Easter 3: Resurrection Wisdom

Sunday, April 19, 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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With the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, the disciples are presented with a new kind of wisdom. Their instinct is to be together, to be in prayer. Their love for God in Jesus guides their days together—which they know are limited; Jesus will ascend soon. What can the Wisdom of resurrection teach us? How does it encourage us to live?

You can join us in our beautiful sanctuary at 200 East Main Street in Endicott, NY. Or, you can join us online by clicking on the livestream, right here, on Sunday morning at 10:30. You are invited, and will be most warmly welcomed!

Easter 3: Resurrection Wisdom

Sirach 1:14-20; Acts 1:3-5, 12-14

April 19, 2026 

Union Presbyterian Church 

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

Liturgist: Jeff Kellam 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          Jeff Kellam

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart,” Lloyd Larson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

* Call to Worship From Proverbs 2

The Lord gives Wisdom!

From the mouth of God comes knowledge and understanding.

Seek Wisdom as if you were looking for silver;

Search for Wisdom, that hidden treasure!

Then you will understand every good path;

Righteousness and justice, equity and peace:

These are God’s creations, these are God’s treasures.

* Hymn # 247

“Now the Green Blade Rises”, John M.C. Crum, Martin Shaw

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,

What that in dark earth many days has lain;

Love lives again, that with the dead has been;

Love is come again like what arising green.

In the grave they laid him, love by hatred slain,

Thinking that he would never wake again,

Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen;

Love is come again like what arising green.

Forth he came at Easter like the risen grain,

He that for three days in the grave had lain;

Raised from the dead, my living Lord is seen;

Love is come again like what arising green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,

Your touch can call us back to life again;

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

Love is come again like what arising green.

* Call to New Life

Let us, with boldness, approach the throne of grace, that the wisdom of God might permeate our hearts and heal our brokenness.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (unison)

Almighty God,

you love us, but we have not loved you.

You call, but we have not listened.

We walk away from neighbors in need,

wrapped in our own concerns.

We condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed.

God of grace,

help us to admit our sin,

so that as you come to us in mercy,

we may repent, turn to you, and receive forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.

* Words of Assurance

Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn?

Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us,

Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.

Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.

The old life has gone; a new life has begun.

Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.

Thanks be to God! Amen. Alleluia!

* Sharing of the Peace

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

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

Scripture Sirach 1:14-20

The beginning of wisdom is awe of the Holy One;

with the faithful in the womb she was created, together with them.

With humankind she built her roost, an eternal foundation,

and among their descendants, she will be trusted.

The fullness of wisdom is to reverence the Holy One;

she inebriates mortals with her fruits.

Every house of theirs she fills whole with desirable things,

and their storehouses with her produce.  

A crown of wisdom is the awe of the Holy One,

sprouting peace and wholeness, healing.

Skill and knowledge, understanding she rained down,

and she exalted the reputation of those who hold her.

The root of wisdom is to reverence the Holy One,

and her branches are length of days.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing” (Hymn #258)

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Anthem Choir

“Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom”

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Come and seek the ways of Wisdom,

She who danced when earth was new.

Follow closely what she teaches,

For her words are right and true.

Wisdom clears the path to justice,

Showing us what love must do.

Listen to the voice of Wisdom,

Crying in the marketplace.

Hear the Word made flesh among us,

Full of glory, truth, and grace.

When the word takes root and ripens,

Peace and righteousness embrace.

Sister Wisdom, come, assist us;

Nurture all who seek rebirth.

Spirit-guide and close companion,

Bring to light our sacred worth.

Free us to become your people,

Holy friends of God and earth.

Scripture Acts 1:3-5; 12-14

Jesus presented himself to them, living, after his suffering through many convincing proofs, by appearing to them forty days and speaking about the reign of God. And staying with them, Jesus commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, rather to wait there for the promise of the Faithful One, “what you heard from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from this one.”

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. And when they entered the city, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were persevering in prayer together with women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his sisters and brothers.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word.

Thanks be to God.

Sermon “Resurrection Wisdom”

Affirmation of Faith Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice.

Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things…

and the God of peace will be with you.

* Hymn # 257

“The Risen Christ”

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

The risen Christ, who walks on wounded feet

From garden tomb through darkened city street,

Unlocks the door of grief, despair, and fear,

And speaks a word of peace to all who hear.

The risen Christ, who stands with wounded side,

Breathes out his Spirit on them to abide

Whose faith still wavers, who dare not believe;

New grace, new strength, new purpose they receive.

The risen Christ, who breaks with wounded hand

The bread for those who fail to understand,

Reveals himself, despite their lingering tears,

Enflames their hearts, then quickly disappears.

May we, Christ’s body, walk and serve and stand

With the oppressed in this and every land,

Till all are blessed and can a blessing be,

Restored in Christ to true humanity.

Prayers of the People 

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)

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 # 587

“Alleluia!” Fintan O’Carroll, Christopher Walker

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Call for Offering     

* Doxology # 606

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

(Public Domain)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,

Praise God, all creatures here below:

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

* Dedication of Offering 

* Hymn # 307

“God of Grace and God of Glory”

(Public Domain)

God of grace and God of glory,
On thy people pour thy power;
Crown thine ancient church's story;
Bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.

Lo! the hosts of evil round us
Scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.

Cure thy children's warring madness;
Bend our pride to thy control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss thy kingdom's goal,
Lest we miss thy kingdom's goal.

Save us from weak resignation
To the evils we deplore.
Let the gift of thy salvation
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Serving thee whom we adore,
Serving thee whom we adore.

* Benediction 

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing,” Jane Holstein

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.

Prayers (other than the Call to Worship) taken from the Book of Common Worship (PCUSA), 1993.

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Easter 3: Resurrection Wisdom