (3x)

Let us touch the hem of Your robe.

When our worship moves higher, (3x)

Let us touch the hem of Your robe.

For all heaven’s praise and all heaven’s songs

Make all our humble worship seem lowly. (2x)

For our highest praise and our highest songs

Are just a tiny glimpse of Your glory (2x)

And Your power.

When we’re bowing lower, (3x)

Let us touch the hem of Your robe.

When we’re bowing lower, (3x)

Let us touch the hem of Your robe.

For all heaven’s praise and all heaven’s songs

Make all our humble worship seem lowly. (2x)

For our highest praise and our highest songs

Are just a tiny glimpse of Your glory (2x)

And Your power.

Lord, You lift us higher, (3x)

Let us touch the hem of Your robe.

Lord, You lift us higher, (3x)

Let us touch the hem of Your robe. (3x)

Scripture Matthew 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, suddenly a leader [of the synagogue] came in and prostrated himself, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus got up and followed him, along with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe on his clothing, for she said to herself, “If I could only touch his clothing, I will be healed.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take courage, daughter, your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that hour. Then Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a disturbance. He said, “Leave, for the precious girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put out, he went in and took her by the hand, and the precious girl arose. And the news of this spread throughout that district.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word.

Thanks be to God.

Sermon “A Healing Touch”

Affirmation of Faith from A Brief Statement of Faith PC(USA)

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

* Hymn  # 775

“I Want Jesus to Walk with Me,” Nolan Williams, Jr.

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

I want Jesus to walk with me;
I want Jesus to walk with me;
All along my pilgrim journey,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

In my trials, Lord, walk with me;
In my trials, Lord, walk with me;
When my heart is almost breaking,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
When my head is bowed in sorrow,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with 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 # 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 

* Hymn # 834

“Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” Thomas A. Dorsey

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Precious Lord, take my hand;

Lead me on, help me stand;

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.

Through the storm, through the night,

Lead me on to the light;

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear,

Precious Lord, linger near;

When my life is almost gone,

Hear my cry, hear my call,

Hold my hand lest I fall;

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

* Benediction 

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,” Jay Rouse

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.

Liturgy taken and/ or adapted from the Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Common Worship (2018).

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Epiphany 5: A Healing Touch